January 7, 2019 City Council Minutes
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 7th day of January, 2019 at the hour of 5:14 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Droba, Krause, and Mayor Anderson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with additions and deletion | MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the agenda with additions/deletion as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the December 17, 2018 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 17, 2018. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 02-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 02-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Mayor Anderson made a friendly amendment, asking to adopt Resolution No. 02-19 with the exception of the KCC-TV claim, check number 65171 in the amount of $5,000.00. The amendment was accepted and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the KCC-TV claim, check number 65171 in the amount of $5,000.00 as it is a budgeted 2019 appropriation. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Councilor Droba noted the painstakingly long hours spent hashing out the 2019 budget. He noted that KCC-TV provides people unable to attend the City Council meetings a means to watch them via cable’s channel 7 or via their website. Councilor Ditsch inquired as to the poor audio quality of the City Council meeting videos. Staff explained that the poor audio quality is no fault of KCC-TV, but the cause of the City’s aging sound system. Mayor Anderson voiced his concerns about giving KCC-TV $5,000, when Forest Hill Cemetery was being cut from $10,000 to $5,000. He said $10,000 was given to KCC-TV in 2013 and felt the $5,000 would be better appropriated to the cemetery than KCC-TV. Mayor Anderson also spoke to the fact that only cable subscribers have access to the channel. Councilor Krause stated that these discussions were already had at budget meetings and the 2019 budget was already approved by the previous City Council and felt it would be inappropriate to go back on that appropriation now. Mayor Anderson stressed that the budget is merely an instrument to guide spending and adjustments can be made at any time the Council deems it necessary. Motion passed 3-2 with Councilors Buller, Droba, and Krause voting “yea,” and Councilor Ditsch and Mayor Anderson voting “nay”. |
CLAIMS
| Ace Industrial Supply Inc. | Tools-St Garage |
221.58 |
65132 |
|
| American Water Works Assoc. | Membership Dues-Wilson |
79.00 |
65133 |
|
| Ameritas Life Ins Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums |
2,156.32 |
65134 |
|
| Arrowhead Reg Firefighter Assoc. | Annual Membership Dues |
65.00 |
65135 |
|
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Supp-Gar, Parts -Unit 151/Wtr |
559.53 |
65136 |
|
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums |
4,428.00 |
65137 |
|
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Ambulance/Fire |
84.50 |
65138 |
|
| Borderland Humane Society | Annual Contribution/Pound Operation |
7,250.00 |
65139 |
|
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies |
2,307.29 |
65140 |
|
| Bowman Asphalt Products Inc. | 13th St Improvements |
3,199.20 |
65141 |
|
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Trav-Pol/Fire/Str/Wtr/Amb/Bldg Off |
5,212.37 |
65142 |
|
| Bronko Nagurski Foundation | Museum Budget Allocation 2019 |
24,800.00 |
65143 |
|
| Canon Financial Services Inc. | Copier MTC Agreement-LEC |
237.50 |
65144 |
|
| Cenex Voyaguer Fleet | Gas-Grnd/Pol/Bldg Off/Str/Amb Wtr Pl |
3,572.01 |
65145 |
|
| Chocolate Moose Restaurant Co | Crew Meals |
108.52 |
65146 |
|
| Chris Raboin | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
65147 |
|
| Citizens For Backus/ AB | Appropriation 2019 |
55,000.00 |
65148 |
|
| City Drug Store | Water Plant-Office Supplies |
22.96 |
65149 |
|
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer |
240.75 |
65150 |
|
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach |
11.00 |
65151 |
|
| City Water Department | City Buildings-Water Usage |
2,222.79 |
65152 |
|
| Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc. | Chem Assessment Team-Gas |
375.38 |
65153 |
|
| Compass Minerals | Winter Salt |
27,826.90 |
65154 |
|
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax |
4,574.21 |
65155 |
|
| Earl F Andersen | Playground Equipment |
8,731.70 |
65156 |
|
| Electric Pump Inc. | Liftstation Repair |
1,343.90 |
