MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 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 5, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members John T. Buckley, Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum. Council Member Jim Sandgren 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 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 September 21, 2021, 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 items on the Consent Agenda.
1. City Assistance with Celebrate Redwood Falls – Haunted Hotel
2. Appointment to Fire Relief Association Board of Trustees
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 51 of 2021 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolution is to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts that are more than 30 days past due. Similar resolutions are brought to the City 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 the 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 voice any concerns.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:04 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 51 of 2021 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 51 of 2021 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel presented 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 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 ready for Council adoption. The Ordinance will be placed on the October 19th Council agenda for consideration and final approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of 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 unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce Resolution No. 52 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 Contract Renewal of Group Health Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Health Insurance Coverage.
Ms. Stage stated staff worked with the City’s Insurance Broker, Justin Kroeger, from Gallagher Insurance Consulting to obtain a Group Health Insurance proposal for 2022. Justin renegotiated with the City’s current health insurance provider Preferred One/United Healthcare. Staff recommends accepting the renewal of the current group health plan with Preferred One/United Healthcare at an increase of 6.00% in premiums. The increase in contributions is due to a higher than normal claims utilization for 2021. The proposal maintains the same coverage provided in 2021. Staff also calculated employee/employer contributions for 2022 using the 80/20 family policy formula and 90/10 single policy formula approved in prior years.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 52 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 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 Buckley to approve Resolution No. 52 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 Contract Renewal of Group Health Insurance and the Employer’s Share of Premium for Health Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Stage introduced Resolution No. 53 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 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, Justin Kroeger, from Gallagher Insurance Consulting to obtain Group Dental Insurance proposals for 2022. After recent recruitment efforts and feedback from current employees, City Staff determined the City’s benefit plan is lacking in this area. Staff requested information on dental plans to enhance the benefit plan for City employees. Justin negotiated with five vendors that responded to the Dental RFP and staff recommends accepting the Delta Dental Pathfinder 3 Plan for 2022. The proposal is a 100% Employee paid benefit plan for 2022.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 53 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 53 of 2021 – A Resolution Setting and Adopting the 2022 Contract for Voluntary Group Dental Insurance and the Employee’s Share of Premium for Dental Insurance Coverage. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 54 of 2021 – Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on behalf of its City Attorney and Police Department.
Mr. Dammann stated the City and the Police Department desire to enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the State’s criminal justice data communications network for which the City is eligible. The Joint Powers Agreements further provide the City with the ability to add, modify and delete connectivity, systems and tools over the five-year life of the agreement. These agreements are required in order for the City Attorney and Police Department to have access to necessary criminal and background information.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 54 of 2021 – Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on behalf of its City Attorney and Police Department. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 54 of 2021 – Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on behalf of its City Attorney and Police Department. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith stated the groundbreaking for the future Veterans Cemetery will take place on Wednesday, October 13th at 10:00 a.m. Mayor Quackenbush and Council Members will be attending the groundbreaking.
Council Member Kerkhoff read a letter from resident Ramona Larson regarding stray and feral cats in her neighbor. Ms. Larson is requesting help from the City to make the community more aware of the cat issue. In addition to that, the City will assist in promoting responsible pet ownership.
Council Member Kerkhoff requested information on a fire damaged home in the community. Mr. Muetzel stated the State Fire Marshall has closed the investigation. City Staff is working with the owner to begin the demolition process.
Council Member Smith requested an update on the I&I Inspections. Mr. Muetzel stated the Phase 1 inspection area, which is located south of Broadway Street, have all received the inspection required letters. There are approximately 40 homes in the Phase 1 and approximately 12 inspections have been completed.
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 Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:38 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.