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 16th day of February, 2021 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba. Councilor Krause, Media and public via BlueJeans Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with addition | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agenda with one addition as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the February 1, 2021 special City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the February 1, 2021 special City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the February 1, 2021 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the February 1, 2021 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the February 8, 2021 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the February 8, 2021 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 08-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 08-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| Adam Mannausau | TAC Meeting | 300.72 | 70434 |
| AlcoPro Inc | Supplies – Police Dept. | 555.00 | 70435 |
| Align Chiropractic & Wellness Ctr | Pre-Employment Physical R Stenson | 95.00 | 70436 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Cloth-Amb/Fire, Sup-Str/Admin/Wtr | 379.51 | 70437 |
| AmeriPride Services | Cleaning Service | 944.50 | 70438 |
| ATCO International | Supplies – Street Garage | 95.00 | 70439 |
| Big Fish Print Solutions | Medical Dispatch Forms, Bus Cards – IT | 244.23 | 70440 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies, Clothing – Scofield | 512.96 | 70441 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70442 |
| Cenex Voyageur Fleet | Gas-Grnds/Pol/Str/Amb/Wtr Plnt/Wtr | 2,774.21 | 70443 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 70444 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 25,760.42 | 70445 |
| City of Ranier | Annual State Test Fee, Wtr – City Beach | 20.72 | 70446 |
| Coffee Landing Metro | Crew Meals | 180.00 | 70447 |
| Compass Minerals | Bulk Hwy Coarse W/YPS, Moisture Ded | 25,872.86 | 70448 |
| Curtis Blue Line | Patches | 152.36 | 70472 |
| Derek Hell | Meal Allowance | 10.00 | 70449 |
| DSC Communications | Police Radios -2 Portable/Squad | 9,327.55 | 70450 |
| Elvira Gordon | Ambulance Overpayment – Refund | 50.00 | 70451 |
| Emergency Apparatus Maint Inc | Repairs Engine – Rural 1/City 1&2/Ladder | 13,974.13 | 70452 |
| ESS Brothers & Sons Inc | Sanitary Sewer Lids | 28,644.00 | 70453 |
| Expert T Billing | Ambulance Transports | 3,480.00 | 70454 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Pole Barn Project | 81.96 | 70455 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,783.19 | 70456 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,486.59 | 70457 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Cloth – Butts/Baldwin/Mannausau/Fire | 4,051.22 | 70458 |
| Gopher State One – Call | Monthly Billing | 25.65 | 70459 |
| Grand Forks Fire Equip LLC | Fire Helmets W/Lighting | 753.28 | 70460 |
| Graybar | Supplies – Street Lighting | 135.36 | 70461 |
| Hamilton Medical | TI Ventilator Annual PM | 500.00 | 70462 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 1,682.34 | 70463 |
| Humana Health Care Plans | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 2,506.53 | 70464 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Police/Admin/Mayor & Council | 220.05 | 70465 |
| International Code Council | 10 Intl Prop Mgmt Compliance Books | 369.50 | 70466 |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch County | City Share Jan 2021 Project Costs | 54,062.48 | 70467 |
| Jefferson Fire & Safety | Titan Pro Fire Helmets | 788.36 | 70468 |
| Joseph R Krause | 2021 Council Standard Exp. Reimburse | 700.00 | 70469 |
| Kantor Electric Inc | Ballasts | 58.53 | 70470 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas-Str/Gar/Fire/P&R/Wtr/Sew/Str Lght | 2,428.22 | 70471 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Graffiti Remover | 176.78 | 70473 |
| LMC Insurance Trust – Liability | Deductibles | 1,021.16 | 70474 |
| LVC Inc | Inspections – Library/Water | 209.42 | 70475 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Parts – Street | 22.32 | 70476 |
| Marco – LEC | LEC – C368 Copier Agreement | 254.88 | 70477 |
| Melanie Clarity | Sewing – Fire Department | 94.00 | 70478 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Gar/P&R/Str/Strm Sew/Wtr/Fir/Hous | 442.52 | 70479 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70480 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Internet – Water Plant | 230.00 | 70481 |
| Mid-States Equipment Inc | Motor – Street | 234.99 | 70482 |
| Minnesota Dept. of Health | State Test Fee | 6,441.00 | 70483 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 7,953.41 | 70484 |
| Minnesota Industries | Sup-Strm/Strm Sew/Wtr, Glove-Strm Sew | 88.49 | 70485 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 32,965.88 | 70486 |
| Minnesota Safety Council | Membership Dues | 580.00 | 70487 |
| MN Chiefs of Police Assoc. | Conference Membership/Registration | 150.00 | 70488 |
| MWOA | Membership – 6 Yr. | 60.00 | 70489 |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 68,700.14 | 70490 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Tools/Sup- Street/Garage/P&R | 257.55 | 70491 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Pole Barn Project, Tools/Sup – Gar/Str | 462.28 | 70492 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(Wan) Services | 260.00 | 70493 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | Sup/Parts/Lube-Gar/Str/Fire, Unit Vactor | 800.72 | 70494 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc. | Parts – Street Dept. | 269.47 | 70495 |
| Praxair Distribution Inc | Oxygen – Ambulance | 814.85 | 70496 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Pharmaceutical Supplies | 729.00 | 70497 |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies – Fire/Ambulance | 133.65 | 70498 |
| Roche’s Towing | Towing – Police | 95.00 | 70499 |
| Sand Creek EAP LLC | Employee Assistance Program | 2,772.00 | 70500 |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 3,500.00 | 70501 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing – M Kostiuk/Kennedy | 159.97 | 70502 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70503 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70504 |
| The Journal | Agnda/Min/Budget/Audit/Proc/RFQ Tank | 2,220.35 | 70505 |
| The Nelson Trust | Interest Fee | 45.19 | 70506 |
| Todd Ojala | IT Mileage Expense | 28.46 | 70507 |
| Treasurer, State of MN | Seaplane Base | 40.00 | 70508 |
| UHL Company Inc | GGB/VNP – Boiler Repair | 407.30 | 70509 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Supplies – St Lighting, Pole Barn Project | 907.30 | 70510 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70511 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant | 23.54 | 70512 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 225.04 | 100868 |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 100869 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 39,710.76 | 100870 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund | Retirement | 4,202.70 | 100871 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA – Police/Fire | 572.00 | 100872 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance – 49ers | 454.00 | 100873 |
| IAMAW District W33 | Union Dues | 1,744.50 | 100874 |
| IF Fire Dept. Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 280.00 | 100875 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 161.00 | 100876 |
| I.U.O.E. Local 49ers | Health Reimbursement | 875.00 | 100877 |
| Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers | Union Dues | 700.00 | 100878 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S. | 120.00 | 100879 |
| MN Child Support Payment Center | Wage Assignment | 601.46 | 100880 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,486.70 | 100881 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 7,175.00 | 100882 |
| PERA | Life Insurance | 128.00 | 100883 |
| PERA | Retirement | 33,320.17 | 100884 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING:
First reading of Contract Ordinance #973, an Ordinance Setting Rates Collected as Revenue Supporting Utility Operations |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the first reading of Contract Ordinance #973, an Ordinance Setting Rates Collected as Revenue Supporting Utility Operations. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
Second and final reading of Contract Ordinance #972, Accepting Low Bid in the amount of $781,280 and Awarding Contract to Viking Industrial Painting for the 2021 Elevated Water Storage Tank Improvements |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the second and final reading of Contract Ordinance #972, Accepting Low Bid in the amount of $781,280 and Awarding Contract to Viking Industrial Painting for the 2021 Elevated Water Storage Tank Improvements. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Building Demolition Policy:
Consider moratorium on accepting new Building Demolition Applications
|
Mayor Droba explained that the City Council is reviewing the Building Demolition Policy at the Legislation and Land Use Committee meetings to determine how to move forward with demolitions now that the City Council has determined the demolition site should be closed.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to place a moratorium for all new applications of Residential and Commercial demolitions until the Legislation and Land Use Committee determines how to move forward. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| Removed from the table and DENIED building demolition application from owners Teri Hart and Lisa and Ben Mortenson on non-homesteaded property at 1418 Main Ave.
|
MOTION by Councilor Krause to remove from the table to consider building demolition application from owners Teri Hard and Lisa and Ben Mortenson on non-homesteaded property at 1418 Main Ave. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to deny building demolition application from owners Teri Hard and Lisa and Ben Mortenson on non-homesteaded property at 1418 Main Ave.
Councilor Buller stated that since the property at 1418 Main Ave is non-homesteaded that he supported denying the demolition application.
