December 21, 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 21st day of December, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Briggs, Buller, Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Droba.
Media and public via BlueJeans Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
APPROVED agenda as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the agenda presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED minutes of the December 7, 2020 regular City Council meeting |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the December 7, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED minutes of the December 7, 2020 City Council Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting on the proposed 2021 Budget and Levy |
MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the December 7, 2020 City Council Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting on the proposed 2021 Budget and Levy. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 99-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 99-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
A+ Pest Management |
Pest Control |
425.00 |
70047 |
All Season Equipment Inc |
Tires – Police/Ambulance |
3,229.60 |
70048 |
Allied Generators |
Water Heater Maint – Fire |
1,298.58 |
70049 |
Amazon Capital Services |
Supplies – IT/Ambulance |
197.87 |
70050 |
Andrew Holler |
Lawn Cleanup – 106 14th St |
184.00 |
70051 |
Bear’s Port Town Tire |
Tires – St Lighting |
1,224.56 |
70052 |
Big Fish Print Solutions |
Bus Cards – Director PW/Supervisor PW |
158.44 |
70053 |
Bonnie Aitchison |
Ambulance Overpayment – Refund |
25.00 |
70054 |
Border Boxes |
Shipping – Water Plant |
51.00 |
70055 |
Bound Tree Medical LLC |
Ambulance Supplies |
949.26 |
70056 |
Bowman Construction Co |
Crusher Fines/Class 5 |
5,390.00 |
70057 |
Brian Youso |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
70058 |
Chad & Christina Williams |
Account Deposit Refund – 518 18th St E |
20.00 |
70059 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 |
Water/Sewer Admin Expenses |
9,951.67 |
70060 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 |
Water/Sewer Funds Transfer |
66,666.66 |
70061 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 |
Water/Sewer Funds Transfer |
25,760.42 |
70062 |
Compass Minerals |
Winter Salt |
24,194.82 |
70063 |
Core & Main |
Repair Clamps – Ranier, Hydrant Repairs |
1,409.71 |
70064 |
Expert T Billing |
Ambulance Transports |
2,632.00 |
70065 |
Falls Lumber Company |
Gloves – Street Dept. |
10.99 |
70066 |
Frontier |
Monthly Telephone Service |
2,522.72 |
70067 |
Hawkins Inc |
Chemicals |
4,225.72 |
70068 |
Innovative Office Solutions LLC |
Sup-Str/Pol/Adm/Bldg Off & Key Chains |
544.10 |
70069 |
International Code Council |
Membership – Bldg Official |
145.00 |
70070 |
Int’l Assoc. of Chiefs of Police |
Membership Renewal |
190.00 |
70071 |
Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty |
City Share December 21 2020 Proj Costs |
11,698.02 |
70072 |
K & K Meyers Inc |
Bldg Maint – VNP |
205.90 |
70073 |
KGM Contractors Inc |
2020-15th Str, 2020-Local Str Improve |
581,845.82 |
70074 |
Kooch Co Env Services Dept. |
Demolition |
12.00 |
70075 |
Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer |
Proposed Tax Notices |
2,606.38 |
70076 |
Koochiching SWCD |
Geotechnical Engineering Support |
2,000.00 |
70077 |
League of Minnesota Cities |
MN Cities Directory |
81.20 |
70078 |
Locators & Supplies |
Marking Paint & Supplies, VNP Supplies |
514.30 |
70079 |
Madden Galanter Hansen LLP |
Legal Services |
1,242.00 |
70080 |
Mannco Trucking Inc |
Unit 151/141 – Parts |
67.06 |
70081 |
Marco |
Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange |
80.00 |
70082 |
Marco – LEC |
LEC – C368 Copier Agreement |
265.56 |
70083 |
Mark LeBlanc |
Crew Meals |
29.34 |
70084 |
Menards International Falls |
Maint/Sup/Tols-Str/Fire/Gar/Ice Shel/P&R |
757.19 |
70085 |
Michael Musich |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
70086 |
Minnesota Energy Resources |
Utilities |
2,926.55 |
70087 |
Minnesota Power |
Utilities |
30,124.95 |
70088 |
MN Dept. of Labor & Industry |
Elevator ID #01884 |
100.00 |
70089 |
MN Dept. of Transportation |
Hwy 53 City Share |
1,480.26 |
70090 |
Municipal Code Corporation |
Annual Administrative Support Fee |
275.00 |
70091 |
Northern Lumber & Hardware |
Sup-San/Strm Sew/Wtr Plnt, Pole Barn |
388.39 |
70092 |
Northwest Tire |
JLG Lift – Tires |
33.54 |
70093 |
Office of MNIT Services |
Wide Area Network(Wan) Services |
260.00 |
70094 |
Petty Cash – Betty Bergstrom |
Sup – Election/Pol, Lic – Hazmat/P&R |
324.29 |
70095 |
Praxair Distribution Inc |
Oxygen |
1,007.58 |
70096 |
Rainy Lake Medical Center |
Medical Supplies |
249.60 |
70097 |
Range Paper Corp |
Cleaning Services-Bldgs/Amb, Sup-Gar |
1,909.38 |
70098 |
Rexel Energy Solutions |
Electrical Conservation |
947.22 |
70099 |
Rhory Gelo |
Safety Boot Allowance |
110.00 |
70100 |
Richard Mastin |
Clothing Allowance Reimbursement |
152.63 |
70101 |
Rick Becvar |
Safety Boot Allowance |
91.99 |
70102 |
Roche’s Towing |
Towing-Police, Led Lights – Gar/Str Light |
676.72 |
70103 |
Ryan Hilfer |
Safety Boot Allowance |
110.00 |
70104 |
Safety- Kleen Systems Inc |
Washer Solvent |
479.62 |
70105 |
Schlenner Wenner & Co |
Bond, Escrow, and OSA Matters |
275.00 |
70106 |
ServiceMaster of Intl Falls |
Cleaning Services – VNP |
3,500.00 |
70107 |
Shannon’s Inc |
Bldg Maint-Library-Steam To Hot Water |
67,393.00 |
70108 |
Soundnorth |
Admin Printer |
249.99 |
70109 |
Streicher’s Inc |
Clothing Allowance – Wherley/Olson |
409.91 |
70110 |
Studio B Flooring |
Wtr Damage Repair.Upstairs Elev Lobby |
3,043.08 |
70111 |
Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC |
Bldg Maint – Fire Hall |
1,011.40 |
70112 |
Terry Christie |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
70113 |
Terry Wood |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
70114 |
The Journal |
Agendas/Minutes/Proclam/Chicken Notice |
2,445.64 |
70115 |
Tri State Bobcat Inc |
Jack Assembly |
205.87 |
70116 |
Tritech Software Systems |
Field Ops |
1,920.00 |
70117 |
UHL Company Inc |
Bldg Maint – VNP/City Hall |
1,105.00 |
70118 |
Utility Logic |
Ferromagnetic Locator |
993.80 |
70119 |
Willi Kostiuk |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
70120 |
WMG Lyfjaberg LLC |
Medical Director |
300.00 |
70121 |
Xerox Corporation |
Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant |
35.72 |
70122 |
|
|||
AFLAC |
Supplemental Insurance |
225.04 |
100816 |
AllState – American Heritage |
Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100817 |
Bremer Bank NA |
Federal Withholding |
41,473.13 |
100818 |
I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund |
Retirement |
3,705.00 |
100819 |
City of Int’l Falls |
HRA – Police/Fire |
308.00 |
100820 |
Intl Falls Ambulance Service |
Dues |
154.00 |
100821 |
Justin Franz, Sec/Treas |
C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100822 |
MN Child Support Payment Center |
Wage Assignment |
601.46 |
100823 |
MN Department of Revenue |
State Withholding |
7,852.18 |
100824 |
Empower Retirement |
Deferred Comp |
7,000.00 |
100825 |
PERA |
Retirement |
34,657.43 |
100826 |
Sun Life Financial |
Supplemental Life Insurance |
696.15 |
100827 |
The Hartford |
Voluntary LTD Insurance |
578.26 |
100828 |
AUDIENCE |
None. |
PUBLIC HEARING |
None. |
OPENING BIDS |
None. |
OLD BUSINESS: APPROVED the Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2021 |
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving the final Tax Levy Collectible in 2021 of $2,980,864 which is a 1.7% increase over 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.
