City of Red Lake Falls
City Council Meeting
January 26, 2015
Minutes
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County, Minnesota was duly held in the Council Chambers of said
City on the 26th day of January, 2015.
Members Present: Kevin Harmoning, Sara Kenfield, Kevin Brevik, Neil Knaack, Cheryl Matzke.
Members Absent: none.
Others Present: Kathleen Schmitz, Delray Sparby, Alan Cassavant, Carol Seeger, Deb
Derouin, Tom Derouin, Mark Violette, Luther Newton.
Mayor Kevin Harmoning called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Matzke moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve the Agenda with the addition under 7.6
Miscellaneous of Mall Cleaning Contract, Kankel Addition Lot, Springsted Update, Employee
Salaries and the addition to 7.2 Council Pay – Ordinance “1st Reading”. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
Kenfield moved, seconded by Matzke, to approve the January 12, 2015 City Council Meeting
Minutes with a correction to the page 4 nomination motion removing the word ‘unanimously’
and adding ‘abstained: Harmoning’. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Knaack moved, seconded by Kenfield, to approve the installation of the data privacy fire wall
from MinKota Technology for $429. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Business:
Fire Chief Luther Newton gave the council an annual report from his department. A few
improvements were made to the fire hall. They got the Pumpers certified as required for
insurance. One required some expensive repairs and both are in very good working order.
This year three firemen retired and they are in the process of finding replacements. They
also purchased a thermal imaging camera. The fire department had 24 true fire calls in 2014.
They were for 3 vehicle fires, 4 structure fires, 4 vehicle accidents, 4 false alarms, 3 grass
fires, 2 carbon monoxide calls and a few miscellaneous assisting calls.
Grinder discussion – condensed version:
The topic of Grinders in the Klondike area of town was discussed as to what does the city
want to do regarding what has been said/promised at previous meetings dating back to 1997
when the residents of that area were required to have grinders installed replacing their septic
systems. Attorney Sparby reviewed all the meeting minutes that Administrator Schmitz
could find. The city received a grant to replace the sewer and septic systems in the Klondike
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with a grinder system. There was information about maintenance of the grinders, but he
didn’t find information regarding replacement of the grinder system.
Administrator Schmitz feels that the city said we would maintain them and we have an
obligation to do that. More discussion ensued about whether the city should put a timeline
on this. Klondike resident, Deb Derouin, said that they were promised the city would
maintain the grinders and check them two times a year. It was never said they would pay
for replacement of a grinder.
Councilmember Kenfield feels a responsibility to put a time frame to this issue, whatever that
time frame may be, such as life expectancy of a grinder. Public Works Supervisor Cassavant
asked if a new grinder pump is part of maintenance? The city has replaced about three
grinders in the past 15 years. The council is in agreement that there should be a timeline
concerning the grinders.
Attorney Sparby noted that the resolution needs a term of years and also what is covered in
that term of years. More discussion was held with the council and audience about the
grinder system and how it works. Attorney Sparby will draft a resolution and bring it back to
the council.
A first reading was held on the ordinance addition pertaining to curb stops to read as follows:
THAT SECTION 402.02 SUBDIVISION 7 IS HEREBY AMENDED, TO CLARIFY AND DEFINE
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVICE LINES AND CURB STOPS.
Subd. 7. On new construction the property owner is responsible for installation of new service
line from the main to the home. This includes saddle, corporation, curb stop and curb box. The service line
will be a minimum of 1” copper from the main to the curb stop. Upon completion of the service line and on
existing homes, the City will be responsible for repairs of the line from the main to the property owner’s
side of the curb stop. Curb stops must be accessible to the City. If not accessible the homeowner is
responsible for costs incurred to gain access.
Administrator Schmitz went over the 2014 Financial Reports. The checkbook balance as of
December 31, 2014 is $1,583,525.00. On December 31, 2013 it was $1,153,205.00. It
improved approximately $430,000.00 in one year. The reports were reviewed and questions
were answered.
Kenfield moved, seconded by Knaack, to accept the cleaning contract with Mike and Marlys
Swendra for $550.00 per month for one year. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Knaack moved, seconded by Kenfield, to approve Administrator Schmitz allowing a resident
to pick whatever lot they want in the Kankel Addition subject to the criteria for the Kankel
Addition. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Knaack moved, seconded by Brevik, to go with a 3% wage increase for city employees
effective January 1, 2015 with the exception of new hire Matt Swendra. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
Kenfield moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve Finance Checks #038325-#038339 and
Payroll E Checks 1-6. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kevin Harmoning, Mayor
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Kathleen Schmitz, City Administrator
