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 June, 2021 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, 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 with addition | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the agenda with addition as presented:
· Accounts Payable/Claims – Airport Cash Flow Claims Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, June 7, 2021 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the June 7, 2021 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, June 14, 2021 regular Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of June 14, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 41-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 41-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A+ Pest Management | Pest Control | 705.00 | 71202 |
| ACME Tools – Grand Forks | Maintenance Equip – Street | 241.00 | 71203 |
| Aladtec Inc | Online Employee Scheduling | 3,402.00 | 71204 |
| Alex Air Apparatus Inc | Class A Plus Foam Pails | 5,046.00 | 71205 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | Tools/Sup-Garage/Grounds/Fire, Chaps-Fire | 268.99 | 71206 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies – Fire/Adm/Pol/IT/Amb/Str | 639.11 | 71207 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 1,768.00 | 71208 |
| BCBS of MN – Blue Plus | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 122.14 | 71209 |
| Big Fish Print Solutions | Blight Inspection Forms, Water Billing Env | 1,548.10 | 71210 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping – Water Plant/Ambulance | 142.75 | 71211 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 546.38 | 71212 |
| Bowman Construction Co | Crusher Fines | 4,200.00 | 71213 |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Cloth-Amb, Sup/Tool-IT/Fire/Grnds/St/Amb | 4,555.59 | 71214 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71215 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71216 |
| Bruce Wilson | Safety Boot Allowance | 110.00 | 71217 |
| Carlson’s Auto Repair | Ambulance Repairs | 60.00 | 71218 |
| Charlie Anderson | 2021 Summer Basketball Camp | 867.00 | 71219 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 71220 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 25,760.42 | 71221 |
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach | 46.76 | 71222 |
| CMS Medicare | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 420.75 | 71223 |
| Core & Main | Highway 53 Watermain Cross | 14,244.49 | 71224 |
| Derek Dowty | 2021 Summer Basketball Camp | 867.00 | 71225 |
| Don Rolando | 2021 Summer Basketball Camp | 867.00 | 71226 |
| Douglas Olson | Masterforce Toolbox | 1,000.00 | 71227 |
| Entenmann – Rovin Co | Officer Badge | 243.00 | 71228 |
| Expert Billing LLC | Ambulance Transports | 3,567.00 | 71229 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Calcium Chloride Flakes | 55.98 | 71230 |
| Flaherty & Hood, PA | Job Class & Compensation Study | 290.00 | 71231 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,923.96 | 71232 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,481.39 | 71233 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing Allowance – Baldwin | 377.96 | 71234 |
| Graybar | Bandshell Outlets, M&R-St Light, Sup-Elect | 1,978.49 | 71235 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 2,699.23 | 71236 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies – Water Admin/Admin | 77.76 | 71237 |
| Justin Franz | Travel Expense | 333.20 | 71238 |
| Kim Rasmussen | Overpayment Refund | 100.00 | 71239 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas-Grnds/Str/Strm Sew/Wtr/Sew/Str Light | 2,391.38 | 71240 |
| Luke Zika | 2021 Summer Basketball Camp | 867.00 | 71241 |
| LVC Inc | Annual Fire Extinguisher Servicing – Police | 200.00 | 71242 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Boom Tr, Str Sweep, Parts-Unit 141/124/123 | 1,006.08 | 71243 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 80.00 | 71244 |
| Mason Imhof | 2021 Summer Basketball Camp | 867.00 | 71245 |
| Menards International Falls | M&R/Sup – Wtr/Grnds/St/San Sew/Fire/Gar | 477.45 | 71246 |
| Meyers Glass | VNP Hoist Receiver | 817.25 | 71247 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71248 |
| Midwest Playground Contractor Inc | Carson Lupie/Green Acres Playgrnd Install | 6,100.00 | 71249 |
| Midwest Playscapes Inc | Green Acres/Carson Lupie Playground | 8,190.00 | 71250 |
| Minnesota Child Support | ID 0014487664, Locator Code 27 | 30.00 | 71251 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 24,727.89 | 71252 |
| MN Chiefs of Police Assoc. | 2021 Associate Membership | 172.00 | 71253 |
| Most Dependable Fountains Inc | City Beach – Metered Valve Parts | 374.00 | 71254 |
| MWOA | Wastewater Conference | 825.00 | 71255 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Supplies – Water Department | 9.16 | 71256 |
| Northland Securities Inc | Tax Increment Fin-Alexander Baker Housing | 5,203.00 | 71257 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(Wan) Services | 260.00 | 71258 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc. | Supplies – Street/Sanitary Sewer | 286.00 | 71259 |
| Pitney Bowes Inc | Postage Machine Supplies | 113.04 | 71260 |
| Praxair Distribution Inc | Oxygen – Ambulance | 936.73 | 71261 |
| PTM Document Systems | W-2/1099 Forms | 134.06 | 71262 |
