MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019
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, March 19, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren and John T. Buckley were present constituting a quorum. Council Members Matt Smith and Denise Kerkhoff were absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, City Attorney Amy Busse and Accounts Receivable/Customer Service Coordinator Amy Kerkhoff. Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren 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 ¬¬¬Buckley to approve the March 5, 2019, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson unanimously approving the following item on the Consent Agenda.
1. Purchase of Public Works Water Pumps.
Crime Victim Services Program Director Holly Johnson and Redwood County Program Coordinator Halley Morlock were present to discuss Sexual Assault Awareness Month annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate the community on how to prevent sexual violence.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month by allowing teal ribbons to be hung in the downtown area from April 1 to April 30, 2019. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage discussed updates to the AWAIR Safety Policy by the Safety Committee.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the AWAIR Policy annual update. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Busse discussed an amendment to Redwood Falls Personnel Policy Section 29 – Health Care Savings Plan.
Ms. Busse stated the City instituted a Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) in 2011. At that time, the consensus of the nonunion full-time employees was to contribute $10.00 per pay period into their HCSP accounts and then $20.00 per pay period starting in 2012. Since 2012, there has been no other modification to the contribution amount.
Ms. Busse stated since there has been no recent inquiry into whether or not the nonunion full-time employees were interested in adjusting or restructuring their contributions, a workgroup was created to gauge interest. The workgroup consisted of Chuck Heins, Ross Nachreiner and Amy Busse. Currently, there are 35 nonunion full-time employees and any decision to modify the contribution amount is based on a majority vote. After a vote, the majority requested to modify their contribution from $20.00 per paycheck to $40.00 per paycheck.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve an Amendment to Redwood Falls Personnel Policy Section 29 – Health Care Savings Plan by increasing the contribution amount to $40.00 per pay period and institute the modification starting with the pay period on April 12, 2019, pay period. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Bolton & Menk Principal Engineer Owen Todd and Design Engineer Joe Smith were present to discuss the 2019 Courthouse Square Project and request approval of the plans and authorization to bid.
Mr. Todd stated the plans and specifications were submitted to the MnDOT District 8 Engineer and were approved on February 22, 2019. Bolton & Menk presented the MnDOT approved plans and specifications to the Redwood County Commissioners March 19, 2019, as it relates to the pending County Courthouse Project. An alternate option was discussed which would break out the construction of the NE corner that may or may not be awarded due to the County Courthouse Project overlapping the area.
Mr. Todd stated the total engineer’s estimate for construction and engineering is $1,438,693.44. Funds are sourced from $1,000,000.00 in State LRIP grant funding and will split the remaining $438,693.44 between Redwood County and the City of Redwood Falls for the local share.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the plans, specs and authorize the advertisement for bids for the 2019 Courthouse Square Reconstruction Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel reminded Council of the Local Board of Equalization and Review Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
City Administrator Muetzel updated Council on the traffic signal upgrade and installation. The current traffic signals at the intersections of Bridge and Swain Streets and Bridge and DeKalb Streets along with the new installation of the traffic signal at the intersection of Bridge Street and Union Drive will begin on Monday, April 1, 2019.
City Administrator Muetzel informed Council that the Street Department would start repairing potholes the week of March 25, 2019, to allow the streets to dry so the winter mix can adhere correctly.
City Administrator Muetzel gave Council an overview of the City’s flood preparations. Sandbags and sand are available at the former City shop for residents. Staff is anticipating closing the road through Ramsey Park since the swayback bridge will be covered with flood waters by the end of the week. Staff is also working with local contractors to raise the burm to the 2001 flood level.
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 Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:56 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.