June 15, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

June 15, 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 15th day of June, 2020 at the hour of 5:33 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Mayor Droba, Councilor Ditsch, Councilor Nelson, Councilor Krause and Councilor Buller.

                Media and public via Zoom Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.

MEMBERS ABSENT:     None.

 

APPROVED agenda with additions and deletions

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda with additions as presented.

Additions

  1. Approve Audit of Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co. (Council action)
  2. Approve sponsorship from the City for road closure with MnDOT for Crazy Daze on July 29, 2020 (Council action)
  3. Authorize prepayment to MnDOT for Hwy 53 project (Council action)

Correspondence

  • May 13, 2020 – International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees meeting packet

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED minutes of the June 1, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the June 1, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 52-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 52-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

 

CLAIMS

All Season Equipment Inc.

M&R – VNP, Tires – Str, Chainsaw Parts

438.79  

68837 

AmeriPride Services

Cleaning Service 

115.95  

68838

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

2,225.00  

68839 

Badiuk Equipment Inc.

Parts – Fire

38.43  

68840 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Admin/Police/Water

194.25  

68841 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

672.03  

68842 

Bremer Bank Natl Association

Records Research – Police

10.00  

68843 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Sup/Maint-Fire/Str/Amb/P&R/Gar/Pol 

6,883.37  

68844 

Brian Youso 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68845 

Brigzy’s Bundles 

Firewood – City Beach

110.00  

68846 

Bureau of Crim Apprehension

Annual CJDN Remote Access

780.00  

68847 

Cenex Voyaguer Fleet 

Gas – Grnds/Pol/Build Off/Amb/Wtr Plnt

2,026.67  

68848 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Water/Sewer Admin Expenses 

9,951.67  

68849 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401

Water Funds Transfer 

66,666.66  

68850 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403

Water Funds Transfer 

25,760.42  

68851 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

44.54  

68852 

Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc.

Chem Assessment Team – Supplies

725.00  

68853 

CMS Medicare

Ambulance Overpayment Refund

1,403.50  

68854 

Core & Main 

Meters –iPERL/Valves, Flow Test Kits

11,277.11  

68855 

Crandall’s Septic Pumping 

Portable Johns – City Parks 

689.00  

68856 

Earl F Andersen 

Sup/Maint & Repair – P&R/Wtr/Str

6,796.75  

68857 

Epic Threads 

Cloth Allow – Ambulance/Maish/Sears

320.00  

68858 

Expert T Billing 

Ambulance Transports

2,912.00  

68859 

Falls Lumber Company 

Maint – Parks & Rec, Tools – Street

281.84  

68860 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,745.64  

68861 

Frontier 

Monthly Tele Ser/Remote Labor Chg-Eng

2,715.97  

68862 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Amb/Tveit

276.71  

68863 

Gopher State One – Call

Monthly Billing 

170.10  

68864

Greentech Manufacturing Inc.

Custom Fabrication – Fire

68.15  

68865 

Guardian Fleet Safety 

2020 Ford Interceptor Utility Build 

3,846.41  

68866 

Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty 

Appropriation 

262,143.50  

68867 

Jennifer Windels 

Refund – Payment in Error

67.00  

68868 

Joseph R Krause 

2020 Council Standard Exp Reimburse

700.00  

68869 

K & K Meyers Inc.

Locks-Safety, Admin-Keys/Temp Glass 

732.46  

68870 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Street/Street Light/Water/Sewer

1,066.92  

68871 

Kooch Co Env Services Dept.

Demolition 

108.00  

68872 

Kooch County Treasurer 

Solid Waste Service Fee 

1,510.00  

68873 

Lawrence Mann 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund

1,458.46  

68874 

LMC Insurance Trust – Liab

Deductible – 00103451

500.00  

68875

Locators & Supplies 

Supplies – P&R/Grounds/Marking Paint

681.66  

68876 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Maint & Repair – San Sewer 

30.54  

68877 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

68.00  

68878 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Unit 864 Lowboy – Water

113.87  

68879 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Ambulance/Bombenger 

80.00  

68880 

Menards International Falls 

Sup-Str/Wtr/Amb/Grnds/Fire/S Sew/VNP

1,436.65  

68881 

Michael Musich 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68882 

Midcontinent Communications

Internet – Water Plant

230.00  

68883 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

2,418.44  

68884 

Minnesota Industries 

Safety Equip – Grounds/Street/Water

326.43  

68885 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

23,754.92  

68886 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Maint/Repair – VNP

938.59  

68887 

Municipal Code Corporation 

Minutes Updated on Website

1,198.00  

68888 

N Kooch Area Sanitary District 

Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge 

105,442.24  

68889 

Napa Falls Supply 

Sup-VNP/Garage/St Light, Parts-Unit 201

527.10  

68890 

Northern Lumber & Hardware 

Sign Proj, Maint/Tool-Gar/Wtr/Str/Beach

437.32  

68891 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services 

260.00  

68892 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Sup/Part-Gar/Amb/Wtr/Str/Vact, Toolbox 

2,560.96  

68893 

Orton Oil Company 

Car Wash – Police 

120.00  

68894 

Pelland Welding, Inc. 

