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 June, 2022 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, Krause and Mayor Droba.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with addition | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the agenda with the following additions:
· Addition: Land Use and Legislation Recommendation to approve IF Properties LLC dba AmericInn by Wyndham for 3.2 On-Sale, Wine, and Restaurant licenses. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the May 16, 2022 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 16, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 39-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 39-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| ACME Tools – Grand Forks | Tools-San Sew/P&Rec/Grounds, Sup-VNP | 5,447.82 | 73558 | |
| Alex Air Apparatus Inc | Hip Boots – Flood | 1,127.51 | 73559 | |
| Allen Youso | Jr High Boys Baseball Coach | 1,000.00 | 73560 | |
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup – Water/Ambulance/Police/Fire/IT | 613.54 | 73561 | |
| Ameritas Life Ins Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,882.32 | 73562 | |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Totes of DelPAC | 4,560.00 | 73563 | |
| Aramark Uniform & Career App | Cleaning Service | 1,080.68 | 73564 | |
| ATCO International | Supplies – Street Garage | 174.40 | 73565 | |
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums | 9,980.19 | 73566 | |
| Bear’s Port Town Tire | Tires/Trailer Service – Water | 1,642.09 | 73568 | |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 56,664.90 | 73569 | |
| Border Boxes | Shipping – Admin IT/Water | 158.75 | 73570 | |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 73571 | |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,236.06 | 73572 | |
| Brad Kokesh | Jr High Softball Coach | 1,000.00 | 73573 | |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Train – Pol/Haz/Str, Haz Waste Disposal | 5,126.40 | 73574 | |
| Cenex Voyager Fleet | Gas – Grnds/Pol/Str/Amb/Wtr Plnt/Wtr/San | 3,835.07 | 73575 | |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer | 358.71 | 73576 | |
| City Water Department | City Buildings – Water Usage | 1,338.08 | 73577 | |
| CivicPlus | Municode Electronic Updates | 1,234.00 | 73578 | |
| CLIA Laboratory Program | Ambulance Certification Fee | 180.00 | 73579 | |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 6,815.48 | 73580 | |
| Core & Main | Water Main Repair Parts, MRO – San/Sew | 22,722.76 | 73581 | |
| Costin Group Inc | Gov’t Relations – Kerry Park | 2,000.00 | 73582 | |
| Crandall’s Septic Pumping | Portable Johns–City Parks, Septic Pump-Fire | 1,465.00 | 73583 | |
| Dakota Supply Group | Tools – Water Dept. | 2,637.29 | 73584 | |
| Department of Human Services | 2022 Ambulance Supplement Payment | 39,088.00 | 73585 | |
| Earl Boyum | Waste Tires | 198.75 | 73586 | |
| Eugene Stifter | Water Overpayment Refund | 48.00 | 73587 | |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing Allowance – Wherley/Ambulance | 177.49 | 73588 | |
| Gopher State One-Call | Monthly Billing | 148.50 | 73589 | |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 2,091.51 | 73590 | |
| IF Recreation Commission | 2nd Half 2021/2022 Funding | 41,500.00 | 73591 | |
| Int’l Falls Us Post Office | Permit #79 Escrow | 2,000.00 | 73592 | |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 31,299.00 | 73593 | |
| JMD Manufacturing, Inc | Mailbox Posts | 3,972.36 | 73594 | |
| Julia McGuire | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 250.00 | 73595 | |
| Kevin Erickson | Jr High Boys/Girls Golf | 500.00 | 73596 | |
| Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash | Gas-Pol/Str/Gar/Light/Strm/Wtr Plnt/Wtr | 4,368.47 | 73597 | |
| Lawson Products Inc | Supplies – Street Lighting/Garage | 754.37 | 73598 | |
| LMC Insurance Trust-Liab | Annual Liability and Auto Insurance | 500.00 | 73599 | |
| Louise Fry | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 25.00 | 73600 | |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Unit Mack Plow Truck | 68.51 | 73601 | |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 588.50 | 73602 | |
| Marco Griffith | Jr High Boys Track Coach 2022 | 1,000.00 | 73603 | |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy- Fire/Adm/PW/Wat/Sew | 1,555.23 | 73604 | |
| MedicareBlue Rx | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,820.00 | 73605 | |
| Menards International Falls | Sup/Tool-Pol/Wtr Plnt/Lght/P&R/Str/Fir/Wtr | 1,188.84 | 73606 | |
| Michelle Koenig | Jr High Softball Coach | 1,000.00 | 73607 | |
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt/Gar | 524.90 | 73608 | |
| Minnesota Dept. of Health | State Test Fee | 6,441.00 | 73609 | |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 1,557.22 | 73610 | |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies/Tools/Parts – Str/Fire/San/Wtr | 985.98 | 73611 | |
| Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. | Hydrant Repair Training (4) | 600.00 | 73612 | |
| MTI Distributing Inc | Parts – VNP | 379.24 | 73613 | |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 209,038.41 | 73614 | |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Tools/Parts – Street/Garage | 53.17 | 73615 | |
| Nicholson’s LLC | Plants – High School Planter | 264.50 | 73616 | |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 73617 | |
| Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc | Chemicals | 1,896.17 | 73618 | |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | Tool/Sup/Part/Lub-Wtr/Gar/Pol/Fire/Str/Amb | 1,968.35 | 73619 | |
| Pitney Bowes | Quarterly Lease-Mailing System | 398.82 | 73620 | |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct | Quarterly Lease-Inserting & Mailing System | 1,000.00 | 73621 | |
| PowerPlan | Parts – Unit 710L/180G, Fuel Filters/Supplies | 2,279.16 | 73622 | |
| Rachel Griffith | 2022 Jr High Girls Track Coach | 1,000.00 | 73623 | |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies – Ambulance/Building/Grounds | 1,298.74 | 73624 | |
