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 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum.
Mayor Tom Quackenbush attended via electronic means.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the November 4, 2025, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 78 of 2025 – Resolution to Approve Submission of the Redwood River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
Mr. Muetzel stated Council approved the Memorandum of Agreement with Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) for the development of the One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) on the Redwood River by Resolution No. 81 of 2023 on December 19, 2023. Planning partners included: Lincoln County and the Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Lyon County and the SWCD, Murray County, Pipestone County and the SWCD, Redwood County and the SWCD, Area II Minnesota River Basins Project Joint Powers Organization, City of Marshall and RCRCA for a total of 13 Local Government Units. The development of the plan provides the foundation for accessing implementation dollars to reduce priority pollutants from reaching the Redwood River. Ultimately, the reduction of those pollutants will help to improve water quality in Lake Redwood and reduce sedimentation rates that will prolong the success of the recent dredging project. Staff recommend approval of Resolution No. 78 which will allow for the submission to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for final approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 78 of 2025 – Resolution to Approve Submission of the Redwood River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 78 of 2025 – Resolution to Approve Submission of the Redwood River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 79 of 2025 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offense and Establish Administrative Penalties.
Mr. Dammann stated Council previously adopted Ordinance 91, Third Series, an ordinance establishing a procedure for adjudicating administrative offenses and providing for a schedule of offenses and administrative penalties. Over the years the Council has supplemented Ordinance 91 with several Resolutions adopting a schedule of offenses and establishing administrative penalties. The last resolution to do so was Resolution No. 34 of 2025.
Mr. Dammann stated given a recent increase in noise complaints, specifically the use of engine retarding brakes within city limits, staff believe a change should be made to the fine amount for violations of Chapter 10.14 – Noise Violations. This change in the fine amount, from $50 to $100, will be incorporated into a request to add the ordinance to the MNCIS offense table for City Ordinances, creating a new petty misdemeanor citation at the district court level.
Mr. Dammann further stated given the transitory nature of some of these violations, it appears appropriate to allow officers to cite individuals at the district court level. The Minnesota State Payables List has a $50 fine listed for violations of MS 169.693, which regulates motor vehicle noise limits, so an increase in the fine amount for Chapter 10.14 will be a departure from the status quo in that regard, but most other violations of Chapter 10 are finable at $100 as denoted by the text of this resolution.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 79 of 2025 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offense and Establish Administrative Penalties. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 79 of 2025 – Resolution to Adopt a Comprehensive Schedule of Offense and Establish Administrative Penalties. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Liquor Store Clerk Position.
Liquor Store Manager Nanette Serbus was present.
Mr. Muetzel stated the pending transfer of Sherri Ahrens-Ness to the Library creates a vacancy for a Liquor Store Clerk position. The vacancy was posted internally, three applications were received, and all applicants were interviewed on November 13. The hiring committee recommend a full-time employment offer to Jessica Nelson. Ms. Nelson has been employed part-time at the Liquor Lodge for four years. Ms. Nelson’s anticipated full-time start date is December 8, 2025 with a full-time salary at Pay Grade 1, Step 4 of the 2025 City of Redwood Falls Step Structure.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Liquor Store Clerk Position Employment Offer to Jessica Nelson. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
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 Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:27 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.