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Krause voting ‘nay’. |
| CONSENT AGENDA | None. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED Budget and Finance Chair Appointment |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the appointment of Councilor Krause as the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at 4:00 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Krause abstaining. |
| APPROVED Human Resources Appointment | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the appointment of Councilor Ditsch and Councilor Holden to the Human Resources Committee, with Councilor Ditsch chairing the Committee. Meetings ill be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion carried 3-0-2 with Councilors Buller, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Ditsch and Holden abstaining. |
| APPROVED Legislation and Land Use Appointment | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the appointment of Councilor Ditsch and Mayor Droba to the Legislation and Land Use Committee, with Councilor Ditsch chairing the Committee. Meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at 5:00 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Ditsch abstaining. |
| APPROVED Public Works and Infrastructure Appointment | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the appointment of Councilor Buller and Mayor Droba to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, with Councilor Buller chairing the Committee. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2:30 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Buller abstaining. |
| APPROVED Committee-of-the-Whole recommendation to send letter to delinquent water utility customers and encourage payment | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve Committee-of-the-Whole recommendation to send letter to delinquent water utility customers and encourage payment. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED implementation of Fire Hydrant Use and Maintenance Policy | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve implementation of Fire Hydrant Use and Maintenance Policy.
Public Works Director Brokaw explained that there are 475 hydrants in city limits. Approximately 50-75 hydrants are located on private property. Policy identifies that the City of International Falls will perform flushing and routine inspection activities to ensure that all fire hydrants within the City of International Falls are operable and available for emergencies.
Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
Councilor Buller thanked Public Works Director Brokaw for his work on the policy and ensuring the safety of all those that use the hydrants. |
| APPROVED Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking professional service firms to perform a Job Classification and Compensation System Study | City Administrator Anderson shared the draft cover letter for the Request for Proposal seeking professional service firms to perform a Job Classification and Compensation System Study for the City of International Falls. Currently the city uses a point system adopted in the late 1980’s. In April of 2020 the City Council requested the City Administrator move forward with seeking internal/external comparable pay rates with other cities. All proposals must be received by March 19, 2021. Award contract at April 19, 2021 Council Meeting. Proposal must be completed by July 1, 2022 for consideration of 2023 budget. Completing the Job Classification and Compensations System Study will also ensure all job descriptions are up to date.
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving the request for Proposal (RFP) seeking professional service firms to perform a Job Classification and Compensation System Study. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED granting permission to apply for MnDOT funding assistance through the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP | Public Works Director Brokaw asked the City Council for permission to proceed with applying for MnDOT funding assistance through the Local Road Improvement Program. The Local Road Improvement Program provides funding assistance to local agencies for constructing or reconstructing local roads. Brokaw stated if the City was awarded monies it would be used for the road in front of PCA, 2nd Street to 8th Avenue. Brokaw will reach out to PCA for letters of recommendation to include with the grant application. Widseth has offered to complete the grant application for no additional fees.
MOTION by Councilor Holden granting permission to the Public Works Director to proceed with applying for MnDOT funding assistance through the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP). Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED license transfers effective February 1, 2021:
|
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving license transfer effective February 1, 2021 of Applegreen Midwest dba Express Lane 2325 at 301 4th St. to IYS Ventures, LLC dba IMart Stores for cigarette license, fireworks license, 3.2 off sale license, gasoline pumps (18) license, and restaurant license. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving license transfer effective February 1, 2021 of Applegreen Midwest dba Express Lane 2337 at 1709 Second Ave W. to IYS Ventures, LLC dba IMart Stores for cigarette license, 3.2 off sale license, gasoline pumps (8) license, and restaurant license. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 9-2021 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament held August 26-28, 2021 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 9-2021 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament held August 26-28, 2021 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls.
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Buller abstaining. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 10-2021 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 10-2021 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Buller abstaining. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Anderson shared that he received the pre-application funds for the tax abatement project, which has been forwarded to our financial advisor who is doing a financial analysis of the project. Our financial advisor is coordinating with the County Assessor and expects to have some information back to the City Administrator by the end of the week.
City Attorney Shermoen shared he had 52 criminal cases in court today. No updates on blight. Shermoen stated he will be recommending to the Legislation and Land Use Committee an Administration Citation fee of $150.00 when the violation is not corrected in the timeframe outlined.
The Blight written report dated February 16, 2021 was available for review.
The International Falls Police Department January 2021 Activity Report was available for review.
The January 2021 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba shared the unique opportunity he had of giving a fourth grader a tour of City Hall. The young man was doing a report on how youth can impact local government when they are not old enough to vote. The young man requested the city to create a time capsule. Mayor Droba plans to meet with the Historical Society to see how to pursue getting a time capsule for the City of International Falls.
Mayor Droba stated that the meeting scheduled with the Chamber of Commerce had been rescheduled to Thursday February 18, 2021. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba shared that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 1, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:10 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator
