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.

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 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

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:

• Approve 2021 license renewals, as presented
  • Border Boost – restaurant license
  • Carter Kittelson – snowplow license
  • City Cab and Van Service Inc. – (10) taxi license
  • Coffee Landing Café – restaurant license
  • DG Retail, LLC dba Dollar General Store #15619 – cigarette license
  • Howards Cenex LLC – cigarette license, restaurant license, (8) gasoline pumps license
  • Huffaker Lawn & Snow Service, LLC – snowplow license
  • Ohana Home Property Management – snowplow license
  • Ralinda Ferguson dba Northern Zen-Massage Therapy – massage individual license
  • Rousseau Renovations LLC – snowplow license
  • Steve Boyum Construction – snowplow license
  • TruNorth Properties LLC – snowplow license
• Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form to not waive limits on Municipal Tort Liability and authorize signatures.
• Approve training expenses for City Council virtual attendance at League of Minnesota Cities 2021 Elected Leaders Institute: Foundational or Advanced Program for $175 and $95 per person, respectively.

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:

• Border Bar & Pizza House Inc. – 3.2 off sale license, pool table license, off sale liquor license, on sale liquor license, restaurant license, Sunday liquor license, juke box license, amusement games license
• Family Dollar Inc dba Family Dollar Store #30058 – cigarette license, 3.2 off sale license
• Holiday Stationstore LLC dba Holiday #380 – 3.2 off sale license, cigarette license, (16) gasoline pumps license, restaurant license
• On The Rocks LLC – 3.2 off sale license, on sale liquor license, Sunday liquor license, restaurant license, juke box license, pool table license
• Riverfront Bar and Grill – Sunday liquor license, restaurant license, juke box license, on sale liquor license
• TRM II Inc, dba Chocolate Moose Rest. Co. – restaurant license, wine on sale license
• TRM 5, Inc dba Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant – on sale liquor license, restaurant license, Sunday liquor license
• Voyageur Restaurant LLC – restaurant license, 3.2 on sale restaurant and bar

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

• Job description for Fire Marshal position
• Hire Fire Marshal

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.