May 4, 2020 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 4th day of May, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Droba.
Councilor Ditsch, Councilor Nelson, Councilor Krause, Councilor Buller, media, and public via Zoom Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
APPROVED agenda |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED minutes of the April 20, 2020 regular City Council meeting |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 20, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
Councilor Nelson stepped away from the meeting. |
|
ADOPTED Resolution No. 37-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 37-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’. |
CLAIMS
Allied Generators |
Generator Maint – VNP/Wtr Plnt/ Mun Bldg |
2,672.92 |
68590 |
|
Alpha Medical Equipment Inc. |
Ambulance Supplies |
164.90 |
68591 |
|
Ameritas Life Ins Corp |
Dental Insurance Premiums |
1,927.48 |
68592 |
|
Andrew Holler |
Lawn Cleanup – 1717 1st Ave W |
321.00 |
68593 |
|
Auto Value Int’l Falls |
Unit 032 – Parts, Supplies – Garage |
111.98 |
68594 |
|
Battalion Distributing |
Ambulance Supplies |
6.65 |
68595 |
|
BCBS of MN |
Health Insurance Premiums |
4,459.00 |
68596 |
|
Border Boxes |
Shipping – Water Plant |
84.50 |
68597 |
|
Borderland Humane Society |
Pound Operation |
2,250.00 |
68598 |
|
Bound Tree Medical LLC |
Ambulance Supplies |
2,323.80 |
68599 |
|
Bremer Cardmember Service |
Sup – Amb/Str/Adm, Lic Fee-Pol/Strm |
4,050.77 |
68600 |
|
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 |
Lodging Tax Transfer |
72.93 |
68601 |
|
City Water Department |
City Buildings – Water Usage |
1,377.54 |
68602 |
|
Convention & Visitors Bureau |
Lodging Tax |
1,385.61 |
68603 |
|
Ford of Hibbing |
2020 Ford Explorer. 20-02 Police |
32,955.84 |
68604 |
|
Global Equipment Company |
Office Supplies – Eng, Storage Cabinets |
5,696.99 |
68605 |
|
Grafix Shoppe |
2020 Ford Explorer Decals |
336.99 |
68606 |
|
Harriett Fry |
Ambulance Overpayment Refund |
76.55 |
68607 |
|
Holiday Companies |
Gas-Strm Sew/Fire/Str/Amb/Wtr/San Sew |
4,018.19 |
68608 |
|
IF Recreation Commission |
2nd Half 2019/2020 Funding |
41,500.00 |
68609 |
|
Innovative Office Solutions LLC |
Supplies – Street/Administration |
130.20 |
68610 |
|
Int’l Falls US Post Office |
Permit #79 Escrow |
2,000.00 |
68611 |
|
IUOE Local 49 |
Health Insurance Premiums |
28,354.00 |
68612 |
|
Kooch County Hwy Dept. |
Dyed Fuel – Grounds/Street/Garage |
7,627.82 |
68613 |
|
Kooch County Sheriff’s Office |
Refund – Postage D Helgeson |
9.25 |
68614 |
|
Lawson Products Inc. |
Batteries/Safety Gloves – Electrical |
242.60 |
68615 |
|
Life Blanket |
Adult Disposable Barrier Liners |
776.00 |
68616 |
|
Madden Galanter Hansen LLP |
Legal Services |
1,069.75 |
68617 |
|
Mannco Trucking Inc. |
Lowboy Rental |
110.00 |
68618 |
|
Marco |
Antivirus/Microsoft Exch |
479.00 |
68619 |
|
Marco Technologies LLC |
Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/Pw |
1,218.26 |
68620 |
|
M-B Companies Inc. |
Parts – VNP |
593.34 |
68621 |
|
MedicareBlue Rx |
Health Insurance Premiums |
1,715.00 |
68622 |
|
Menards International Falls |
Maint/Sup – VNP/Str/P&R/Gar/St Lght/Wtr |
464.22 |
68623 |
|
Midcontinent Communications |
Cable – Fire/Amb, Internet – Wtr Plnt |
362.58 |
68624 |
|
Minnesota Energy Resources |
Utilities |
1,607.14 |
68625 |
|
Minnesota Industries |
Safety Equip – Wtr/San Sew/Strm Sew |
160.68 |
68626 |
|
MTI Distributing Inc. |
Groundsmaster 3200 24HP AWD |
21,603.29 |
68627 |
|
Range Paper Corp |
Supplies – Fire |
169.78 |
68628 |
|
Rexel Energy Solutions |
Maint/Repair – VNP |
1,975.00 |
68629 |
|
Roche’s Towing |
Led Top Lights |
500.72 |
68630 |
|
Steven M Shermoen |
Legal Fees |
7,762.00 |
68631 |
|
Sun Life Financial |
Life Insurance Premiums |
642.85 |
68632 |
|
Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC |
Bldg Maint – Fire Hall Hazmat/Mun Bldg |
4,221.72 |
68633 |
|
The Dent Shop |
Backrack – Storm Sewer |
707.18 |
68634 |
|
The Journal |
Agendas/Minutes/Covid/Sum Emp/Ads |
2,426.43 |
68635 |
|
The Nelson Trust |
Health Insurance Premiums |
36,480.00 |
68636 |
|
UHL Company Inc. |
Bldg Maint – Mun Bldgs/VNP |
3,952.96 |
68637 |
|
UnitedHealthcare |
Ambulance Overpayment – Refund |
1,574.88 |
68638 |
|
Verizon Wireless |
Monthly Cellular Service |
804.40 |
68639 |
|
Widseth |
Engineering Services |
89,249.28 |
68640 |
|
William Tomczak |
Safety Boot Allowance |
110.00 |
68641 |
|
Ziegler Inc. |
Grder Lease-12M3AWD, Parts-Lease Equip |
1,994.20 |
68642 |
|
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: |
||||
AFLAC |
Supplemental Insurance |
225.04 |
100565 |
|
AllState – American Heritage |
Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100566 |
|
Bremer Bank NA |
Federal Withholding |
35,072.23 |
100567 |
|
IUOE Local Central Pension |
Retirement |
4,118.65 |
100568 |
|
Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas |
C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100569 |
|
IF Fire Dept. Relief |
Volunteer Fireman Dues |
14.00 |
100570 |
|
Intl Falls Ambulance Service |
Dues |
147.00 |
100571 |
|
MN Child Support Pmt Center |
Wage Assignment |
500.68 |
100572 |
|
MN Department of Revenue |
State Withholding |
6,658.51 |
100573 |
|
Empower Retirement |
Deferred Comp |
6,825.00 |
100574 |
|
PERA |
Retirement |
29,961.62 |
100575 |
|
Sun Life Financial |
Supplemental Life Insurance |
654.75 |
100576 |
|
The Hartford |
Voluntary LTD Insurance |
545.26 |
100577 |
AUDIENCE |
None. |
PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVED Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 37, Fifth Series, An amendment to Code of Ordinances, Section 10-58, Regulation of Tobacco Sales and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems by increasing the lawful age from 18 to 21 and regulating e-cigarettes and vaping |
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 37, Fifth Series, an amendment to Code of Ordinances, Section 10-58, Regulation of Tobacco Sales and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems by increasing the lawful age from 18 to 21 and regulating e-cigarettes and vaping. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’. |
OPENING BIDS |
None. |
OLD BUSINESS |
None. |
CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’. |
Councilor Nelson returned to the meeting. |
|
NEW BUSINESS: |
|
APPROVED Request by Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals & Tours LLC to rent electric bikes from City/IFEDA property near VNP Headquarters Building |
Dan Olson owner of Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals & Tours explained he would like to place a trailer with up to 16 electric bikes for rent to the public on property at or adjacent to the VNP Headquarters building. Bob DeGross Park Superintendent asked that everyone be mindful of parking around the VNP and that questions from the public be addressed by Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals & Tours and not by the staff at VNP. City Administrator Anderson shared that the site is owned by the city and is public property that will be used by a private for-profit business. Site would be used in current state (gravel road). Anderson recommended that Voyageurs E-Bike Rental & Tours LLC provide a certificate of insurance naming the City of International Falls as an additional insured in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.00.
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving request by Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals and Tours LLC to rent electric bikes from City/IFEDA property near VNP Headquarters Building. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.
