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, October 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. City Attorney Trenton Dammann was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith 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 September 16, 2025, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda:
1. City Assistance with Celebrate Redwood Falls – Haunted Hotel/Monsters on Main
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts, maintenance charges, and surcharges.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 59 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Utility Accounts, Resolution No. 60 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs, and Resolution No. 61 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolutions are to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts, maintenance cost charges, and surcharges that are more than 30 days past due. Similar resolutions are brought to Council on a quarterly basis in order to improve the time between the delinquent billing and the ability to disclose the information to new property owners. The delinquent account resolutions will be presented each year at the first meeting in January, April, July, and October.
Ms. Klages further explained the delinquent process. Delinquent letters are first mailed to the utility account holders. Delinquent letters are then mailed to the property owners if not collected from the account holders. Electricity consumed by a tenant is not assessable to the property. Any unpaid balance is then brought to Council to be approved by resolution. Any pending assessments passed by resolution and still outstanding as of November 1st will be charged a $50.00 fee and are then transferred to Redwood County to be assessed on the tax rolls.
No one was present to provide comments during the hearing.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:04 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 59 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Utility Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 59 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Utility Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 60 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. 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 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 61 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 61 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Ordinance No. 99, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §10.46 Pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation.
Mr. Muetzel stated the proposed Ordinance was introduced at the September 16, 2025, City Council Meeting. Section 10.46 of City code was last amended on April 18, 2023, when the Council passed and adopted Ordinance No. 84, Fourth Series, Titled “An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §10.46 Pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation.” Ordinance No. 84, Fourth Series did not address the issues of the use of a City provided suspension form for owners of dogs no longer being kept in the City nor the eligibility requirements for members of the community to serve on potentially dangerous and dangerous dog review panels.
Mr. Muetzel stated the proposed changes to §10.46 include a requirement that dog owners with a conditional lifetime license that no longer reside within the corporate limits of the city or no longer keep or maintain a dog within the corporate limits of the city request suspension of the conditional lifetime license through the use of a city provided dog license suspension form. This practice has been in place at city hall but has not been made part of ordinance. One of the reasons for the requested change is to be able to hold dog owners accountable for providing false information on these suspension forms. The ordinance amendment will make it a violation of city ordinance to do so.
Mr. Muetzel stated the other change to §10.46 addresses eligibility requirements for citizens to serve on potentially dangerous and dangerous dog review panels. The ordinance currently requires the panel to consist of council members and electors who reside in the city. It has become increasingly difficult to find citizens who reside within the city limits to serve on these panels. The requested change is to allow anyone who is able to vote in the State of Minnesota to serve on a review panel. State law requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective. Given the brevity of the amendment, staff have determined that a summary is not needed for publication.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Ordinance No. 99, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §10.46 Pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Smith, Kerkhoff, Guetter, and Sandgren
NO: None
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 62 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Concerning Detachment of Certain Land Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §414.06.
Mr. Muetzel stated Steven and Janelle Medrud, the owners of 1990 Old North Road (ID# 88-130-4040), have filed a petition requesting detachment from the City of Redwood Falls as a part of the planned sale of the property. The buyer of their residence wishes for a different portion of the Medrud’s adjoining parcel (ID# 62-330-4040) to be included with the residence and made a part of the City. In order to accomplish this task, the current parcel must be detached from the City before a new surveyed parcel is annexed back into the City. Paxton Township has been provided a copy of the detachment petition and will be provided a copy of this resolution.
Mr. Muetzel stated pursuant to Minn. Stat. §414.06, a supporting resolution from the City Council is required to be filed along with the petition for detachment in order for the detachment to be approved without the need for a hearing before the chief administrative law judge.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 62 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Concerning Detachment of Certain Land Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §414.06. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 62 of 2025 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Concerning Detachment of Certain Land Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §414.06. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 63 of 2025 – Joint Resolution In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation Between the City of Redwood Falls and Paxton Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §414.0325.
Mr. Muetzel stated Steven and Janelle Medrud, the owners of 1990 Old North Road (Parcel ID# 88-130-4040), have filed a request for annexation with the City of Redwood Falls as part of the proposed sale of their residence. The buyer of their residence wishes for a different portion of the Medrud’s adjoining parcel (ID# 62-330-4040) to be included with the residence and made a part of the City. In order to accomplish this task, the current parcel must be detached from the City before a new surveyed parcel is annexed back into the City. The total area to be annexed is approximately 2.5 acres. The property to be annexed is contiguous with the City boundary.
Mr. Muetzel stated pursuant to Minn. Stat. §414.0325, annexing the property can occur without notice of a public hearing so long as all the property owners file a petition requesting the annexation and the respective township is in agreement with the annexation. Keith Muetzel, City Administrator, had conversations with Rick Morris, Chairman of Paxton Township, regarding the request from the property owners to be annexed into the City limits. Paxton Township will address the proposed annexation at their next board meeting in November, and it is anticipated that they will not oppose the annexation.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 63 of 2025 – Joint Resolution In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation Between the City of Redwood Falls and Paxton Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §414.0325. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 63 of 2025 – Joint Resolution In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation Between the City of Redwood Falls and Paxton Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §414.0325. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce Resolution No. 64 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Long Term Disability and Life Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Long Term Disability and Life Insurance Coverage.
Ms. Stage stated Resolution No. 64 of 2025 is requesting acceptance of the proposal for the City of Redwood Falls to renew Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance. The LTD Rates have remained unchanged since 2023 at $.032 per $100 of covered payroll. The City participates in the formal bid conducted every five years by National Insurance Services. Based on this bid for 2025, Madison National Life Ins. Co. has provided lower rates for the LTD Ins., and the City is looking at a decrease in rate to $0.288 per $100 of covered payroll. This decrease in premium will begin January 1, 2026, and will remain for 36 months continuing through December 31, 2028.