Parts – Street, Trimmer W/Line & Oil

325.58  

68895 

Pitney Bowes 

Qtrly Lease – Inserting & Mailing System

691.14  

68896 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct

Administration/Engineering 

1,000.00  

68897 

Praxair Distribution Inc.

Oxygen 

158.75  

68898 

Rainy Lake Medical Center 

Medical Supplies 

650.85  

68899 

Rainy Lake Oil 

Recycle Oil/Filters 

190.00  

68900 

Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC

Tires – Ambulance 

624.06  

68901 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Bldgs

740.96  

68902 

Rihm Kenworth 

Maint – 2018 Kenworth T440 /Vactor

6,556.37  

68903 

Robert Bahr 

Top Soil 

2,000.00  

68904 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Police, Unit 121 Freon

199.00  

68905 

Schlenner Wenner & Co 

2019 Audit, VNP Bond Ref Work

28,800.00  

68906 

Streicher’s Inc.

Clothing Allowance – Police

189.99  

68907 

Sylvia Tomczak 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

50.00  

68908 

Terry Christie 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68909 

Terry Wood 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68910 

The Journal 

Agendas/Minutes/Ordinances 

2,939.20  

68911 

The Tessman Company 

Fertilizer 

489.83  

68912 

Todd Perala 

Acct Deposit Refund 

12.00  

68913 

US Postal Service

Po Box #831 Fee 

254.00  

68914 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

818.38  

68915 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Tools/Sup – Str Light, VNP Maint

1,173.26  

68916 

Widseth 

Engineering Services 

95,006.78  

68917 

Willi Kostiuk

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68918 

WMG Lyfjaberg LLC

Medical Director 

300.00  

68919 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant/Fire 

134.52  

68920 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance

225.04

100608

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100609

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

36,258.98

100610

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

4,130.35

100611

City of Int’l Falls

HRA – Police/Fire

520.00

100612

City of Int’l Falls

Health Insurance – 49ers

454.00

100613

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100614

IAMAW District W33 

Union Dues 

1,648.00

100615

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

147.00

100616

Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers 

Union Dues 

875.00

100617

I.U.O.E. Local 49ers 

Health Reimbursement 

200.00

100618

MN Child Support Payment Center

Wage Assignment 

500.68

100619

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

6,843.96

100620

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,825.00

100621

PERA 

Life Insurance 

96.00

100622

North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist

Health Insurance

125.00 

100623

PERA 

Retirement 

30,151.73

100624

    

AUDIENCE:

None.

   

PUBLIC HEARING:

APPROVED Second 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 Krause approving Second 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 Buller and carried unanimously.

 

Councilor Buller commended Widseth for researching the low bid received from Drain Services, Inc. determining they are a reputable company.

   

OPENING BIDS:

APPROVED low bid from McCoy Con. and Forestry for John Deere 180G Excavator/Equip. in amount of $225,934.75, payable from Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Street Dept. Capital Outlay

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving low bid from McCoy Construction and Forestry for John Deere 180G Excavator/Equip. in amount of $225,934.75, payable from Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Street Dept. Capital Outlay.

Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED low quote from Shannon’s for air conditioning/heating purchase of a 3-zone condenser and one 6,000 BTU indoor unit for the Fire Fighter Engineers office, payable from the Fire Fund

City Administrator Anderson stated that the air conditioning unit is not working in the Fire fighter Engineer’s office. Councilor Krause asked why half the funds are coming out of the Ambulance Fund when they are in a deficit. Councilor Buller suggested due to the ambulance deficit that the 3-zone condenser and one of the 3 BTU indoor units be purchased at this time. Additional BTU indoor units could be purchased at a later time.

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving low quote from Shannon’s for air conditioning/ heating purchase of a 3-zone condenser and one 6,000 BTU indoor unit for the Fire fighter Engineer’s office, payable from the Fire Dept. Maintenance and Repair. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

   

CONSENT AGENDA:

AUTHORIZED Request for Proposal for group Basic and Supplemental Life & AD&D Insurance benefits to be effective January 1, 2021

MOTION by Councilor Nelson authorizing distribution of the Request for Proposal for group Basic and Supplemental Life & AD&D Insurance benefits to be effective January 1, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Great Up North Triathlon to be held summer of 2020

Erin Nagurski Hall stated they would like to have the Great Up North Triathlon over Ranier Days tentatively scheduled for August 8, 2020.

 

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving Great Up North Triathlon to be held summer of 2020 within the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Sponsorship from the City to hold Crazy Daze retail event on July 29, 2020

Chamber President Tricia Heibel explained that Crazy Daze is an annual retail event and a critical sales day for many of the community retailers. The event is primarily held outdoors. Chamber members have reviewed the current COVID regulations and determined there will not be any outdoor entertainment where people would gather. With approval, Chamber President Heibel stated she will apply for the MnDOT road closure and work closely with the Director of Public Works for road closure and detours.

