City Council Meeting – November 12, 2024

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, November 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Denise Kerkhoff 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.

City Administrator Muetzel requested to add Regular Agenda item 9H to discuss the November 19, 2024 City Council Meeting.

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda with the addition of Regular Agenda item 9H – Discuss November 19, 2024 City Council Meeting. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the October 15, 2024, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

1. Purchase of Fire Department Turnout Gear Dryer
2. Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges – 313 S. DeKalb Street
3. Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges – 235 S. Mill Street
4. Purchase of Park Department Pickup and Declare Surplus Property
5. Temporary Liquor License – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism
6. Parade Permit – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism

Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Library Director Connie Lechner was present to introduce Resolution No. 69 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations To The City.

Ms. Lechner stated Resolution No. 69 is to accept a donation from the Redwood Area Library Foundation in the amount of $12,491.02. All expenses are related to the Outdoor Literacy area move, and the fill brought to the Library property for the upcoming parking lot. Staff is requesting approval to accept the financial donation from the Redwood Area Library Foundation for the expansion expenses.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 69 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations To The City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 69 of 2024 – A Resolution Accepting Donations To The City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 70 of 2024 – Authorization To Delegate Authority For The Enforcement And Regulation Of Cannabis.

Mr. Dammann stated Chapter 342 of Minnesota law was established in 2023 and was updated in 2024. This chapter allows local governments to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of their residents by regulating cannabis businesses within their legal boundaries. The City of Redwood Falls has the authority to adopt an ordinance(s) pursuant to 1) Minn. Stat. 342.13(c) and 462.357, regarding the authority of a local unit of government to adopt reasonable restrictions of the time, place, and manner of the operation of a cannabis businesses provided that such restrictions do not prohibit the establishment or operation of cannabis businesses (Zoning Restrictions); 2) Minn. Stat. 342.22, regarding the local registration and enforcement requirements of state-licensed cannabis retail businesses and lower-potency hemp edible retail businesses (Administration, Regulation, and Enforcement); and 3) Minn. Stat. 152.0263, Subd. 5 regarding the use of cannabis in public places (Public Use).

Mr. Dammann stated with regard to the topic of Administration/Regulation/Enforcement of the licensing process, Redwood County would like to know if the City of Redwood Falls plans to delegate its registration authority to the County and would like an answer by November 20th. Council discussed this issue at the October 29th work session and directed staff to prepare the necessary documents to proceed with delegation of that authority to the County. It is important to note that delegation of registration authority to the County, would still allow the City to adopt specific requirements regarding zoning, buffers, and use in public places, provided that those requirements as adopted, are not in conflict with any ordinance adopted under the delegated authority granted to the County.

Mr. Dammann further stated the Office of Cannabis Management has not provided clear direction on how the delegation process should be completed. In contacting the League of Minnesota Cities, staff have been informed that the terms of the delegation should be negotiated between the City and the County. Negotiated terms would include conditions of delegation and the issue of revocability. The form of delegation may come as a joint powers agreement. Staff is requesting approval of Resolution No. 70 which would serve to notify the County of the Council’s decision to delegate registration and licensing authority and also authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to negotiate delegation of licensing authority within a joint powers agreement, or whatever similar form an agreement might take.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 70 of 2024 – Authorization To Delegate Authority For The Enforcement And Regulation Of Cannabis. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 70 of 2024 – Authorization To Delegate Authority For The Enforcement And Regulation Of Cannabis. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Labor Contract Renewal.

Mr. Muetzel stated City Staff met with the IBEW bargaining committee to negotiate the renewal of the IBEW contract. The existing IBEW contract covers the Public Utilities Linemen and Power Plant employees. A tentative contract agreement was reached and is subject to formal approval by the IBEW membership.

Mr. Muetzel stated the proposed contract duration would be for three (3) years and expire on December 31, 2027. The proposed contract would place IBEW members within the following pay grades as recommended by the 2024 Employee Classification and Compensation Study; Line Foreman placed at pay grade nine (9), Line Worker placed at pay grade seven (7), Lead Diesel Mechanic/Operator placed at pay grade eight (8), and Power Plant Operator/Mechanic placed at pay grade six (6). Subsequent steps will increase by three percent (3%) during each year of the contract.