| Roche’s Towing | Towing – Police | 85.00 | 73625 | |
| Rusty Blais | Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 73626 | |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 4,500.00 | 73627 | |
| Seton ID Products | Maint/Repair – Water Plant | 208.10 | 73628 | |
| Shannon’s Inc | Maint/Repair – Water Plant | 338.64 | 73629 | |
| Sheena Shoquist | Water Overpayment Refund | 36.54 | 73630 | |
| Snap-On Virginia | Tools – Street Garage | 206.00 | 73631 | |
| Soundnorth | Supplies – Water Plant/IT | 53.95 | 73632 | |
| Sportsmen’s Service | Batteries | 55.98 | 73633 | |
| Steven M Shermoen | Legal Fees | 10,292.00 | 73634 | |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing – Hulst/Mastin/Kostiuk/Stenson | 807.95 | 73635 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 530.92 | 73636 | |
| Taft Stettinius & Hollister | Review of City Charter | 3,500.00 | 73637 | |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating | Bldg Maint – Ice Shelter/Fire Hall | 365.00 | 73638 | |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 39,188.64 | 73639 | |
| The Outdoorsman’s Headquarter | Supplies – VNP | 49.98 | 73640 | |
| The Sherwin Williams Co-Bem | Maintenance for Paint Machine | 906.50 | 73641 | |
| Todd Ojala | IT Mileage Expense | 27.34 | 73642 | |
| Tom Vollom | Jr High Boys/Girls Golf | 500.00 | 73643 | |
| United States Treasury | PCORI 2022 | 184.14 | 73644 | |
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,497.84 | 73645 | |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Bldg Maint/Sup/Tools – Firehall/St Light | 1,257.71 | 73646 | |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | ||||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 206.62 | 101378 | |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101379 | |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 44,983.71 | 101380 | |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 4,350.90 | 101381 | |
| IF Fire Dept. Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 378.00 | 101382 | |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 147.00 | 101383 | |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101384 | |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 622.14 | 101385 | |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,915.11 | 101386 | |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 15,870.66 | 101387 | |
| PERA | Retirement | 34,972.70 | 101388 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 800.51 | 101389 | |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 695.13 | 101390 | |
| United Way of NE MN | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101391 | |
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 206.62 | 101395 | |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101396 | |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 43,190.27 | 101397 | |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 4,344.90 | 101398 | |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 154.00 | 101399 | |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101400 | |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 622.14 | 101401 | |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 8,355.78 | 101402 | |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 9,033.00 | 101403 | |
| PERA | Retirement | 36,690.74 | 101404 | |
| United Way of NE MN | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101405 | |
| AUDIENCE | Roxanne Skogstad-Ditsch, 1929 8th Avenue E, noted that there will be a public hearing in the near future to discuss how Backus Community Center is being run. She noted the date and time for the meeting has not been set yet. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS:
APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance for the 2022 Sanitary Sewer Realignment – Crescent Drive Project |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the first reading of Contract Ordinance for 2022 Sanitary Sewer Realignment – Crescent Drive Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
It was noted that a Special City Council Meeting will be called for June 13, 2022 to approve the Second Reading of the Contract Ordinance. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
ADOPTED Resolution No. 40-2022 Receiving Feasibility Study Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement for the Bituminous Paving of 9th Avenue East between 19th Street East and 20th Street East |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 40-2022 Receiving Feasibility Study Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement for the Bituminous Paving of 9th Avenue East between 19th Street East and 20th Street East. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Motion passed with Councilors Buller, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Ditsch abstaining. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| APPROVED application for a temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue for BPO Elks Lodge #1599 on August 19, 2022 for their Annual Corn and Brat Feed | Tim MacKay, Elks Lodge #1599, was present to explain the request for temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue on August 19, 2022 for the Elks Annual Corn and Brat Feed. Mr. MacKay explained that the Elks Corn and Brat Feed is an annual event held with the proceeds going to provide educational scholarships for local youth. MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the City sponsoring the BPO Elks #1599 application to MnDOT requesting a temporary road closure on Highway 11-71 from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue on August 19, 2022 for their Annual Corn and Brat Feed. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED agreement for use of City Beach for kayak and paddleboard landing area (drop off/pick up) – Aaron Nordrum, Rainy Lake Aquatics LLC | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agreement with Rainy Lake Aquatics LLC for use of City Beach for kayak and paddleboard landing area (drop off/pick up) with a start date contingent upon the reopening of City Beach after flooding subsides. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| Presentation of Water Treatment Plant Facility Asset Management & Capital Improvements Plan – Brian Guldan, Bolton & Menk | Brian Guldan, Bolton & Menk, gave a presentation on the newly completed Water Treatment Plant Facility Asset Management & Capital Improvements Plan. Mr. Guldan reviewed in detail the needs of the Water Treatment Plant given the thirty-year old facility is aging and is in need of updates. Mr. Guldan explained the ability for the City of International Falls to obtain some grant funding for the project, which is estimated to cost around $10 million.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to move the Water Treatment Plant Facility Asset Management & Capital Improvements Plan to the June 13, 2022 Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting for further discussion. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 41-2022 approving Master Partnership Contract No. 1050291 with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation and authorizing signatures | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 41-2022 approving Master Partnership Contract No. 1050291 with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation and authorizing signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 42-2022 to support a Rainy River-Rainy Lake and Lower Rainy River Watershed One Watershed, One Plan Project | Director of Public Works Brokaw noted that there were three options including active participation in the coordination and development of a comprehensive watershed management plan, minimal involvement, and no involvement. Director Brokaw was recommending the City of International Falls take an active participatory role in order to have input given the impact the watershed has on the Water Treatment Plant.
MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 42-2022 to support a Rainy River-Rainy Lake and Lower Rainy River Watershed One Watershed, One Plan Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED recommendation to promote Mitch Lessard to the position of Deputy Chief for the International Falls Police Department effective June 7, 2022 | Chief Kostiuk explained that this recommendation will further his goals to improve the lines of succession, employee retention, and employee morale within the International Falls Police Department. It was noted that currently Mitch Lessard holds the position of Captain, which would remain vacant and unfilled with his transition to the Deputy Chief position.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the recommendation to promote Mitch Lessard to the position of Deputy Chief for the International Falls Police Department effective June 7, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers between the City of International Falls and Independent School District 361 for the period beginning July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers between the City of International Falls and Independent School District 361 for the period beginning July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.
City Administrator Bergstrom noted that this will give the two parties involved, the City of International Falls and Independent School District No. 361, time to consider options and make necessary changes given the upcoming retirement of the Recreation Director that also serves as the Athletic Director. Motion carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 43-2022 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for Rotary Club of International Falls at Smokey Bear Park on July 2 – 4, 2022 | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 43-2022 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for Rotary Club of International Falls at Smokey Bear Park on July 2 – 4, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| Land Use and Legislation Recommendation: | |
| APPROVED IF Properties LLC dba AmericInn by Wyndham for 3.2 On-Sale, Wine, and Restaurant licenses. | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve IF Properties LLC dba AmericInn by Wyndham for 3.2 On-Sale, Wine, and Restaurant licenses. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Bergstrom thanked all of the employees involved in the emergency flooding response, as well regular day-to-day duties, noting their hard work does not go unnoticed.
City Attorney Shermoen noted that he met with the Fire Marshal and they have set priorities for the Fire Marshal to work with Attorney Joe Boyle on in an effort to help reduce the criminal blight backlog. City Attorney Shermoen updated the Council on the ongoing effort to finalize the transfer of engineering documents from Widseth, to Bolton & Menk, Inc. Director of Public Works Brokaw explained the precautionary measures taken at the Water Treatment Plant due to the unprecedented flooding and river levels. Director Brokaw noted that he feels the City took the necessary steps to be proactive rather than reactive in protecting its ability to continue making quality water for the International Falls area. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba noted that Representative Stauber was in town on Thursday, June 2nd and Governor Walz, Senator Klobuchar, and Senator Smith were in town on Saturday, June 4th to view area flooding and emergency response efforts. Mayor Droba further explained that Koochiching County is in charge of the emergency response to the flooding, and noted that many members of the public are under the wrong impression that the City of International Falls is in charge or has a larger role in the flooding response efforts. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba stated that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 20, 2022 at 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:48 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