| Rainy Lake Designs | Landscaping – VNP | 141.51 | 71263 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies | 484.75 | 71264 |
| Rainy Lake Oil | M&R-Str, Fuel-Storm/San Sew/Water Plant | 1,437.92 | 71265 |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Sup – Amb/Bldgs/Fire/VNP/Str | 1,162.08 | 71266 |
| Roche’s Towing | Towing – Police | 227.00 | 71267 |
| Ronning’s | Clothing Allowance – J Mastin | 154.98 | 71268 |
| Scalzo Architects | 2045-Locker/Lunch Rm Gar, Fireplace Con | 8,296.25 | 71269 |
| Servicemaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 3,500.00 | 71270 |
| Shannon’s Inc | Maint/Repair – Water Plant | 152.40 | 71271 |
| Small Town Tech Inc | Comp Monitor-Fire Marshal, Sup-Wtr Plnt | 227.23 | 71272 |
| Steven Sugranis | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 107.34 | 71273 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing Allowance – Kennedy/M Kostiuk | 243.89 | 71274 |
| Ted Brokaw | Travel Expense – Sanitary Sewer | 116.48 | 71275 |
| Teleflex Medical | Ambulance Supplies | 677.50 | 71276 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71277 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71278 |
| The Dent Shop | 2020 Ford Police Interceptor – Unit 2004 | 10,189.13 | 71279 |
| The Journal | Agenda/Min/Ordin/Proclamations, 2021 Str | 3,700.20 | 71280 |
| The Sherwin Williams Co-Bemidji | Maintenance for Paint Machine | 172.85 | 71281 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71282 |
| US Bank | Go Bond Interest | 47,687.50 | 71283 |
| US Postal Service | PO Box #831 Fee | 322.00 | 71284 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Bldg Maint, Supplies – Str Light | 1,947.47 | 71285 |
| Wagner Construction Inc | Washed Sand | 354.00 | 71286 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Grnd/Strm/Fire/House/Str/Amb/Wtr/San | 3,346.35 | 71287 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 71288 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 71289 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant | 40.10 | 71290 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 225.04 | 101012 |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101013 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 43,504.24 | 101014 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 4,256.10 | 101015 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA – Police/Fire | 336.00 | 101016 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance – 49ers | 154.00 | 101017 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101018 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 614.39 | 101019 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 8,081.68 | 101020 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 8,693.00 | 101021 |
| PERA | Retirement | 35,556.31 | 101022 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 695.12 | 101023 |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 653.12 | 101024 |
| AUDIENCE | Curt Wagner, 340 15th Street East, stated three yards have been cleaned up, ditching and landscaping completed in regards to 2020 15th Street road improvements. Mr. Wagner stated not all yards have been completed. Mayor Droba shared that Public Works Director Brokaw had indicated he is working with the contractor KGM and has given them 30 days to complete clean up, ditching and landscaping.
Casey Maruk shared his concerns in regards to the EMS, Fire and Police departments not fueling at locally owned gas stations such as Koerter’s, Bootleggers and Forestland. |
| PUBLIC HEARING:
consider a Housing Program and the Issuance and Sale of the Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue Note (Northland Counseling Center Project), Series 2021 relating to a Health Care and Multifamily Housing Project |
Mayor Droba opened the public hearing to hear a presentation to consider a Housing Program and the Issuance and Sale of the Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue Note (Northland Counseling Center Project), Series 2021 relating to a Health Care and Multifamily Housing Project.
Mayor Droba asked for public comment. No public comment was received. Chris Jenkins from Northland Counseling Center explained their request for a tax exempt bond to renovate the old United HealthCare building for mental health services in the community. Mayor Droba asked for any additional comments. No public comment was received. Mayor Droba closed the public hearing. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 42-2021 approving Housing Program and the issuance and sale of the Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue Note (Northland Counseling Center Project), Series 2021 relating to a Health Care and Multifamily Housing Project | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 42-2021 approving Housing Program and the issuance and sale of the Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue Note (Northland Counseling Center Project), Series 2021 relating to a Health Care and Multifamily Housing Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Krause abstaining. |
| OPENING BIDS:
APPROVED low quote for fire department extrication equipment, as budgeted items, from Fire Department Capital Outlay line item 101.41200.5600 |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve low quote for fire department extrication equipment, as budgeted items, from Fire Department Capital Outlay line item 101.41200.5600.