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Sponsorship from the City to hold the annual Crazy Daze retail event on July 29, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED letter of intent for partial release of collateral for Commercial Loan No. 700508210, Citizens for Backus/AB, Cindy Youso, Border Bank

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving letter of intent for partial release of collateral for Commercial Loan No. 700508210. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

TABLED delaying Cold Box loan payment

MOTION by Councilor Buller to table discussion of delaying Cold Box loan payment until Paul Nevanen could be in attendance. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

ADOPTED Tax Abatement Policy

City Administrator Anderson explained the policy is to provide guidance to the Council and staff for projects in which developers may be requesting tax abatement financial assistance for proposed development project.

 

MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting the Tax Abatement Policy. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

 

Councilor Krause commended City Administrator Anderson for the work he did on completing the policy.

   

AUTHORIZED preparation of request for proposals to perform Water Plant Facility Study regarding capital improvement needs and operational efficiency analysis

Councilor Buller explained that the Water Plant is approximately 29 years old and operating below peak capacity.

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller authorizing preparation of request for proposals to perform Water Plant Facility Study regarding capital improvement needs and operational efficiency analysis. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED changes to 2020 Local Street Improvement projects

Councilor Buller explained that 2020 Local Street Improvement project bids came in below the engineers estimate and with low interest rates is requesting those remaining dollars be used to improve the streets of Wayside and Beyer Drive. This would bring the total improvements to approximately 80 blocks in 2020.

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving changes by adding Wayside and Beyer Dr. to 2020 Local Street Improvement projects. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Audit of Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Audit of Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2019 as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co.

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Resolution 53-20, Approving Establishment of Fund 610 – Airport Operations, Fund 611- Airport Annual Projects, and Fund 612 – Airport Major Projects and Ratify Invoicing

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Resolution 53-20, Approving Establishment of Fund 610 – Airport Operations, Fund 611- Airport Annual Projects, and Fund 612 – Airport Major Projects and Ratify Invoicing. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Resolution 54-20, Delegate City Administrator to consider updates to COVID-19 Preparedness Plans per Governors Executive Order 20-74 with guidance available June 15, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving Resolution 54-20, Delegating City Administrator to consider updates to COVID-19 Preparedness Plans per Governors Executive Order 20-74 with guidance available June 15, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Criminal Prosecution of unlicensed and inoperable vehicles and equipment

Councilor Ditsch stated he would like to see further action taken on owners who have received notification of unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles when not completed within the 7 day timeframe.

 

City Attorney Shermoen stated he could proceed with criminal notification to the owner if the vehicle is not licensed or removed from the property within the timeframe outlined by the City. Failure to comply with the City Ordinance would be considered a misdemeanor.

 

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving Criminal Prosecution of unlicensed and inoperable vehicles and equipment through the City Attorney if not resolved within the 7 day timeframe. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

INFORMATIONAL ONLY Review of April 1, 2019 Population and Household Estimates from Minnesota State Demographer

City Administrator Anderson shared the April 1, 2019 Population and Household estimates from the Minnesota State Demographer showing a population estimate of 6,047 and household estimate of 2,842.

   

AUTHORIZED Prepayment to MnDOT for the HWY 53 project.

City Administrator Anderson stated that payment will be due to MnDOT for the HWY 53 project prior to the next City Council meeting scheduled on July 6, 2020. Amount payable was not available at this time. The Bond proceeds will be deposited June 16, 2020.

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller authorizing prepayment to MnDOT for the HWY 53 project. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

OTHER BUSINESS:

None.

   

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson stated Smoke Testing started June 15, 2020. Letters notifying homeowners were mailed, information provided on the city website and notification on the Facebook page. Notice was not included in the International Falls Journal for the areas in the first group. Shorewood, Crabtree, Riverview, Riverside, West Frontage Road and 22nd Ave, area are going to be completed this week.

 

Analysis on the Sales Tax earnings shows we are consistent and very close to the projections.

 

MnDOT and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) will be conducting a transportation study to be conducted east of Int’l Falls. Proposing construction on Hwy 71 & Hwy 11 in 2025. The ARDC will cover the expense of the study for International Falls, Ranier and the County with CARES Act funds.

 

City Attorney Shermoen stated at the next council meeting he will have a detailed report showing status of unlicensed/inoperable vehicles.

 

The International Falls Police Department May 2020 Activity Report was available for review.

 

The May 2020 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review.

 

The Blight written report dated June 15, 2020 was available for review.

   

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

Mayor Droba stated he met with the Rec Hockey Board to discuss why there is no lease agreement in place. He explained what the future may look like with proposed upgrades. Also, that the Kerry Park Arena building may not be available for one season.

 

Mayor Droba met with the Rotary Board & Labor Assembly to discuss Labor Day events. They are willing to cancel if needed.

 

Mayor Droba shared that a Legislation and Land Use meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2020 at 5:00 P.M.

   

AUDIENCE 

None.

   

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next City Council meeting scheduled for July 6, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M.

 

                    

ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor

                        

Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator

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