·         Consent Agenda Item – Approve Patrol Officer Dustin Helgeson’s separation from employment effective October 1, 2021

·         New Business Item – Approve Police Chief’s recommendation to hire part-time Patrol Officer Ryan Stenson to full-time Patrol Officer vacancy effective October 5, 2021

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Ms. O’Hara Meyers noted that Northland Counseling Center has provided mental health services to the International Falls community since 1959, and currently employs 40-50 people, with plans for additional positions after they complete renovations to their larger office space.  Ms. O’Hara Meyers demonstrated the numerous charitable endeavors and donations Northland Counseling participates in within the community.  Ms. O’Hara Meyers explained that someone demonstrating a mental illness does not correlate to being dangerous or a sex offender, and further explained that people seeking mental health services are statistically less likely to become violent.  Ms. O’Hara Meyers listed various forms of mental illness that would result in someone seeking treatment from Northland Counseling Center including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, and behavioral and emotional disorders in children.  Ms. O’Hara Meyers stressed that mental illness does not discriminate and it affects many people both young and old and by stigmatizing mental illness, it discourages people to seek help and services for their mental health issues.  Ms. O’Hara Meyers stated that any consideration of a sex offender ordinance to restrict residency of sex offenders within the City of International Falls should be considered separate from the Conditional Use Permit for Northland Counseling because they are not in any way correlated and it presents a dangerous narrative pairing the two items.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to remove from the Table the item to consider a recommendation from Planning Commission to approve Conditional Use Permit for Licensed Adult Foster Care.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller.  Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Krause abstaining.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Conditional Use Permit for a Northland Counseling Center to conduct Licensed Adult Foster Care at 122 Park Avenue.  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.

City Attorney Shermoen stated that he was contacted by Planning Commission chairman, Matthew Gouin, after the September 20, 2021 City Council meeting, where this item was tabled.  Mr. Shermoen explained to Mr. Gouin that the City Council tabled the item in order to gather additional information.  Mr. Shermoen encouraged Mr. Gouin to elaborate the Planning Commission meeting minutes to indicate the Planning Commission’s findings on the matter of the Conditional Use permit and how the Planning Commission arrived at their recommendation.  Mr. Gouin and the Planning Commission provided more detailed revised minutes of their meeting detailing the facts and findings that supported their recommendation that the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit for Northland Counseling Center to conduct Licensed Adult Foster Care at 122 Park Avenue.  Mr. Shermoen gave his legal opinion that previous concerns raised about the Planning Commission not meeting quorum requirements were invalid, as there were vacancies on the Commission that reduced the number of members required to be present for the meeting.

Motion passed 3-1-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, and Mayor Droba voting “yea”, Councilor Holden voting “nay”, and Councilor Krause abstaining.

1. Approve the 2022 Group BCBS Medicare Senior Gold health insurance renewal and authorize signatures
2.  Approve Patrol Officer Dustin Helgeson’s separation from employment effective October 1, 2021

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve hiring Shane Thramer and Carter Lagergren as part-time Patrol Officers.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 70-2021 approving delinquent water and sewer accounts with interest to be certified to the County Auditor/Treasurer.  Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Councilor Krause stressed that residents that want to become involved in various committees to reach out to the Mayor, as there will be terms expiring at the end of the year.

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads