APPROVED agenda with addition

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the agenda with additions as presented:

• Claim for legal services rendered June 2020 in the amount of $9,736.00.

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the June 1, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of June 1, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. 

APPROVED minutes of the June 15, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 15, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the June 22, 2020 Emergency City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Emergency City Council meeting of June 22, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Nelson and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Krause abstaining.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 59-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 59-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting, with the additional claim for legal services rendered June 2020 in the amount of $9,736.00. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

705.00  

68948 

Alex Air Apparatus Inc.

Supplies – Fire Dept.

3,700.79  

68949 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,701.68  

68950 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

2,412.00  

68951 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Unit Tahoe – Fire 

231.99  

68952 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

3,992.00  

68953 

Bear’s Port Town Tire

Unit 123 – Tires

806.32  

68954 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Ambulance

27.00  

68955 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

68956 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

888.97  

68957 

Bremer Bank Natl Association 

Records Research – Police

10.00  

68958 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Sup/Bldg Maint – Fire/Bldg Off/Safty/P&R

1,934.90  

68959 

Cenex Voyaguer Fleet 

Gas/Wash-Grnds/Pol/Bldg Of/Amb/Wtr Pln 

2,444.83  

68960 

Center for Education and

Subscription & Memberships

254.95  

68961 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

577.50  

68962 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,395.00  

68963 

Civic Systems LLC

Semi – Annual Software Support

6,574.00  

68964 

Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc.

Chemical Assessment Team – Gas

779.56  

68965 

Coffee Landing Metro 

Crew Meals 

658.65  

68966 

Commissioner of Public Safety

Overpayment Refund – ICR16311123

18.00  

68967 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

10,972.49  

68968 

Core & Main 

Sup-Wtr Dept, Copper Tube, Flam Tap Proj 

2,174.52  

68969 

Earl F Andersen 

2020 St Proj, Ped Signs, Roll Ups, Deck

4,364.80  

68970 

Erickson’s Lawncare 

Fertilizing – Park/Rec KP Ball Fields

1,550.00  

68971 

Ford of Hibbing

2020 Ford Explorer 20-01 Police

34,536.00  

68972 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,745.64  

68973 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing – Ambulance/Butts/Sears

697.08  

68974 

Gopher State One – Call

Monthly Billing 

298.35  

68975 

Graybar 

Maint & Repair – St Lighting/Garage

192.98  

68976 

Green – Larsen Mortuary Inc.

Body Bags 

474.65  

68977 

Grotberg Electronics LLC

Strip Squad 4 & Squad 2 

800.00  

68978 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

2,124.60  

68979

Holiday Companies 

Gas – Grnds/Fire/Housing/Str/Amb/Wtr

3,879.38  

68980 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Supplies – Administration

51.81  

68981 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

28,354.00  

68982 

Kantor Electric Inc.

Supplies – Street Lighting

5.00  

68983 

Karen Dillman 

Ambulance Refund 

440.00  

68984 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Str Lght/Strm Sew/Wtr/Sew

1,693.74  

68985 

Laursen Asphalt Repr Equip LLC

Parts for Tar Wagon

60.50  

68986 

Lawson Products Inc.

Electrical Supplies 

743.82  

68987 

LMC Insurance Trust – Liab

Deductible – 000000097657

500.00  

68988 

Locators & Supplies 

Electrical Sup/Flags/Marking Paint & Sup 

1,324.56  

68989 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

476.00  

68990 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Lowboy Rental 

1,127.50  

68991 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

479.00  

68992 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/Pw 

1,531.23  

68993 

MCMA

Annual Membership – K Anderson

122.54

68994 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums 

1,470.00  

68995 

Menards International Falls 

Tools/Sup-San Sew/Pol/KP Ice/Grnds/Amb

2,274.38  

68996 

Meyers Glass 

Door Repair – Fire/Ambulance GGB

315.63  

68997 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance 

362.58  

68998 

Mid – State Truck Service Inc.

Unit 123 – St Dump Truck

90.65  

68999 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

1,336.60  

69000 

Minnesota Industries 

Gloves/Supplies – Str/Wtr/P&R 

143.99  

69001

MTI Distributing Inc.

Maint/Repair – Water

315.48  

69002 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes – Admin

61.60  

69003 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Units-4/21/20/14-2/19-1/12-7/11/18/49/83 

1,946.51  

69004 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct 

Qtrly Lease – Inserting & Mailing System

1,000.00  

69005 

PowerPlan

John Deere 210G – Rental

3,105.00  

69006 

Project Pride, C/O Cindy Youso

January – June 2020

1,466.93  

69007 

Quality Flow Systems Inc.

2020 Service Check 

250.00  

69008 

Rainy Lake Designs

Landscaping – 3rd St Planters

4,900.00  

69009 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Street Dept./Bldgs

2,550.09  

69010 

Roche’s Towing 

Tow-Pol, Freon – 14-02/Swpr, Parts-Unit 12

646.50  

69011 

Safety-Kleen Systems Inc.

Washer Solvent 

479.62  

69012 

Servicemaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

69013 

Shannon’s Inc.

Bldg Maint-Fire Dept, Maint/Repair-Garage 

2,810.00  

69014 

Sirchie Acquisition Comp. LLC

Evidence Collection Supplies 

292.75  

69015 

Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery

11th St Flower Bed/Fertilizer 

132.74  

69016 

Soundnorth 

Supplies – Admin/Bldg Official

38.95  

69017 

Strategic Insights Inc.

Plan – IT Software License

750.00  

69018 

Streicher’s Inc.

Cloth Allow – Pt Helgeson/Pt Wimmer

928.88  

69019 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

544.47  

69020 

Tactical Solutions 

Radar Calibration (4) 

186.00  

69021 

Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC

Senior Citizens Center Furnaces

4,750.00  

69022 

Teleflex Medical 

Ambulance Supplies

2,010.50  

69023 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

36,480.00  

69024 

The Sherwin Williams Co-Bemdji

Paint/Supplies 

1,484.00  

69025 

The Tessman Company 

Annual Rye/Fast-n-full Sun/Fertilizer

1,722.81  

69026 

United States Treasury

PCORI Fees

170.18  

69027 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

806.40  

69028 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Sup/Tools-Str Lght/San Sew/Mus/Sr Cntr

1,373.13  

69029 

Widseth 

Engineering Services 

116,471.63  

69030 

Steve Shermoen

Legal Fees 

9,736.00  

69047 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100625

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100626

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

39,300.88

100627

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,189.65

100628

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100629

IF Fire Dept. Relief 

Volunteer Fireman Dues 

252.00

100630

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

161.00

100631

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment

500.68

100632

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,399.08

100633

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,075.00

100634

PERA 

Retirement 

31,604.52

100635

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

672.72

100636

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance

558.98

100637

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04 

100638

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100639

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

40,606.05

100640

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,117.80

100641

Intl Falls Ambulance Service

Dues 

154.00

100642

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100643

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100644

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,724.66

100645

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,075.00

100646

PERA 

Retirement 

31,940.24

100647

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING:

APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance #970, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the Library steam to hot water heating system conversion to Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in the amount of $214,400.00

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the First Reading of Contract Ordinance #970, approving the lowest responsible bid for the Library steam to hot water heating system conversion to Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in the amount of $214,400.00.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

OPENING BIDS

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

APPROVED delaying Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) loan payment date for the 2017 Cold Box Construction Project

Director Paul Nevanen explained that the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) is requesting a further delay in payment to push their May 1, 2020 payment off due to financial constraints. It was noted that the amortization schedule would be recalculated once the new payment due date is known, as well as the increase in interest for the extended time period. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the request of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) to delay the loan payment dated May 1, 2020 for the 2017 Cold Box Construction Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Councilor Nelson stated that she feels it is imperative there is some sort of date to reevaluate this payment schedule, as this payment schedule has been pushed back twice before. Council members concurred and Director Nevanen stated he would be happy to follow up with the Council in November 2020, when the next payment was scheduled to be made. Motion carried unanimously.

Census Timeline – July 13-17^th is Surge Week for 2020 Census self-response

City Administrator Anderson explained that July 13-17^th is being marketed as “Surge Week” for 2020 Census self-response. Anderson noted that there will be an increase in marketing for the 2020 Census, with a push for people to use the week of July 13-17^th as a last chance opportunity to self-respond before Census workers begin going door-to-door from August-October. It is being strongly encouraged that people self-respond to the Census to avoid Census workers having to go door-to-door, helping eliminate the spread of COVID-19.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented 

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

1. Accept separation from employment and retirement of Sgt. Grant DeBenedet from the International Falls Police Department effective July 6, 2020
2. Acknowledge Police Chief’s promotion of Officer Dane Olson to Patrol Sergeant effective July 7, 2020
3. Approve Police Chief’s recommendation to hire part-time Patrol Officer Scott Wherley to the full-time Patrol Officer vacancy effective July 21, 2020
4. Appoint Dylan Holt to temporary summer staff position in the Public Works Dept.

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: 

APPROVED the Subordination Agreement of a Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) Housing Rehabilitation Deferred Loan Repayment Agreement and Mortgage previously issued to Daniel & Deborah Griffith

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Subordination Agreement of a Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) Housing Rehabilitation Deferred Loan Repayment Agreement and Mortgage previously issued to Daniel & Deborah Griffith to allow refinancing a mortgage through Bremer Bank. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED application for a temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2^nd Avenue to 3^rd Avenue for BPO Elks Lodge #1599 on August 14, 2020 for their Annual Corn and Brat Feed

Tim MacKay, Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #1599, was present to explain the request for temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue on August 14, 2020 for the Elks Annual Corn and Brat Feed. Mr. MacKay explained that the Elks Corn and Brat Feed is an annual event held with the proceeds going to provide educational scholarships for local youth. Mr. MacKay stated that the Elks is working on plans to ensure a safe event, with social distancing and the ability to do take-out meals. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the City sponsoring the BPO Elks #1599 application to MnDOT requesting a temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue on August 14, 2020 for their Annual Corn and Brat Feed. It was noted that this event and support is contingent on the state of community health at the time of the event due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Mr. MacKay stated the Elks would like to request more picnic tables for their event than in past years to allow for social distancing. It was determined that additional picnic tables would not be a problem. Motion carried unanimously.

TABLED approval of Final Plat of First Addition to International Falls Business Park

City Administrator Anderson and City Attorney Shermoen explained that it was discovered there was an incorrect legal description in the Final Plat of First Addition to International Falls Business Park, therefore they are requesting this item be tabled and consider this item for approval at a future meeting. MOTION by Councilor Krause to table approval of the Final Plat of First Addition to International Falls Business Park. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Amendment #01 to State of Minnesota Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract #1033581

City Administrator explained that the reason for the Amendment to the State of Minnesota Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract is to include additional Federal CARES Act funding that was provided to the Airport. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Amendment #01 to State of Minnesota Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract #1033581. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED business license name changes for Applegreen Midwest, LLC

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve business license name change from Applegreen Midwest, LLC dba Freedom Valu #61 to Applegreen Midwest, LLC dba Express Lane #2325 and Applegreen Midwest, LLC dba Freedom Valu #62 to Applegreen Midwest, LLC dba Express Lane #2337. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED two (2) year Software Support Schedule and Frontier Voice Maintenance Schedule

Todd Ojala, IT Administrator, explained that the last maintenance contract with Frontier expired in November 2018 and due to the essential services the City provides, the phone system is a critical part of the City’s infrastructure and requires a maintenance contract for support. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve a two (2) year Software Support Schedule and Frontier Voice Maintenance Schedule. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED the Public Works Supervisor job description and authorized advertising to fill the vacancy

