MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022
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 18, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum.
Also present were Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and AR/Customer Service Coordinator Amy Kerkhoff. City Administrator Keith Muetzel was present via electronic means.
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 4, 2022, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
Assistance with the Celebrate Redwood Falls Fire & Ice Festival
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Authorization to Bid Drew Street Improvement Project.
Mr. Doering stated per Task Order 2021-1, Bolton & Menk, Inc. prepared the advertisement for bids, bid specification and plan set for the 2022 Drew Street Improvement Project. Bids will be due at 2:00 p.m. on February 22, 2022, with a planned award recommendation at the March 1, 2022 City Council meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Authorization to Bid Drew Street Improvement Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Authorization to Publish the ADA Transition Plan to solicit public comments from January 27, 2022, through February 17, 2022.
Mr. Doering stated the ADA Transition Plan is for the City’s sidewalks, trails and pedestrian ramps within the corporate limits. Using the current rates, the engineer’s estimate for compliance is up to $2.4 million without contingency. The plan outlines the compliance schedule utilizing various tools to meet compliance over time. The plan is required to be eligible for other federal funding, such as the federal portion of the planned 4th Street reconstruction in 2023. The plan shows 71% of accessibility features identified would be improved by projects that are currently planned for the next 10-years.
Mr. Doering stated that after closing the public comment period, staff and Bolton & Menk will address any comments received and present to the Council the comments and responses with a request to approve the ADA Transition Plan by majority vote.
Deer Hunt Coordinator Paul Parsons was present to discuss the 2021 Archery Deer Hunt Report. Mr. Parsons summarized the 2021 deer hunt as follows: The season coincided with the full Minnesota DNR archery season from September 18, 2021, to December 31, 2021. The hunt is limited to 20 participants, a total of 20 deer were harvested, with 250 deer being spotted, and hunters spent a total of 802.5 hours in the stand with an average of 27 hours per hunter.
Public Works Coordinator Jim Doering stated staff is recommending the deer hunt committee reconvene to review the hunt results further, what was learned, and what to change to determine if future hunts are warranted. The committee meeting results and a 2022 recommendation will be presented to Council before submission to the MN DNR to conduct a 2022 Archery Deer Hunt.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the 2021 Archery Deer Hunt Report as presented. Motion was passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Kari Klages introduced Resolution No. 7 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application.
Ms. Klages stated that the Council approved the Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) application at the previous Council on January 4, 2022. The application was submitted to DEED following the approval.
Ms. Klages stated DEED completed their preliminary review of the application and determined the City application, as currently written, is ineligible for the program. The original application included a prorated share of the water main looping and lift station that supports industrial and residential development. The BDPI statute does not allow prorated costs that serve non-BDPI eligible uses. The City revised the application to remove costs determined to be ineligible. The revised application requests $1,063,951.00 in BDPI grant funds and commits a City match of $1,063,951.00.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 7 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 7 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Kari Klages introduced Resolution No. 8 of 2022 – Resolution Accepting Monetary Donations to the Redwood Falls Police Department.
Ms. Klages stated on January 13, 2022, Farmers Union Industries (FUI) presented a donation in the form of a check for $1,000.00 to Police Chief Jason Cotner for use by the Redwood Falls Police Department. FUI also presented the RFPD with a donation of $1,000.00 in January of 2021. FUI made no stipulation for using the funds or reporting requirement for how the funds are used. The RFPD anticipates using the funds toward the purchase of a Tactical R/C.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 8 of 2022 – Resolution Accepting Monetary Donations to the Redwood Falls Police Department. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 8 of 2022 – Resolution Accepting Monetary Donations to the Redwood Falls Police Department. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Bills and Claims were presented to 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.