65157 |
|
| Emergency Automotive Tech Inc. | Parts-Squad Car |
271.22 |
65158 |
|
| Erickson’s Lawncare | Fertilizing-VNP/Grnds/Park&Rec |
3,300.00 |
65159 |
|
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service |
1,739.79 |
65160 |
|
| Galls, An Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing Allowance-Mannausau |
270.40 |
65161 |
|
| Gopher State One-Call | Monthly Billing |
22.95 |
65162 |
|
| Graybar | Supplies-Street Lighting |
476.69 |
65163 |
|
| Grotberg Electronics LLC | Repairs-Squad Car #4 |
35.00 |
65164 |
|
| Holiday Companies | Gas-Fire/Str/Amb/Wtr/Wtr Pl |
6,003.25 |
65165 |
|
| Icebox Radio Theater | Concerts In Park Allocation 2019 |
800.00 |
65166 |
|
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supp-Eng/Pol/Admin/Str/Finance |
851.29 |
65167 |
|
| Int’l Falls US Post Office | Permit #79 Escrow |
2,000.00 |
65168 |
|
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums |
25,124.00 |
65169 |
|
| K & K Meyers Inc. | Door Repairs-Street Garage |
659.49 |
65170 |
|
| KCC TV | Appropriation 2019 |
5,000.00 |
65171 |
|
| KGHS/KSDM | Snow Safety Ads |
400.00 |
65172 |
|
| K-Mart #9689 | Office Supplies-Fire |
61.66 |
65173 |
|
| Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer | Proposed Tax Notices |
2,617.59 |
65174 |
|
| Kooch County Diesel Inc. | Unit 151 Repairs |
80.00 |
65175 |
|
| Kooch County Senior Center | Annual Reimbursement 2019 |
2,000.00 |
65176 |
|
| Kooch County Sheriff’s Office | Supplies |
305.92 |
65177 |
|
| Kooch County Treasurer | Lobbyist Contract-2019 |
4,000.00 |
65178 |
|
| Lawson Products Inc. | Supplies-Electrical |
331.54 |
65179 |
|
| Life Blanket | Ambulance Supplies |
766.00 |
65180 |
|
| Macqueen Equipment Inc. | Maint & Repair – San Sewer |
660.47 |
65181 |
|
| Marco | Print Fees/Antivirus/Microsoft Exch |
459.85 |
65182 |
|
| Marco Technologies LLC | Konica Contract Agmt-Pw/Fire |
355.83 |
65183 |
|
| Mebulbs | Supplies-Street Lighting |
544.29 |
65184 |
|
| Melanie Clarity | Sewing-Tveit |
40.00 |
65185 |
|
| Menards International Falls | Supp-Str/Wtr/CAT/Light/Fire/Amb/Bldg |
1,350.83 |
65186 |
|
| Meyers Glass | Door Repair-Street Garage |
375.00 |
65187 |
|
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable – Fire Hall |
98.89 |
65188 |
|
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities |
3,051.15 |
65189 |
|
| Minnesota Power | Utilities |
34,423.75 |
65190 |
|
| MN Chiefs of Police Assoc. | Training Reg-J Mastin |
640.00 |
65191 |
|
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge |
83,870.76 |
65192 |
|
| Nathan Myers | Mileage Reimbursement |
273.95 |
65193 |
|
| North Star Publishing | Admin – Envelopes/Paper |
394.87 |
65194 |
|
| ODB Company | Unit 121 Parts |
645.29 |
65195 |
|
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc. | Supp/Tools/Parts-Gar/Str/Pol/Wtr/Amb |
2,115.46 |
65196 |
|
| Pitney Bowes Inc. | Ink Cartridges-Postage Machine |
113.04 |
65197 |
|
| Premier Specialty Vehicles | 2016 Ford Type III Ambulance- Parts |
331.33 |
65198 |
|
| Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso | July-December 2018 |
3,674.72 |
65199 |
|
| Provider Enterprise | Non Vent AcuCare Masks |
174.52 |
65200 |
|
| Rick Becvar | Safety Boot Allowance |
110.00 |
65201 |
|
| Robert Anderson | Travel Expense |
93.80 |
65202 |
|
| Schwab Vollhaber Lubratt | Bldg Maint – VNP |
1,564.50 |
65203 |
|
| Sears & Northland Sales & Serv. | Tools – St Garage |
642.31 |
65204 |
|
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP |
3,500.00 |
65205 |
|
| Sirchie Finger Print Lab | Evidence Collection Supplies |
394.32 |
65206 |
|
| SJE-Rhombus | Parts-Water Plant |
10,136.00 |
65207 |
|
| St Louis County Auditor | Shield Charges-Q4 |
237.50 |
65208 |
|
| Steven M Shermoen | Legal Fees |
7,696.00 |
65209 |
|
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums |
458.39 |
65210 |
|
| Superior Technology Group LLC | Subscription |
3,400.00 |
65211 |
|
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLCc | Bldg Maint-Muni Bldg/Ice Shelter |
1,681.75 |
65212 |
|
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums |
33,690.00 |
65213 |
|
| Thyssen Krupp Elevator Corp | Water Plant Elevator Maint |
699.91 |
65214 |
|
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service |
814.14 |
65215 |
|
| Viking Electric Supply Inc. | Supplies-St Lighting/VNP Maint |
214.26 |
65216 |
|
| Wherley Motors Inc. | 2016 Ford Econo-Amb |
474.47 |
65217 |
|
