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 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Larry Arentson and Jim Sandgren were absent.
Council Member Kerkhoff presided over the meeting.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. Finance Director Kari Klages was absent.
City Administrator Muetzel stated due to Council Member attendance, Staff is requesting to remove Agenda Items 8A: Rezoning Request – Ordinance #101 and 9D: Summary Publication of Ordinance #101 – Resolution #17. The agenda items require a four-fifths majority vote to be approved and will be placed on the agenda for the next Council meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the agenda with the removal of Agenda Items 8A: Rezoning Request – Ordinance #101 and 9D: Summary Publication of Ordinance #101 – Resolution #17. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the February 17, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Jason Halvorson was present to introduce Resolution No. 14 of 2026 –Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for 2026 Distribution Improvements DGR Project #421128 with APEX Drainage LLC.
Mr. Halvorson 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. Eight bids for the project were received, publicly opened and read on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1:15 pm. All eight bidders are qualified to complete this project.
Mr. Halvorson stated DGR provided a budget estimate of $460,000 which was in the 2026 capital budget. DGR reviewed the bids for completeness and mathematical errors and provided a letter of recommendation to award the bid to Apex Drainage LLC of Glyndon, Minnesota in the amount of $400,468.00.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of No. 14 of 2026 –Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for 2026 Distribution Improvements DGR Project #421128 with APEX Drainage LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 14 of 2026 –Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for 2026 Distribution Improvements DGR Project #421128 with APEX Drainage LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 15 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2026-2 for Engineering Services for the 2026 Lead Service Replacement Project.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 15 authorizes Task Order No. 2026-2 with Bolton and Menk, Inc. (BMI) to provide a listed scope of services for 2026 Lead Service Line Replacement in the amount not to exceed $98,700.00 without further Council approval. This resolution also approves the solicitation of bids once the bid documents and specifications are ready for publishing.
Mr. Doering stated the 2026 Lead Service Line Replacement has a budget of $1,000,000 from a combination of grant and forgivable loan through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA). The $1,000,000 budget is anticipated to cover the costs of replacing 40 service lines starting in 2026. Currently there are approximately 167 reported services that are either lead or galvanized. It is anticipated to cost over five million dollars to make all 167 replacements. Funding to replace all 167 services is going to be provided in a phased approach over a minimum of 5 years.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 15 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2026-2 for Engineering Services for the 2026 Lead Service Replacement Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 15 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2026-2 for Engineering Services for the 2026 Lead Service Replacement Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 16 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Quote for Aquatic Center Pool Repairs & Cleaning.
Mr. Muetzel stated Resolution No. 16 is to approve the quote and enter into a contract with Global Specialty Contractors, Inc. to repair specific portions of the pool and to clean the entire pool surface. The Redwood Falls Aquatic Center has now been open for 17 seasons and the pool surface (Diamond Brite) has started to crack and flake in certain areas. Once the surface cracks, this allows water to get underneath and cause more serious damage. Overall, the pool surface is in great shape for being 17 years old. If minor repairs can be made now, the pool surface should last another 5-8 years before major renovations are needed.
Mr. Muetzel stated this is specialty work, so it was difficult to find interested contractors. Global Specialty Contractors, Inc. quoted $81,277.00 while Horizon Pools came in at $20,788.00. The reason for such a large discrepancy is because Global Specialty will complete all of the repairs that are needed and will also acid wash the surface to brighten up the pool. Horizon Commercial Pools will not complete all the repairs and provided an additional quote for a full resurface. Staff is requesting approval of the quote and to enter into a contract with Global Specialty Contractors, Inc in the amount of $81,277.00.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 16 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Quote for Aquatic Center Pool Repairs & Cleaning. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 16 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Quote for Aquatic Center Pool Repairs & Cleaning. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 102, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Adopting Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §2.86 – Establishing Fees for Emergency Fire Protection Fire Services.
City Attorney Dammann stated City Staff is proposing changes to the City Code of Ordinances for the purpose of authorizing the City of Redwood Falls to charge for fire service as authorized by Minn. Stat. §§ 366.011, 366.012, and 415.01. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 415.01, a city may exercise the power under sections 366.011 and 366.012 relating to charges for emergency services only if the city adopts an ordinance authorizing the manner and amount of charging for those services. This addition to city code will also allow the city to certify unpaid service charges to the county auditor. Minnesota Statute requires the proposed Ordinance language be in the City’s Code of Ordinances and not just be approved by a Resolution, as the City has previously done.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the City previously approved the emergency fire service fees by Resolution each year as proposed in the Fee Schedule. Fire calls made to residences or businesses within the City are not billed for fire calls as that is covered through the property tax levy. Fire calls outside City-limits as well as vehicle fires and false alarms will continue to be billed in accordance with the fee schedule. The proposed Ordinance formally establishes the process and the ability to assess unpaid fees to the property.
City Attorney Dammann stated the only action required at tonight’s meeting is either the reading of the ordinance or approval of a motion to waive the reading of the ordinance. City Staff will provide the required 10-day notice of the Ordinance prior to final approval of the proposed ordinance. On March 17, 2026, City Staff will request Council approve the proposed ordinance by roll call vote in accordance with Chapter 4 of the City Charter.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 102, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Adopting Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §2.86 – Establishing Fees for Emergency Fire Protection Fire Services. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 103, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §3.40 Pertaining to Rules and Regulations Relating to Sewerage Use.
City Attorney Dammann stated City Staff is proposing changes to §3.40 of the City Code of Ordinances for the purpose of adding clarity to what constitutes a private sewer connection and its limits versus the public sanitary sewer and the responsibility for maintenance respectively under §3.40, Section 2. Subd. 2, E.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated the addition of §3.40, Section 2. Subd. 2, F requires owners to contact the wastewater department as soon as they notice slow drainage or backups so that the public sewer can be verified as operational or be cleared to help alleviate the problem. This will help avoid unnecessary costs to the property owner from seeking plumbing services only to determine that there is an issue in the public sewer main and not the private sewer service.
City Attorney Dammann stated the only action required at tonight’s meeting is either the reading of the ordinance or approval of a motion to waive the reading of the ordinance. City Staff will provide the required 10-day notice of the Ordinance prior to final approval of the proposed ordinance. On March 17, 2026, City staff will request Council approve the proposed ordinance by roll call vote in accordance with Chapter 4 of the City Charter.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 103, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §3.40 Pertaining to Rules and Regulations Relating to Sewerage Use. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the 2026 Archery Deer Hunt.
Mr. Doering stated the 2025 Archery Deer Hunt Committee met on February 26, 2026, to review the 2025 results and program policies. Committee and Staff recommend approval of the 2026 hunt application to the DNR with no changes to the previous year’s provisions. The 2026 hunt application provisions include: set the 2026 fees at $20.00 for the application fee and $40.00 for the hunting fee; 20 participants selected by a minimum proficiency test and lottery draw; a 10-hour minimum in-stand expectation to qualify to participate in the following year (exemption for those who harvested a deer); Double Earn A Buck, 20 hunters with a maximum bag limit of 40; season to coincide with the full archery season September 19 – December 31; discretion for the Deer Hunt Coordinator and City Staff to replace a participant if they drop out during the hunting season due to unforeseen circumstances; and continue with Hunt Coordinator, Tyler Stage.
Mr. Doering stated the Deer Hunt Committee recommended a couple changes to the program policies. Due to the decline in applications and the number of hunters below the 10-hour minimum in 2025, it was decided to waive the 10-hour minimum rule for 2026. The Committee recommended the 2026 application provide a warning and emphasize the 10-hour minimum. The Committee also recommended submitting the hunt information to the Sportsman’s Club for advertising and working with the Redwood Falls Golf Club to provide additional late season stand options.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the 2026 Archery Deer Hunt. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested an update regarding the code enforcement violations at the property located on West Bridge Street.
City Attorney Dammann stated some of the requests to the property owner have been completed. City Staff is continuing to work with the homeowner to resolve the property violations.
City Administrator Muetzel stated City Staff are continuing to focus on removing nuisance trees from public property and boulevards.
Council Member Kerkhoff commented on the proposed plan to bring Highland cattle to the Ramsey Park Zoo.
City Administrator Muetzel stated due to recent changes to deer farm regulations it has become more difficult to source deer for the zoo. Approximately half of the deer farms in the state have closed due to increased regulations. There is currently one doe in the zoo and the City no longer has a local option to source more deer for the park zoo. The Parks and Recreation Department will not be replacing the deer in the zoo and the department is exploring the option of stocking the former deer pen with four Highland cattle. The cattle would be owned by the farmer providing them and the City would provide care and feed for the animals while in the zoo.
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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.