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 Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush attended remotely via interactive technology.
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.
Mayor Quackenbush administered the oath of office to Council Member – First Ward, Denise Kerkhoff.
Mayor Quackenbush administered the oath of office to Council Member – Second Ward, Matt Smith.
Mayor Quackenbush administered the oath of office to Council Member At-Large, Shannon Guetter.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith 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 December 17, 2024, minutes as presented. Â Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush called for nominations for Council President for 2025.
Council Member Sandgren nominated Council Member Smith.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to elect Council Member Smith as Council President. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve
the listed 2025 Commission Appointments as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Airport Commission
Reappoint Alan Olson to 3rd full term.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Reappoint Jeannette Mertens to 2nd full term.
Parks & Recreation Commission
Reappoint Stephen Vannelli to 3rd full term.
Planning Commission
Appoint Brad Cantwell to a partial term to fill Kory Grey’s position.
Reappoint Valerie Stephens to 3rd full term.
Reappoint Dave Steinkraus to 2nd full term.
Police Commission
Reappoint Holly Larsen to 3rd full term.
Public Utilities Commission
Reappoint David Klabunde to 3rd full term.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the listed 2025 Council Committee Appointments as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Standing Committees:
Budget: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Matt Smith, Tom Quackenbush, and Shannon Guetter
Personnel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Matt Smith, Tom Quackenbush, and Denise Kerkhoff
Public Works                          Larry Arentson and Jim Sandgren
Port Authority:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Denise Kerkhoff and Jim Sandgren
Issues:
Environmental (garbage, compost, wetlands):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jim Sandgren and Denise Kerkhoff
Individual Assignments:
Joint Powers/School:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Larry Arentson
Airport Commission Liaison                                        Jim Sandgren
Library Commission Liaison                                        Denise Kerkhoff
Parks & Recreation Commission Liaison           Larry Arentson
Police Commission Liaison                                          Denise Kerkhoff
Public Utilities Commission Liaison:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Matt Smith
Housing & Redevelopment Authority Liaison:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Larry Arentson
Mayor Quackenbush requested nominations for the Redwood Falls Firefighter’s Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2025.
Council Member Sandgren volunteered to be appointed to the Redwood Falls Firefighter’s Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2025. Council Member Smith volunteered to be appointed if Council Member Sandgren is unable to participate.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to appoint Council Member Sandgren and Finance Director Kari Klages to the Redwood Falls Firefighter’s Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2025. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to designate the City’s official depositories pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 118A.02 and the City Investment Policy for 2025. 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 electronic funds transfer policy pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 471.38, subd. 3 for 2025. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff 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 2025; change the start time to 6:00 p.m. for the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 16th; and cancel the City Council Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, December 30th due to the New Year’s Eve holiday. 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 newspaper as the Redwood Gazette for 2025. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to designate Bolton & Menk as Consulting City Engineer for 2025. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:28 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts, maintenance charges, and surcharges.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 01 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts, Resolution No. 02 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs, and Resolution No. 03 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolutions are to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts, maintenance cost charges, and surcharges that are more than 30 days past due. Similar resolutions are brought to the City Council on a quarterly basis in order to improve the time between the delinquent billing and the ability to disclose the information to new property owners. The delinquent account resolutions will be presented each year at the first meeting in January, April, July, and October.
Ms. Klages further explained the delinquent process. Delinquent letters are first mailed to the utility account holders. Delinquent letters are then mailed to the property owners if not collected from the account holders. Electricity consumed by a tenant is not assessable to the property. Any unpaid balance is then brought to Council to be approved by resolution. Any pending assessments passed by resolution and still outstanding as of November 1st will be charged a $50.00 fee and are then transferred to Redwood County to be assessed on the tax rolls.
Ms. Klages stated the pending assessment of $132.88 on Parcel #88-422-0540 was paid by the account holder after the notice was published but prior to the Council meeting. Resolution No. 01 of 2025 was updated to reflect that payment.
No one was present to provide comments during the hearing.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:32 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 01 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts with the noted change to remove Parcel #88-422-0540. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 01 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts with the noted change to remove Parcel #88-422-0540. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 02 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 02 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 03 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 03 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided in §14.03 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating Cannabis Businesses.
Mr. Dammann stated the proposed Ordinance was introduced at the December 17, 2024, City Council Meeting. Chapter 342 of Minnesota law was established in 2023 and was updated in 2024. This chapter allows local governments to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of their residents by regulating cannabis businesses within their legal boundaries. The City of Redwood Falls has the authority to adopt an ordinance pursuant to 1) Minn. Stat. § 342.13(c) and   § 462.357, allowing a local unit of government to adopt zoning regulations in the form of reasonable restrictions of the time, place, and manner of the operation of a cannabis business provided that such restrictions do not prohibit the establishment or operation of cannabis businesses.
