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 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Matt Smith 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 Council address regular agenda item 9I – Disposition of Dangerous Dog Review Hearing – Resolution #73 at the beginning of the regular agenda due to time constraints of the hearing subject.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the agenda with the order change to regular agenda item 9I – Disposition of Dangerous Dog Review Hearing – Resolution #73. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the October 7, 2025, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 73 of 2025 – Authorization for Destruction of Dangerous Dog Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec 347.56, Subd. 2.
Raquel Rae Heiderscheidt attended via electronic means.
Mr. Dammann stated Raquel Rae Heiderscheidt’s dog named “Franklin” was previously designated a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 347.50 and Redwood Falls City Ordinance § 10.46, by a 3-0 vote, of a review panel on July 18, 2025. The Panel’s findings and conclusions were issued on July 28, 2025. On August 11, 2025, Ms. Heiderscheidt submitted a written request to City Hall to appeal the Panel’s decision to the City Council. On September 2, 2025, at a regularly scheduled council meeting, the City Council heard Ms. Heiderscheidt’s appeal and decided to uphold the potentially dangerous dog designation.
Mr. Dammann stated on September 8, 2025, the City of Redwood Falls Police Department provided a Notice of Intent to Declare Dangerous Dog to Raquel Heiderscheidt for a subsequent dog bite incident on a human being. Pursuant to City Ordinance, Ms. Heiderscheidt was provided fourteen (14) days to appeal that Notice of Intent to Declare Dangerous Dog to a review panel. No appeal was filed with City Hall or the Police Department.
Mr. Dammann stated on September 24, 2025, Ms. Heiderscheidt was provided with further notice, declaring the dog “Dangerous,” and providing her with fourteen (14) days to have the dog humanely destroyed or removed from city limits, and notifying her that failure to comply would result in seizure of the dog. The dog was not removed from city limits and was not humanely destroyed. The Police Department was also not provided with proof that the requirements for keeping dangerous dogs found in Minnesota Statutes 347.51, 347.515, and 347.52, would be met.
Mr. Dammann stated on October 9, 2025, the Redwood Falls Police Department seized the dog and placed it in the Duke Memorial Redwood Area Animal Shelter in Redwood Falls. A Notice of Impoundment and Right to Reclaim was provided to Ms. Heiderscheidt’s sister and was forwarded to Ms. Heiderscheidt’s current address via fax. Ms. Heiderscheidt was provided seven (7) days to reclaim the dog by paying for all impounding and boarding fees and showing proof that the requirements found in Redwood Falls City Ordinance Section 10.46 as well as Minnesota Statutes 347.51, 347.515, and 347.52 would be met. As of the date of this City Council meeting, Ms. Heiderscheidt had not satisfied the requirements to reclaim the dog.
Mr. Dammann stated pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec. 347.56, Subd. 2, the Police Department now requests that Council provide Ms. Heiderscheidt an opportunity to be heard prior to issuing the order of destruction of the dog. Ms. Heiderscheidt has been provided notice of this hearing. The Police Department requests approval of Resolution No. 73 and order for the destruction of the dog. The proposed Resolution No. 73 authorizes destruction of the dog.
Ms. Heiderscheidt addressed Council with argument in favor of an appeal hearing and requested Council rescind the Dangerous Dog designation of “Franklin.”
Mayor Quackenbush requested a motion to grant a review of the Dangerous Dog designation with an Appeal Hearing.
Council discussed the request, but no motion was made.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 73 of 2025 – Authorization for Destruction of Dangerous Dog Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec 347.56, Subd. 2. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 73 of 2025 – Authorization for Destruction of Dangerous Dog Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec 347.56, Subd. 2. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced 2025 Street Seal Coat Project – Final Pay Application.
