MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Redwood Falls City Council was called to order in the Municipal Chambers on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Corey Theis and Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, City Attorney Amy Busse and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.
City Administrator Muetzel requested the addition of Resolution No. 71 of 2018 – Approval of the Purchase Agreement for 504 Veda Drive to the Regular Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda with the following amendment: Add Agenda Item 9.H. Resolution No. 71 – Approval of the Purchase Agreement for 504 Veda Drive. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member ¬¬¬Sandgren to approve the December 4, 2018, minutes as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member ¬¬¬¬Arentson and seconded by Council Member ¬¬¬Smith to unanimously approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Declare Police Department Equipment Surplus Property
2. Approve 2019 Business License Renewals
CIGARETTE AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS:
• Redwood Co VFW Post 2553
ON SALE LIQUOR:
• American Legion Post #38
• Freedom Bar & Grill, LLC.
• Redwood Falls Golf Club, Inc.
• Redwood Co VFW Post 2553
• Duffy’s South Inc. d.b.a Duffy’s Riverside Saloon
• Chumly’s Inc. d.b.a Chumly’s Burger & Brew
ON SALE SUNDAY LIQUOR:
• American Legion Post #38
• Freedom Bar & Grill, LLC.
• Redwood Falls Golf Club, Inc.
• Redwood Co VFW Post 2553
• Duffy’s South Inc. d.b.a Duffy’s Riverside Saloon
ON SALE 3.2 MALT LIQUOR:
• Bridge Street Cuisine, Inc. d.b.a. Country Kitchen
SOLID WASTE HAULING – COMMERCIAL:
• R&E Sanitation, Inc.
• Waste Management of MN, Inc.
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE:
• Bridge Street Massage – Dakotah Harmoning
• Redwood Chiropractic PSC – Emily Moseng
WINE:
• Bridge Street Cuisine, Inc. d.b.a. Country Kitchen
At 5:03 p.m., Mayor Theis opened the required hearing regarding the alcohol license violation for Freedom Bar and Grill.
City Attorney Busse stated on December 14, 2017 the Redwood Falls Police Department conducted an alcohol compliance check at the Freedom Bar and Grill owned and operated by Mark Garrison. Mr. Garrison failed the compliance check when an underage individual cooperating with the Police Department was able to illegally purchase alcohol at the establishment. On November 5, 2018 Mr. Garrison was criminally convicted of misdemeanor Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor in violation of Minn. Stat. 340A.503.2(1). On November 20, 2018 Mr. Garrison was issued and served the administrative citation to address the civil penalty for violating Redwood Falls City Ordinance §5.15 subd. 2A for selling alcohol to a minor.
Ms. Busse stated because this is a first (1st) offense, City staff recommends the liquor license for Freedom Bar and Grill be suspended for a period of seven (7) days, but the suspension be stayed on the conditions that the license holder complete the following: (1) no alcohol sale violations for a period of 2 years; (2) pay a $110 administrative penalty to the City of Redwood Falls to offset the cost of compliance inspections and license enforcement; and (3) that the license holder show proof to the City Attorney or City staff that Freedom Bar and Grill staff and/or management attended an alcohol-sales continuing education course.
Mayor Theis closed the hearing at 5:09 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the proposed Alcohol License Violation Order. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 65 of 2018 – Ward 1 City Council Vacancy.
Mr. Muetzel stated Council Member DeBlieck resigned on December 4, 2018, citing family matters. According to the City Charter and State Law, the vacancy needs to be declared by resolution in the event of such a vacancy; and that the Mayor and City Council shall appoint a qualified person to fulfill the position until the next City election, which will be November 2020. Council Member DeBlieck’s term would have expired January 2021.
The City of Redwood Falls encourages interested residents to participate in the City’s decision making process by applying to serve on the Redwood Falls City Council. After the selection process is complete, the Mayor shall appoint an eligible person, with approval of the Council, to serve the duration of Council Member DeBliek’s term.
Mr. Muetzel stated beginning on December 19, 2018, the City of Redwood Falls will accept applications from individuals interested in serving as Ward 1 City Council Member. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 65 of 2018 – Ward 1 City Council Vacancy. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 65 of 2018 – Ward 1 City Council Vacancy. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 66 – Designation of Annual Polling Place.
Mr. Muetzel stated all cities and townships must pass a resolution by December 31 of each year establishing the polling places for any elections scheduled for the following year. An annual resolution is required even if the polling place does not change.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 66 of 2018 – Designation of Annual Polling Place. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 66 of 2018 – Designation of Annual Polling Place. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Director of Finance & Administrative Services Meyer discussed a proposal to authorize a $1 per month credit for customers choosing paperless billing for utility accounts.
Ms. Meyer stated the City of Redwood Falls bills approximately 3,000 utility accounts each month. Currently only 250 account holders choose paperless billing. Staff recommends offering $1 per month credit as an incentive to change to paperless billing. The cost to print and mail a utility bill exceeds $1.
Ms. Meyer stated the current 250 paperless customers will receive the $1 per month credit. Staff will also continue to increase the number of customers paying by auto draft.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the $1 per month credit for customers choosing paperless billing. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced a proposal for Council Chambers Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements.
Mr. Muetzel stated the desk area of the City Council Chambers does not meet the ADA requirements for slope and corridor width. Staff developed a proposal to remove the step and platform that is under the desk area and reconfigure the desk shape to move it away from the wall. Doing so will eliminate the step, which was deemed a trip hazard, and will provide for a travel corridor between the desk and the wall that is ADA compliant. The cost of the renovation is $12,915.67 and will take approximately three weeks to complete the work.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Council Chambers ADA Improvements. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Library Director Teri Smith was present to discuss Resolution No. 70 of 2018 – Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grant Acceptance.
Ms. Smith stated the Redwood Falls Public Library applied for and received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. The Library is requesting to purchase a ScanPro 2200 Plus Microfilm Scanning System with the grant funds.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 70 of 2018 – Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grant Acceptance. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 70 of 2018 – Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grant Acceptance. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Busse presented Resolution No. 71 of 2018 – Approval of the Purchase Agreement for 504 Veda Drive.
Ms. Busse stated on or about December 14th and December 17th respectively, Realtor Geri Theis presented two offers for the home located at 504 Veda Drive. The current listing price is $144,900.00 however given the consistent remarks from those who viewed the property that it needs a lot of work, Ms. Theis advised the City to expect offers that take all the “work” into consideration which will be reflected in any potential buyers offer to purchase the home. The offers were presented to the “Veda Drive Housing Committee” which includes: Council Member Sandgren, Council Member Arentson, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Meyer, Project Coordinator Doering, and City Attorney Busse.
Ms. Busse stated after review of the offers and discussions, the Committee is recommending Council enter into the purchase agreement submitted by Jared Barber with a purchase price of $130,500.00 and an anticipated closing date of January 14, 2019. The offer made by Mr. Barber is not contingent on an inspection nor the sale and closing on any other property.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 71 of 2018 – Approval of the Purchase Agreement for 504 Veda Drive. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 71 of 2018 – Approval of the Purchase Agreement for 504 Veda Drive. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Council President Buckley presented Mayor Theis with a certificate for his fourteen years of service to the City of Redwood Falls as a Council Member and Mayor. Mr. Buckley thanked Mr. Theis for his dedication and commitment to the City of Redwood Falls.
Mayor Theis called a recess to the Regular City Council meeting at 5:36 p.m.
Mayor Theis reconvened the regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Director of Finance & Administrative Services Meyer presented an overview of the 2019 property tax levy, Payments In Lieu of Taxes, and 2019 payable budget.
Ms. Meyer stated the 2019 Total City Budget receives $25,540,012, 90.46%, from non-tax revenue sources. Property taxes fund 9.54% of the total budget, $2,694,767.
Ms. Meyer stated the 2019 net levy proposed for certification is $2,694,767, which represents a 4% increase over 2018.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 67 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Property Tax Levy. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 67 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Property Tax Levy. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 68 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 68 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 69 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Final Budget. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 69 of 2018 – Approving 2019 Final Budget. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Council Member Buckley and Mayor Theis thanked City staff for their work on assembling the budget each year.
Bills and Claims were presented to the Council for informational purposes. No questions, comments or concerns were raised.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 6:36 p.m. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.