Mr. Dammann stated after discussion of the issues surrounding cannabis business licensing, registration, and zoning at a work session on October 29th, City Council requested that Staff prepare a zoning ordinance for the regulation of cannabis businesses in Redwood Falls. Ordinance No. 94 creates a new chapter in the Unified Development Ordinance for the regulation of cannabis businesses. The goal of the ordinance is to zone the various types of cannabis businesses in conformance with the City’s comprehensive plan and compatible with pre-existing zoning districts and the uses allowed within them.
Mr. Dammann stated on December 10, 2024, after the notice was published in the Redwood Gazette, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission to discuss Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series. After the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted the Findings of Fact found in Section 2 of Ordinance No. 94 and recommended approval of Ordinance No. 94. State law requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective. As Council is aware, Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series is lengthy. However, Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. 4, allows publication by title and summary in the case of lengthy ordinances or those containing charts or maps. Staff have prepared Resolution No. 06 of 2025 and Exhibit A, which contains the summary of Ordinance No. 94 for publication.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided in §14.03 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating Cannabis Businesses. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Â Â Council Members Arentson, Smith, Kerkhoff, Guetter, and Sandgren
NO: Â Â Â Â None
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 04 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting A Donation to the City.
Ms. Klages stated Minn. Stat. § 465.03 gives the City authority to receive donations and requires them to be formally accepted by resolution, adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. Resolution No. 04 of 2025 is to accept a financial donation for the Redwood Falls Fire Department in the amount of $1,000.00 from Minnwest Bank.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 04 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting A Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 04 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting A Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce Resolution No. 05 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City.
Police Chief Cotner stated in 2024, the non-profit organization Providing Resources, Officer Training, Equipment Canine, and Team Support (PROTECTS) was established. The organization’s purpose is to provide funding to first responder organizations that have needs which cannot be met within their normal operating budgets. After meeting with Police Chief Jason Cotner and Assistant Police Chief Steve Schroeder PROTECTS announced their first organizational goal was to raise funds for the purchase of a police K-9. This goal included the purchase of the dog, training for the dog and handler, travel and housing costs, and specialized squad car equipment, among other items. Preliminary estimates for this purchase were set at $45,500.00.
Police Chief Cotner stated on December 18, 2024, PROTECTS informed Chief Cotner the organization had raised over the estimated purchase costs and was ready to disburse those funds to the Redwood Falls Police Department. RFPD has contacted the vendor, McDonough K-9, who reports a dog will be available for the next training session in March of 2025. Training lasts 3 months. This would be an unbudgeted purchase, however, PROTECTS donation will fully fund the purchase of the dog, all training and certification, travel and housing costs, and K-9 squad car equipment. Outside the officer’s normal wages, no RFPD funds would be used toward this project.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 05 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 05 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Cotner introduced the Purchase of Police K-9.
Police Chief Cotner stated the PROTECTS organization’s purpose is to provide funding to first responder organizations that have needs which cannot be met within their normal operating budgets. After meeting with Police Chief Jason Cotner and Assistant Police Chief Steve Schroeder PROTECTS announced their first organizational goal was to raise funds for the purchase of a police K-9. This goal included the purchase of the dog, training for the dog and handler, travel and housing costs, and specialized squad car equipment, among other items. Preliminary estimates for this purchase were set at $45,500. The vendor of the K-9, McDonough K-9, has provided an invoice listing the purchase price and training of the dog and handler as $16,500. The purchase of the dog and training is an unbudgeted expenditure within the RFPD budget. With the $45,500 PROTECTS donation all anticipated costs for the purchase, training, and equipment needs are fully funded and no RFPD funds will be used to make this purchase.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Purchase of a Police K-9. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Cotner introduced the American Kennel Club Police K-9 Grant Application.
Police Chief Cotner stated in 2024, the PROTECTS organization was created and their first goal was the purchase of a police K-9 for the Redwood Falls Police Department (RFPD). In less than six months the organization raised more than $45,500, which was the preliminary estimate for the purchase of the K-9, training and certification of the dog and handler, travel and housing costs, as well as specialized K-9 equipment for the RFPD squad car.
Police Chief Cotner stated while the PROTECTS donation funded all the start-up costs for a police K-9 program some unbudgeted expenses are necessary to maintain the K-9 such as food and veterinary visits. To meet this unbudgeted expense a grant from the American Kennel Club (AKC) was identified. AKC’s Reunite K9 Cop Grant Program provides up to $7,500 for new K-9 programs. The grant requires matching funds but with the PROTECTS donation, the City has met the matching fund requirement. There are no reporting requirements with grant. If RFPD were awarded the grant, the K-9 squad car would need to display an AKC Reunite logo.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the American Kennel Club Police K-9 Grant Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 06 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided in §14.03 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating Cannabis Businesses.
Mr. Dammann stated State law requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective. Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series is too lengthy for publication. However, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.191, subd. 4, allows publication by title and summary in the case of lengthy ordinances or those containing charts or maps. Staff have prepared Resolution No. 06 of 2025 and Exhibit A, which contains the summary of Ordinance No. 94 for publication.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 06 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided in §14.03 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating Cannabis Businesses. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 06 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 94, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided in §14.03 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating Cannabis Businesses. 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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:51 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.