APPROVED agenda with additions

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

• Consider removal from City Beach Committee (Council action)
• Discuss cancelling July 4^th activities delayed to Labor Day weekend (Council information/action)

Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the July 13, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of July 13, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Nelson abstaining.

APPROVED minutes of the July 20, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 20, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the July 27, 2020 Public Hearing and Input meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Public Hearing and Input meeting of July 27, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the July 27, 2020 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of July 27, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 64-2020 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 64-2020 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

A. W. Kuettel & Sons, Inc.

Steam HW – Lib, Flam Trap Proj – Gar

8,885.00  

69137 

Alpha Medical Equipment Inc.

Ambulance Supplies – Sani wipes

1,063.20  

69138 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,837.16  

69139 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

819.00  

69140 

Arro of the North LLC

Memorial Dr. Wetland Application

400.00  

69141 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Parts – Park & Rec

1.19  

69142 

Axon Enterprises Inc.

10 Tasers/Holsters/Batteries 

2,910.00  

69143 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,225.50  

69144 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

69145 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

825.00  

69146 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Sup/Bldg Maint-Admin/Fire/Amb/VNP

11,663.50  

69147 

Center for Ed and Employ Law

Subscription & Memberships

124.95  

69148 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer

213.93  

69149 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,286.94  

69150 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

4,064.76  

69151 

Core & Main 

Hwy 53, Sup-Wtr, Tag-Hyrant Maint 

117,505.41  

69152 

EOC/Trimark

Magnesium Chloride – Dust Control

5,175.83  

69153 

ESS Brothers & Sons Inc.

Wtr Valve Covers, Sanitary Storm Lids 

11,467.70  

69154 

Falls License Bureau 

2020 Ram 9920 – Water/Street 

1,815.38  

69155 

Frontier 

2 yr. Maint Agree, Labor Chg – Garage

2,680.88  

69156 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Mortenson

32.18  

69157 

Guardian Fleet Safety 

2020 Ford Intercep Equip – Unit 2001

9,437.37  

69158 

Hippo Facilities Management 

Annual Licensing Fee 

3,609.18  

69159 

Holiday Companies 

Gas-Grnd/Strm Sew/Fire/Str/Amb/Park

5,888.26  

69160 

Int’l Falls Us Post Office 

Permit #79 Escrow 

2,000.00  

69161 

Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty 

City Share Aug 3 Project Costs

1,079,196.61  

69162 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums

28,354.00  

69163 

Kooch County Hwy Dept.

Dyed Fuel – Grnds/Street/Garage

2,848.91  

69164 

Lakes Gas Co #23 

Supplies – Street

184.74  

69165 

Locators & Supplies 

Marking Paint – Red

104.06  

69166 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Parts-Street Dept.

773.64  

69167 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

145.60  

69168 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Lowboy Rental 

330.00  

69169 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

479.00  

69170 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,327.69  

69171 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums 

1,592.50  

69172 

Menards International Falls 

M&R/Sup-Str/P&R/San Sew/Bld/Amb

750.65  

69173 

Meyers Glass 

Window Repair – Hideaway

507.08  

69174 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt 

362.58  

69175 

Minnesota Dept. of Health

Class C Cert – J Sjoblom 

23.00  

69176 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

325.34

69177 

Minnesota Industries 

Supplies/Gloves – Water/Street

210.78  

69178 

MN Dept. of Labor & Industry

Inspection – Garage/Fire Hall

108.00  

69179 

MN Dept. of Public Safety

2015 Ram Vehicle – Hazmat Funding

18,500.00  

69180 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Parts – Street Dept.

69.16  

69181 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes – Admin/Blight

237.61  

69182 

Northeast Service Cooperative 

Annual Membership Dues 

200.00  

69183 

Northstar Companies 

Face Mask/Gaiters 

1,425.00  

69184 

PowerPlan

John Deere 210G – Rental

3,105.00  

69185 

R&R Specialties of Wisconsin

Maint – Kerry Park Arena

1,179.20  

69186 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Bldgs

174.67  

69187 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Street/Police

165.00  

69188 

Shannon’s Inc.

