MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
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, September 17, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, City Attorney Amy Busse and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet. Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering was absent.
Mayor Quackenbush requested agenda item 9.G. Dog Licensing Amendments – Ordinance #65 be moved on the agenda in order to be discussed prior to agenda item 9.D. 2020 Fee Schedule – Resolution #29.
City Administrator Muetzel received a request from Redwood County to remove agenda item 9.F. Request from Redwood County for City Council to Initiate a Vacation of a Portion of Courthouse Square.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the agenda with the following amendments: move agenda item 9.G. to 9.D. and remove agenda item 9.F. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member ¬¬¬Arentson to
approve the September 3, 2019, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member ¬¬¬Smith to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Accept Bid on Surplus 1990 International Dump Truck.
2. Approve Request from Chamber of Commerce for Assistance with Fall Festival.
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Ordinance No. 64, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Granting a Franchise Extension to West Central Sanitation, to Collect and Haul Residential Municipal Solid Waste Generated by Residential and Multi-Residential Units Located Within the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the proposed Ordinance was introduced at the September 3, 2019, Council meeting. The proposed agreement with West Central Sanitation provides for a five-year franchise extension with a 2% rate increase during each year of the franchise extension.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Ordinance No. 64, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Granting a Franchise Extension to West Central Sanitation, to Collect and Haul Residential Municipal Solid Waste Generated by Residential and Multi-Residential Units Located Within the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the summary of Ordinance No. 64, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Granting a Franchise Extension to West Central Sanitation, to Collect and Haul Residential Municipal Solid Waste Generated by Residential and Multi-Residential Units Located Within the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush read a Proclamation declaring September 16th – 22nd, 2019 as “Girl Scout Spirit Week”. A group of Redwood Falls Area Girl Scouts and Troop Leaders were present for the reading of the proclamation.
Mayor Quackenbush read a Proclamation declaring October 15, as “National Pregnancy and
Infant Loss Awareness Day”.
Mayor Quackenbush read a letter from the League of Minnesota Cities recognizing Senator Gary Dahms
and Representative Paul Torkelson as Legislators of Distinction for 2019. Senator Gary Dahms was present.
City Attorney Busse introduced Ordinance No. 65, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending §10.46 pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation.
Ms. Busse stated public safety is the purpose behind the City’s dog licensing ordinance as it allows for the City and Police Department to ensure dogs residing within the City are properly vaccinated. The current process requires an annual renewal of the license. Ordinance No. 65 proposes to eliminate an annual dog license and instead institute a conditional lifetime license that would remain valid for the life of the dog so long as the owner completes the initial license application, pays a fee and provides proof of current vaccinations to staff prior to expiration of the vaccination. Given most vaccinations are valid for three years, staff will send a “reminder” letter to each respective dog owner 45 days before the dog’s vaccination is set to expire. If an owner provides proof of current vaccination then the license remains valid for another three years. If an owner does not provide proof of current vaccination by the time it expires, then a citation will be issued to the owner for having a suspended conditional lifetime license which will be dealt with in District Court. The owner would also be required to complete another application, pay a reinstatement fee, and provide proof of the current vaccination in order to reinstate their original conditional lifetime license.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 65, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending §10.46 pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The Ordinance will be placed on the October 1st Council agenda for consideration of final approval.
Director of Finance & Administrative Services Meyer introduced Resolution No. 29 of 2019 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2020.
Ms. Meyer stated staff reviewed the proposed fee schedule. Proposed changes are indicated in red. The fees in blue are set or limited by State Statute. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed 2020 Fee Schedule.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 29 of 2019 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2020. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 29 of 2019 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2020. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Director of Finance & Administrative Services Meyer gave an overview of the preliminary levy and budgets for 2020 as addressed in Resolution No. 30 of 2019 – Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2020 and Resolution No. 31 of 2019 – Approving 2020 Preliminary Budgets.
Ms. Meyer stated State law requires local units of government to establish the preliminary levy for the coming tax year and certify the levy to the County Auditor by September 30, 2019 and to set the dates for the discussion and adoption of the final levy and budgets.
