June 1, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

June 1, 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 1st day of June, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause, and Mayor Droba

                Councilor Nelson, media, and public via Zoom Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.

MEMBERS ABSENT:     None.

 

APPROVED agenda as presented

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED minutes of the May 18, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 18, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED minutes of the May 27, 2020 Emergency City Council meeting

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

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 46-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 46-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Discussion ensued regarding payment of Airport claims. It was decided that the previous decision to halt paying Airport claims until the County reimbursed the City for its half would be postponed for 30-days to allow for City and County Administration to coordinate. Motion carried unanimously.

 

CLAIMS

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

2,200.00  

68752 

Aladtec Inc.

Online Scheduling Software Annual Update 

3,240.00  

68753 

Alex Air Apparatus Inc.

Bauer Vertexon 6,000 PSI Compressor

54,547.20  

68754 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,927.48  

68755 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

909.00  

68756 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Supplies – St Garage, Parts – Unit 124

61.93  

68757 

Badiuk Equipment Inc.

Parts – Fire

228.04  

68758 

BCBS of Minnesota

Amb Overpayment Refund

3,011.98  

68759 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,459.00  

68760 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation

2,250.00  

68761 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

462.06  

68762 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

33.53  

68763 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,271.49  

68764 

CLIA Laboratory Program

Certification Fee 

180.00  

68765 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

637.07  

68766 

Core & Main 

Ally Meters, Supplies – Water 

13,648.75  

68767 

DSC Communications

Portable Radio Repair – Street

175.00  

68768 

Fairchild Sign

Forms – Street Dept.

145.00  

68769 

Falls Advanced Chiropractic 

Employment Physical 

90.00  

68770 

Fire Safety USA Inc.

Nylon Sleeved Aprons – Covid19

3,035.00  

68771 

Graybar 

Supplies – Street Lighting

885.12  

68772 

Hach Company

Chemicals/Lab Supplies 

326.10  

68773 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

889.69  

68774 

Holiday Companies 

Gas – Fire/Str/Amb/Water

2,624.70  

68775 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Supplies – Police/Admin, Bldg Maint – Gar 

3,318.91  

68776 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

28,354.00  

68777 

Jared Huffaker 

Account Deposit – Refund

20.00  

68778 

Jason Sjoblom 

Boot Allowance 

110.00  

68779 

Lisa Riggs 

Cloth Face Masks 

48.00  

68780 

LMC Insurance Trust – Liab

Deductible Expense – Desannoy

500.00  

68781 

Locators & Supplies 

Safety Vests – Safety Dept.

349.73  

68782 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

479.00  

68783 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

971.65  

68784 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums 

1,715.00  

68785 

Menards International Falls 

M&R/Sup-Gar/Str/Lght/Wtr/Bch/Grnds/Pol

1,656.68  

68786 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance 

132.58  

68787 

Minnesota Dept. of Health

State Test Fee

6,449.00  

68788 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

1,040.84  

68789 

MN Pollution Control Agency

Solid Waste Operator – T Brokaw 

15.00  

68790 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Mower Parts – Water

741.80  

68791 

NLEAC

Annual Membership Dues

75.00  

68792 

ODB Company

Sweeper Brooms/Supplies 

5,904.25  

68793 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct 

Qtrly Lease – Inserting & Mailing System

1,000.00  

68794 

PowerPlan

John Deere 210G – Rental

3,105.00  

68795 

Railroad Mgmt Co III, Inc.

License Fees – Sewer Pipeline Xing

258.95  

68796 

Rainy Lake One Stop 

Supplies – Fire

120.69  

68797 

Range Paper Corp 

Supplies – Fire, Clean Supplies – Bldgs

837.82  

68798 

S & P Global Ratings 

Rating Fee – 2020 City Bonds

15,500.00  

68799

Servicemaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

68800 

Sirchie Acquisition Co. LLC

Evidence Collection Supplies 

57.25  

68801 

Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery 

Grass Seed – Water Plant 

56.25  

68802 

Soundnorth 

Office Supplies – Fire

15.00  

68803 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

6,026.00  

68804 

Streicher’s Inc.

Vests For 6 Officers 

5,256.00  

68805 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

621.31  

68806 

Tami Renollet 

License Refund – Sold

915.83

68807 

Teleflex Medical 

Ambulance Supplies 

677.50  

68808 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

36,480.00  

68809 

The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters 

Supplies – Fire

134.53  

68810 

The Sherwin Williams – Bemidji 

Paint, Maint Paint Machine

5,050.71  

68811 

UHL Company Inc.

Bldg Maint – Water Plant Boiler Project

1,371.77  

68812 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Electrical Supplies 

67.71  

68813 

Walt Buller 

2020 Council Standard Expenditure Reimb

700.00  

68814 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100595

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100596

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

36,185.12

100597

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,117.25

100598

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100599

IF Fire Dept. Relief 

Volunteer Fireman Dues 

294.00

100600

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

147.00

100601

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

500.68

100602

MN Department of Revenue

State Withholding 

6,767.06

100603

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,825.00

100604

PERA 

Retirement 

29,474.80

100605

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

545.26

100606

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

545.26

100607

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance – Baldwin

13.72

68836

    

AUDIENCE

None.

