May 27, 2020 Special City Council Meeting Minutes

APPROVED businesses with an International Falls restaurant and/or alcohol business license use of city picnic tables

Mayor Droba explained the City could provide picnic tables to local businesses. Businesses would be required to complete an application with the following information; business name, business address, contact name, contact phone number and number of picnic tables being requested. Picnic tables must stay on the requested property. Picnic tables will be dropped off the morning of June 1, 2020. Additional picnic tables can be requested for delivery on Monday’s. Picnic tables will be removed by the public works personnel when the Governor opens up seating inside restaurants and bars.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve businesses with an International Falls restaurant and/or alcohol business license use of city picnic tables. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

APPROVED closure of 5^th Avenue to 3^rd Street for the Coffee Landing Café to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56

Mayor Droba requested closure of 5^th Avenue from the alley to 3^rd Street for the Coffee Landing Café to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Mayor spoke with the owner of Northland Sales and Service and they had no concerns closing the Avenue as long as the alley remained open for services.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving closure of 5^th Avenue to 3^rd Street for the Coffee Landing Café to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 4-0.

APPROVED closure of 3^rd Street and 5^th Avenue sidewalk for the Coffee Landing Café to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56

Mayor Droba explained that the Coffee Landing Café is requesting the 5^th Avenue and 3^rd Street sidewalks be closed for outdoor seating per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Councilor Krause stated limiting seating to 5^th Avenue would allow people to walk down 3^rd Street. Mayor Droba stated that they currently have tables on 3^rd Street with limited walking space. Currently they are not ADA compliant. Will review ADA compliance after restaurants are able to open to inside seating.

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving closure of 3^rd Street and 5^th Avenue sidewalk for the Coffee Landing Café to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

APPROVED closure of 5^th Street between the Alley and 3^rd Avenue for Border Bar to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56

Mayor Droba stated Border Bar is requesting closure of 5^th Street between the alley and 3^rd Avenue to have outdoor seating available per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56.
Border Bar
will not be opening for outdoor seating at this time as they have concerns regarding the traffic on the corner of 5^th Street and the alley towards 2^nd Avenue. The request would be if they decided in the future to offer outdoor seating they would have the Council approval.

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving closure of 5^th Street between the alley and 3^rd Avenue to have outdoor seating available at the Border Bar per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

Councilor Ditsch asked that Wherley’s be contacted to see if they have any concerns with the Avenue being closed.

APPROVED closure of the alley on the 200 block between 3^rd Street and 4^th Street for Sammy’s outdoor dining per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56

Mayor Droba stated that Sammy’s will be putting up a tent in their current parking lot and is requesting that the alley on the 200 block between 3^rd Street and 4^th Street be closed for the safety of their customers. Mayor Droba stated he has a call into the League of Minnesota Cities on whether clubs can open or not since the Elks Club is located next to Sammy’s. Tricia Heibel stated the tent will be approximately 20 feet by 30 feet. Administrator Anderson suggested leaving the alley open since it is a low traffic area and so the garbage truck and other vendors could still use the alley.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving closure of the alley on the 200 block between 3^rd Street and 4^th Street for Sammy’s outdoor dining per Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-56. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

APPROVED use of street barricades for road closure and defining area’s where liquor sales are permitted

Mayor Droba stated he did not want temporary structures made out of wood. Administrator Anderson questioned if barricades would be used to define areas where liquor sales are permitted. Each business would be required to complete a site plan packet. Building Official Meyers stated tents would need to meet accessibility requirements.

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving use of street barricades for road closure and defining area’s where liquor sales are permitted. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 4-0.

APPROVED waiving Zoning fee and requiring all businesses complete application along with site plans

Mayor Droba requested waiving Zoning fees. Administrator Anderson asked if tents need to meet zoning requirements. Building Official Meyers stated that businesses need to try and meet all requirements. Deputy Administrator Bergstrom stated businesses will need to get additional insurance for outdoor facilities.

MOTION by Councilor Krause waiving Zoning fee and requiring all businesses complete an application along with a site plan. Also, allowing Building Official discretion when approving site plan. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried 4-0.

COMMENTS

Mayor Droba stated that alcohol cannot be served on city property. Sammy’s can only serve alcohol on the north side of the alley, not on the south side of the alley. All businesses are required to have insurance for any structures and alcohol being served outside.

Administrator Anderson asked how the city will ensure each business has a preparedness plan. Mayor Droba stated that the city did not require a preparedness plan from retail and grocery stores when they opened back up. All businesses need to ensure they are following the Governor’s orders.

Chief Mastin shared that it is important that businesses serving alcohol understand the alcohol needs to stay on the premise.

Public Works Director Brokaw stated if road is closed, it means no one can use that road. This is for the safety of our citizens.

2019 Audit Review

Scheduled review of 2019 Audit for June 1, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next City Council meeting scheduled for June 1, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 4:25 P.M.