Councilor Briggs stated he would be voting ‘no’ to a 1.7 percent tax levy increase for 2021. Briggs stated during a pandemic we ought to be holding the tax levy to zero. Everyone is hurting, everyone has to take cuts during this time.
Councilor Ditsch stated he would not be in favor of anything less than a 1.7 percent tax levy increase.
Mayor Droba shared his goal was to be at a zero tax levy increase. He has accepted the 1.7 increase.
Discussion ensued regarding the tax levy to be collected in 2021.
Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Krause, Buller, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Briggs voting ‘nay’. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 100-20, Approving the 2021 Budget for the City of International Falls, MN |
MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting Resolution No. 100-20 approving the 2021 Budget for the City of International Falls, MN including the Final Tax Levy collectible in 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
NEW BUSINESS: APPROVED 2021 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve Year 2021 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 101-20 approving Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association to conduct a raffle at Kerry Park Arena on March 14, 2021 |
MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting Resolution No. 101-20 approving Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association to conduct a raffle at Kerry Park Arena on March 14, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED Agreement Between the City of International Falls and the Citizens for Backus/AB, Inc |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving the Agreement Between the City of International Falls and the Citizens for Backus/AB, Inc. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
Mayor Droba explained to the Citizens for Backus/AB representatives that next year they need to define what exactly the city is paying for. Councilor Briggs stated that the city cannot fund administrative expenses. |
APPROVED Purchase of a 2021 Mack Granite AF 42FR Single Axle Truck for $117,850 from Nuss Truck and Equipment and truck and plow equipment for $107,740 from Towmaster Truck and Equipment, both payable from Capital Outlay – Street Dept. (402-42210-5800) |
Councilor Buller recommended the City Council approve purchasing a new single-axle plow truck and plow equipment. It has been budgeted for the past three years. It is crucial to purchase the plow truck at this time as NUSS Truck and Equipment is projecting delivery to take 18-24 months if the acquisition is held till a later date. If purchased now, delivery would be November of 2021. MOTION by Councilor Buller approving the Purchase of a 2021 Mack Granite AF 42FR Single Axle Truck for $117,850 from Nuss Truck and Equipment and truck and plow equipment for $107,740 from Towmaster Truck and Equipment, both payable from Capital Outlay – Street Dept. (402-42210-5800) (state bid pricing). Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously. |
NO ACTION TAKEN from closed meeting of December 21, 2020
|
Discussion ensued regarding the Fire Marshal job description and whether or not to hire a Fire Marshal. Mayor Droba stated he will add to the C-O-W (Committee-of-the-Whole) meeting in January 2021. |
APPROVED Hiring Firefighter Engineer |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving hiring a Firefighter Engineer. Councilor Briggs stated that the individual being hired for the position needs to understand that if the current Engineer returns from light duty work they could be laid off. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED 2021 regular City Council Meeting Schedule |
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving 2021 regular City Council Meeting schedule. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Anderson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Anderson also thanked Councilor Briggs for his service the past 6 months.
City Attorney Shermoen shared that he has a meeting scheduled with Jared Baldwin on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. to discuss any outstanding blight concerns and any additional cases. Shermoen also stated that three cases appeared in court with attorneys last week. Currently waiting for a trial date on those cases.
The International Falls Police Department November 2020 Activity Report was available for review.
The November 2020 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review. |
Reports of Mayor and Council Committees |
Mayor Droba shared that his office has moved to the third floor next to the City Council Chambers. Mayor Droba also wanted to thank Kerry Meyers for a well-run campaign for Mayor of the City of International Falls.
Councilor Briggs shared that even though this is his last council meeting that he is not going away. Briggs will continue to assist with union negotiations. |
AUDIENCE |
Leif Larson requested a meeting be held with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of International Falls. Mayor Droba stated he would schedule the meeting. |
ADJOURNMENT |
Mayor Droba shared that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:36 P.M. |
ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator