MINUTES
ORGANIZATIONAL/REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, an organizational/regular meeting of the Redwood Falls City Council was called to order in the Municipal Chambers on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush attended remotely via interactive technology. Council Member Denise Kerkhoff 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.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the December 19, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush called for nominations for Council President for 2024.
Council Member Smith nominated Council Member Buckley.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to elect Council Member Buckley as Council President. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the following 2024 Commission Appointments. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to appoint John T. Buckley and Kari Klages to the Redwood Falls Firefighter’s Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to continue meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. for the City Council Meetings in 2024; cancel the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th due to the Presidential Nominating Primary Election; cancel the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th due to the General Election; schedule a special meeting for Tuesday, November 12 to canvass the General Election results; change the start time to 6:00 p.m. for the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 17th; and cancel the City Council Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, December 31st due to the New Year’s Eve holiday. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to designate the City’s official newspaper as the Redwood Gazette for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to designate the City’s official depositories pursuant to MN Statutes 118A.02 and the City Investment Policy for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to designate the City’s official electronic funds transfer policy pursuant to MN Statutes 471.38, subd. 3 for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to designate Bolton & Menk as Consulting City Engineer for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
- Temporary Liquor License Application – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Kari Klages introduced Resolution No. 1 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City.
Ms. Klages stated on December 20, 2023, the Redwood Falls Police Department received a check from representatives of Farmer’s Union Industries in the amount of $1,000.00. The donation was made with no stipulations for how the funds were to be utilized by the Police Department.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 1 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 1 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Jason Halvorson was present to introduce the Power Plant South Roof Repair.
Mr. Halvorson stated the 2024 operating budget includes $65,000 to replace the south portion of the Power Plant roof. Two quotes were received from Gag Sheet Metal, Inc. and West Central Roofing Contractors, Inc. Staff requests approval of the West Central Roofing Contractors, Inc. quote in the amount of $44,137.09.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Power Plant South Roof Repair quote from West Central Roofing Contractors, Inc in the amount of $44,137.09. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Halvorson introduced the Substation and Power Plant Switchgear Testing.
Mr. Halvorson stated in November, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) conducted a safety audit and determined the substation and power plant switchgear needed to be tested. MMUA recommends testing every three to five years. The proposed testing would be done to ensure that all the Substation Equipment is operating safely and within their designated parameters. This also helps to ensure that the equipment in the substation is reliable and functioning as intended. Testing will help identify any problems before they cause major damage or failure. This will also include Substation battery testing and cleaning. Staff requests approval to have Ziegler Power Systems conduct electrical testing in the amount of $76,336.00.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Substation and Power Plant Switchgear Testing by Ziegler Power Systems in the amount of $76,336.00. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce the Updated Non-DOT Drug and Alcohol Work-Place Policy.
Ms. Stage stated with the recent changes to Minnesota law that legalized lawful consumable products; pursuant to Minn. Stat. 181.938, including alcohol, cannabis, lower potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products, except with respect to the categories of positions listed in the definition of “Drug” or if otherwise required by state or federal law. The City is updating the Non-Commercial Drivers Drug & Alcohol and Cannabis Testing & Drug Free Work-Place Policy based on these law changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Updated Non-DOT Drug and Alcohol Work-Place Policy as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith reminded Council Members and Mayor Quackenbush of Fire Department Banquet on Saturday, January 13th, 2024.
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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.