MOTION amended by Mayor Droba to include an agreement to be signed by Voyageurs E-Bike Rental & Tours LLC. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
MOTION approving request by Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals and Tours LLC to rent electric bikes from City/IFEDA property near VNP Headquarters Building with signed agreement carried unanimously. |
TABLED Phased Opening Plan for the International Falls Public Library |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to table Phased Opening Plan for the International Falls Public Library until May 18th due to the extension of Governor Walz ‘Stay at Home’ order. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED Resolution No. 39-20, Approve State of Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of International Falls and Koochiching County |
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Resolution No. 39-20, Approve State of Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of International Falls and Koochiching County |
APPROVED Resolution No. 40-20, Approve State of Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of International Falls Detour Agreement for Trunk Highway No. 53 Detour, State Project No.: 3606-48; MnDOT Contract No.: 1036896 |
MOTION by Councilor Nelson approving Resolution No. 40-20, Approve State of Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of International Falls Detour Agreement for Trunk Highway No. 53 Detour, State Project No.: 3606-48; MnDOT Contract No.: 1036896. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
TABLED opening of City Beach |
City Administrator Anderson stated the Camp Host Amanda Steffen would be available to complete her duties as Camp Host as long as her husband was able to perform his Fish Guiding service on Rainy Lake. Anderson spoke with Derek Foss the Public Health Supervisor at Koochiching County and he stated they would continue to check the water quality as they have in the past. Bill Mason shared with City Administrator Anderson that he has lifeguards hired for the summer of 2020. All Councilor’s and Mayor agreed in opening City Beach but wanted to wait for orders from Governor Walz. They were also in agreement for Amanda Steffen to relocate here as Camp Host prior to the Governors orders.
MOTION by Councilor Nelson to table the opening of City Beach. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED Smokey Bear mask |
Mayor Droba shared that Loni Bright had made a mask with materials that were donated to her for Smokey Bear. Mayor stated that Smokey Bear has always sent a message to our community by the apparel that he wears.
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Smokey Bear to wear a mask. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
DISCUSSION of July 4th Celebration |
Mayor Droba stated the 4th of July Commission will be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss options for the celebration. Mayor Droba shared the parade route could be extended, fireworks could still occur, more of the city parks could be used to prevent so many people in one area, and possibly having food vendors. Councilor Ditsch stated he is against any mass groups. Councilor Nelson suggested no chip piles and we should not try to attract people from outside the area. Mayor will bring all suggestions/concerns to the 4th of July Commission. |
TABLED approval of the Special Assessment Policy |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to table the approval of the Special Assessment Policy so it can be reviewed by the Director of Public Works and Widseth. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
Other: Preparedness Plan |
City Administrator Anderson presented the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Administration Office and the Public Works Department. He stated the Fire Chief has ordered infrared thermometers. Councilor Buller addressed his concerns with the Public Works Department returning to work on May 4, 2020 before the council had reviewed and approved the preparedness plan. The Council will meet on May 7, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. for an Emergency City Council Meeting to discuss further. The Public Works Department will return to the previous schedule. |
Ordinance No. 38, 5th Series – Opening Food Service Lobbies |
Councilor Krause asked the council if the lobbies could be opened back up. Ordinance No. 38, 5th Series closed the lobbies to the public. Council will review at the Emergency City Council Meeting on May 7, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. |
Blight |
Councilor Ditsch stated the residential blight process is moving along well. He stated concerns with three businesses. Friends Garbage, Northern Lumber and Meyers Glass. City Administrator Anderson shared that a certified letter was already sent to one of the businesses on May 4, 2020. |
REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Anderson shared The Daily Journal will be going to one publication per week. He also stated he has been working on the Bond Issues.
City Attorney Shermoen had nothing to report.
The Blight Report dated May 4, 2020 was available for review. |
Reports of Mayor and Council Committees |
Mayor Droba shared he will be assigning one person to the Recreation Commission Board.
Mayor Droba stated he has received several repeat phone calls about the deer population in the City of International Falls and calendar parking not being enforced. Mayor spoke with Police Chief Mastin regarding calendar parking. Community members shared with Mayor Droba how grateful they were with the open and informative communication regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. |
AUDIENCE |
None. |
ADJOURNMENT |
Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the Emergency City Council meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. and the next regular City Council meeting on Monday, May 18, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 7:04 P.M. |
ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator