MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 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, May 2, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Jim Sandgren 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 Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the April 18, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the
April 18, 2023, Board of Equalization and Review minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
1. Administrative Hearing Officer Appointment
2. Parade Permit Application – MMIR Prayer and Honor Walk
3. Thriveon 2023 Quarter Two PC Refresh
4. Community Center Floor Scrubber Replacement
5. Tobacco License – The Market at Redwood
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced the Plat Corrections for Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie.
Mr. Dammann stated on April 19, 2022, Council approved the preliminary plats and final plats for the parcels described as the Reflection Prairie Addition (Parcel #62-008-2020) and Reflection Ridge Business Park Addition (Parcel #62-005-4020). The approved final plats were filed with the office of the Redwood County Recorder on July 7, 2022. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 505.174, when a land plat has been executed and filed in the office of the county recorder of the county where the land is situated, and the plat fails to correctly describe the land to be platted, the registered surveyor who prepared such plat or subdivision may execute a certificate stating the nature of the error, omission or defect and stating the correct information to correct such error. Bolton & Menk Inc., has identified errors in the listed acreage of certain tracts of land in both final plats and have prepared Land Surveyors Certificates to correct those errors, listing the correct amount of acreage for each lot and/or block. Once approved, these certificates will be filed with the Redwood County Recorder’s Office.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Plat Corrections for Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Public Utilities Superintendent Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated the current Public Utilities Superintendent, Chuck Heins, has announced a retirement date of August 31, 2023, and the hiring committee has completed the selection process for the next Superintendent. The position was posted internally, and an application was received from Jason Halvorson. Jason has worked for the City of Redwood Falls for 11 years and currently serves as the Electric Line Foreman.
Mr. Muetzel stated City Administration is supportive of transitioning Jason into the Public Utilities Superintendent position. This transition will occur over the next several months and become official on September 4. During this time, some of the position’s administrative responsibilities will be adjusted and may be moved to other administration/finance staff.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Public Utilities Superintendent Position offer to Jason Halvorson. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested information regarding the development proposals received for the Reflection Prairie Addition. City Administrator Muetzel stated additional information is being gathered from both parties and it would possibly be another 30 days before Council can finalize the proposals. Construction could begin tentatively in the spring of 2024.
Mayor Quackenbush stated the City Council Work Session will be on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Council and Staff should prepare possible agenda topics.
Council Member Buckley requested an update regarding the fishing pier for Lake Redwood. Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated parts of the pier are currently back ordered and will hopefully be installed later this summer.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update on the former hospital redevelopment, Red Skye Lofts. City Administrator Muetzel stated construction is progressing. Red Skye Lofts is currently accepting potential residents on a waitlist. The expected completion date is the fall of 2023.
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 Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:27 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.