Fire Chief Mannausau explained he is requesting the higher quote on the Airbag Safety Kit. The quote from Alex Air Apparatus for Hurst product is a better product and can be used more than once compared to the Holmatro product from Grand Forks Fire Equipment that can only be used once. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| OLD BUSINESS | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA | None. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED request to co-sponsor the Koochiching Labor Assembly, Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021 and approve closure of 3rd Street and use of Smokey Bear Park |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve request to co-sponsor the Koochiching Labor Assembly, Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021 and approve closure of 3rd Street and use of Smokey Bear Park. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED generous donation from Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) to the International Falls Fire Department for the exemplary response to the I1 paper machine winder fire on May 23, 2021 to further training and education for the department | MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept the generous donation from Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) in the amount of $10,000.00 to the International Falls Fire Department for the exemplary response to the I1 paper machine winder fire on May 23, 2021 for further training and education of the department. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED agreement for use of City/IFEDA property near VNP Headquarters Building to rent electric bikes – Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals and Tours | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve agreement for use of City/IFEDA property near VNP Headquarters Building to rent electric bikes – Voyageurs E-Bike Rentals and Tours. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED salary and benefit package for newly appointed Police Chief Michael Kostiuk, effective July 6, 2021 | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve salary and benefit package for newly appointed Police Chief Michael Kostiuk, effective July 6, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole committee recommendations | |
| a. AUTHORIZED Widseth to conduct a cost analysis and design to re-locate the sanitary sewer main at Greentech Manufacturing Inc. to allow for building expansion | Ryan Horne from Greentech Manufacturing Inc. explained they employ 50 people plus contract out for 10 additional employees. Greentech Manufacturing wants to expand at their current site. The sanitary sewer would need to be relocated. They are asking the city to take on the burden of relocating the sanitary sewer main.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to authorize Widseth to conduct a cost analysis and design to re-locate the sanitary sewer main at Greentech Manufacturing Inc. to allow for building expansion. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| b. AUTHORIZED Fun Food Factory to use Smokey Bear Park beginning July 10 for approximately three weeks, due to Hwy 53 road closure | MOTION by Councilor Krause to authorize Fun Food Factory to use Smokey Bear Park beginning July 10 for approximately three weeks, due to Hwy 53 road closure. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
Councilor Buller suggested charging a fee for electricity for profit businesses. Further discussion on the matter will be done at the next Legislation and Land Use committee meeting. |
| c. AUTHORIZED hiring a Human Resources/Safety Director position in the Administration Department | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to authorize hiring a Human Resources/Safety Director position in the Administration Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| d. APPOINTED members to negotiate a new fire protection contract between the City of International Falls and the Rural Fire Protection Association | MOTION by Councilor Krause to appoint Fire Chief Adam Mannausau, Administrator Betty Bergstrom, Councilor Holden, and Councilor Buller to negotiate a new fire protection contract between the City of International Falls and the Rural Fire Protection Association. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Legislation and Land Use committee recommendations | |
| a. AUTHORIZED increasing the ambulance “treat-no-transport” rate from $200 to $650 for Basic Life Support (BLS) and $750 for Advanced Life Support (ALS) | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to authorize increasing the ambulance “treat-no-transport” rate from $200 to $650 for Basic Life Support (BLS) and $750 for Advanced Life Support (ALS). Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| b. AUTHORIZED expenditure to obtain a clear title to the below mentioned property through Quiet Title Action in District Court. | MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize expenditure to obtain a clear title to the below mentioned property through Quiet Title Action in District Court. The legal description for the property purchased from the Keyes family under a Contract for Deed in 1966 is: Lots 1,3,4,5,8,9, and North 1/2 Lot 10 of Auditor’s Plat 19 of Koochiching County. This document was accepted for recording on June 8, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
City Administrator Bergstrom stated the property was purchased many years ago but never recorded with the county. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 43-2021 authorizing execution of Mn Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Grant excluding Land Acquisition – Project No. A3601-114 | MOTION by Councilor Buller adopting Resolution No. 43-2021 authorizing execution of Mn Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Grant excluding Land Acquisition – Project No. A3601-114.
City Administrator Bergstrom stated MnDOT is requesting a new resolution to go with Bond Agreement State Project #A3601-114, as the previous document was mis-numbered by the State of Minnesota. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Bergstrom noted that conversation is still occurring for the Stock Tire purchase. A Phase I assessment is being scheduled.
The Blight written report dated June 21, 2021 was available for review. The International Falls Police Department May 2021 Activity Report was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba noted 4th of July planning is going well. They are still looking for music. Grand Marshal for the parade will be Essential Services.
Mayor Droba shared that he received an invite to Collation of Greater MN Cities summer conference. Mayor encouraged councilors to attend. Mayor Droba stated he received a resolution from Fort Francis. They have concerns with the sale of the International Bridge. Councilor Krause reminded everyone that the Comprehensive plan noted that the International Bridge would need to be replaced in the next 10 years. Councilor Holden shared the Recreation Commission has approved their budget. |
| AUDIENCE | Mayor Droba noted all businesses in International Falls are considered local. They all pay taxes, employ local residents and offer a service to those living in International Falls. Mayor Droba and Councilors agreed local is not defined by locally owned. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba shared that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:30 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
