MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021
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 16, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and AR/Customer Service Coordinator Amy Kerkhoff.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson 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 Buckley to approve the November 2, 2021, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
Parade Permit – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism
City Hall Carpet Replacement Quote
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss the implementation of portable recording devices for the Redwood Falls Police Department.
Chief of Police Jason Cotner was present to introduce the Redwood Falls Police Department Policy and Procedures for Portable Audio/Video Recording Devices.
Chief Cotner stated the policy provides guidelines for using portable audio/video recording devices, or Body Worn Cameras (BWC), by Redwood Falls Police Department members while performing their duties per Minnesota Statues § 13.825. Portable audio/video recording devices include all recording systems, whether body-worn, handheld, or integrated into portable equipment.
Chief Cotner stated the policy does not apply to mobile audio/video recordings, interviews or interrogations conducted at the Redwood Fall Police Department facility, undercover operations, wiretaps, or the use of concealed listening devices unless captured by a portable recording system.
No one was present to speak at the hearing.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:14 p.m.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Conditional Use Request – 100 Cedar Cliff Road.
Jeff Paskewitz representing NTS Land Holdings, LLC, was present.
Mr. Muetzel stated the City received a request for a conditional use permit from NTS Land Holdings to install a 6′ commercial grade chain link fence in the front yard in an industrial zoned district at 100 Cedar Cliff Road, parcel 88-030-1060. In non-residential districts, fences are not permitted closer than 10′ from the public right-of-way, nor can be constructed in the front yard without a conditional use permit.
Mr. Paskewitz stated the fence would provide security for the proposed 50′ x 100′ storage building.
Mr. Muetzel stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 9, 2021, to consider the request and recommends approval of the conditional use permit with the following conditions:
The fence must be constructed outside the public right-of-way and be setback far enough from the entrance to allow a vehicle to be out of the roadway when parking to unlock the fence.
The fence should not obstruct or compromise views from oncoming traffic entering the building site.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Conditional Use Permit for 100 Cedar Cliff Road with the conditions set by the Planning Commission. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Chief of Police Jason Cotner discussed the revised City of Redwood Falls Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
Chief Cotner stated in 2018, a review of the police department’s operations, policies and procedures and emergency operations equipment was started. To facilitate the review and draft revision of the EOP, a committee made up of Chief Cotner, City Administrator Muetzel, Public Works Project Coordinator Doering and Public Utilities Superintendent Heins was established. The committee received assistance from several resources within the region, including emergency managers from the City’s of New Ulm and Marshall and Redwood County.
Chief Cotner stated the format of the final draft revision is similar to emergency operations plans throughout our region and complies with the EOP framework as recommended by the National Incident Manager System. Content and details of the EOP have been verified and updated with current contracts, documents, resources and points of contact to manage future incidents.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the revised City of Redwood Falls Emergency Operations Plan for Region V Southwest Minnesota. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced the Final Pay Reimbursement No. 1 for the 2021 Seal Coat Improvement.
Mr. Doering stated staff is recommending approval of the Final Pay Reimbursement No. 1 to Pearson Bros. Inc in the amount of $190,286.04. This action will set the final acceptance date of November 16, 2021, and set the 2-year maintenance period to run until November 16, 2023.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Final Pay Reimbursement No. 1 for the 2021 Seal Coat Improvement in the amount of $190,286.04. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Library Director Connie Lechner was present to introduce the security camera system upgrade for the library.
Ms. Lechner stated the current security system is outdated and support services are no longer available. Due to insufficient camera coverage inside and outside the building, installing an upgraded security system is needed.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the quote from Alpha wireless for an Avigilon security system in the amount of $16,245.38 and the estimated quote from Klabunde Electric for wiring in the amount of $3,000.30 and declare the current hardware as surplus property. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel established City Council Work Session Agenda.
Mr. Muetzel stated the next City Council work session is scheduled for November 30, 2021. To prepare for the meeting and ensure adequate time for each agenda item, staff requests the City Council to formally establish the work session agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following items for the November 30, 2021, City Council work session.
VantagePoint Marketing Update
Bolton & Menk Development Site Design Update
Discuss City Commission Openings
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced Resolution No. 59 of 2021 – Resolution Issuing a Negative Declaration of need for an Environmental Impact Statement for Redwood Falls Southeast Development.
Mr. Doering stated under Minnesota Admin Rules Chapter 4410.4300, subp. 36, combined residential, commercial and industrial development of this size is required to have an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared. The City is the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU). Minnesota Admin Rules, Chapter 4410.1500 requires the RGU to prepare findings of fact, comment responses and record decision draft of the EAW document and distribute it to the various governmental agencies and the general public. In accordance with the Minnesota Rule Charter, the City has completed the public comment period for the Redwood Falls Southeast Development Project.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 59 of 2021 – Resolution Issuing a Negative Declaration of need for an Environmental Impact Statement for Redwood Falls Southeast Development. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 59 of 2021 – Resolution Issuing a Negative Declaration of need for an Environmental Impact Statement for Redwood Falls Southeast Development. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced Resolution No. 60 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Maintenance and Operation.
Mr. Doering discussed the 2-year contract for the MnDOT Maintenance and Operation funding at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport in the amount of $39,648.00 per fiscal year totaling $79,296.00. All eligible costs will be reimbursed quarterly as described under payment section 5.2 of the agreement.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkohff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 60 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Maintenance and Operation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 60 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Maintenance and Operation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Coordinator Doering introduced the Ramsey Park bridge repairs, additional work and final payment requests.
Mr. Doering stated staff is recommending approval of Change Order No. 1 for the additional repairs not covered by FEMA in the amount of $16,165.00 and final retainage in the amount of $4,368.50 not to exceed $20,534.10 in the final payment.
Mr. Doering stated Change Order No. 1 was created in 2020 for additional pier cap repairs on the Ramsey Creek bridge. The missing blocks on the Swayback bridge were not covered by FEMA and were deemed not part of either the 2018 or 2019 disasters. All but $4,368.50 in retainage was paid out to Environmental Associates, Inc (EAI) in the amount of $87,370.00 for contracted repairs reimbursed by FEMA. Holding the contract open allowed for the additional repairs and the subsequent change order to use the bid unit prices provided by EAI. The low water levels in 2021 allowed EAI to complete the project along with additional work. It was realized that the change order created, pre-pandemic, was not fully executed by City Council before completing the work. Staff requests the City Council to approve the change order.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Change Order No. 1 for additional repairs not covered by FEMA in the amount of $16,165.60. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the final payment request in the amount of $4,368.50. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush mentioned speaking at a second grade class regarding local government with Council Member Smith.
Council Member Kerkhoff inquired about the United Community Action Partnership Home Rehabilitation and Redwood Falls Small Cities Development Programs application process and the possibility of conducting an interview with KLGR to advertise the programs.
Public Works Coordinator Doering reported the dredge pipe installation has begun for the Lake Redwood Project.
Council Member Buckley inquired how many applications have been received for the vacant police department position. Chief Cotner stated the application process had just begun and currently, one application has been received.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 5:54 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.