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, February 6, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Corey Theis, Council Members Paul DeBlieck, Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren and John T. Buckley were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, City Attorney Amy Busse, Public Works Projects Coordinator Jim Doering and Council Secretary Amy Kerkhoff.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck approving the agenda as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren approving the January 16, 2018, minutes as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley unanimously approving the following Consent Agenda items:
1. Recommendations from Hospital Credentialing Committee.
2. Purchase Park Utility Vehicle.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner was present to discuss the Parks & Recreation Operations Coordinator position.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the interview team, which included City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage, Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner, and Recreation Program Coordinator Tim Prahl interviewed three applicants. The team offered the position to Samantha Felt at Pay Grade 3, Step 3 and will include a six-month probationary period. At that time, Ms. Felt will be eligible for a step increase, upon a satisfactory job performance evaluation.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving the offer for the Parks & Recreation Operations Coordinator to Samantha Felt. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to discuss the Assistant Police Chief position.
Chief Cotner stated the interview team, which included City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Police Chief Jason Cotner, Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage, and Council Member Matt Smith interviewed two internal applicants. The team offered the position to Officer Steve Schroeder at Pay Grade 10, Step 3 and will include a one-year probationary period. After a six-month period, Mr. Schroeder will be eligible for a step increase, upon a satisfactory job performance evaluation.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving the offer for the Assistant Police Chief to Steve Schroeder contingent on an acceptable background screen and psychological exam. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Chuck Heins discussed the authorization to solicit bids for the repair of the hydro turbine generator.
Mr. Heins stated staff has been working on getting the hydro turbine generator working since a lightning strike in September of 2017. It was determined there was an electrical fault in the windings of the generator. To repair the generator requires removing it from the building and shipping it to a repair facility.
Mr. Heins stated staff has been working with the City’s insurance agencies to determine coverage of the repair, less the $50,000.00 deductible.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck approving the advertisement for bids for repair of the hydro turbine generator. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 9 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Agreement for Waiver, Transfer, and Repayment of Federal Airport Entitlement Funds was presented by Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering.
Mr. Doering stated the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport has a 2018 projected entitlement balance of $613,262.00 earmarked for the 2018 7-Bay Hangar Construction Project with an engineer’s estimated cost of $1,505,276.60. The federal share is 90% or $1,354,748.94 to be paid using the airport’s projected entitlement balance and other entitlement transfers from contributing airports who have expiring entitlement funds. The City of Rushford has approved transferring $263,805.00 with a projected payback in 2020. Other airports are being solicited to help make up the remaining $109,725.50 with repayment expected in 2022. The Redwood Falls Municipal Airport will then repay the other airport jurisdiction(s) when they are scheduled to receive payment, resetting the funding expiration date for their future projects. The Airport Commission and staff recommend the transfer and execution of the resolution.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 9 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Agreement for Waiver, Transfer, and Repayment of Federal Airport Entitlement Funds. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving Resolution No. 9 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Agreement for Waiver, Transfer, and Repayment of Federal Airport Entitlement Funds. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Amy Busse presented Ordinance No. 60, Fourth Series – An Ordinance of the City of Redwood Falls Extending the Term and Modify Section 4.1 (a) of the Franchise Agreement with New Ulm Telecom, Inc.
Ms. Busse stated per City Charter Chapter 10, Section 10.05, every extension, renewal or modification of any existing franchise or of any franchise granted hereafter shall be subject to the same limitations and shall be granted in the same manner as a new franchise. As such, the request by New Ulm Telecom to extend their franchise and modify one section of the franchise can only be granted by ordinance.
Ms. Busse stated the initial franchise agreement with New Ulm Telecom was executed in 2002. Despite it being 15 years since the execution of the agreement, the vast majority of the terms and conditions are still applicable, relevant, and current. New Ulm Telecom is only requesting to modify Section 4.1 (a) which pertains to minimum channel capacity. The requested modification indicates that New Ulm Telecom now provides internet protocol (IP) technology to deliver a minimum of seventy-six (76) channels instead of 550 MHz equipment. Upon adoption of the ordinance, the franchise will be extended for ten (10) years.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 60, Fourth Series – An Ordinance of the City of Redwood Falls Extending the Term and Modify Section 4.1 (a) of the Franchise Agreement with New Ulm Telecom, Inc. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering discussed the authorization to solicit bids for the 2018 7-Bay Hangar Construction Project.
Mr. Doering stated the total engineer’s estimate for construction and engineering is $1,505,276.60. Revenue sources for the project are $1,354,729.50 in federal entitlement funding, 5% MnDOT funding in the amount of $75,263.00 and 5% local share in the amount of $75,263.00. A balance of $109,725.50 is being solicited from other airports to meet the federal requirement.
Mr. Doering stated the base bid is for seven hangars to be constructed with two (2) 65’ x 65’, one (1) 55’ x 45’, and four (4) 45’ x 42’ bay hangars. Due to possible budget constraints at the time of bid letting, two alternatives were designed. Alternative one provides pricing for deleting one (1) 45’ x 42’ hangar. Alternative two provides pricing for deleting two 45’ x 42’ hangars.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren approving the plans, specs and authorizing advertisement for bids for the 2018 7-Bay Hangar Construction Project. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 10 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services with Bolton & Menk, Inc. as the Airport Consulting Engineer was presented by Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering.
