APPROVED agenda with addition

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the agenda with the following addition under New Business:

• #4 – Approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming Friday, September 15, 2017 as POW/MIA Recognition Day as requested by the Auxiliary to VFW Peter Graham Post 2948, Irene Anderson (Council action)

Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the August 21, 2017 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 21, 2017. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the August 29, 2017 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of August 29, 2017. Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 47-17 approving payment of claims and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 47-17 approving payment of claims and accounts payable this 5th day of September, 2017. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,974.36  

61789 

Andrew Holler 

Misc Lawn Cleanups 

175.00  

61790 

Auto Value Int’l Falls

Parts – Water Dept/Grounds 

86.51  

61791 

Battalion Distributing 

Supplies -Water Plant

68.50  

61792 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,540.00  

61793 

Becker Arena Products Inc 

Ice Shelter Maint 

134.55  

61794 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

61795 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies

11.98  

61796 

Bowman Asphalt Products Inc 

15th St MSA

108,955.50  

61797 

Chris Raboin 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

61798 

City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

728.17  

61799 

City Water Department 

City Buildings Water

1,238.05  

61800 

Civic Systems LLC

Symposium-Bergstrom/Ettestad 

420.00  

61801 

Civicplus 

Site Scrape 

250.00  

61802 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

13,835.27  

61803 

Crandall’s Septic Pumping

Portable John’s for City Parks

1,580.00  

61804 

Dakota Supply Group 

Water Maint/St Sewer/San Sewer 

18,175.94  

61805 

Earl F Andersen 

Signs 

59.70  

61806 

Education & Training Services 

Adv Mgmt & Leadership Training 

549.00  

61807 

Eull’s Manufacturing Co Inc

Storm Sewer 

5,155.00  

61808 

Forest Hill Cemetery Assoc 

Monthly Payment 

833.33  

61809 

Galls, An Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance-Sears 

188.93  

61810 

Grand Forks Fire Equip LLC

Altair Gas Detector 

484.72  

61811

HD Supply Waterworks Ltd

Meters 

6,114.59  

61812 

Int’l Falls US Post Office

Permit #79 Escrow 

2,000.00  

61813 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

26,050.00  

61814 

K & K Meyers Inc 

Bldg Maint-GGB

29.18  

61815 

Kenneth R Anderson

Travel Expenses 

28.36  

61816 

League of Minnesota Cities

Online Training 

690.00  

61817 

Macqueen Equipment Inc 

Maint & Repair – San Sewer 

3,463.51  

61818 

Maguire Iron Inc 

Ground Storage Tank Rehab- Pmt 1 

112,641.50  

61819 

Marco 

Microsoft Exchange

342.00  

61820 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Ambulance 

8.00  

61821 

Menards International Falls 

Amb/Fire/Grounds/Street/Water

693.85  

61822 

Meritain Health 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

728.40  

61823

Minnesota Dept of Health

State Test Fee 

4,274.00  

61824 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Monthly Utilities 

733.79  

61825 

Minnesota Industries 

Supplies-Water Dept 

137.57  

61826 

MN Pollution Control Agency

Wastewater Certificate- Brokaw

45.00  

61827 

Municipal Code Corporation 

Minutes Updated On Website 

150.00  

61828 

MWOA

Sanitary Sewer Workshop 

30.00  

61829 

Northern Business Services LLC

Office Supplies-Admin 

160.48  

61830 

Pelland Welding, Inc.

Supplies – Grounds 

21.90  

61831 

Physio-Control Inc 

Supplies-Ambulance 

3,533.35  

61832 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct 

Postage

1,000.00  

61833 

Powerplan 

Parts-Street Dept 

717.34  

61834 

Range Paper Corp 

Supplies-VNP

134.40  

61835 

Reid Toninato 

Boot Allowance 

100.00  

61836 

Robert C Huber 

Ambulance Refund 

95.47  

61837 

Roche’s Towing

Towing-Evidence 

80.00  

61838 

Ruth Lynn Skogstad 

Reissue Checks 56507 & 56751

65.00  

61839 

Soundnorth

Antenna-Water Shop 

11.00  

61840 

St Louis County Auditor 

Shield Charges 

9,975.00  

61841 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

6,197.50  

61842 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums

456.71  

61843 

Tc Lighting Supplies & Recycling

Recycling 

345.89  

61844 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

31,146.00  

61845 

United Way 

Reissue Check 97618 

20.00  

61846 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

638.82  

61847 

Viking Electric Supply Inc

Supplies-St Lighting 

671.03  

61848 

Wagner Construction Inc 

Washed Sand-Water Dept 

52.00  

61849 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

269.67

99471

AllState – American Heritage

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

99472

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

37,689.13

99473

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

2,557.50

99474

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

110.00 

99475

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

126.00

99476

Minnesota Revenue

Wage Assignment

553.15 

99477 

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

319.79

99478

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,090.72

99479

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,508.00

99480

No Koochiching Area Sanitary Dist.

Health Insurance Premiums 

233.60 

99481

PERA 

Retirement 

26,748.46

99482

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES)

None.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

CONSENT AGENDA:

APPROVED Consent Agenda as presented

MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve Consent Agenda as presented:

1. Approve registration, travel, and training expenses for City Council and staff to attend a 2017 Regional Meeting of the League of Minnesota Cities for $45.00 per person
2. Approve Budget and Finance Committee recommendation to accept the Schlenner Wenner proposal to provide audit services for the City of International Falls, International Falls Fire Relief Association, and International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission in 2017 – 2019

Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: 

APPROVED Request for street closure for 1 Mile Glow run for the FHS PBIS

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the request for street closure for the FHS PBIS 1 Mile Glow run on October 2, 2017 at 7:30 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 48-17 approving $185,000 payment to the Koochiching County Economic Development Authority with loan agreement for City’s share of Cold Box construction

MOTION by Councilor Droba to adopt Resolution No. 48-17 approving the $185,000 payment to the Koochiching County Economic Development Authority with loan agreement for City’s share of Cold Box construction. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs. Councilor Jaksa stated that she was in support of another Cold Box, but could not support this loan agreement because KEDA was not contributing any funds towards the construction of the Cold Box. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Briggs, Droba, Pearson, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea” and Councilor Jaksa voting “nay.”

ADOPTED Resolution No. 49-17, Approve and Authorize Signatures for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission 2018 Federal Grant Agreement(s)

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 49-17, Approve and Authorize Signatures for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission 2018 Federal Grant Agreement(s). Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming Friday, September 15, 2017 as POW/MIA Recognition Day

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming Friday, September 15, 2017 as POW/MIA Recognition Day as requested by the Auxiliary to VFW Peter Graham Post 2948. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED order declaring buildings and property unsafe, hazardous, and in violation of local and state building standards

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve order declaring the buildings and property located at 1621 1^st Ave. West, Maxine McEldowney, unsafe, hazardous, and in violation of local and state building standards. Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.

City Attorney Shermoen stated that a mobile home located at 1727 7^th Ave West, Ruth Lynn Skogstad, has also been declared unsafe and hazardous by Building Official Meyers. According to Mr. Shermoen, an order is not necessary for this property because the building is a mobile home and is in violation of City ordinance. If the property is not in compliance by the end of this week, he will move forward with criminal misdemeanor charges.

APPROVED appointment of Nicole Maish to vacant, full-time Paramedic position effective immediately

MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the appointment of Nicole Maish to vacant, full-time Paramedic position effective immediately. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED the Mayor’s appointments to the Inflow and Infiltration Committee

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Ken Anderson, Gary Skallman, Ted Brokaw, Councilor Pearson, Mayor Anderson, and Steve Shermoen to the Inflow and Infiltration Committee to work with the NKASD, EKSSD, and City of Ranier on the MPCA Schedule of Compliance. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs. In discussion, Curt Meyer, consulting engineer from WSN, was authorized to participate as needed. Motion carried 3-0-2 with Councilors Briggs, Droba, and Jaksa voting “yea” and Mayor Anderson and Councilor Pearson abstaining.

APPROVED the Mayor’s appointments to the Labor Contracts Negotiating Committee

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Ken Anderson, Steve Shermoen (except with union representing Police Officers), Brad Ettestad, Councilor Briggs, Councilor Jaksa, and Mayor Anderson to the Labor Contracts Negotiating Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Mayor Anderson and Councilors Droba, Pearson, and Jaksa voting “yea” and Councilor Briggs abstaining.

APPROVED the Mayor’s appointments to the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Committee

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Councilor Droba and Mayor Anderson to the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.

FAILED to approve Human Resources Committee recommendation to appoint Solutions Insurance Agencies, Cyndi Heibel as agent of record for LMCIT property/casualty/workers compensation insurance programs effective immediately

MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve Human Resources Committee recommendation to appoint Solutions Insurance Agencies, Cyndi Heibel as agent of record for LMCIT property/casualty/workers compensation insurance programs effective immediately. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs for discussion. Councilor Jaksa stated that it was time for a change and that she thought Solutions Insurance Agencies had more to offer the City than the competition. Councilor Briggs thought it would benefit the City by staying with Northern Reliable Insurance Agency because their business is in International Falls, they employ three individuals, and the other proposal would have sent money to a Duluth insurance company. MOTION failed 2-3 with Councilors Droba and Jaksa voting “yea” and Mayor Anderson, Councilor Briggs, and Councilor Pearson voting “nay.”

SCHEDULED a Comprehensive Plan Project Steering Team meeting

MOTION by Councilor Droba to schedule a Comprehensive Plan Project Steering Team meeting with the Community Design Group/WSB Associates and Planning Commission for Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson stated that the installation of the playground equipment at the Green Acres Park Playground is completed, the timbers and sand should be finished by the end of the week, and a grand opening will be scheduled soon. He also shared an article titled “BOC Success Story: Ted Brokaw, City of International Falls” that was published in the Building Operator Certification (BOC) Summer Newsletter, August 2017.

City Attorney Shermoen mentioned that he is working with Kelly Meyers, Building Official, to get two other hazardous homes demolished.

Police Chief Mastin gave a brief written report for August 2017.

Fire Chief Mannausau gave a brief report for August 2017.

Reports of the Mayor, Council Committees, Boards and Commissions

Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s report dated September 5, 2017.

AUDIENCE – OPEN FORUM

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Anderson reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2017 at 4:30 P.M. and adjourned the meeting at 5:53 P.M.