Councilor Nelson gave background on the Human Resources Committee’s recommendation to hire a Public Works Supervisor to assist the Director of Public Works. It was agreed that the job description, salary, and timeline for hiring was satisfactory to the Human Resources Committee.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to follow the Human Resources Committee’s recommendation to approve the Public Works Supervisor job description and authorize advertising to fill the vacancy. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Order to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District for William B. Bradburn, 900 11^th Street, International Falls, Minnesota

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the City Attorney filing an Order for the Matter of a Hazardous Building owned by William B. Bradburn, located at 900 11^th Street, International Falls in District Court, Ninth Judicial District. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED low quote from Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for installation of a Flammable Waste Trap at the Street Garage, payable from the General Government Buildings Capital Outlay

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving low quote of $36,800.00 from Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for installation of a Flammable Waste Trap at the Street Garage, payable from the General Government Buildings Capital Outlay. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Attorney Shermoen reiterated the written blight report provided by the Fire Chief/Housing Inspector and stated they are working on processing criminal citations for those who do not remove their unlicensed, junk vehicles. Shermoen also noted that there are more hazardous home orders he is working to process and work through from a list provided to him by the Housing Department.

Councilor Ditsch thanked City Attorney Shermoen, Fire Chief/Housing Inspector Mannausau, and Jared Baldwin for their great work in blight enforcement, stating he has noticed a great improvement the last few weeks. Mayor Droba stated he sees the frustration homeowners have about blight notices, but reminded people that most of what they are receiving are just that, notices, not a ticket, and it is an opportunity to clean up your property before it escalates to a citation. Mayor Droba reminded people this is an opportunity to elevate and upgrade the community.

Fire Chief/Housing Inspector Mannausau provided a written blight report and thanked Jared Baldwin and Summer Employee Brittany Foss for their outstanding job and the countless hours of work enforcing blight. Councilors discussed the limited hours of the Transfer Station/Dump and its implication on timelines for people cleaning up their properties. Chief Mannausau informed everyone the Transfer Station is back to regular hours beginning today, July 6, 2020.

City Administrator Anderson shared that the City of International Falls has been awarded a $462,000 CARES grant to be used on COVID-19 related expenses. City Administrator Anderson noted that staff is going to be looking at the different possible uses for the grant money and the possibility of awarding grants to local businesses. City Administrator Anderson also shared a memo stating that a City of International Falls employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and is quarantining, as medically directed, for ten (10) days. The City is continuing to emphasize cleaning protocols and best practices in City operations to avoid additional positive cases.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

Mayor Droba stated that there is a petition circulating around town advocating to allow chickens inside the city limits of International Falls. Mayor Droba explained he was approached by someone who was contacted by Police for having chickens inside the city limits and they asked what they had to do to have it permitted. Mayor Droba stated he helped create the petition, which would require 138 signatures of eligible City voters to have it appear as a question to the voters on the November 3, 2020 election ballot. Mayor Droba stated he would rather bring the vote to the citizens as opposed to the City Council rehashing the issue again.

Mayor Droba informed the Council that the City’s application for a Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Program Grant for the 22^nd Street Business Park Project was approved in the amount of $349,011.00 and blacktop on 22^nd Street is expected in 2021.

Mayor Droba asked the City Council to keep an open mind and open ears when listening to public comments regarding the alley vacation of the alley behind the former Tee Pee Motel (Public Hearing July 27, 2020 at 5:30 P.M.).

Mayor Droba stated he had a conversation with the Chair of the Charter Commission, Pete Kalar, about the lack of quorum at the monthly Charter Commission meetings. There are consistently 7-8 members of the 15 member Commission that regularly attend the monthly meetings, while some have never attended. The Charter Commission is going to bring the topic of downsizing the commission to a vote and if it passes, it will be brought to the City Council to approve.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the regular City Council meeting on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:40 P.M.