3 Zone Heat Pump – Fire/Amb

10,777.00  

69189 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees, Travel/Training Expense

12,995.00  

69190 

Stryker Sales Corp 

Ambulance Supplies 

464.94  

69191 

Sun Life Financial

Life Insurance Premiums 

593.27  

69192 

Suzanne Best 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

109.19  

69193 

Taft Stettinius & Hollister 

Go Tax Revenue Bonds, S 2020A

15,000.00  

69194 

Terex Services 

Maint-Unit 083, Inspection-Boom Trck 

5,269.58  

69195 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

37,696.00  

69196 

The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters 

Marine Battery – Street

24.99  

69197 

The Sherwin Williams – Bemidji

Paint 

408.30  

69198 

The Tessman Company 

Fertilizer – Park/Rec

262.16  

69199 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Bldg Maint/Sup – Str Ligth/Fire 

658.16  

69200 

Wagner Construction Inc.

Shorewood Landing – Concrete

729.80  

69201 

Widseth 

Engineering Services 

11,310.20  

69202 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100665

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100666

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

44,173.73

100667

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement

4,123.35

100668

IF Fire Dept. Relief 

Volunteer Fireman Dues 

294.00

100669

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

154.00

100670

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

110.00

100671

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100672

MN Department of Revenue

State Withholding 

8,387.96

100673

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,025.00

100674

PERA 

Retirement 

32,061.72

100675

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

672.72

100676

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

543.18

100677

AUDIENCE

Jim Leinum, owner of the current Holiday Stationstore #380 building at 1100 3^rd Avenue, stated he wanted to clear up some rumors he has been hearing around town. Mr. Leinum stated that under the lease agreement he has with Holiday/Circle K, Holiday/Circle K is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep on the building. Mr. Leinum stated he is not responsible for any of the maintenance or upkeep on the building. Mr. Leinum also stated he fully intends to keep the building functioning as a gas station, therefore with Holiday/Circle K constructing a new building, there will be an addition of a gas station in town.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented 

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

1. Approve payment of $445.00 for on-line tuition costs for City Attorney to participate in the 2020 Criminal Justice Institute for continuing legal education credits.

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: 

TABLED removal of member from City Beach Citizens Advisory Committee

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to remove Laura Manka from the City Beach Citizens Advisory Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.

Laura Manka stated she was remorseful for some of her comments on a social media post. Ms. Manka spoke at length about several concerns she has in relation to City Beach, as well as the posts in question. Councilor Nelson asked if the Council would be able to see the posts in question to make a final determination. Mayor Droba stated that based on the explicit nature of the posts he wanted to avoid airing those posts out further. Other City Councilors indicated they would also like to see the posts in question before a final vote on the matter. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to table the removal of Laura Manka from the City Beach Citizens Advisory Committee until the Council has the opportunity to see the social media posts in question. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED cancellation of July 4^th Activities, with the exception of fireworks

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve cancelling the July 4^th activities that were delayed to Labor Day weekend, with the exception of fireworks. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayor’s appointment of Deputy City Administrator to the CARES Act Economic Development Grant Committee

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Mayor’s appoint Deputy City Administrator, Betty Bergstrom, to the CARES Act Economic Development Grant Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED allocating $46,200 (10%) of CARES Act funds to Small Business and Non-profit Relief and Grant Program

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Koochiching County request to allocate $46,200 or 10% of City CARES Act funds to Small Business and Non-profit Relief and Grant Program to pay documented COVID-19 costs. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 65-2020 approving application to conduct off-site gambling for the Ranier Recreation Club to conduct a raffle, with the drawing to be held October 16, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 65-2020 approving application to conduct off-site gambling for the Ranier Recreation Club to conduct a raffle, with the drawing to be held October 16, 2020 at the Elks Lodge #1599, 215 3^rd Street, Int’l Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 66-2020 approving application for exempt permit for International Falls Figure Skating Club to conduct a raffle, with the drawing to be held March 21, 2021 at Bronco Arena

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 66-2020 approving application for exempt permit for International Falls Figure Skating Club to conduct a raffle, with the drawing to be held March 21, 2021 at Bronco Arena. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 67-2020 approving Routine Maintenance Agreement with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 67-2020 approving the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation Routine Maintenance Agreement for Trunk Highways 11, 53, and 71. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 68-2020 approving revision to capital asset amount from $2,500 to $7,500

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to adopt Resolution No. 68-2020 approving revision to capital asset amount from $2,500 to $7,500 for any individual item and the minimum useful-life for any capital asset shall be two (2) years. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED reducing the number of members on the Charter Commission from fifteen (15) to nine (9)

Deputy City Administrator Bergstrom, who serves as the secretary of the Charter Commission, gave a brief overview explaining the Charter Commission’s recommendation to reduce the number of members on the Charter Commission from fifteen (15) to nine (9). The Charter Commission voted to make a recommendation to the City Council to reduce the number of members on the Charter Commission. The members who attend regularly are dedicated to reviewing and making changes to the Charter, but it has been difficult to get a quorum of eight (8) members to hold these meetings, in turn causing meetings to be delayed or cancelled due to lack of quorum. The members that would be removed from the Charter Commission would be those who have failed to attend regular meetings.