   

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance #969, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 CIPP sanitary sewer rehabilitation project to Drain Services, Inc., in the amount of $399,892.05

 

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the First Reading of Contract Ordinance #969, approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 CIPP sanitary sewer rehabilitation project to Drain Services, Inc. in the amount of $399,892.05.
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Second and Final Reading of Contract Ordinance #967, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 15th St. Street Improvement Project (Municipal State Aid) to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $365,560.20

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Second and Final Reading of Contract Ordinance #967, approving the lowest responsible bid for the 15th St. Street Improvement Project (Municipal State Aid) to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $365,560.20.
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Second and Final Reading of Contract Ordinance #968, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 Street Improvements to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $977,688.50

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Second and Final Reading of Contract Ordinance #968, approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 Street Improvements to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $977,688.50.
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

OPENING BIDS

None.

   

OLD BUSINESS

None.

   

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented 

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:

  1. Approve 2020 license renewal – Cater for You, LLC, itinerant restaurant

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

NEW BUSINESS: 

 
   

APPROVED request to conduct a Community Market

Teresa Moynihan spoke on her and Elizabeth Pendergast’s request to bring back a community market to International Falls, to be held every Saturday from 8 AM to approximately 2 PM in the Barajas Mexican Restaurant parking lot. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve request to allow a community market be held at the Barajas Mexican Restaurant parking lot, 1323 3rd Street. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, CARES Act Airport Grant Agreement

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, CARES Act Airport Grant Agreement #3-27-0043-033-2020 for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPOINTED Evan L. Wimmer as part-time Police Officer

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to appoint Evan L. Wimmer as part-time Police Officer effective upon successfully meeting all city and state employment requirements. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 47-20, PERA Declaration for part-time Patrol Officer Evan L. Wimmer

MOTION by Councilor Buller adopt Resolution No. 47-20, PERA Declaration for part-time Patrol Officer Evan L. Wimmer. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 48-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1997)

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 48-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1997) and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 49-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1998)

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 49-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1998) and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 50-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1999)

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to adopt Resolution No. 50-20, Authorizing the execution and delivery of a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between the City and OfficeMax Inc., as successor to Boise Cascade Corp. (1999) and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution 51-20, Approving request to advance encumber funds from the City’s Municipal State Aid Street fund

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 51-20, Approve request to advance encumber funds from the City’s Municipal State Aid Street fund. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

MOVED discussion of four-wheelers and recreational vehicles in city limits to the Land Use and Legislation Committee

Councilor Krause stated that he believes there needs to be more clarity and review on the legalities of four-wheelers and other recreational vehicles within city limits. He would like to better define them in the City Code of Ordinances to help encourage safe use of such vehicles and minimize high rates of speed throughout town.

 

MOTION by Councilor Krause to move the topic of four-wheelers and other recreational vehicles in city limits to the Land Use & Legislation Committee for further discussion and review. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED closure of 3rd Street and use of Smokey Bear Park for the July 4th Celebration and Labor Day Picnic, September 5-7, 2020

Due to the current health pandemic and restrictions on gatherings by the state, discussion ensued about the July 4th Celebration, Bass Tournament, and the Labor Day Picnic. It was discussed that the July 4th Celebration was going to be moved to the Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day to allow for more time for the health situation to hopefully improve. It was noted that there are many unknowns and the Governor’s office will be a key resource and deciding factor on whether summer events of this magnitude will be possible.

 

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve 3rd Street road closure application to the state and allow for use of Smokey Bear Park September 5-7, 2020 for the July 4th Celebration and Labor Day Picnic, pending approval from state officials.

   

APPROVED moving the July 4th Celebration to Labor Day weekend, September 5-6, 2020

City Administrator Anderson noted that a formal motion must be made to move the July 4th Celebration to Labor Day weekend, as the July 4th Celebration is included in the City’s Home Rule Charter. Administrator Anderson also noted that a final decision must be made by mid-July as to whether the July 4th Celebration will be held Labor Day weekend or cancelled altogether.

 

MOTION by Mayor Droba to formally move the July 4th Celebration to Labor Day weekend, September 5-6, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson shared that the City and the County staff have met in regards to the Airport finances. He also stated that the Bridging Plan has been sent off to the North Koochiching Area Sanitary Sewer District.

 

Police Chief Mastin noted that with the statewide turmoil happening, he and his department are in close contact with other local partnering agencies and are keeping a close eye on the events happening. Chief Mastin stated that his department is prepared and well informed.

   

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Mayor Droba stated that he does not feel a curfew is necessary for International Falls at this time based on the information provided by police. Mayor Droba also noted he shared his own personal statement on the events in Minneapolis.

 

Councilor Ditsch stated he was disappointed the Council had not received a blight report. It was noted that a blight report was sent out via email to only the City Council members around 4:00 PM, but Administrator Anderson was looking into data privacy laws for sharing such information publically.

   

AUDIENCE 

None.

   

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the regular City Council meeting on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:37 P.M.

 

 

                    

ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor

 

 

                        

Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator

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