Mr. Doering stated staff recommend for approval the Final Pay Reimbursement No. 1 to Pearson Brothers Inc. of Hanover MN, for the “2025 Seal Coat Improvement” for the final contract amount of $141,888.00. The original bid award was $169,554.00. The reduced final amount was due to a change in project scope. The City had an excess stockpile of granite chips left over from prior years of roughly 445 tons. Roughly half of the total needed for the project and included in the bid. The contractor deducted that amount from what was delivered for the project and utilized the City stockpile. This action will also set the 1-year maintenance period and final acceptance date of October 21, 2026. Any material deficiencies observed during the maintenance period must be brought to the attention of the Contractor, in writing, before the final acceptance date.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the 2025 Street Seal Coat Project – Final Pay Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project – Change Order #1
Mr. Doering stated staff recommend approval of Change Order No. 1 for additional time needed to meet the definition of “Substantial Completion” based on the circumstances listed by the Contractor. Change Order No. 1 is being presented due to delivery delays of the main electrical panel needed to operate the new facility. Gridor Construction Inc. provided a letter outlining the delays and requesting the time extension. Per the contract, “Substantial Completion” is listed as 540 days, and “Final Completion” would be 600 days from the start of construction. This change order will add 60 days and move the substantial completion timeline to coincide with the final completion date of December 30, 2025. This will allow for the delivery, installation and start-up of the new facility without penalty.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project – Change Order #1. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Jason Halvorson was present to introduce Resolution No. 68 of 2025 –Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order 17 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2026 Distribution Improvements.
Mr. Halvorson stated planning has begun for next year’s underground electric line conversion project. The area to be converted from overhead to underground electric distribution is between Ramsey Street and Halvorson Street in the east-west direction, and between Tin Street and Normandale Street in the north-south direction. These improvements are Phase 2 of the recently updated Long-Range Plan. Some of this work will be completed by a contractor and some of the work will be completed by the electric department staff. DGR has provided us with Task Order 17 for the preliminary phase, estimated material and construction cost of this project. The cost estimate for this project is $1,573,000. and the proposed engineering fee is $163,800. Staff request approval of the engineering proposal.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 68 of 2025 –Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order 17 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2026 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 68 of 2025 –Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order 17 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2026 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 69 of 2025 – Amendment to Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement between Redwood County and the City of Redwood Falls for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24 Entered into on February 7, 2023.
Mr. Doering stated Council and Redwood County entered into a cooperative agreement on February 7, 2023. The agreement called for the complete construction of the Project right turn lane and left bypass lane driving surfaces at each entrance or access point of Phase One of the Development by September 1, 2027, and final construction restoration by October 31, 2027. Since then, the City has secured MnDOT Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP) grant dollars to fund the construction of the improvements.
Mr. Doering stated a design conflict was identified and reviewed by City, County, and MnDOT State Aid Staff to review the potential conflict and allowed modifications that could be made within the corridor to address the conflict and not jeopardize LRIP grant dollars and improve safety for the traveling public within the corridor. MnDOT State Aid staff reviewed and agreed that the project could be modified to remove the bypass lane portion of the intersection design at Reflection Road and CSAH 24. MnDOT State Aid Staff further agreed that the savings occurred by not constructing the bypass lane could be used to build a right turn lane for west-bound traffic to turn into Saint John Lutheran School within the same project corridor approximately 2,500 feet west of the Intersection of CSAH 24 and Reflection Road.
Mr. Doering stated the proposed changes could still be funded by the MnDOT LRIP grant as applied for under the original grant application resulting in a net increase in safety for the corridor. MnDOT State Aid Staff agreed that the proposed changes could be made to the approved LRIP project at no additional cost to the City or County. Staff recommend approval of the amendment and modifications to the project.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 69 of 2025 – Amendment to Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement between Redwood County and the City of Redwood Falls for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24 Entered into on February 7, 2023. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 69 of 2025 – Amendment to Construction and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement between Redwood County and the City of Redwood Falls for CSAH 1 and CSAH 24 Entered into on February 7, 2023. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 70 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Ms. Klages stated Minnesota Statute 465.03 gives the City authority to receive donations and requires them to be formally accepted by resolution, adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. Resolution No. 70 authorizes the acceptance of a financial contribution in the amount of $3,610 from Reforest Redwood Falls. This donation is designated for the replacement of trees at Legion Park, which were removed due to the presence of Emerald Ash Borer. The donation covers the total cost of the tree replacement project.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 70 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 70 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 71 of 2021 – A Resolution Approving Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City.
