MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 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, March 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush was absent.
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the March 7, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Quote for Fire Hall Door Openers
2. Appointment to Library Expansion Committee
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce Resolution No. 16 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
Police Chief Cotner stated the Redwood Falls Police Department (RFPD) investigates complaints of internet crimes against children. These crimes usually involve the possession and distribution of pornographic images depicting juveniles. RFPD investigations are often started as a result of leads obtained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and are then worked in coordination with BCA and the ICAC Task Force.
Police Chief Cotner stated the BCA and the ICAC Task Force approached RFPD to seek a formal relationship whereby BCA would provide RFPD with funding for equipment, training, and expenses in exchange for assistance with investigations in Southwest Minnesota. This assistance primarily takes the form of staff time for downloading and analysis of electronic devices involved in internet crimes against children. The BCA has established these agreements with various law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Minnesota and is in need of an agency in our region.
Police Chief Cotner further stated if the agreement is approved, it would be used to provide training to an existing staff member whose primary job is investigations. This training would be useful for investigations not directly related to internet crimes against children. In addition, the BCA’s funding could be used to purchase and maintain computer equipment RFPD already has purchased and which requires city funds to maintain and replace on a regular basis. Lastly, should requests for assistance require additional staff time over their normal work week the agreement allows for reimbursement of overtime expenditures.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 16 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 16 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Chuck Heins was present to introduce the 2023 Electric Distribution Improvement Materials – Change Order #1.
Mr. Heins stated DGR has worked with Irby Utilities to change the quantities, pricing, and delivery times so Staff can complete the 2023 Distribution Improvements in a timely manner. The cost of doing this will increase the project by $35,292.45.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the 2023 Electric Distribution Improvement Materials – Change Order #1 for an increase in the amount of $35,292.45. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 17 of 2023 – Application for Congressionally Directed Funding For Runway Pavement and Lighting Upgrades at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 17 affirms the application for Congressionally Directed Funding for a full depth reclamation & lighting system upgrade to LED for Airport Runways 12 and 30. This includes parallel taxiway and apron reclamation with taxiway A2 relocation in the full amount of $4,500,000.00.
Mr. Doering stated recently the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided direction to reduce the runway length and width from 4,000’ x 100’ to 3,400’ x 75’ without proper justification through the Airport Master Plan Update process. City Staff is working with United States Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Staff in review of the current airport safety critical pavement and lighting projects in regard to this request. Due to this update, the FAA requested that the City submit the projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Funding. Funds will be used to develop FAA approved engineered plans and specifications, bid documents, bidding, letting, costs of construction, and post project close out. Project funds requested include all expected costs at 100%.
Mr. Doering stated City Staff recommends approval of the grant application and affirmation of its submittal for Congressionally Directed funding. The funding request was submitted to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office and by their direction an identical request was made to U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s office.
Council Member Sandgren stated the Airport Commission supports this funding request and the Commission has been working to receive letters of support. Reducing the runway length & width would be an issue for medical services and local businesses that utilize the airport and require the current runway size.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 17 of 2023 – Application for Congressionally Directed Funding For Runway Pavement and Lighting Upgrades at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 17 of 2023 – Application for Congressionally Directed Funding For Runway Pavement and Lighting Upgrades at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Cotner introduced Agenda Item 9D - Installation of a Stop Sign on 5th Street at Drew Street.
Police Chief Cotner stated the issue of uncontrolled intersections within the City of Redwood Falls has been under review for several years and Council has approved the installation of signage in several locations. Recently a citizen requested a review of the uncontrolled intersection on 5th Street at Drew Street. This intersection was the location of a car crash on January 21, 2023 in which both cars deployed airbags and were towed from the scene.
Police Chief Cotner stated a committee made up of City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Police Chief Jason Cotner, Street Superintendent Darrell Bowers, and Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering reviewed this intersection as well as the locations of stop signs at nearby intersections and overall traffic flow. After considering traffic flow and past practices for stop sign installation, the committee recommends that stop signs should be installed to stop eastbound and westbound traffic on 5th Street at the Drew Street intersection.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Installation of a Stop Sign on 5th Street at Drew Street. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Heins introduced Resolution No. 18 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the Mainline Circuit Development DGR Project #421125 with Castrejon Incorporated.
Mr. Heins stated this project is being completed to bury the overhead distribution system and to enhance reliability to provide power to the existing sections of the City. Two bids for the project were received, opened, and publicly read on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. Both bidders are very qualified to complete this project. DGR had provided a budget estimate of $530,000 which was in the 2023 capital budget. DGR reviewed the bids for completeness and mathematical errors. DGR recommends the bid be awarded to Castrejon Incorporated of Blaine, Minnesota in the amount of $443,840.00.
Council Member Arentson noted a typo in Resolution No. 18 of 2023 of the bid amount. Mr. Arentson requested the bid amount shown in the Resolution be changed to $443,840.00 to match the bid amount received from Castrejon Incorporated.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 18 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the Mainline Circuit Development DGR Project #421125 with Castrejon Incorporated in the amount of $443,840.00. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 18 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the Mainline Circuit Development DGR Project #421125 with Castrejon Incorporated in the amount of $443,840.00. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:34 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.