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | ||||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance |
218.61 |
100017 |
|
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100018 |
|
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding |
36,350.28 |
100019 |
|
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund | Retirement |
2,262.23 |
100020 |
|
| Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100021 |
|
| Intl Falls Fire Dept Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues |
350.00 |
100022 |
|
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues |
168.00 |
100023 |
|
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment |
401.00 |
100024 |
|
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding |
7,411.72 |
100025 |
|
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp |
6,572.00 |
100026 |
|
| PERA | Retirement |
27,403.87 |
100027 |
|
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance |
484.99 |
100028 |
|
| Sun Life Financial Vol. LTD | Vol. LTD Insurance |
513.02 |
100029 |
|
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance |
218.61 |
100030 |
|
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100031 |
|
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding |
36,355.31 |
100032 |
|
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund | Retirement |
2,823.60 |
100033 |
|
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA Police/Fire |
520.00 |
100034 |
|
| City of Int’l Falls | 49ers Health Insurance |
404.00 |
100035 |
|
| Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100036 |
|
| IAMAW District W33 | Union Dues |
1,555.00 |
100037 |
|
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues |
189.00 |
100038 |
|
| Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers | Union Dues |
805.00 |
100039 |
|
| I.U.O.E. Local 49ers | Health Reimbursement |
180.00 |
100040 |
|
| MN Benefits Association | Suppl Life Insurance |
25.43 |
100041 |
|
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment |
401.00 |
100042 |
|
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding |
7,530.68 |
100043 |
|
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp |
6,747.00 |
100044 |
|
| NCPERS Minnesota | Suppl PERA Life Insurance |
48.00 |
100045 |
|
| PERA | Retirement |
29,235.36 |
100046 |
|
| AUDIENCE | Cynthia Jaksa, 1315 14th Avenue, thanked the Council for their support of KCC-TV and provided information on the various meetings they have aired in 2018, including: ISD 361 School Board meetings, KEDA meetings, International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission meetings, Koochiching County Board meetings, City of International Falls Council meetings, cultural/musical events and more. She also stressed that even if one does not have access to channel 7 via cable, they can access the same video content on the KCC-TV website. She noted that the City’s support is crucial and it gives KCC-TV leverage to obtain grant monies. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented | MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation for Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas School | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming January 27, 2019 through February 2, 2019 as Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas School. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Mayoral Proclamation celebrating the 100th Birthday of Mr. Allan Anderson | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Mayoral Proclamation celebrating the 100th Birthday of Mr. Allan Anderson. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| Citizens for Backus/AB | Ward Merrill, Citizens for Backus/AB, was present along with Bob Marquardt to thank the Council for the City’s 2019 allocation of $55,000 to Citizens for Backus/AB, which allows them to receive additional grants. Merrill and Marquardt updated the Council on the rehabilitation of the Alexander Baker (A.B.) building and potential uses for the building. Marquardt explained that Backus Community Center is one of few places that garners so many enriching programs, much volunteer support for their city-wide functions, and cultural events. |
| Koochiching County Housing Study presentation | City Administrator Anderson explained that everyone is welcome to attend the Public forum and presentation on the Koochiching County Housing Study that will be held at 6:00 P.M., on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at the Backus Community Center Auditorium. |
