MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 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, October 19, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, Matt Smith, and Larry Arentson were present constituting a quorum. Council Member Kerkhoff was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet. Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley 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 Smith to approve the October 5, 2021, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member ¬¬Buckley to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Updated Bremer Wealth Organization Resolution
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Ordinance No. 73, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Redwood Falls.
Mr. Muetzel stated the proposed Ordinance was introduced at the October 5, 2021 Council meeting. As part of the Supplement Service Plan with American Legal Publishing Corporation for the City’s Codification Services Agreement, staff received the Eleventh Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. The Ordinances that were passed by the City Council in 2020 and 2021 along with amendments are now incorporated into the code and are ready for Council adoption.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Ordinance No. 73, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Council Members Buckley, Smith, Arentson, and Sandgren
NO: None
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 55 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Agreement Between City and Township for Provision of Building Permit, Plan Review, Inspection and Code Administration and Enforcement Services for Veterans Cemetery Project.
Mr. Dammann stated the State of Minnesota is building a Veterans Cemetery in Paxton Township. The Veterans Cemetery Project is a state-licensed facility and requires building permit, plan review, inspection, and code administration and enforcement services to be provided by a qualified Building Official under Minnesota State Building Code. Paxton Township employs its own Building Official, however, it does not currently hold a valid delegation agreement with the State of Minnesota pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 326B.107 Subd. 2 for state-licensed facilities. Because it is a state-licensed facility, without a valid delegation agreement, the Project would need to be permitted, reviewed, and inspected by the State instead of a local entity.
Mr. Dammann stated the City of Redwood Falls has a valid delegation agreement in place with the State and is able to provide these services for the Project at the local level. Paxton Township is agreeable to having the City provide the required building permit, plan review, inspection, and code administration and enforcement services for the Project, however, an agreement outlining that arrangement is required by the State prior to the City providing these services. As part of the agreement, the City would be collecting all building permit and plan review fees. After State deductions, the City would agree to disburse 25% of the net fees collected to Paxton Township. This agreement relates only to the current phase of the project and the agreement will terminate once a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. Paxton Township has reviewed the agreement and approves of the terms.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 55 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Agreement Between City and Township for Provision of Building Permit, Plan Review, Inspection and Code Administration, and Enforcement Services for Veterans Cemetery Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 55 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Agreement Between City and Township for Provision of Building Permit, Plan Review, Inspection and Code Administration and Enforcement Services for Veterans Cemetery Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 56 of 2021 – Designation of Annual Polling Place.
Mr. Muetzel stated all cities and townships must pass a resolution each year establishing the polling places for any elections scheduled for the following year. An annual resolution is required even if the polling place does not change. Resolution No. 56 designates the 2022 polling place as the Redwood Area Community Center located at 901 East Cook Street, Redwood Falls.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 56 of 2021 – Designation of Annual Polling Place. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 56 of 2021 – Designation of Annual Polling Place. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Award Sale of Fire Department Utility Vehicle.
Mr. Muetzel stated the City of Redwood Falls advertised for bids for the sale of a Fire Department 2010 Polaris Ranger utility vehicle. Five bids were received and publicly opened on October 12th. Staff recommends acceptance of the bid from Brian Block in the amount of $16,256.45. Mr. Block will not take possession of the 2010 utility vehicle until the new one arrives. The Fire Department’s new utility vehicle is expected to arrive in late October or early November.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the Award Sale of Fire Department Utility Vehicle to Brian Block in the amount of $16,256.45. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update regarding an email request from a resident. The resident requested the City clean up the landscaping around the Burmeister Monument located along the power plant road. Mr. Muetzel stated the contractors will restore the landscaping along the power plant road and around the monument at the conclusion of the project.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update regarding the Lake Redwood Project. Mr. Muetzel stated the pipe was delivered last week and contractors are starting to set the pipe. There have been no issues or concerns and they will be proceeding as planned.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the annual Fall Cleanup has been rescheduled for November 1 – November 5.
Mayor Quackenbush stated the Small Cities Development Program has been extended to include Target Area “B”. Residents in Target Area “A” are still eligible to apply for the grant. This is a unique opportunity that is being provided to residents. The City is encouraging residents to reach out and request additional information.
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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:24 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.