Council approves Minnesota Paid Leave Policy

Ava Lund

Editor

Redwood Falls City Council met Tuesday, Dec. 2 and approved the issuance of the following licenses contingent on receiving the updated 2026 certificates of liability insurance as needed:

Cigarette and other tobacco products:

Redwood Falls Municipal Liquor Store dba Liquor Lodge

Walmart #1865

Farmers Coop Company of Renville dba Cenex

The Market at Redwood, LLC

Casey's Retail Company #2184

Casey's Retail Company #3277

Kwik Trip #1203

Fernelius Enterprises, LLC dba Redwood Falls Golf Club, Inc.

Redwood Tobacco, Inc.

Off Sale 3.2 Malt Liquor:

Walmart #1865

Kwik Trip #1203

On Sale Liquor:

American Legion Post #38

Redwood Co VFW Post 2553

Duffy's South Inc. dba Duffy's Riverside Saloon

Las Lomas, Inc. dba Plaza Garibaldi

Fernelius Enterprises, LLC dba Redwood Falls Golf Club, Inc.

Redwood County Agricultural Society

The Peart's Bar & Lounge

On Sale Sunday Liquor:

American Legion Post #38

Duffy's South Inc. dba Duffy's Riverside Saloon

Las Lomas, Inc. dba Plaza Garibaldi

Fernelius Enterprises, LLC dba Redwood Falls Golf Club, Inc.

Redwood County Agricultural Society

The Peart's Bar & Lounge

Solid Waste Hauling-Commercial:

West Central Sanitation, Inc.

Southwest Sanitation, Inc.

Sweetman Sanitation

Solid Waste Hauling Residential:

Sweetman Sanitation

Therapeutic Massage:

Bridge Street Massage – Dakotah Harmoning

Riverbend Therapeutic Massage – Tammy Tordsen

Set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons, or a combined total of up to 20 weeks per year. The program is funded by the City and the employees through payroll contributions. The City is a participant in Minnesota's Paid Leave program through an approved private insurance carrier Madison National Life Insurance. The City of Redwood Falls will pay 50% of the required premium and employees will pay the other 50% of the cost through payroll deductions. Minnesota Paid Leave (MNPL) provides partial wage replacement and job protection for qualifying leave events. The Council approved of the City of Redwood Falls Minnesota Paid Leave Policy.

The Council approved the RACC Roof Replacement Project and authorized bid solicitation. The bid period began Dec. 5 and the bids will be opened on Jan. 12, 2026. Awarding the bid (if authorized by both City of Redwood Falls and the Redwood Area School District) will be on Jan. 30, 2026. The roof replacement schedule will begin on or around May 1, 2026, with a substantial completion date of Aug, 3, 2026.

The payroll and scheduling program "Time and Attendance" has not been effective for a 24/7 operation like the RFPD. Chief Cotner met with a program called "Schedule Anywhere". The first-year cost of the program is $1,839 which includes implementation costs. The subsequent annual cost of the program is listed at $1,296. These costs represent discounts if the city commits to a three-year contract with the company. The scheduling portion of the current software has an annual cost of $6,800. With this change, the City will be saving approximately $5,500 a year. The Council approved the contract with Schedule Anywhere.

The Council established rates for the Municipal Electric Utilities. The rates have been developed to provide an overall increase in revenues of 2%.

The Council established the 2026 Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Rates.

2026 Water:

Consumption per 100 Cubic Feet – $8.40 (4% increase from 2025)

Residential Infrastructure Replacement – $19 ($0.75 increase from 2025)

Commercial Infrastructure Replacement – $26.50 ($2.50 increase from 2025)

2026 Sanitary Sewer:

Consumption per 100 cubic feet – $5.39 (10% increase from 2025)

Residential Infrastructure Replacement – $18.75 ($3 increase from 2025)

Commercial Infrastructure Replacement – $25 ($6 increase from 2025)

2026 Storm Sewer:

Infrastructure Replacement: $12.63 (3% Change)

The Council approved the 2026 Fee Schedule.

2026 Fee Schedule

Ramsey Park:

o No changes to shelter rentals or campground reservation fees

Redwood Area Community Center

▪ Arena Billboard advertising

Redwood Falls Aquatic Center

o No significant changes

Youth and Adult Recreation Programs

o Youth Programs and Other Fees

Price increase/decrease due to staff wages, camp adjustments (number of days), and other expenses associated with the program.

o Adult Program

Lake Redwood Kayak and Paddleboard Rental

o Single Kayak $15/2 hour rental

o Tandem Kayak $20/2 hour rental

o Paddle Board $15/2 hour rental

The Council approved Resolution No. 83 authorizing the MNDOT Aeronautics Hangar and Taxi lanes Pavement Maintenance Grant Application/Acceptance and project development. This resolution also approves the quote from Pearson Brothers Inc. in the amount of $66,592.50 to complete the project. MNDOT Aeronautics provided a 2026 Capital Grant Offer of up to $150,000 on Oct. 17, 2025. The grant offer was based off the submitted Airport Capital Improvement Plan. This grant is a 70/30 grant where the local share is 30% of the project costs. MNDOT will cover $46,614.40 with the local share being $19,978.10.

The Council approved the final payment for the 4th Street Improvements for $155,631.51.The final contract price totals $3,112,630.23. The completion of the project was July 7, 2025. The two-year warranty period is set to July 7, 2027.

The next meeting for the Redwood Falls City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16.