July 6, 2021 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 6th day of July, 2021 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Councilors Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba.

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Councilor Buller (via BlueJeans as non-voting member)

 

APPROVED agenda as presented MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the agenda with deletion, as presented:

  • Approve Letter of Agreement between City of International Falls and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, Public Works & Administrative Office Staff  (Council action)

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.  Motion fails to pass 3-1 due to lack of unanimous consent to remove the item from the agenda with Councilors Ditsch, Holden, and Krause voting ‘yea’ and Mayor Droba voting ‘nay’.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.  Motion passes with Councilors Ditsch, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Holden voting ‘nay’.

   
APPROVED minutes of the June 21, 2021 regular City Council meeting MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 21, 2021.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED minutes of the June 28, 2021 public hearing and special City Council meeting MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the public hearing and special City Council meeting of June 28, 2021.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 47-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 47-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

CLAIMS

Adam Mannausau CAT Travel Expense         35.00 71310
Amazon Capital Services Sup/Build Maint-House/Amb/Fire/IT/Police        942.04 71311
Ameritas Life Ins Corp Dental Insurance Premiums    1,837.16 71312
Andrew Holler Lawn Cleanup/Wage Assignment     1,425.00 71313
ATCO International Supplies – Street Garage          99.00 71314
Auto Value Int’l Falls Supplies – Street Garage          15.37 71315
Battalion Distributing 4th of July – Ambulance/Fire          42.50 71316
Baycom Inc Supplies – Squad Cars        166.00 71317
Bear’s Port Town Tire Water – Tires        788.00 71318
Bolton & Menk Inc Asset Mgmt./Cap. Improve Plan – WP     7,976.00 71319
Borderland Humane Society Pound Operation     2,250.00 71320
Bound Tree Medical LLC Ambulance Supplies        466.40 71321
Bremer Cardmember Service Train/M&R – Police/Hazmat/Safety/Amb     3,630.54 71322
Carlson’s Auto Repair Unit 2004 Repairs          25.00 71323
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 Lodging Tax Transfer        284.03 71324
City Water Department City Buildings – Water Usage   1,461.93 71325
Convention & Visitors Bureau Lodging Tax   5,396.62 71326
Core & Main Service Ready Kits     2,168.19 71327
Earl F Andersen Grills – City Beach, Supplies – Street   3,459.65 71328
Electric Pump Inc Terrace Lane        955.32 71329
Erickson’s Lawncare Fertilizing    4,800.00 71330
Erik Drewes Meal Allowance            9.16 71331
Grand Forks Fire Equip LLC Altair Gas Detector – Hazmat        801.13 71332
Graybar Electrical Supplies – WP/Street Lighting       175.20 71333
Int’l Falls US Post Office Permit #79 Escrow     2,000.00 71334
Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty City Share June 2021 Project Costs 456,060.96 71335
IUOE Local 49 Health Insurance Premiums  29,554.00 71336
Jakes Companies LLC Calcium Chloride  10,461.60 71337
Kantor Electric Inc Supplies/Labor – Street Lighting    1,027.86 71338
Lawson Products Inc Supplies – Street  Lighting        115.77 71339
MacQueen Equipment Inc Tools – Sanitary Sewer     1,209.26 71340
Marco Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange        484.00 71341
Marco Technologies LLC Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW   1,248.05 71342
MedicareBlue Rx Health Insurance Premiums     1,560.00 71343
Melanie Clarity Sewing – Maish          16.00 71344
Menards International Falls Supplies/MRO – Str/WP/Fire/San/Rizzo/Wtr        624.72 71345
Midcontinent Communications Cable-Fire/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt/Garage        514.76 71346
Midwest Playscapes Inc Engineered Wood Fiber   6,253.00 71347
Minnesota Child Support ID 0014487664, Locator Code 27          30.00 71348
Minnesota Energy Resources Utilities        378.79 71349
Minnesota Industries Safety Equip – Sanitary Sewer          67.83 71350
Minnesota Power Parks & Rec/Arena        606.51 71351
Nicholson’s LLC Grass/Coleus for Cement Planters        761.76 71352
Orton Oil Company Gas – Water, Supplies – Fire       152.70 71353
Pollard Water Maintenance – Water Dept.          62.27 71354
Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso January – June 2021     1,196.20 71355
Provider Enterprise Non Vent AcuCare Masks        297.39 71356
Quality Flow Systems Inc Float Switch – Terrace Lane       160.00 71357
Railroad Mgmt Co III, Inc License Fees – Sewer Pipeline Xing        284.85 71358
Rainy Lake Designs Spring Cleanup/Moving Landscaping/Mulch     1,165.90 71359
Range Paper Corp Cleaning Supplies – Ambulance/Fire        284.69 71360
Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery Watering Trees/Labor/Fertilizer – Shade Tree     2,949.99 71361
Soundnorth Supplies – IT         64.97 71362
Steven M Shermoen Legal Fees  13,698.00 71363
Sun Life Financial Life Insurance Premiums       443.40 71364
Tactical Solutions Radar Certification (5)       220.00 71365
The Nelson Trust Health Insurance Premiums   36,480.00 71366
The Sherwin Williams Co-Bemidji Maintenance for Paint Machine       215.11 71367
The Sports Shop Clothing Allowance – J. Mastin        136.00 71368
UHL Company Inc Bldg Maint – VNP/GGB/Garage    3,956.63 71369
Up North Builders City Hall Basement Bathroom/Wall Repair  23,009.50 71370
Verizon Wireless Monthly Cellular Service   1,573.73 71371
Viking Electric Supply Inc Supplies – St Lighting       446.83 71372
Widseth Project 2021-10643 Annexation Review       247.50 71373
  The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance 225.04 101025
AllState – American Heritage Supplemental Insurance 9.64 101026
Bremer Bank NA Federal Withholding 40,389.14 101027
I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund Retirement 4,171.50 101028
Intl Falls Ambulance Service Dues 161.00 101029
Justin Franz, Sec/Treas C.O.P.S 110.00 101030
MN Child Support Pmt Center Wage Assignment 614.39 101031
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding 7,687.38 101032
Empower Retirement Deferred Comp 8,743.00 101033
PERA Retirement 33,333.19 101034

