MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020
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, July 21, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, Larry Arentson, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet. Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer was absent.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced City Attorney Trenton Dammann.
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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the July 7, 2020, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Approve League of MN Cities Insurance Liability Waiver Form
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:03 p.m. to discuss the Wellhead Protection Plan – Part II.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced the Wellhead Protection Plan – Part II. Mr. Doering stated as part of the planning process, the Minnesota Department of Health requires the governing body hold a public hearing to discuss comments received by other local units of government and solicit comments from the public.
David Katzner from Carlson McCain was present to give a presentation of the Wellhead Protection Plan Part II.
Mr. Katzner stated the Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) Amendment – Part II (Plan) was prepared in accordance with Minnesota Rules Chapter 4720.5400 and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Scoping Two (2) Decision Notice and Meeting Summary – City of Redwood Falls – PWSID 1640008. This is the second part of the City’s WHPP Amendment. The WHPP Amendment – Part I was prepared by Carlson McCain, dated March 4, 2019 and approved by MDH on March 20, 2019. The WHPP Amendment – Part II is available for review on the City’s website or can be obtained from MDH.
Mr. Katzner stated in Part II of the WHPP, Section 2.0 describes the required data elements about the physical environment, land use, water quantity, and water quality; Section 3.0 describes the impact of changes on the water supply wells; Section 4.0 describes the wellhead protection issues, problems, and opportunities; Section 5.0 describes the wellhead protection goals; Section 6.0 discusses the wellhead protection objectives and plans of action; Section 7.0 describes the Plan evaluation strategy; and Section 8.0 describes the alternative water supply contingency strategy.
No public comments were received at the hearing.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:18 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Wellhead Protection Plan – Part I & II and submit to the MN Department of Health for final approval. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush introduced the Summary of Conclusions of Evaluation of Performance of a City of Redwood Falls Employee under Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, Subd. 3(a).
Mayor Quackenbush stated on July 7, 2020 the City Council evaluated the performance of Dana Woodford as Police Officer for the City. In accordance with the Minnesota open meeting law, the City Council is required to summarize the conclusions of the evaluation of the performance of Ms. Woodford reached by City Council at the July 7, 2020 meeting.
Mayor Quackenbush stated the summary of conclusions regarding the evaluation reached by Council include; Ms. Woodford was not able to perform her job as police officer for the City, and as a result the City Council duly approved a motion that Ms. Woodford be removed from employment with the City of Redwood Falls effective July 7, 2020.
Mayor Quackenbush read a Proclamation recognizing July 22 – 31 in Redwood Falls as Paint the Town Purple Days in honor of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Mayor Quackenbush stated in addition to the Proclamation the City received a request to attach purple bows to the tree trunks and light poles in downtown Redwood Falls.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Relay for Life – Paint the Town Purple Proclamation and request to attach purple bows in the downtown area. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the City currently has open positions for a police officer and electric line worker. The full-time police officer position will be posted until Friday, July 31 and the full-time electric line worker position will be posted until Thursday, August 13. The City will also be posting the position of Library Director after the announcement that current Library Director Teri Smith will be retiring in October.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the installation of the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Pedestrian Crosswalk System at MN Hwy 19 and Lincoln Street will be delayed due to a delay in the shipping of the equipment. The equipment is estimated to be shipped on August 7.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the Affidavit of Candidacy filing period begins on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The filing fee is $10. Positions on the ballot in November are Ward 1 Council Member, Ward 2 Council Member, and Council Member At-Large. The three Council members eligible for re-election are Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, and John Buckley.
City Administrator Muetzel and Public Works Project Coordinator Doering gave an update regarding the sanitary sewer collapse on Northwood Drive on Friday, July 17.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated there was a sanitary sewer collapse and subsequent sinkhole at 400 Northwood Drive. The sanitary sewer is located 32 feet below the road surface. Staff received notice from a resident that there was a bump in the road and upon further examination noticed a void under the pavement where the hole was starting. Schmidt Construction was able to respond quickly and assist in the excavation. City Staff will repair the sewer and replace the road surface with gravel. Final road paving will take place in the spring.
City Attorney Trenton Dammann introduced himself to Council and gave a brief update on his first two weeks with the City.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the City received approval from the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a Small Cities Grant to provide funds to rehabilitate 20 owner-occupied homes and seven (7) commercial projects. The original application included 20 owner-occupied homes and ten (10) commercial projects but DEED was required to scale back the commercial grants due to available funding. City staff intends to host an open house in late September or early October to solicit applications for both the residential and commercial projects.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.