August 6, 2018 City Council Minutes

August 6, 2018 City Council Minutes

4:30 P.M.

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of International Falls, Minnesota was held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the 6th day of August, 2018 at the hour of 4:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Councilors Briggs, Droba, Jaksa, Pearson, and Mayor Anderson.

MEMBERS ABSENT:     None.

APPROVED agenda with additions MOTION by Councilor Pearson to approve the agenda as presented.

  • Approve use of Smokey Bear Park at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 for Movie in the Park fundraiser by the Fire/Rescue/EMS Dept.
  • Approve establishment of Dog Park Committee and Mayor’s appointment of volunteer members
  • Approve appointment of Michele Rasmussen as Casual Paramedic with the International Falls Fire/Rescue/EMS Department effective August 7, 2018
  • Grant permission for MIDCO second feed and origination point in the Backus Community Center Auditorium and relinquish right to install feed at the Municipal Building, Cynthia Jaksa

Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.
APPROVED minutes of the July 16, 2018 regular City Council meeting MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 16, 2018. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.
ADOPTED Resolution No. 35-18 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 35-18 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.

CLAIMS

75F, Inc. Central Control Unit-Pound/Library

5,065.00

64076
Aladtec Inc. Online Employee Scheduling

2,939.00

64077
Alex Air Apparatus Inc. Supplies – Fire Dept.

593.73

64078
All Season Equipment Inc. Repairs-Ford F150

75.00

64079
Ameritas Life Ins Corp Dental Insurance Premiums

2,073.20

64080
Andrew Holler Lawn Cleanup

1,365.00

64081
BCBS Of MN Health Insurance Premiums

4,086.00

64082
Border Boxes Shipping-Water Plant

50.25

64083
Borderland Humane Society Pound Operation

2,250.00

64084
Bound Tree Medical LLC Ambulance Supplies

1,165.61

64085
Bowman Asphalt Products Inc. 9th Ave MSA-Appl 3

30,604.06

64086
Brian Youso Police Benefit Back Pay

2,400.00

64087
BW Distributing Cleaning Supplies-Ambulance

79.99

64088
Cenex Voyageur Fleet Gas-Grnd/Pol/Bldg/Str/Amb/Wtr Plnt

4,103.55

64089
Center for Education Subscription & Memberships

124.95

64090
Chris Raboin Police Benefit

150.00

64091
City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 Lodging Tax Transfer

769.96

64092
City Water Department City Buildings-Water Usage

1,342.44

64093
Civic Systems LLC Symposium-Ettestad/Riggs

440.00

64094
Cone Construction 9th Ave & 13th St

11,436.10

64095
Convention & Visitors Bureau Lodging Tax

14,629.23

64096
Core & Main Parts-Water Dept.

747.74

64097
Corrin’s Plumbing & Heating Maint- Street/Bldg. Repairs Library

738.24

64098
Crandall’s Septic Pumping Parks/4th of July

2,860.00

64099
Customs Credentials Full Color ID Cards

120.50

64100
Dwayne McDougall UB Overpay Refund/Deposit Refund

226.54

64101
Ellis Clark UB Overpay Refund/Deposit Refund

181.90

64102
Eoc/Trimark Magnesium Chloride-Dust Control

4,320.80

64103
Falls Eyecare Safety Lenses – Becvar/Wilson

250.00

64104
Forest Hill Cemetery Assoc. Monthly Payment

833.33

64105
Fort Frances Times Limited Subscription

175.00

64106
Galls, An Aramark Co., LLC Clothing Allowance-Ambulance/Fire

1,347.48

64107
Gopher State One-Call Monthly Billing

168.75

64108
Graybar Supplies-Street Lighting/KP Arena

2,277.65

64109
Harley Droba Annual Standard Expense Reimburse

500.00

64110
Hawkins Inc. Chemicals

2,171.91

64111
Holiday Companies Gas-Police/Fire/Street/Amb/Housing

4,949.81

64112
Innovative Office Solutions LLC Supplies-Administration/Street

158.81

64113
Intellipay Inc. Monthly Fees

102.04

64114
IUOE Local 49 Health Insurance Premiums

27,604.00

64115
John Kolbeck Bldg. Permit Refund

128.00

64116
Josh Mastin Travel & Training

264.66

64117
K-Mart #9689 Training Supplies-Hazmat

319.99

64118
Kooch County Hwy Dept. Dyed Fuel-Street

9,531.96

64119
Lawson Products Inc. Safety Kit-Admin/Tools St Garage

525.41

64120
Lenards of Intl Falls LLC Refund Prorated Fees-Business Closed

