APPROVED agenda with additions/delections

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agenda with additions/deletions as presented:

Deletion:

• Pride Week 2020 requests for banner, use of Smokey Bear Park, and adorn Smokey Bear during week of June 15-21, 2020 per Doug Judson, Peter Howie of Borderland Pride (Council information/action)

Additions:

• Resolution No. __-20, Authorizing the City of International Falls to be a party to the Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN) (Council action)
• Approve Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN) Mutual Aid Agreement (Council action)

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the March 16, 2020 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of March 16, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the March 16, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 16, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the March 27, 2020 special Emergency City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the special Emergency City Council meeting of March 27, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 29-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 29-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ACME Tools

Milwaukee Tool Kits 

1,198.00  

68403 

Alex Air Apparatus Inc.

5 M-NH X 6″ F-NPT”

223.85  

68404 

All Season Equipment Inc.

Chainsaw Chains 

92.97  

68405 

Alpha Medical Equipment Inc.

Ambulance Supplies – N95’s/Wipes/Irr Sol

2,474.45  

68406 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,927.48  

68407 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup – 1717 1st Ave W

321.00  

68408 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Supplies – Water Plant

103.97  

68409 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,459.00  

68410 

Biller Press 

Parking Ticket Books 

347.07  

68411 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant

52.50  

68412 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

68413 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

2,051.77  

68414 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Sup – Amb/Admin/Wtr Admin/Elections

9,483.13  

68415 

Cenex Voyaguer Fleet 

Gas/Wash – Grnds/Pol/Amb/Wtr Plnt

2,405.85  

68416 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

92.31  

68417 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,291.46  

68418 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

1,753.90  

68419 

Earl F Andersen 

Posts – U Channel

4,048.25  

68420 

Epic Threads 

Clothing Allowance – P Kennedy

22.00  

68421 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,836.90  

68422 

Gopher State One-Call 

Monthly Billing 

16.20  

68423 

Hach Company 

Chemicals/Lab Supplies 

492.72  

68424 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

35,138.48  

68425 

Holiday Companies 

Gas-Grnds/Strm,San Sew/Fire/Str/Amb/Wtr

5,578.87  

68426 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Sup – Admin/Pol/Fire/Amb/Gar

1,687.32  

68427

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

28,354.00  

68428 

Julie Martell 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

239.53  

68429 

Kantor Electric Inc.

WP Electrical Upgrade

12,786.08  

68430 

Lawson Products Inc.

Batteries/Supplies 

369.09  

68431 

LMC Insurance Trust – Liab

Annual Liability and Auto Insurance

168,209.00  

68432 

LVC Inc.

Inspections – VNP

133.50  

68433 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Lowboy Rental 

385.00  

68434 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

479.00  

68435 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,169.32  

68436 

Medica 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

130.52  

68437 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums 

1,715.00  

68438 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Bahr

16.00  

68439 

Menards International Falls

Sup/Tools – Gar/Amb/Str/Fire/Wtr/Safety

1,666.41  

68440 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Amb/Fire, Internet – Wtr Plnt

505.16  

68441 

Minnesota Dept. of Health

Class D Cert – T Brokaw 

23.00  

68442 

Minnesota Energy Resources

Utilities 

7,416.33  

68443 

Minnesota Industries 

Sup – San Sew, Gloves-St, Safety Equip-Str

110.04  

68444 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

707.02  

68445 

Minnesota Revenue 

Revenue Recapture – Ambulance

294.80  

68446 

MN Dept. of Labor & Industry

Inspection – Water Plant

72.00  

68447 

Municipal Code Corporation 

Ordinance Update on Website

288.00  

68448 

N Kooch Area Sanitary District 

Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge 

71,795.60  

68449 

Napa Falls Supply 

Supplies – Welder

150.65

68450 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes – Water Dept.

838.68  

68451 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Sup/Tool-Str/Gar/Amb/Wtr/Pol/Fir/SanSew 

2,882.39  

68452 

Otis Elevator Company 

Service Contract – City Hall/Library/VNP

2,648.40  

68453 

PowerPlan

John Deere 210G – Rental

3,105.00  

68454 

Range Paper Corp 

Sup – Amb/Fire/Bldgs/VNP

1,265.04  

68455 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Police

260.00  

68456 

Ronning’s  

Clothing Allowance – J Mastin

169.99  

68457 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

68458 

Small Town Tech Inc.

Prof Services – Kerry Park Arena 

490.00  

68459 

Snap On – Marble MN

Tools – Street Garage

103.50  

68460 

Soundnorth 

Unit 123 – Radio Parts, Supplies – Fire

139.97  

68461 

Steven M Shermoen

Legal Fees 

10,552.00  

68462 

Streicher’s Inc.

Clothing – Lessard/Olson/Kostiuk

1,060.85  

68463 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

665.35  

68464 

The Hartford 

April/May 2020 Vol Ltd – Baldwin

27.44  

68465 

The Nelson Trust

Health Insurance Premiums 

36,480.00  

68466 

Van Iwaarden Associates 

GASB 75 12/31/2019

1,200.00  

68467 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

769.03  

68468 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Electrical Supplies 

711.64  

68469 

Virginia Leen

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

25.00  

68470 

Wherley Motors Inc.

2020 Ram 2500 – Street, Towing – Police

4,375.78  

68471 

Widseth Smith Nolting 

Project 2019-11411 Demo Site Response IF

2,170.00  

68472 

WPS Tricare For Life

Ambulance Overpayment Refund

291.76  

68473 

Ziegler Inc.

