The Redwood Falls City Council approved a revolving loan request with the Port Authorities recommendation for RVI inc. at Tuesday evening’s meeting. RVI’s business is growing and they are making plans to replace $370,000 worth of equipment. The loan for $150,000 would be with the same terms that are being provided by the bank that is financing the remaining balance. RVI provides power supply repair and logistics service for original equipment manufacturers and end users. Port Authority members recently toured RVI and viewed the equipment that needs to be replaced.
 
In other action that was taken at the meeting:
Approval was given for a lease agreement with Midwest Business and Energy Resources Cooperation for the second floor office space at the Redwood Falls airport. The 3 year lease will begin in March. The tenant-Midwest Business and Energy Resources Cooperation, plans to use the space for the development of a small business incubator and resource center.
 
Staff recommended and the council approved a resolution to accept the Parks and Trails Legacy Program grant award of $232, 200 for the Phase 3 Zoo area renovation in Alexander Ramsey Park. The grant will cover 90% of the projects cost, the remaining 10% consists of a local match amount that will be split by the City and Friends of the Park. Construction is expected to begin in June 2012.
 
In 2010 the City of Redwood Falls made significant reductions in the General Operating Budget due to budget challenges. An Early Retirement Incentive Plan was implemented to encourage voluntary retirements in lieu of employee layoffs. 4 employees took advantage of the program and the city felt it was successful. With an aging workforce, the city is concerned about a large number of retirements in the next decade. Currently 40% of the City’s workforce is over the age of 50 and 12% is over the age of 60. As an example the council looked at one department that has 4 employees over 55 and should all 4 retire around the same time the council is concerned about the huge knowledge base that would be lost. The incentive plan is being offered again as a way to try and spread out some of the pending retirements-it is a voluntary program. There are 14 employees that are eligible. Under the program participants would receive a lump payment of $10,000. The application window begins February 15^th and ends June 30^th.
 
The City of Redwood Falls approved the hiring of John Siegfried as the Lead Park and Recreation Maintenance Worker. The council approved hiring Erik Wieneke and Jason Halvorson to electric lineman positions. And an election was held for officer positions on the Redwood Falls Fire Department. Matt Grave was elected Fire Chief and Jeff Bommersbach was elected assistant fire chief.
 
Lastly a public hearing for recent Tobacco License Violations was set for February 21^st. The council will determine the appropriate sanctions against the 3 tobacco license holders that failed the recent compliance checks- Casey’s, Super America and Cenex.