650.00

64121
Marco Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

422.00

64122
Melanie Clarity Sewing – Ambulance

65.00

64123
Menards International Falls Sup-Wtr/Bldg/Fire/Grnd/Str/Amb/Plnt

785.55

64124
Minnesota Dept. of Health Class D Cert – D Hell

32.00

64125
Minnesota Energy Resources Utilities

1,542.75

64126
Minnesota Power Utilities

24,880.61

64127
MN Fire Service Cert Board Firefighter II Certification

805.00

64128
O’Reilly Automotive Inc. Parts/Sup-Amb/Str/Wtr/Pol/Gar/Fire

787.25

64129
Physio-Control Inc. Ambulance Supplies

139.40

64130
Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mail System

1,000.00

64131
Powerplan Parts-Street Dept.

95.73

64132
Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC Gas/Car Wash – Police

75.13

64133
Range Paper Corp Clean Serv-Bldgs/VNP/Fire/Amb/Str

891.08

64134
RMS Tritec LLC Mini Excavator Repairs

2,548.55

64135
Robert Anderson Travel Expense

144.00

64136
Roche’s Towing Unit 14-02 Freon

156.00

64137
Ryan Hilfer Safety Glass Allowance

125.00

64138
Schlenner Wenner & Co 2017 Audit

22,170.00

64139
Servicemaster of Intl Falls Cleaning Services-VNP

3,500.00

64140
Shannon’s Inc. Supplies-Sanitary Sewer

11.00

64141
SoundNorth Keyboard-Ambulance

37.99

64142
Steven M Shermoen Legal Fees

8,573.50

64143
Streicher’s Inc. Clothing Allowance-Schneider

171.96

64144
Sun Life Financial Life Insurance Premiums

431.66

64145
Super One Foods Supplies-Street

20.37

64146
The Nelson Trust Health Insurance Premiums

33,690.00

64147
USABlueBook Tools-Water/Sewer Maint

392.94

64148
Verizon Wireless Monthly Cellular Service

816.30

64149
Viking Electric Supply Inc. Supplies-St Lighting

325.85

64150
Wagner Construction Inc. Riverview Blvd-Concrete/Crescent Dr.

258,939.25

64151
Wherley Motors Inc. 2018 Ford Explorer-Police

118.00

64152
Xerox Corporation Mthly Chgs-Fire/Waterplant/St/Admin

500.31

64153
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance

232.65

99849
AllState – American Heritage Supplemental Insurance

9.64

99850
Bremer Bank NA Federal Withholding

45,494.07

99851
I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund Retirement

2,505.58

99852
Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas C.O.P.S.

120.00

99853
IF Fire Dept Relief Volunteer Firemen Dues

406.00

99854
Intl Falls Ambulance Service Dues

224.00

99855
MN Child Support Pmt Center Wage Assignment

438.84

99856
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding

9,175.07

99857
Empower Retirement Deferred Comp

6,792.00

99858
PERA Retirement

31,703.96

99859
Sun Life Financial Supplemental Life Insurance

499.86

99860
Sun Life Financial Vol. LTD Vol. LTD Insurance

513.02

99861
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance

232.65

99862
AllState – American Heritage Supplemental Insurance

9.64

99863
Bremer Bank NA Federal Withholding

42,981.02

99864
I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund Retirement

2,482.33

99865
Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas C.O.P.S.

120.00

99866
Intl Falls Ambulance Service Dues

189.00

99867
MN Child Support Pmt Center Wage Assignment

438.84

99868
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding

8,601.76

99869
Health Care Savings Plan Retirement Health Care Savings

23,754.80

99870
Empower Retirement Deferred Comp

13,627.40

99871
PERA Retirement

29,600.16

99872
AUDIENCE None.
PUBLIC HEARING:

First Reading of Ordinance No. __, Fifth Series, An Ordinance Ordering Annexation of City-owned properties abutting the City of International Falls municipal boundaries

 MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the First Reading of Ordinance No. __, Fifth Series, An Ordinance of the City of International Falls, Minnesota Annexing Land located in Koochiching County, Minnesota, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 414.033, subd. 2 (1). Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson. There was no public comment. Motion carried unanimously.
OPENING BIDS None.
OLD BUSINESS None.
APPROVED Consent Agenda as presented MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:

  1. Authorize registration, lodging, and travel expenses for Councilor Droba to attend the Border to Border Broadband: Transforming Minnesota program, October 23-24, 2018 at Madden’s on Gull Lake, MN.
  2. Approve/allow necessary expenses for two (2) administrative staff to attend the Civic Systems, 18th Annual Symposium, September 13-14, 2018 in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  3. Resolution 36-18, Approve Public Employees Retirement Association Spare Firefighter Engineer Declaration for Adrian Luce’s membership into the Public Employees Police and Fire Plan.
  4. Confirmatory approval of Ordinance No. 24, Fifth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Home Rule Charter in Sections 108-110, 111, 113-117, 121-123, and 134 to be effective 90 days after publication.
  5. Resolution 37-18, Approve application to conduct off-site gambling for Ranier Recreation Club on August 21, 2018 at the Elks Lodge, 215 3rd Street, International Falls.
  6. Resolution 38-18, Approve application to conduct off-site gambling for Ranier Recreation Club on September 14, 2018 at the Elks Lodge, 215 3rd Street, International Falls.

Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park on August 15, 2018 in recognition of “Princess for a Day”

 MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve use of Smokey Bear Park on August 15, 2018 in recognition of “Princess for a Day”. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.
APPROVED use of
Smokey Bear Park on Saturday, August 18, 2018 for Movie in the Park fundraiser by the Fire/Rescue/EMS Dept.		 MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve use of Smokey Bear Park at 7:30 P.M. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 for Movie in the Park
fundraiser by the Fire/Rescue/EMS Dept. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.
APPROVED International Falls Figure Skating Club request to conduct a Monster Dash 5K Run at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the International Falls Figure Skating Club request to conduct a Monster Dash 5K Run at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.
APPROVED Resolution 39-18, A Resolution approving a 1% Sales Tax and Authorizing a Referendum Question at the November 6, 2018 General Election MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve Resolution 39-18, A Resolution in support of a local sales and use tax within the City of International Falls for voter consideration at the November 6, 2018 General Election. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs. Councilor Droba AMENDED his motion to 1) remove the references to Airport funding throughout the Resolution, 2) remove emergency services and public works facilities, and 3) to revise and cap the amount of bonds and project costs of $30,000,000. Motion on the amendment seconded by Councilor Jaksa. Mayor Anderson explained that the consulting engineers came up with an estimate of nearly $30 million to pay for the necessary street, water, and sewer improvements and at the rate we are currently spending on an annual basis for improvements, $500,000 to $1 million, it will take too long and the City will not be able to keep up with the deteriorating infrastructure. Mayor Anderson explained that thirty-two Minnesota cities currently impose a sales and use tax with the highest being Walker at 1.5%. Motion on the amendment carried unanimously. Motion to approve the main motion as amended carried 4-1 with Councilors Briggs, Droba, Jaksa, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea” and Councilor Pearson voting “nay”.
APPROVED Resolution 40-18, A Resolution to the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve Resolution 40-18, A Resolution to the Board of Directions of the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District pertaining to ownership pf the wastewater system. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs.

There was discussion on the request for support from City representatives on the NKASD comprising six of the eight board members. City Attorney Shermoen explained that it is not inappropriate to ask for support from board members and give them information at a meeting as to the City’s stance on the ownership issues being faced between the NKASD and the City of International Falls. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Briggs, Jaksa, Pearson, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea” and Councilor Droba voting “nay”.
APPROVED Orders to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District (NKASD) MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve Orders to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District, as follows:

  1. Matter of a Hazardous House owned by Kim R. Creed located at 516 Ninth Street, International Falls.
  2. Matter of Hazardous House owned by Tyler Lee Stenberg located at 2031 Third Ave. East, International Falls.
  3. Matter of Hazardous House owned by Tony Pullar located at 301 Memorial Drive, International Falls.

Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.
AUTHORIZED the City Attorney to proceed with blight enforcement MOTION by Councilor Droba to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with blight enforcement at the following properties:

  1. Maxine McEldowney, 1621 1st Avenue West, Parcel no. 92-109-06200.
  2. Randy and Terry-Jeanne Sawyer, 1618 3rd Avenue West, Parcel no. 92-129-06080.

Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.
APPROVED Letter of Intercept Agreement Between the Littlefork Ambulance Service and the International Falls Ambulance Service MOTION by Councilor Pearson to approve the Letter of Intercept Agreement Between the Littlefork Ambulance Service and the International Falls Ambulance Service. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.
APPROVED purchase of one Hamilton T1 Ventilator package for $16,444.26 and four MedSystem III Infusion Pumps, equipment, and services from Med One Equipment Services MOTION by Councilor Pearson to approve the purchase of one Hamilton T1 Ventilator package for $16,444.26 and four MedSystem III Infusion Pumps, equipment, and services from Med One Equipment Services for $12,530.00 per proposals, payable from Ambulance Dept. Capital Outlay as budgeted. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.
TABLED revisions to the Joint Powers Agreement for the Recreation Commission and authorize signatures MOTION by Councilor Droba to consider revisions to the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and defining its powers and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson. Discussion ensued on the legalities and no mention in the Joint Powers Agreement regarding the Recreation Director assuming the duties of the Athletic Director. MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to table this item until it can be modified by the City Attorney to include reference to the Athletic Director position. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson. Motion carried 3-2 with Councilors Jaksa, Pearson, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea” and Councilors Briggs and Droba voting “nay”.
APPROVED Athletic Director contract and authorize signatures MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the Athletic Director contract and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Mayor Anderson and carried unanimously.
APPROVED Human Resource Committee recommendation – Resolution 41-18, Approve Holiday Pay for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paid On-call Firefighters on July 4th effective September 1, 2018. MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve Human Resource Committee recommendation – Resolution 41-18, Approve Holiday Pay for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Casual Paramedics, and Paid On-call Firefighters on July 4th effective September 1, 2018. A friendly amendment was made to include Casual Paramedics in the recommendation for holiday pay. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.
APPROVED Budget & Finance Committee recommendation – Resolution 42-18, Naming the Contingent Fund a “Standard Expenditure Reimbursement” and Setting Annual Reimbursement Amounts effective January 1, 2019 MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the Budget and Finance Committee recommendation – Resolution 42-18, Naming the Councilor Contingent a “Standard Expenditure Reimbursement” and Setting the Annual Reimbursement Amounts effective January 1, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Briggs, Droba, Jaksa, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea” and Councilor Pearson voting “nay”.
APPROVED Public Works Committee recommendations
  1. Approve designating Home Lane a school zone and installing signs with reduced 20 mph speed limit between 14th Ave. and 11th Street.
 MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve designating Home Lane a school zone and install signs with a reduced 20 mph speed limit between 14th Avenue and 11th Street.

Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.
  1. Approve purchase of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) from Core & Main for a fee not to exceed $65,000 per proposal, costs payable from Water/Sewer Fund capital outlay, and authorize signatures.
 MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the purchase of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) from Core & Main for a fee not to exceed $65,000 per proposal, costs payable from Water/Sewer Fund capital outlay, and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson and carried unanimously.
APPROVED establishment of Dog Park Committee and Mayor’s appointment of volunteer members MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to approve the establishment of a Dog Park Committee and the Mayor’s appointment of volunteer members including Brenda Sueker, Michelle Boeckermann, Betsy Loop, Roger Jackson, Councilor Droba, and Councilor Jaksa. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.
APPROVED appointment of Michele Rasmussen as Casual Paramedic effective August 7, 2018 MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the appointment of Michele Rasmussen as Casual Paramedic with the International Falls Fire/Rescue/EMS Department effective August 7, 2018. Motion seconded by Councilor Pearson. City Administrator Anderson stated that the wage increase should be reviewed annually rather than a step process as it is not a union position. The hourly wage was agreed to be $22.64 per hour, which is the rate of pay for the other Casual Paramedic on staff. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED letter of clarification granting permission for MIDCO second feed and origination point in the Backus Community Center Auditorium MOTION by Councilor Jaksa to grant permission for a Midcontinent Communications second feed and origination point for Program Origination Capability to be located in the Backus Community Center Auditorium; and furthermore, shall relinquish the right to install the second feed at the Municipal Building (City Hall Council Chambers). Motion seconded by Councilor Droba. Motion carried 3-2 with Councilors Briggs, Droba, and Jaksa voting “yea” and Councilor Pearson and Mayor Anderson voting “nay”.
OTHER BUSINESS: Councilor Jaksa inquired about Councilor Pearson’s status regarding her recent property purchase and residency. Councilor Pearson responded there was no change regarding her residence in the Center Ward of International Falls.
REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

 Police Chief Mastin gave a brief report for July 2018.

Fire Chief Mannausau gave a brief report for July 2018.
Reports of Mayor and Council Committees Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated August 6, 2018.
AUDIENCE None.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Anderson reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 20, 2018 at 4:30 P.M and adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M.

                    

ATTEST: Robert W. Anderson, Mayor

 

Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator

Print Friendly, PDF & Email