Parts – Lease Equipment

270.13  

68474 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100535

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance

9.64 

100536

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

36,374.69

100537

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,113.30

100538

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100539

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

182.00

100540

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

500.68

100541

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

6,839.51

100542

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,925.00

100543

PERA 

Retirement 

29,043.83

100544

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

668.91

100545

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance

545.26

100546

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING:

APPROVED First Reading of Ordinance No. 35, Fifth Series, an amendment to shorten blight timelines and enforcement process contained in Sections 10-51 and 10-99

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving First Reading of Ordinance No. 35, Fifth Series, an amendment to shorten blight timelines and enforcement process contained in Sections 10-51 and 10-99. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED First Reading of Ordinance No. 36, Fifth Series, an amendment to the inspection and enforcement process for blighted buildings contained in Sections 4-20 and 4-99 of the International Falls Code of Ordinances

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving First Reading of Ordinance No. 36, Fifth Series, an amendment to the inspection and enforcement process for blighted buildings contained in Sections 4-20 and 4-99 of the International Falls Code of Ordinances. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

OPENING BIDS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

APPROVED continuing the closure of local boat accesses (Pat Roach landing and the Ron Hall DNR-owned landing at Shorewood Dr.)

MOTION by Councilor Krause to continue the closure of local boat accesses (Pat Roach landing and the Ron Hall DNR-owned landing at Shorewood Dr.) until considered at the April 20, 2020 Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

Pandemic update – Koochiching County and Public Health Services letter, Mayor Droba’s letter, employee message and Essential Work Declaration letter

City Administrator Anderson shared the Koochiching County Public Health and Human Services notice of the first positive case in Koochiching County, Mayor Droba’s letter to the citizens of International Falls, employee COVID-19 message and Essential Employee Work Declaration letter.

Census update

City Administrator Anderson shared the 2020 Census self-response for the City of International Falls was at 45.3% as of 4/2/2020 and Koochiching County self-response of 34.7% as of 4/2/2020.

TABLED Request to waive/exempt fees at The Nomad Motel, Myles Wilcott

MOTION by Councilor Krause to table the request to waive/exempt fees at The Nomad Motel, until the next City Council meeting on April 20, 2020 when the owner Myles Wilcott will be available to answer questions the council has. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

TABLED Order to mitigate blight conditions at 1318 1^st Ave. East, Richard Rousseau

City Attorney Shermoen stated that most issues have been resolved. Mr. Rousseau is not able to move the garage on the property till the ground has thawed and the purchase of vehicle tabs have been done via mail. Councilor Ditsch stated the property has been greatly improved. All Councilors and Mayor agreed to table the order to mitigate blight conditions at 1318 1^st Ave E. until the ground has thawed and the blue shed can be removed.

APPROVED Mayor’s appointment of Mona Johnson to the Library Board of Trustee’s for John Dalton’s term expiring December 31, 2022

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Mayor’s appointment of Mona Johnson to the Library Board of Trustee’s for John Dalton’s term expiring December 31, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 30-20, Conditional Use Permit 2020-001 approval for Andrea Ducharme, 1109 8^th St., to allow a rooming house, tourist rental use in the R-1A zoning district

MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting Resolution No. 30-20, Conditional Use Permit 2020-001 approval for Andrea Ducharme, 1109 8^th St., to allow a rooming house, tourist rental use in the R-1A zoning district. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 31-20, Conditional Use Permit 2020-002 approval for Northern Options for Women, Vickie Bernard, 925 5^th St., to allow offices for services in the R-2A zoning district

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch adopting Resolution No. 31-20, Conditional Use Permit 2020-002 approval for Northern Options for Women, Vickie Bernard, 925 5^th St., to allow offices for services in the R-2A zoning district. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Debt Management Policy

MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting Debt Management Policy. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED revision to Section 1, Composition of the Board, in the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Nelson approving revision to Section 1, Composition of the Board, in the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Public Right of Way ADA Transition Plan for streets and sidewalk

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Public Right of Way ADA Transition Plan for streets and sidewalk. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 32-20, BDPI Grant for submittal to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development related to 22^nd Ave. infrastructure improvements

MOTION by Councilor Buller adopting Resolution No. 32-20, BDPI Grant for submittal to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development related to 22^nd Ave. infrastructure improvements. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Geographical Information System (GIS) Data License Agreement between Minnesota Energy Resources and City of International Falls for access to the location of certain utility facilities and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving Geographical Information System (GIS) Data License Agreement between Minnesota Energy Resources and City of International Falls for access to the location of certain utility facilities and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Real Estate Conflict of Interest Certification for the U.S. Postal Service and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Real Estate Conflict of Interest Certification for the U.S. Postal Service disclosing any postal employee’s and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 33-20, Authorizing the City of International Falls to be a party to the Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN)

MOTION by Councilor Buller adopting Resolution No. 33-20, authorizing the City of International Falls to be a party to the Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN). Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN) Mutual Aid Agreement

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Minnesota Water Agency Response Network (MnWARN) Mutual Aid Agreement. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Other:

Ordinance of chickens within city

Mayor Droba shared that he received calls regarding the ordinance of no chickens in the city. City Administrator Anderson stated the previous council did not act on this as the Comp Plan would address it. Consider at the next meeting.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson shared the following;

• He did verify MnDOT is moving forward with road construction plans.
• On April 14, 2020 Brian Larson and Chamber president will meet to discuss project staging for residents and businesses for Highway 53 project.
• Draft Capital Implementation Plan to supplement capital equipment needed for bond issue in mid-May.
• Finance Officer, Administration and Auditors are working on 2019 audit this week.
• City street projects are on schedule for work the summer of 2020.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Mayor Droba shared that he met with the Fire Department to discuss the concerns they have regarding the civil service commission. He also encouraged the councilors to complete the email they received from the auditors.

AUDIENCE 

Matt Korbitz, business owner, wished to remotely address the council via zoom, but could not be heard. Mayor Droba will contact him via phone after the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 7:12 P.M.