 

AUDIENCE Ricky Roche, 22nd Street Business Park property owner, expressed concern for the location and size of driveway entrances in the Business Park.  Director of Public Works Brokaw noted that Widseth, the City’s engineering firm, will be working with property owners in the Business Park for the installation of driveways.
PUBLIC HEARING None.
OPENING BIDS:  
APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance for 22nd Street Reconstruction and Highway Lane Reconstruction Project with bid alternates MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the first reading of Contract Ordinance for 22nd Street Reconstruction and Highway Lane Reconstruction Project, including the Main Avenue South bid alternate and Court Lane bid alternate.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS None.
CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:

  • Allow/approve necessary expenses for Mayor and Council members to attend the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Summer Conference 2021 in Alexandria, MN July 29-30

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:  
RECOMMENDED resolution to rescind Resolution No. 28-20 Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 Health Pandemic MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to recommend a resolution be passed to rescind Resolution No. 28-20 Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 Health Pandemic.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED Audit of Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2020, as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Audit of Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2020, as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
   
REFERRED Letter of Agreement between City of International Falls and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49 to Human Resources Committee MOTION by Councilor Holden to refer the Letter of Agreement between City of International Falls and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49 Public Works & Administrative Office Staff to the Human Resources Committee for further discussion.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.  A Human Resources meeting was scheduled for July 12, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. to discuss this item.  Motion carried unanimously.
   
Daniel Manick, IUOE Local 49 Business Agent Daniel Manick, IUOE Local 49 Business Agent, thanked the Council for moving the previous Letter of Agreement to the Human Resources Committee for discussion.  Mr. Manick urged the City Council to show compassion to the employees and noted that upon reinstatement of the employees’ Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) it would behoove the City to reinstate them to their previous positions.
   
AUTHORIZED the Police Department to use Smokey Bear Park for National Night Out activities from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 MOTION by Councilor Holden authorizing the Police Department to use Smokey Bear Park for National Night Out activities from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED Entry Permit to Use Boise Premises MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve an Entry Permit to Use Boise Premises for emergency purposes.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.  Chief Mannausau explained that this permit will be used for emergency purposes including disaster drills to prepare for a potential emergency spill at the Port of Entry.  Motion carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED Sewer Easement Agreement with Crescent Drive Mobile Village LLC MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve a Sewer Easement Agreement with Crescent Drive Mobile Village LLC.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 48-2021 supporting Governmental Intervention in the Sale of the International Bridge MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 48-2021 supporting Governmental Intervention in the Sale of the International Bridge.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.  Mayor Droba noted that he has been in communication with Mayor Caul of Fort Frances regarding this matter, as it is important to both the International Falls and Fort Frances communities.  Motion carried unanimously.
   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 49-2021 approving Amendment #2 to MnDOT Grant Agreement #1044886 MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 49-2021 approving Amendment #2 to MnDOT Grant Agreement #1044886.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED license application from Dairyland Operations, LLC dba Baskin Robbins for restaurant license, effective July 7, 2021 MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the license application from Dairyland Operations, LLC dba Baskin Robbins for a restaurant license, effective July 7, 2021.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED license transfer from Holiday Stationstores #380 located at 1100 3rd Avenue West to Holiday Stationstores #509 located at 1501 2nd Avenue West MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve license transfer from Holiday Stationstores #380 located at 1100 3rd Avenue West to Holiday Stationstores #509 located at 1501 2nd Avenue West for 3.2 off-sale license, cigarette license, gasoline license (12 pumps) and restaurant license effective August 19, 2021.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
   
Public Works Committee recommendations:  
a)      APPROVED Bolton & Menk proposal to prepare a Lift Station Asset Management and Capital Improvements Evaluation  MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Bolton & Menk proposal to prepare a Lift Station Asset Management and Capital Improvements Evaluation.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
   
b)     APPROVED rejecting all bids for the 2021 Crack Sealing-Mastic Repair and Fog Seal Project MOTION by Councilor Krause to reject all bids for the 2021 Crack Sealing-Mastic Repair and Fog Seal Project.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
   
REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Bergstrom thanked the July 4th Commission, City of International Falls Public Works, and City of International Falls Administration staff for all their work on the 2021 July 4th Celebration.

City Attorney Shermoen provided an updated criminal blight listing.  Mayor Droba inquired as to the status of the annexation.  City Attorney Shermoen stated it is a high priority.  Mayor Droba noted that he wants to see the annexation moved through for the multimodal and Donahue properties in order to retain potential future tax benefits.

   
Reports of Mayor and Council Committees Mayor Droba noted the reason he voted no to removing the Local 49 Letter of Agreement from the agenda was because he wants to ensure this is handled in a timely fashion.
AUDIENCE None.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 19, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. and adjourned the meeting at 6:28 P.M.

 

                                                           

Harley M. Droba, Mayor

ATTEST:

                                                                       

Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator

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