Ms. Meyer stated additional budget development will occur until December to enable the Budget Committee to make a recommendation to the City Council for the final levy and budgets. The final levy and budget will be presented at the Council Meeting on December 17, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building City Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 30 of 2019 – Resolution Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2020. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 30 of 2019 – Resolution Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2020. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 31 of 2019 – Resolution Approving 2020 Preliminary Budgets. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 31 of 2019 – Resolution Approving 2020 Preliminary Budgets. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 32 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for Ramsey Park Bridge Repairs.
Mr. Muetzel stated in response to the invitation for bids, the City received three proposals for the “Ramsey Park Bridge Repairs”. The base bids ranged between $101,670.00.00 and $80,070.00. The apparent low bidder was Environmental Associates Inc. of Willmar, MN with the total low apparent bid of $87,370.00. Artistic Stone and Concrete of St. Joseph, MN provided a total bid of $106,550.00. The plan-holders list included Building Restoration Corp. of Roseville, MN who did not provide a bid. It is unlikely that re-bidding the project would result in more bids or more competitive bids. It is staffs understanding the Council desires to proceed with the project. Therefore, staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Environmental Associates Inc. with a bid of $87,370.00.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 32 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for Ramsey Park Bridge Repairs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 32 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for Ramsey Park Bridge Repairs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush introduced the Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Pedestrian Crosswalk System at MN Hwy 19 and Lincoln Street.
Mayor Quackenbush stated he received an inquiry about available options to improve pedestrian crossing safety on Hwy 19 at the Lincoln Street intersection.
Mr. Muetzel stated the MN Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimates that the average daily traffic count on Highway 19 at Lincoln Street is 10,300 vehicles per day. Staff contacted MnDOT to discuss potential safety improvements to the Lincoln Street crosswalk. MnDOT has indicated that the most effective safety improvement for the Lincoln Street intersection will be the installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Pedestrian Crosswalk System.
Mr. Muetzel further stated MnDOT completed an initial review of the Hwy 19 and Lincoln Street and MnDOT concluded that the intersection warrants the installation of a RRFB based on the following:
1. The intersection is primary crossing to the downtown area from the north side of MN Highway 19.
2. It is the nearest street to the Downtown area.
3. It is also a major crossing to the north for people to travel to Ramsey Park.
If the City Council is interested in moving forward with this project, the next step is to submit engineered drawings to MnDOT to ensure compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act. Assuming MnDOT approves the plans, Public Utilities staff can complete the system installation. The total cost to install a RRFB is $18,000.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Pedestrian Crosswalk System at MN Hwy 19 and Lincoln Street. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner gave an update on the missing juvenile, Thunder Brothersofall.
Chief Cotner stated on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 5:45 p.m. Redwood Falls Fire and Police Department responded to a call of a missing juvenile after falling into the Redwood River. Police started a ground search and reached out to other entities for help including the State Patrol and Redwood County and by 11:30 p.m. the juvenile had not been found. Police and Fire restarted the search Monday morning on the ground and in the air with assistance from Morton Fire Department, Redwood County Sheriff’s office, technical assistance from Hennepin County Water Rescue, and the DNR. As of Monday night, there will be 24-hour coverage on the Swayback Bridge and the walking bridge over the dam. Law Enforcement will restart the ground and air search on Thursday morning. Ramsey Park is not closed and Police are not kicking individuals out of the park but they are asking individuals engaging in dangerous conduct to leave. Chief Cotner stated the search teams were not accepting volunteers at this time due to the dangerous environment. None of the emergency services were able to launch a watercraft due to the conditions of the river.
Chief Cotner recognized all the support from the Lower Sioux Community, North Memorial Ambulance, Redwood County Sheriff’s office, State Patrol, Rapid Relief Team and many businesses and individuals in town.
Mayor Quackenbush thanked Chief Cotner and all of the staff and volunteers helping in the search efforts.
Anne Johnson, Executive Director of Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism, was present to thank the Council for approving the request for assistance with the Annual Fall Festival held in Downtown Redwood Falls on September 28, 2019.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to adjourn the meeting at 6:19¬¬¬¬ p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.