Mr. Doering stated three firms responded to the RFQ with statements of qualifications which included Bolton & Menk, Inc. (BMI), TKDA and Bollig, Inc.
Mr. Doering stated on February 1, 2018, the Airport Commission held a special meeting to hear each firm’s presentation and rank the three respondents. The Commission reviewed the portfolio submittals and presentations and is recommending Bolton & Menk to continue providing airport consulting and engineering services until 2022. The Commission ranked the respondents in the following order: 1) BMI, 2) TKDA and 3) Bollig.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 10 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services with Bolton & Menk, Inc. as the Airport Consulting Engineer. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith approving Resolution No. 10 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services with Bolton & Menk, Inc. as the Airport Consulting Engineer. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 6 of 2018 – Resolution Declaring Buildings Located at 120 East Wyoming Street a Hazard to Public Safety and Ordering the Owner to Remediate or Remove the Hazardous Buildings was presented by City Attorney Amy Busse.
Ms. Busse stated on August 31, 2017, Garey and Meggan Stewart requested Building Official and Fire Marshal Tim Hanna to conduct an inspection of the buildings located at 120 East Wyoming Street to determine whether they would be considered unsafe or hazardous. On the day of the request, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the owners of record of the property. As a result of the inspection, numerous building and fire code deficiencies were discovered. Mr. Hanna declared the buildings located at the property to be both unsafe and a hazard and ordered the buildings be vacated and to remain uninhabited. Mr. Hanna then sent a notice to the Stewarts outlining all the deficiencies, how to remediate them, and the required timeframe by when corrective action needed to take place.
Ms. Busse stated on or about October 25, 2017, City staff discovered that on October 6, 2017, a Quit Claim Deed was recorded transferring ownership of the property to First Evangelical Christian Church. The Quit Claim Deed was drafted by Richard Clements. After it was discovered the ownership had changed, Mr. Hanna sent the same notice to the new owner. On the advice of the City Attorney, the notice was personally served on Richard Clements, a representative of the owner. As of January 23, 2018, the owner has failed to take any action to remediate the hazardous conditions.
Ms. Busse stated pursuant to Minnesota Statute §463, the City Council is authorized to declare a property as hazardous and to order the owner to remediate the deficiencies or remove the hazardous buildings, and in the event of non-compliance, the ability for the City to seek District Court approval for remediation or removal of the hazardous buildings.
Building Official and Fire Marshal Tim Hanna was present to discuss the order.
Richard Clements was present on behalf of First Evangelical Christian Church to discuss the request.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 6 of 2018 – Resolution Declaring Buildings Located at 120 East Wyoming Street a Hazard to Public Safety and Ordering the Owner to Remediate or Remove the Hazardous Buildings. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving Resolution No. 6 of 2018 – Resolution Declaring Buildings Located at 120 East Wyoming Street a Hazard to Public Safety and Ordering the Owner to Remediate or Remove the Hazardous Buildings. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 7 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting City of Redwood Falls Public Utilities Policy Regarding Distributed Generation and Net Metering and Rules Governing the Interconnection of Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities was presented by Public Utilities Superintendent Chuck Heins.
Mr. Heins stated the resolution formally adopts rules that have been in place since 2005. Due to legislative changes, the City needs to formally adopt the policy regarding distributed generation, net metering and the rules governing the interconnection of cogeneration and small power production facilities.
Mr. Heins stated the resolution would also adopt the 2018 avoided cost rate for customers above 40 KW Small Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act contracts.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 7 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting City of Redwood Falls Public Utilities Policy Regarding Distributed Generation and Net Metering and Rules Governing the Interconnection of Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving Resolution No. 7 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting City of Redwood Falls Public Utilities Policy Regarding Distributed Generation and Net Metering and Rules Governing the Interconnection of Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 8 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Maintenance Agreement with West Shore Services, Inc. was presented by Police Chief Jason Cotner.
Chief Cotner stated during the summer of 2017, the City’s community warning siren in North Redwood became disabled. West Shore Services, Inc. was hired to inspect and repair the siren. West Shore Services informed staff there was no record in their system of the Redwood Falls community warning sirens receiving preventive maintenance since the sirens were initially installed. A check of the City’s records also confirmed no history of preventive maintenance was performed.
Chief Cotner stated West Shore Services recommends an annual inspection of the community warning sirens to identify structural or electrical problems. Staff reviewed the contract and felt preventive inspections and maintenance are the best ways to determine problems with the sirens and keep them in good working condition.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 8 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Maintenance Agreement with West Shore Services, Inc. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving Resolution No. 8 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute Maintenance Agreement with West Shore Services, Inc. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Keith Muetzel presented Ordinance No. 59, 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 has received the Eighth Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. The ordinances that were passed by the City Council in 2017 along with amendments are now incorporated into the code and ready for Council adoption.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 59, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Redwood Falls. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Keith Muetzel informed the City Council of the Local Board of Equalization and Review meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting allows property owners to contest the 2018 value assigned to their property for taxes payable in 2018. Three Council Members will need to be present for a quorum. Council Members Paul DeBlieck, Matt Smith and Larry Arentson are certified until July 1, 2021.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.