City of Red Lake Falls
City Council Meeting
November 27, 2017
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 13rd day of November, 2017.
Members Present: Allen Bertilrud, Kevin Brevik, Sara Kenfield, Justin Carriere, Neil Knaack
Members Absent: Matzke
Others Present: Kathy Schmitz, Delray Sparby, Carol Seeger, Barry Glienke, Mitch Bernstein, Deb Derouin
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Brevik moved, seconded by Carriere, to approve the Agenda as presented.
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously passed.
Kenfield moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Approval of the November 13, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of the November 13, 2017 Public Hearing Minutes – Rapid Response Vehicle
Approval of the November 13, 2017 Public Hearing Minutes – Assessment for 2018 Project Approval of the Bills and Disbursements Finance Checks #040361 – #040379 + Payroll E Checks 1 – 6
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Knaack moved, seconded by Carriere, to approve the second reading by Attorney Sparby of the Vacant Property Ordinance.
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously passed.
Knaack moved, seconded by Brevik, to approve the second reading of the Sump Pump Ordinance with the fee dollar amount to be included in the Fee Chart.
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously passed.
Kenfield moved, seconded by Brevik, to approve Resolutions #11-05-2017 through Resolution #11-11-2017. Approval of liquor licenses is contingent that all provide proof of liquor liability and Worker’s Compensation for 2018. For: Brevik, Carriere, Kenfield, Knaack, Bertilrud. Absent: Matzke. Against: none. Motion Passed
Kenfield moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve Resolution #11-12-2017 – Authorization to
Pay Bills in December after the December 4th Meeting. For: Brevik, Carriere, Kenfield,
Knaack, Bertilrud. Absent: Matzke. Against: none. Motion Passed
The council discussed the Tax Abatement Policy for new home construction. Tax abatement is
based on value of construction costs and is currently not valid for homes with construction
costs over $275,000. Some council members feel the abatement should be based on
assessed value rather than construction costs. No action was taken at this time concerning
the two homeowners looking into a tax abatement and the policy was referred back to the
Finance Committee.
Attorney Sparby explained the Nuisance Ordinance criteria and how it pertains to violators
already turned over to the Sheriff’s Department and how the appeal process works. According
to city ordinance, the appeal process can only happen after the city sends out nuisance letters
and someone wants to appeal their nuisance status. Once nuisance yards are turned over to
the Sheriff’s department, the city appeal process is no longer an option as it belongs to the
county court. The Sheriff’s department must deal with a nuisance yard at this point and
Sheriff Bernstein noted that they do work towards compliance without a fine and court
proceeding, if possible.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________________ ______________________________
Allen Bertilrud, Mayor Kathleen Schmitz, City Administrator