Mr. Muetzel stated for the last several years, the Redwood Area Library Foundation has been actively raising funds to cover the cost to construct a 7,000 sq. ft children’s addition to the library and expand the existing meeting room. This project is proposed to be fully funded through donations and grants without local property tax dollars. Project bids have been received, and the foundation met on October 20th to determine if adequate funding is in place for the City to proceed with the bid award.
Mr. Muetzel stated with the expansion project moving forward, the Reimbursement Agreement outlines the terms under which the Redwood Area Library Foundation agrees to reimburse the City of Redwood Falls for project expenses. The total estimated project cost is $4,902,030, of which $1,358,589 is covered by a State of MN grant and prior donations that have been remitted to the City. Under the terms of the agreement, the Foundation commits to reimbursing the City the remaining anticipated balance of $3,543,441 with the actual amount being determined by the final construction cost. The City will submit reimbursement requests monthly for payment by the Foundation.
Mr. Muetzel stated Minnesota Statute 465.03 gives the City authority to receive donations and requires them to be formally accepted by resolution, adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. Resolution No. 71 approves the reimbursement agreement and authorizes the acceptance of a financial contribution in the anticipated amount of $3,543,441 from the Redwood Area Library Foundation. This donation is designated for the design, construction, and furnishing of the Redwood Falls Library Expansion Project. The amount outlined in this resolution is an estimate. Once the project is complete, a final resolution with the actual total amount donated by the Redwood Area Library Foundation will be brought to the Council for final approval and acceptance of the donation.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 71 of 2021 – A Resolution Approving Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 71 of 2021 – A Resolution Approving Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 72 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract 2025 Redwood Falls Library Addition and Renovation Project.
Mr. Doering stated in response to the Advertisement for Bids, the City received ten proposals for construction of the 2025 Redwood Falls Library Addition and Renovation Project. The proposals were opened and publicly read at 2:00 p.m. on September 25, 2025. The lowest responsible bidder was Breitbach Construction of Elrosa, MN. The resulting bid was $4,394,000.00 for the base bid including alternates G-2 existing HVAC replacement and G-3 south meeting room addition. The next closest bidder was Brennan Construction of $4,465,000.00 and others ranged up to $6,566,525.00.
Mr. Doering stated prior to going out for bid, the existing HVAC system for the library began to fail. The system has been temporarily fixed to allow for the addition of its replacement as alternate G-2 offered in the bid to meet public bidding requirements. The bid cost by Breitbach Construction is $345,000.00 which is considered maintenance and will be part of the library’s 2026 budget and will be the only monetary contribution not covered by grants and private donations. Staff support the approval of award for the 2025 Redwood Falls Library Addition and Renovation Project.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 72 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract 2025 Redwood Falls Library Addition and Renovation Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 72 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract 2025 Redwood Falls Library Addition and Renovation Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Library Director Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated the hiring committee completed the selection process for the Library Director position. The committee interviewed four applicants and recommend approval of an employment offer to Corrie Tews. Ms. Tews’s anticipated start date is December 1, 2025 with a starting salary at Grade 7, Step 1 of the 2025 City of Redwood Falls Step Structure.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the Library Director Position Employment Offer to Corrie Tews. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update on the construction of Ziggi’s Coffee at 321 E. Bridge Street.
City Administrator Muetzel stated City Staff received a building permit application today from the owners at 321 E. Bridge Street for construction of a drive-thru coffee shop, but a permit hasn’t been issued yet. Staff do not have an update on the anticipated start date of construction.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:51 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.