APPROVED agenda with additions

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

• Old Business #1a – City Attorney Title Opinion Letter
• New Business #3 – Request for exception from electronic noise ordinance, Section 10-57, Zachary Scofield
• New Business #12a – Approve Green Acres Park Signs and Donation from Citizens for Backus/AB
• Reports #1b – Pending Criminal Blight Cases

Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the August 17, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 17, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the August 21, 2020 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of August 21, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Briggs, Buller, Ditsch, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Krause abstaining.

APPROVED minutes of the August 31, 2020 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of August 31, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 78-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 78-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. City Administrator Anderson explained that the Airport Commission “cash flow claims” in the amount of $3,085,219.00 are money received from FAA grant funding for Airport costs paid by the City and County. Half of this amount is paid by the Airport Commission to the City and half to the County when grant reimbursement money is received. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Briggs abstaining.

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

2,355.00

69333 

Acct Inc.

Remove TSI Boiler – Steam to Hot Water

8,542.67  

69334 

Alex Air Apparatus Inc.

1.75 Jafline HD

2,139.00  

69335 

All Season Equipment Inc.

Supplies – Fire, Ariens Parts, Boat Winch

177.89  

69336 

Amazon Capital Services

Supplies – IT/Street/Ambulance/Police

495.95  

69337 

AmeriPride Services

Cleaning Service 

915.29  

69338 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,837.16  

69339 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

2,818.50  

69340 

ATCO International

Supplies – Street Garage

137.25  

69341 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Supplies – St Garage

34.98  

69342 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,225.50  

69343 

Bear’s Port Town Tire 

Unit 082 – Tires

662.80  

69344 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant

113.00  

69345 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

69346 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

588.22  

69347 

Bowman Construction Co 

Hot Mix 

2,833.50  

69348 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Sup/M&R-Admin/IT/Pol/Fir/St/Amb/Wtr

4,963.80  

69349 

Brigzy’s Bundles 

Firewood – City Beach

165.00  

69350 

Carlson’s Auto Repair 

Unit 14-02 Repairs 

45.00  

69351 

Cenex Voyager Fleet 

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

2,712.25  

69352 

Chocolate Moose Restaurant Co 

Crew Meals 

96.00  

69353 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

380.11  

69354 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

84.55  

69355 

City Water Department

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,241.95  

69356 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

7,222.18  

69357 

Core & Main 

Sup/Tools/M&R-Wtr, Hwy 53 Wtr Proj

33,715.98  

69358 

Crandall’s Septic Pumping 

Portable Johns – City Parks 

925.00  

69359 

Customs Credentials 

Full Color ID Cards

6.75  

69360 

David Zaren II

Travel Expense, Supplies – San Sewer 

56.46  

69361 

Display Sales 

Incandescent Bulbs 

418.00  

69362 

Diversified Inspections 

Ann Inspect-Pierce/Grnd Ladr/Telesquirt

2,520.20  

69363 

Earl Boyum 

Waste Tires 

198.00  

69364 

Earl F Andersen 

Supplies – Street

626.30  

69365 

Emergency Apparatus Maint Inc.

Repairs-Eng City 2 & Rural 1/Ladder L-2

4,057.74  

69366 

Erin Technology LLC

Annual Maint Evidence Rm Info. Net 

750.00  

69367 

Essentia Health  

Oxygen 

188.48  

69368 

Fairview Health Services 

Fire Fit Tests/Physicals 

6,836.80  

69369 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,745.64  

69370 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Ambulance

152.97  

69371 

Gopher State One – Call

Monthly Billing 

329.40  

69372 

Grafix Shoppe 

Hazmat Decals – 2015 Dodge Ram 2500

975.07  

69373 

Holiday Companies

Gas-Grnd/Fire/Str/Amb/Wtr/P&R/Strm

5,941.54  

69374 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Sup-May&Coun/Fir/Pol/Admin/Str/Amb 

251.09  

69375 

Int’l Falls/Kooch County

2nd Half 2020 Alloc/Aug 28 Proj Costs 

1,584,163.37  

69376 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums

28,354.00  

69377 

KBM Geospatial

PI Str. Stabilization

7,574.00  

69378 

Kiesler Police Supply 

Handguns 

885.00  

69379 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Str Light/Storm Sew/Wtr

1,532.57  

69380 

Kooch County Attorney

Seized Property 

100.00  

69381 

Lawson Products Inc.

Supplies – Street Lighting

660.25  

69382 

League of Minnesota Cities

Annual Membership Dues 

6,448.00  

69383 

LVC Inc.

Annual Fire Extinguisher Servicing-VNP

441.15  

69384 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

272.00  

69385 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

501.70  

69386 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,426.08  

69387 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums

1,592.50  

69388 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Bombenger

8.00  

69389 

Menards International Falls 

Sup/Tools-Safty/Grnds/Str/Amb/Fire/Haz

713.80  

69390 

Meyers Glass 

Pest Control – Raccoon

30.00  

69391 

Midcontinent Communications

Cable – Fire/Amb, Internet – Wtr Plnt 

365.07  

69392 

Minnesota Dept. of Health

State Test Fee 

6,441.00  

69393 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

4,679.39  

69394 

Minnesota Industries 

Safety Equip-Street, Supplies-Street Light

92.88  

69395 

Minnesota Mayors Association 

Annual Dues 

30.00  

69396 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services

260.00  

69397 

ON2 Solutions

Holophane 

6,800.00  

69398 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Sup/Tools-Gar/Str/Wtr/Fire, Unit Repairs 

1,577.80  

69399 

Pelland Welding, Inc. 