Ms. Stage stated the City participates in the formal bid conducted every five years by National Ins. Services. Based on this bid, MN Life Ins. Co. has provided rates for the group Life Ins. coverage. MN Life has reviewed our group demographics and based on this information our Basic Life Rate or City provided rate will remain the same at $.130 per $1000 per month. Our AD&D will also remain unchanged at .02 per $1000 per month. These rates will take effect on January 1, 2026, and Minnesota Life has confirmed that these rates will enter year one on January 1, 2026, of a three-year rate guarantee continuing through December 31, 2028. The supplemental employee, spouse, and child life rates will remain unchanged effective on January 1, 2026. Monthly Child Life Rate remains the same at: $1.30 per $10,000 or $1.95 per $15,000 These are guaranteed issue limits.
Ms. Stage further stated the guaranteed issue limit will remain at $150,000 for newly eligible employees, $25,000 for spousal coverage and all child coverage is guaranteed. Staff recommend that Council approve the Renewal of Life and Long-Term Disability Insurances effective 1/1/2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 64 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Long Term Disability and Life Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Long Term Disability and Life Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 64 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Long Term Disability and Life Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Long Term Disability and Life Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced the Employee Health Insurance Plan Amendment.
Ms. Klages stated the City currently offers two employee health insurance plan options, single coverage and family coverage. The Health Insurance Committee suggested expanding the available plan options to include two additional options: employee plus spouse and employee plus children. The addition of these two new plan options allows for significant savings for all coverage tiers except family coverage. To take advantage of the savings without burdening employees who are on the family plan, staff propose temporarily adjusting the employer/employee cost share for family coverage from the current 80/20 split to an 82/18 split. This adjustment results in lower costs for all employees compared to 2026 rates under the current plan structure. In addition, the City would also see an estimated savings of $85,000 based on current enrollment data.
Ms. Klages stated staff recommends approval of the updated 82% employer / 18% employee cost split for family health insurance coverage. This would be effective January 1, 2026, and remain in place through December 31, 2027, aligning with the expiration of current union contracts.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Health Insurance Plan Amendment. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce Resolution No. 65 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Health Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Health Insurance Coverage.
Ms. Stage stated City Staff and the Insurance Committee worked with the City’s Insurance Broker, Jenny Van Deinse, from Gallagher Insurance Consulting this year to review Health Insurance options for the employees of the City of Redwood Falls. The Insurance Committee and City Staff worked with Jenny to obtain Group Health Insurance proposals for 2026 for both the HRA and an HSA plan. Jenny renegotiated with our current health insurance provider United Healthcare. At the time of renewal, the City’s loss ratio with United Healthcare was 57.1%. United Healthcare’s proposed 2026 renewal for the current group health plan includes a 5.4% premium increase for both the HRA and HSA plans. This proposal maintains the same coverages provided in 2025. The lower premium for the HSA allows for the City to contribute to the employees HSA.
Ms. Stage stated a benefit enhancement that we are offering employees for 2026 is a four-tiered coverage model which offers a wider range of options that better aligns with different family needs and financial situations. This change was discussed at renewal time with the insurance committee that consists of employees from several departments. It was also a question many new hires asked about during benefit discussions. To help with employee retention and with recruitment during insurance renewal, staff and Gallagher sought this tiered approach with UHC. Previously the City offered single and family coverage options only and the contribution splits were 90/10 for single coverage and 80/20 for family coverage. For 2026, with the tiered approach, staff calculated the employer/employee contributions as single coverage 90/10, employee and spouse 80/20, employee and children 80/20, and employee and family 82/18. Staff recommend accepting the renewal of the current group health plan with United Healthcare for 2026 at an increase of 5.4%.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 65 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Health Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Health Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 65 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract Renewal of Group Health Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Health Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 66 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract.
Mr. Doering stated this 2-year contract is for the MNDOT Maintenance and Operation funding for the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport. The contract is for $39,862.09 per fiscal year totaling $79,724.18. All eligible costs will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis as described under §4.1.2 FY Obligations.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 66 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 66 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce Resolution No. 67 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract for Voluntary Group Dental Insurance and the Employee’s Share of Premium for Dental Insurance Coverage.
Ms. Stage stated staff worked with the City’s Insurance Broker, Jenny Van Deinse, from Gallagher Insurance Consulting to obtain Group Dental Insurance proposals for 2026. Jenny renegotiated with the current dental insurance provider Delta Dental of MN to renew the current contract. Staff recommend accepting the renewal of the current group dental plan with Delta Dental, Delta Dental Pathfinder 3 Plan for 2026 at an increase of 5.00% in premiums. The proposal is a 100% employee paid benefit plan for 2026. This proposal maintains the same coverages provided in 2025.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 67 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract for Voluntary Group Dental Insurance and the Employee’s Share of Premium for Dental Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 67 of 2025 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2026 Contract for Voluntary Group Dental Insurance and the Employee’s Share of Premium for Dental Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Kerkhoff provided an update regarding concerns from resident, Gary Myrom. Mr. Myrom is a resident at the Centennial Woods Mobile Home Park on Normandale Road. Mr. Myrom has had issues with access to his home during the recent infrastructure construction project being done at Centennial Woods. Since this is a project being completed on private property, the owner of Centennial woods has been communicating with Mr. Myrom throughout construction. Mr. Myrom wanted Council to be aware of his concerns and appreciates the communication from Council.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering provided an update on the project. The contractor working onsite has been working with Mr. Myrom to assist him with access as needed. The project is nearing completion and should allow better access for all the residents.
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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.