Mr. Muetzel further stated the proposed contract allows employees with fifteen or more years of employment to accrue twenty-four vacation days per year. The previous accrual was twenty days. The overtime calculation was also changed to include paid leave hours, such as sick leave or vacation, within overtime calculation for authorized hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. There are a couple of other minor contract language changes to comply with the new State of MN Earned Sick and Safe Time Law.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the proposed IBEW Contract renewal for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Labor Contract Renewal.

Mr. Muetzel stated Staff met with the LELS bargaining committee to negotiate the renewal of the LELS contract. The existing LELS contract covers the Police Officers and Sergeants. A tentative contract agreement was reached and approved by the LELS membership.

Mr. Muetzel stated the proposed contract duration will be three (3) years and expire on December 31, 2027. The proposed contract would place LELS members within the following pay grades as recommended by the 2024 Employee Classification and Compensation Study; Sergeants placed at pay grade nine (9), Investigator/School Resource Officer placed at pay grade eight (8), and Patrol Officer placed at pay grade seven (7). Subsequent steps will increase by three percent (3%) during each year of the contract. LELS members will establish a post-employment health care savings plan and contribute $25.00 per pay period. In addition, any sick leave paid out under the contract’s severance language will be deposited into the health care savings plan.

Mr. Muetzel further stated the proposed contract provides Field Training officer premium pay of $1.00 per hour while performing field training duties to be increased to $2.00 per hour and include a $1.00 shift differential for hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; Increases the annual uniform allowance from $800.00 to $900.00 and paid out with bi-weekly payroll; adds language to increase the probationary period from a maximum of 12 months to up to 18 months; changes funeral leave to be granted in increments based on actual scheduled shift duration (8 hours or 10 hours); and adds language allowing the employer to establish a wage range for part-time officers. There are also a couple of other minor contract language changes to comply with the new State of MN Earned Sick and Safe Time Law.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the proposed LELS Contract renewal for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Building Official Position.

Mr. Muetzel stated the hiring committee completed the selection process for the Building Official position. The committee interviewed five applicants and recommends approval of the employment offer to Randy Thole. Randy has a two-year carpentry/construction degree and currently works as a commercial building inspector for an insurance consulting company. Randy will tentatively start December 2, 2024 with an annual starting salary at Grade 8, Step 8 of the 2024 Non-Union Step Structure.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Building Official employment offer to Randy Thole. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 71 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into Development Agreement with Normandale, LLC.

Mr. Muetzel stated earlier this year the owner of the Normandale Mobile Home Park submitted a proposal to replat the property as a planned unit development in order to replace the property’s roadway, water main, and sanitary sewer system. The replat will dedicate public right-of-way for the construction of a new street and water/sewer infrastructure. The proposed development agreement establishes each party’s responsibility relating to the design and construction of public improvements needed for the project. Examples of public improvements include street, curb and gutter, and water/sanitary sewer mains.

Mr. Muetzel stated significant terms of the development agreement include: Normandale Mobile Home Park is responsible for the cost of the design and construction of all municipal infrastructure required for the project; and upon completion and acceptance of the infrastructure improvements by the city engineer, the City of Redwood Falls will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the street and water/sewer infrastructure. Approval of the Normandale Development Agreement is the next step in the development process for this project.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 71 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into Development Agreement with Normandale, LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 71 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into Development Agreement with Normandale, LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet introduced Resolution No. 72 of 2024 – A Resolution Canvassing City of Redwood Falls November 5, 2024 Election.

Ms. Kodet stated the General Election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Redwood County Auditor provided a local abstract plus the write-in tally sheets on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The abstract includes the polling place and absentee ballot results.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 72 of 2024 – A Resolution Canvassing City of Redwood Falls November 5, 2024 Election. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 72 of 2024 – A Resolution Canvassing City of Redwood Falls November 5, 2024 Election. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced Regular Agenda item 9H – Discuss November 19, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Mr. Muetzel stated due to the November 5, 2024 General Election the regular City Council Meeting was moved to November 12, 2024. The next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, however due to a lack of agenda items City Staff is requesting to cancel the meeting.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the request to cancel the November 19, 2024 City Council Meeting. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated Deer Hunt Coordinator Paul Parsons reported the current number of deer harvested is six deer as of November 12.

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 Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.