MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 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, January 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum. Council Member John T. Buckley 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.
City Administrator Muetzel stated a correction to the memo for Consent Agenda Item 6A – Approve Purchase of Police Department Radios. The purchase should also include a base radio in addition to the two other radio units.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the January 3, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Purchase of Police Department Radios
2. Purchase of Community Center Network Video Recorder
3. City Assistance with Celebrate Redwood Falls – Fire & Ice Festival
4. Temporary Liquor License Application – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Spec Home Developmental Proposal – 516 E. Elm Street.
Mr. Muetzel stated in July of 2022, the Port Authority issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a developer to construct a single-family spec home on the lot located at 516 E. Elm Street. Under the proposed terms of the RFP, the lot will be sold to the developer for $1.00 and up to $250,000 in construction financing will be provided for up to 18 months at 0% interest. The construction financing will be recorded as a lien against the property and will be repaid when the home sells or the loan term expires, whichever comes first.
Mr. Muetzel stated William Scott submitted the only response to the RFP. Mr. Scott is proposing to construct a 2-story, 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath home constructed by Northstar Systembuilt with an attached garage. The estimated construction cost of the home is $236,000 - $240,000. In addition to utilizing the financing outlined in the RFP, Mr. Scott is requesting the City waive the local building permit fee which is estimated to be $1,700. The Port Authority has reviewed the RFP and recommends approval of all RFP terms including waiving the building permit fee.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Spec Home Developmental Proposal – 516 E. Elm Street. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Deer Hunt Coordinator Paul Parsons was present to discuss the 2022 Archery Deer Hunt Report. Mr. Parsons summarized the 2022 deer hunt as follows: the season coincided with the full Minnesota DNR archery season from September 17, 2022, to December 31, 2022, the hunt was limited to 20 participants, 28 qualified this year, and 32 applications were submitted, a total of 19 deer were harvested with 282 deer being spotted, and hunters spent a total of 506 hours in the stand.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated staff is recommending the deer hunt committee reconvene to further review the results of the hunt, what was learned, and what to change in order to determine if future hunts are warranted. Results of the committee meeting along with a 2023 recommendation will be presented to Council prior to submission to the MN DNR to conduct a 2023 Archery Deer Hunt.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the 2022 Archery Deer Hunt Report as presented and allow the deer hunt committee to reconvene to discuss a 2023 Archery Deer Hunt. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 3 of 2023 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution.
Mr. Doering stated the City of Redwood Falls has been allotted $269,051.25 in construction funds in 2023 for upgrading the MSAS routes in the City limits. The 2023 reimbursement requests for the East 4th Street Reconstruction Project will exceed our MSAS allotment for 2023. This year’s balance is projected to be $911,775.11 after receiving the 2023 allotment from the State. A carry over balance of $642,723.86 currently resides in the City’s MSAS account.
Mr. Doering stated MnDOT allows advancement requests that do not exceed 4 years of allotments. The East 4th Street Reconstruction Project will require an additional $244,598.00 in MSAS funds. The current estimate of eligible MSAS expenses for the entire project is $1,156,373.00. Staff is recommending the advancement request of $244,598.00 to meet reimbursement needs to complete the East 4th Street Reconstruction Project.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 3 of 2023 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 3 of 2023 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Memorandum of Understanding for Regional Fire Fighters Grant Program.
Mr. Muetzel stated ten area fire departments have expressed an interest in collaborating on a Regional Fire Grant application to fund radio replacements. If awarded, the grant will fund 95% of the cost of the radios and each municipality will be required to make a 5% match. Redwood Falls is requesting 20 radios at an estimated cost of $5,000 per radio. Therefore, the grant could fund up to $95,000 with a $5,000 local match.
Mr. Muetzel stated the City of Lamberton will serve as the host agency for submittal of the grant application. The grant application will be prepared by a contract grant writer, and it is estimated that each agency will be responsible for about $300 in grant preparation fees. Each agency has been asked to approve the Memorandum of understanding related to the grant application and staff recommends approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Regional Fire Fighters Grant Program. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Agenda Item 9E – Establish City Council Work Session Agenda.
Mr. Muetzel stated the next City Council work session is scheduled for January 31, 2023. In order to prepare for the meeting and ensure adequate time is allowed for each agenda item, staff is requesting Council formally establish the work session agenda.
Mayor Quackenbush requested to cancel the work session due to a lack of agenda items.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to cancel the City Council Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update on possible parking restrictions along City streets due to the amount of snow.
City Administrator Muetzel stated at this time City Staff does not feel that it is necessary to restrict parking down to one side of the street.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.