| APPROVED travel and training expenses for Fire/Rescue/EMS staff to attend the Arrowhead EMS Conference and Expo in Duluth | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve travel and training expenses for four (4) Fire/Rescue/EMS staff to attend the Arrowhead EMS Conference and Expo in Duluth from January 24 – 27, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.
City Administrator Anderson reiterated points made in his written memo for recommending that this request be denied including: the significant Ambulance Fund deficit, the discretionary nature of the training in that it is not mandatory to maintain licensure/certification as an EMT or Paramedic, and there are no funds budgeted to acquire a new Ambulance which will be necessary in 2020. Chief Mannausau stated that EMS staff do get credit for attending training events such as this and the staff selected to attend is based on both interest and work history over the past year. Information and new techniques learned at the conference are passed along to other staff at the monthly EMS meeting. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause, and Mayor Anderson voting “yea,” and Councilor Droba voting “nay”. |
| APPROVED the Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB) Bylaws and Joint Powers Agreement for 2019 and authorize signatures | MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB) Bylaws and Joint Powers Agreement for 2019 and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Dental Insurance Renewal with rate increases from National Insurance Services | MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Dental Insurance Renewal with rate increases from National Insurance Services (Ameritas Life Insurance Corp), effective January 1, 2019, and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Image Trend Elite Product Upgrade Software Licensing Agreement and authorize signatures | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Image Trend Elite Product Upgrade Software Licensing Agreement and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED sending a letter of support for the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s (ARDC) application for a U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve sending a letter of support for the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s (ARDC) application for a U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant of $600,000 to be used to assess Petroleum and Hazardous Substance Brownfield sites in the seven-county northeastern Minnesota area and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| MnDOT District 1 Freight Plan open house | City Administrator Anderson explained that the MnDOT District 1 Freight Plan open house is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M., January 16, 2019, at MnDOT District 1 Headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. |
| REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
Police Chief Mastin gave a brief report for December 2018.
Fire Chief Mannausau gave a brief report for December 2018. Building Inspector Kelly Meyers gave a brief report regarding the number of building permits for the fourth quarter of 2018 and annual comparison of permits and fee revenues for the past three years. City Administrator Anderson informed the Council that the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust has issued the City its 2018 annual dividend of $9,866. Anderson also requested that a Budget and Finance and Committee-of-the-Whole meeting be scheduled. The Budget and Finance meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. The Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was scheduled for Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated January 7, 2019. |
| AUDIENCE | Cynthia Jaksa, 1315 14th Avenue, requested to be appointed to the Residential and Commercial Building Advisory Committee (RCBAC).
Tricia Heibel, Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Council for setting the Budget and Finance Committee meeting to further discuss the City’s contract for services with the Chamber of Commerce and stated she would be present at the meeting. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Anderson reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2018 at 4:30 P.M and adjourned the meeting at 6:37 P.M. |
ATTEST: Robert W. Anderson, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator
