MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023
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 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the January 17, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Purchase of Police Department Radios
2. Report and Update of Distributed Electric Generation Rules
3. Update of Electric Generation Interconnection Rules
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 4 of 2023 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offenses and Establish Administrative Penalties.
Mr. Dammann stated Council previously adopted Ordinance 91, Third Series, an ordinance establishing a procedure for adjudicating administrative offenses and providing for a schedule of offenses and administrative penalties. Over the years, Council has supplemented Ordinance 91 with several Resolutions adopting a schedule of offenses and establishing administrative penalties. The last resolution to do so was Resolution No. 30 of 2021. Following staff discussion, to streamline the processing of those types of citations, it is recommended that the language providing for the doubling of fines for repeat violations of Chapters 7, 8, and 9, be removed. This recommendation requires that Resolution No. 30 of 2021 be updated. Even with this change, the City will retain the ability to charge most repeat offenders through the District Court citation process if needed.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 4 of 2023 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offenses and Establish Administrative Penalties. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 4 of 2023 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offenses and Establish Administrative Penalties. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 5 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Cash Contributions and Interfund Transfers for the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie Development Project.
Ms. Klages stated on April 5, 2022, Council awarded the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie project bids along with approving a project financing plan. That plan included cash contributions from several different funds and sources. As we close out the fiscal year, we will now make the official cash transfers within the financial system. Staff requests approval of the modified cash amounts in Resolution No. 5 of 2023 and the summary of cash contributions. The modified amounts are based on present fund balances and updated grant awards. These amounts will be transferred into Capital Project Fund 403 to fund the streets portion of the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie project as was approved in the original financing plan. The updated cash contributions no longer include a contribution from the Revolving Loan Fund, leaving this fund available for other economic development needs.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 5 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Cash Contributions and Interfund Transfers for the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie Development Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 5 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Cash Contributions and Interfund Transfers for the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie Development Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 6 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Interfund Transfer for Security Information Event Management Services.
Ms. Klages stated in 2022, IT funds were budgeted for Security Information Event Management (SIEM) services in the amount of $19,170. The project was delayed due to timing constraints, and a decision between the IT Committee and Thriveon in which an agreement was made that implementation was not yet critical. Staff recommends these funds be moved to the capital projects fund, to be available for future use when policies or circumstances warrant implementation. The funds would be used to implement real-time monitoring, detection, and logging across all electronic devices owned by the City. This gives intelligence to real-time threats, monitors the environment, and would be available for audit purposes.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 6 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Interfund Transfer for Security Information Event Management Services. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 6 of 2023 – Resolution Approving Interfund Transfer for Security Information Event Management Services. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 7 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Development Agreement with Kwik Trip, Inc. Related to the Construction of a New Convenience Store, Gas Station, and Car Wash.
Mr. Muetzel stated representatives from the City of Redwood Falls and Kwik Trip, Inc. have negotiated the terms of the development agreement for the construction of a convenience store, gas station, and car wash. The purpose of the development agreement is to establish each party’s responsibility relating to the design and construction of public and private improvements needed for the project. Examples of public improvements include water/sanitary sewer lines and structures.
Mr. Muetzel stated significant terms of the development agreement include: Kwik Trip will be responsible for all customary City plan review and building permit fees; The City of Redwood Falls will be responsible for the design, construction, and expense of all municipal infrastructure required for the project; and Kwik Trip will make a lump sum payment to the City of Redwood Falls in the amount of $44,328.90 to offset a portion of the municipal infrastructure costs. Approval of the development agreement is the next step in the development process for this project.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 7 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Development Agreement with Kwik Trip, Inc. Related to the Construction of a New Convenience Store, Gas Station, and Car Wash. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 7 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Development Agreement with Kwik Trip, Inc. Related to the Construction of a New Convenience Store, Gas Station, and Car Wash. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 8 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement with Redwood County for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24.
Mr. Muetzel stated representatives from the City of Redwood Falls and Redwood County have negotiated the terms of the cooperative agreement for the construction of future right-turn and bypass lanes on CSAH 1 and CSAH 24 relating to the Reflections Development Project. The purpose of the cooperative agreement is to establish each party’s responsibility relating to the design and construction of road improvements needed for the project.
Mr. Muetzel stated significant terms of the cooperative agreement include: Redwood County is requiring the installation of right turn lanes and left turn bypass lanes for all entrances to the Reflections development site off CSAH 1 and CSAH 24; and the City of Redwood Falls will be responsible for the design, construction, and expense of constructing the required right-turn lanes and bypass lanes prior to October 31, 2027. Staff recommends approval of the cooperative development agreement.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 8 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement with Redwood County for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 8 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute the Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement with Redwood County for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 9 of 2023 – Support for US Hwy 71 Corridors of Commerce Funding.
Mr. Doering stated this is a resolution of support for the Corridors of Commerce application to be submitted by Redwood County. The application is for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the segment of US Highway 71 between the Redwood River bridge in Redwood Falls and Minnesota River bridge near Morton, MN. This project, if funded, is in excess of $11 million dollars. This will include a white top resurfacing of the concrete portion from the Redwood River bridge to where it ends at the 800 block of E. Bridge Street (US Hwy 71). Then starting at that point, a full reconstruction of the bituminous portion, converting to concrete out to Quality Drive, and from that point reconstruct or white top resurfacing down to the Minnesota River bridge. The project request includes new bituminous shouldering throughout where applicable.
Mr. Doering stated if funded, the project must be let by June 30, 2028. The City will have additional utility replacement costs including water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer where it crosses the bituminous reconstruction area. Staff recommends the approval of the resolution.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 9 of 2023 – Support for US Hwy 71 Corridors of Commerce Funding. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 9 of 2023 – Support for US Hwy 71 Corridors of Commerce Funding. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Chuck Heins was present to introduce Resolution No. 10 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Purchase of Materials for the 2023 Distribution Improvements.
Mr. Heins stated DGR Project No. 421125 - 2023 Distribution Improvements was approved by Council on November 1, 2022. In order to complete the projects, certain materials needed to be bid. Those bids were received and opened on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Three (3) bids were received, and the results of the bids have been reviewed by DGR and were tabulated and provided for Council consideration.
A Summary of Bids has been provided by DGR for Council review. Bid #1 (Padmount Switchgear) and Bid #2 (Padmount Switchgear Box Pads) are recommended to be awarded to WESCO for a total of $93,392.00. For Bid #3 (15 KV Primary Power Cable) the only bidder was Irby Utilities in the amount of $277,262.55. The recommendation to Council for Bid #4 (Pull Boxes) is to reject all bids. The total cost of all the bid packages is $370,654.55. Staff recommends that the contracts be awarded to the stated companies for Bids #1-3 and to reject all bids for Bid #4.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 10 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Purchase of Materials for the 2023 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 10 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Purchase of Materials for the 2023 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced the Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges.
Ms. Klages stated City Staff received a request from Barbie Skogstad, utility account holder at 409 South Minnesota Street, requesting that $52.17 in sanitary sewer charges be waived. Staff review of these requests focuses on whether the water entered the sanitary sewer, which requires treatment. Water introduced into the sanitary sewer system is treated regardless of the cause. Staff was able to determine that the water did not enter the sanitary sewer system and recommends waiving the sanitary sewer charge as is consistent with past practice.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges in the amount of $52.17. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.