Supplies – Street Lighting 

11.04  

69400 

PowerPlan

John Deere 210G – Rental

6,210.00  

69401 

Range Paper Corp 

CLX TTL360 Electspry, Clean ServBuild

4,701.59  

69402 

Robert Bahr 

Top Soil 

2,375.00  

69403 

Ronning’s  

Clothing Allowance – Franko

120.00  

69404 

ServiceMaster of Int’l Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

69405 

Shannon’s Inc.

Bldg Maint-Library-Steam to Hot Water

306.00  

69406 

Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery 

Downtown Baskets Fertilizer 

99.98  

69407 

Small Town Tech Inc.

IT/Communication Upgrade Council

19,887.00  

69408 

Soundnorth 

Web Cam – Police

39.99  

69409 

St Louis County Auditor

Shield Fees – 2020

817.00  

69410 

Steve Boyum Construction 

Flower Gardens – Decorative Rock

478.00  

69411 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees, Hazardous House Cases 

13,621.50  

69412 

Streicher’s Inc.

Tactical Assault Carriers (6)

1,050.00  

69413 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

506.30  

69414 

TC Lighting Supplies & Recycle

Hazardous Waste 

197.05  

69415 

The Dent Shop 

2016 Ford – Water Dept. Back Window

665.55  

69416 

The Nelson Trust

Health Insurance Premiums 

36,480.00  

69417 

Todd Ojala 

IT Mileage Expense

23.06  

69418 

Treasury Div, Mn Mgmt & Budg

Seized Property 

50.00  

69419 

Tri State Bobcat Inc.

Maintenance – Grounds

1,282.78  

69420 

US Bank

Bond Issue Cost 

850.00  

69421 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

792.42  

69422 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

22nd Str Serv, 4th Str Lights, Elect Sup

1,389.47  

69423 

Wagner Construction Inc.

Pit Sand-Strm Sew, Ready Mix-Pole Barn

10,127.00  

69424 

Wherley Motors Inc.

2016 Ford E450 Ambulance 

471.00  

69425 

Widseth 

Engineering Services 

225,843.16  

69426 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance

225.04

100696

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100697

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

42,118.33

100698

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,073.85

100699

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

147.00

100700

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100701

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100702

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,984.07

100703

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,075.00

100704

PERA 

Retirement 

33,125.57

100705

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance

701.62

100706

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

543.18

100707

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS:

APPROVED quote from PhysioControl/Stryker Medical for three (3) McGrath video laryngoscope packages for Ambulance Dept. use payable from CARES funds

Chief Mannausau explained that the International Falls Ambulance Service currently only has one (1) video laryngoscope that rotates between the four (4) ambulances. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and respiratory symptoms that COVID-19 presents, it has become evident there is a need for one (1) video laryngoscope in each of the four (4) ambulances. The International Falls Ambulance Service received $36,000 in CARES funding, which can be used towards acquiring three (3) more video laryngoscopes. Chief Mannausau explained that PhysioControl/Stryker Medical is the only vendor that supplies this McGrath video laryngoscope package, therefore there is only one quote available, but it is at state bid pricing.

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the quote of $7,582.31 from PhysioControl/Stryker Medical for three (3) McGrath video laryngoscope packages for Ambulance Dept. use payable from CARES funds. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:APPROVED the Final Plat of First Addition to Industrial Business Park

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to remove from the table the approval of the Final Plat of First Addition to Industrial Business Park. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Final Plat of First Addition to Industrial Business Park. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented 

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

1. Approve reappointment of Shaila Spry to serve as City Beach Camp Host in 2021 from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
2. Authorize staff to seek quotes for purchase and installation of a security access system for City buildings.

Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation observing National Rail Safety Week

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Mayoral Proclamation observing National Rail Safety Week, September 21-27, 2020, on behalf of the CN and MD & W local short-line rail. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

No action was taken on IFalls Nice use of City Beach for movie showings

Mayor Droba explained that with the significant change in weather and drop in temperatures, the two movie showings by IFalls Nice at City Beach will be pushed off until next summer, when the weather is warmer. Therefore, no action is necessary at this time.

APPROVED Electronic Noise Ordinance Exception for Wedding Reception at 1527 9^th Avenue E

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve request from Zachary Scofield, 1527 9^th Avenue E, for exception from electronic noise ordinance, Section 10-57, on September 12, 2020 for a wedding reception to be held from 7:30 P.M. to 11:45 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 79-20 approving application for exempt permit for the MN Deer Hunters Association, Trails End Chapter to conduct a raffle with the drawing to be held November 24, 2020 at Backus Community Building

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 79-20 approving application for exempt permit for the MN Deer Hunters Association, Trails End Chapter to conduct a raffle with the drawing to be held November 24, 2020 at Backus Community Building. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 80-20 allowing sale of tax forfeit property located within city limits of International Falls

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 80-20 approving Koochiching County to sell various parcels of tax forfeit property located within the city limits of International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 81-20 declaring surplus equipment from the Police and Public Works Departments and authorize to sell and dispose of the excess property via Do-Bid online bids

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 81-20 declaring equipment as surplus from the Police and Public Works Departments and authorize public auction online via Do-Bid online bids. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 82-20 supporting adoption of bonding bill by the Minnesota Legislature

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 82-20 supporting adoption of bonding bill by the Minnesota Legislature. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 83-20 revising assigned fund numbers for Airport effective January 1, 2021 and approving blanket authorizations for distributing Airport grant project receipts

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to adopt Resolution No. 83-20 revising assigned fund numbers for Airport effective January 1, 2021 and approving blanket authorizations for distributing Airport grant project receipts. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

TABLED approval of demolition application for removal of two structures at 2105 and 2107 3^rd Avenue West

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the demolition application for removal of two structures at 2105 and 2107 3^rd Avenue West. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.

Councilor Buller explained that trailers and mobile homes such as these present challenges with the demolition process. The ideal way to demolish a trailer home is to put it on wheels and demolish it at the demolition pit. These trailer homes are too dilapidated to put on wheels to take to the demolition pit. It was also noted that these are non-homestead, therefore, the City does not want to incur the cost of demolishing the buildings, only to make the property more attractive for the property owner to sell it at a greater profit. It was discussed to have staff approach the property owner to see whether the property owner would either cover the cost of demolition to be done by either the City or a private contractor or relinquish the land to the City in exchange for the demolition and removal of the trailers.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to table approving the demolition application for removal of two structures at 2105 and 2107 3^rd Avenue West until more information can be gathered from the property owner. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Fire Marshall position, job description, and salary

Chief Mannausau explained that the Fire Marshall position has already been approved by the Fire Civil Service Commission. Chief Mannausau explained the Fire Marshall is a full-time, salaried position, with the salary of $67,237.63, determined based on the average of the salaries of comparable positions in the cities of Duluth, Hibbing, Moorhead, and Virginia. Chief Mannausau requested that this position be posted internally with the International Falls Fire Department. Chief Mannausau requested that if the hiring of the new Fire Marshall position creates a vacancy in the Fire Engineer position, that the Fire Engineer position be filled promptly from the current roster of eligible candidates approved by the Firefighter’s Civil Service Commission. It was noted that the Fire Marshall position is intended to be funded by the fees brought in from rental licensing.

Mayor Droba stated he believes that rental licensing and funding need to be in place prior to the creation of this new position. Chief Mannausau stated he believes the person holding this new position should be involved in the process for getting rental licensing in place. Councilor Krause noted that there is rental licensing authority in the Code of Ordinances, but has not been enforced.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Fire Marshall position, job description, and salary with an intended start date of January 1, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.

Councilor Briggs and Buller both reiterated they would like to see funding in place first prior to the creation of this new position. City Administrator Anderson explained that he believes it is realistic to have rental licensing in place by January 2021. City Administrator Anderson noted the most challenging part of finalizing the rental licensing is that it is referenced in three (3) chapters of the Code of Ordinances and it should be repealed in all three (3) sections, with a new section of its own created. City Administrator Anderson explained that a financial analysis is needed to determine the proper fee schedule for rental licensing and an inspection regimen developed. City Administrator Anderson noted this would need to be included in the submission of the preliminary levy and budget due at the end of September.

Motion carried unanimously.

ACCEPTED Fire Civil Service Commission recommended appointments

MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept the Fire Civil Service Commission’s recommended appointments of an Assistant Chief, Captain, and Safety Officer to Fire Dept.

• Assistant Chief: Andrew Eldien
• Captain: Ryan Zub
• Safety Officer: John Winkel

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Public Works Committee recommendation

1. APPROVED Green Acres Park Signs and Donations from Citizens for Backus/AB

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Green Acres Park Signs and donation from Citizens for Backus/AB. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson gave a brief update of the water/sewer bill delinquencies and the financial implications of COVID-19 on the City due to the halt on water shut-offs for delinquency.

Mayor Droba inquired as to the status of the ATV/Golf Cart ordinance. City Administrator Anderson stated he hoped to have a draft sent out to the Council by the end of the week.

City Attorney Shermoen presented the Council with a list of people with pending criminal charges for blight. Councilor Ditsch commended City Attorney Shermoen and Jared Baldwin for their work on blight enforcement, but stated he would like to see more action taken on blight enforcement of commercial properties. City Attorney Shermoen reminded Councilor Ditsch that he is a contractor for the City, not a full-time City Attorney, and still has his own private practice. City Attorney Shermoen stated that the invoices he has been submitting, as of late, for blight enforcement have been the highest invoices he has ever submitted as City Attorney in the past ten (10) years. City Attorney Shermoen encouraged Councilor Ditsch to sit down with him to discuss the specific commercial properties that are of concern to him.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

None.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the regular City Council meeting on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:46 P.M.