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, February 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Jim Sandgren was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet.
City Administrator Muetzel requested to add Agenda Item 9E, Resolution No. 16 of 2025 – A Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the agenda with the addition of Agenda Item 9E, Resolution No. 16 of 2025 – A Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the February 4, 2025, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet introduced Resolution No. 15 of 2025 – A Resolution Approving Lawful Gambling Premises Permit.
Ms. Kodet stated the City periodically receives Minnesota Lawful Gambling Applications from organizations requiring City approval of the gambling applications and verification that the gambling premises is located within the corporate limits of the City of Redwood Falls. In January 2013, Council approved Resolution No. 4 of 2013 authorizing the City Administrator or a designee to sign Minnesota Lawful Gambling applications without prior approval by City Council. The Minnesota Gambling Control Board recently denied a gambling permit application because the accompanying resolution, which referenced approval, was over six months old. The Gambling Control Board is requesting City approval by Resolution within six months of the application. Resolution No. 15 is requesting approval for the Redwood Area Hockey Association’s premises permit application for The Peart’s Bar and Lounge at 101 Front Street East.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 15 of 2025 – A Resolution Approving Lawful Gambling Premises Permit. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 15 of 2025 – A Resolution Approving Lawful Gambling Premises Permit. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Street Superintendent Employment Offer.
Mr. Muetzel stated the current Street Superintendent will retire on April 30th of this year and the hiring committee has completed the selection process for the next Superintendent. The position was posted internally, and an application was received from Darren Hacker. Darren is the foreman in the street department and has worked in the street department for 6 years. City administration is supportive of transitioning Darren into the Street Superintendent position. This transition will occur over a 3-month training period and become official on April 28, 2025. During the training period Darren will shadow the current superintendent and share oversight of all department operations. The employment offer letter to Mr. Hacker outlines the specific terms of employment including the starting salary at pay grade ten, step one and includes a one-year probationary period.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the Street Superintendent Employment Offer to Darren Hacker. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the 2025 City Archery Deer Hunt Recommendation.
Mr. Doering stated the 2024 Archery Deer Hunt Committee met on February 11, 2025, to review the 2024 results and review the program policies. The Committee and Staff recommend approval of the 2025 hunt application to the DNR. The 2025 hunt application provisions include: set the 2025 fees at $20.00 for the application fee and $40.00 for the hunting fee; 20 participants selected by a minimum proficiency test and lottery draw; Double Earn A Buck, 20 hunters with a maximum bag limit of 40; season to coincide with the full archery season September 13 – December 31; discretion for the Deer Hunt Coordinator and City Staff to replace a participant if they drop out during the hunting season due to unforeseen circumstances.
Mr. Doering stated the committee is recommending a change to the minimum hours required in the stand from 20 hours to 10 hours in order to be eligible for the following year. Due to the decline in applications and the number of hunters below the 20-hour minimum in 2024, it was decided to waive the rule for 2024 and reduce the minimum to 10 hours for 2025. Due to the resignation of the previous Deer Hunt Coordinator Paul Parsons, the committee is also recommending advertising for a new Deer Hunt Coordinator for 2025.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the 2025 City Archery Deer Hunt Recommendation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Ash Tree Removal Project at Knollwood Park.
Mr. Muetzel stated according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, there are 53 counties in Minnesota, including Redwood County, with known emerald ash borer infestations. Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that attacks and kills all species of ash trees. In Redwood Falls, City staff have noted numerous ash trees displaying signs of infestation which include thinning foliage and dieback in the tree’s canopy. Recently, 38 dead ash trees were removed from Industrial Drive, many of which had indications of insect infestation. In addition, local tree experts have concluded that emerald ash borer is present in Redwood Falls and we are beginning to see the signs of infestation. Once infestation becomes widespread, it is anticipated that 100% of the ash trees will become infested by emerald ash borer and will die within a few years.
Mr. Muetzel stated the evident spread of emerald ash borer will have a serious impact on the community. City staff will continue to coordinate the removal of dead and infested ash trees within the public right of way and from public property. Property owners will be responsible for infested ash tree removal from private property. Council has begun the formation of a tree committee to provide oversight and guidance of tree removal and replacement efforts. The tree committee is comprised of five residents and two City staff members.
Mr. Muetzel further stated the tree committee met on February 11 and one of the committee’s recommendations is to accelerate the removal of all ash trees in Knollwood Park. City staff estimate there are approximately 30 ash trees located within Knollwood Park. City staff and representatives of the tree committee are requesting approval to remove all the ash trees in Knollwood Park this winter. The tree committee is in the process of developing a tree replacement plan for Knollwood Park and will request approval of the plan following completion of the ash tree removal activities. The tree replacement plan will include planting a variety of tree species to minimize the spread of disease and insect infestation.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Ash Tree Removal Project at Knollwood Park. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 16 of 2025 – A Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 16 of 2025 is to approve a grant application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation in the amount of $42,870.00 to reduce a portion of the estimated ineligible cost associated with the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) trail grant project. Council approved the solicitation of the SRTS application on January 16th, 2024. The grant agreement will not be issued until bids have been solicited and an actual bid amount can be utilized. Council approved task order 2025-1 on January 21, 2025, with Bolton & Menk to begin engineering and bid preparation for the 2026 construction of the trail.
Mr. Doering stated The Taylor Family Farms Foundation is seeking grant applications for community, outdoor, recreation projects that promote healthy lifestyles for the upcoming granting period. Preferences will be given to projects that are accessible to all regardless of age or ability. The Foundation supports and enhances rural communities in southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa. The Mission of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation is to collaborate with knowledgeable and trusted philanthropic partners to build resilient, rural communities. The grant deadline is midnight on February 28, 2025.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 16 of 2025 – A Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 16 of 2025 – A Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel stated due to the recent cold weather, City Staff provided resources to residents for dealing with the cold weather and information on preventing water lines from freezing. Staff is aware of a few homes that experienced frozen water pipes earlier this winter and one home that experienced a frozen sewer line.
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 Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:47 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.