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to accept and approve the Charter Commission’s recommendation to reduce members from fifteen (15) to nine (9). Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

ACCEPTED resignation of Ted Saxton from Library Board of Trustees, with regret

MOTION by Councilor Krause to accept the resignation of Ted Saxton from the Library Board of Trustees, with regret. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

No action was taken on appointment to Library Board of Trustees

No official action was taken in regarding to the Mayor’s appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for the vacant term expiring December 31, 2020. Mayor Droba explained that he is awaiting a recommendation from Diane Adams, Library Director, and expects this item to be on the agenda for consideration at the August 17, 2020 City Council Meeting.

APPROVED purchase of 2020 Trackless MT7 Municipal Tractor from MacQueen Equipment for state bid price of $195,250 payable from capital outlay

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve purchase of 2020 Trackless MT7 Municipal Tractor from MacQueen Equipment for state bid price of $195,250 payable from capital outlay. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Received a copy of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report and was informed staff would be forwarding comments to FEMA for revisions

City Administrator Anderson provided that staff will review and provide comments on the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report and noted that the comments would be forwarded to FEMA, in addition to any Council comments or revisions. The City Council did not have further comments. City Administrator Anderson said he would finalize the City’s review, forward to FEMA, and the Council would receive an updated copy at such time.

Councilor Nelson notified the Council she is moving out of city limits and resigning from the City Council as At-Large Councilor

Councilor Nelson notified the City Council and public that she is selling her home August 11, 2020 and moving to the Littlefork area and will be resigning at that time from the International Falls City Council. Mayor Droba requested Councilor Nelson submit a formal resignation in writing for the Council to approve.

Mayor Droba explained that if there was only one At-Large candidate for the November 3, 2020 Election, the City Council would likely appoint that person to the vacant position. Mayor Droba stated that if there was more than one candidate they would be inclined to appoint a former City Councilor to the position in the interim.

Blight Discussion – Follow-up on automobiles

Councilor Ditsch inquired as to where the City Attorney is at with the follow-up on automobiles that have surpassed their correction periods. City Attorney Shermoen stated that his secretary is currently gone, but one of the automobiles from the first batch is about to have its first court hearing. Mr. Shermoen stated he is meeting with Jared Baldwin from the Housing Department almost daily to discuss blight. Councilor Ditsch inquired about homes/garages that have no siding. Mr. Shermoen stated he is working on those as well. Councilor Ditsch expressed his concern that if it becomes much later, the excuse from homeowners will be that the weather is not conducive for installing siding.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson stated that the Elk’s Annual Corn and Brat Feed has been canceled. City Administrator Anderson reminded others of the August 11, 2020 Primary Election. City Administrator Anderson informed the Council that a petition was received at 3:00 P.M. today to have a question appear on the November 3, 2020 Election ballot asking voters whether to allow chickens in the city limits of International Falls.

City Attorney Shermoen stated that he is making a lot of progress on blight items.

Tricia Heibel, Chamber of Commerce President, spoke on the success of Crazy Daze, stating “it was a success for what it was”, describing the restrictions and implications of COVID-19 as a hindrance to sales.

City Administrator Anderson reminded the Council and public of the meeting for the alley vacation for Northern Border Investments to be held August 10, 2020 onsite at 9:00 A.M., with the meeting and public hearing moving to the City Council Chambers at 10:00 A.M., with a Special City Council Meeting at 5:30 P.M. to either accept or reject the vacation committee’s recommendation.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

None.

AUDIENCE 

Matt Koerbitz, 506 Shorewood Drive, raised concerns about the alley vacation process and the manner in which adjoining property owners are contacted. Mr. Koerbitz also stated that he would like to have seen a different type of business be positioned there with the help of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA).

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the regular City Council meeting on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 7:09 P.M.