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 November, 2022 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda as presented | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the November 7, 2022 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting on November 7, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the November 14, 2022 City-election Canvassing Board meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the City-election Canvassing Board meeting on November 14, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.
City Administrator Bergstrom stated the Write-In for Center Ward should have been 10 and the Write-In for West Ward should have been 4. Motion passed as presented with corrections. Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Krause abstaining. |
| APPROVED minutes of the November 14, 2022 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on November 14, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Krause abstaining. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 74-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 74-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| ACME | Tools – Water Plant | 551.99 | 74690 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies – Street / IT / Police / Fire | 571.50 | 74691 |
| American Accounts & Advisers | Ambulance Collection Fees | 101.89 | 74692 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 352.00 | 74693 |
| Bear’s Port Town Tire | Water – Tires | 916.00 | 74694 |
| Bolton & Menk, Inc. | Engineering Services | 60,870.10 | 74695 |
| Bound Tree Medical, LLC | Supplies – Ambulance | 1,277.97 | 74696 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74697 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74698 |
| Capture Your Moment Photograph | Photos – Fire / Ambulance | 1,350.00 | 74699 |
| CherryRoad Media, Inc. | Council Mtg Dates/Yard Waste/Proc. | 1,365.00 | 74700 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 74701 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water Funds Transfer | 25,760.42 | 74702 |
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach | 11.55 | 74703 |
| Curtis Blue Line | Patches | 50.00 | 74721 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Hydrant Maintenance, Materials – Water | 9,336.51 | 74704 |
| Derek Hell | Safety Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 74705 |
| Earl F Andersen | Signs – Electric Vehicle Parking | 63.05 | 74706 |
| Edge Fall Protection | Erect-A-Step – Water Plant | 5,049.50 | 74707 |
| Entenmann-Rovin Co. | Officer Badges 225 & 227 | 501.00 | 74708 |
| Expert Billing, LLC | Ambulance Transports | 4,031.00 | 74709 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Maintenance – Grounds | 310.91 | 74710 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Propane – Fire | 29.98 | 74711 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 4,639.34 | 74712 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Cloth – Hulst / Stenson / Amb, Sup – Pol | 919.17 | 74713 |
| Hawkins Inc. | Chemicals | 2,060.68 | 74714 |
| Int’l Falls Super One Foods | Supplies – Elections | 155.28 | 74730 |
| Innovative Office Solutions, LLC | Supplies – Administration | 324.12 | 74715 |
| Joshua Ballejo | Travel Expense | 320.63 | 74716 |
| Kantor Electric Inc. | Electrical Services | 624.00 | 74717 |
| KGHS/KSDM | Fire Prevention Week Ads | 500.00 | 74718 |
| Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash | Gas-St/Pol/St.Lt./Wtr/San/WP/Gar/VNP | 5,626.44 | 74719 |
| Kooch County Envi. Srvc Dept | Tipping Fee – VNP | 6.00 | 74720 |
| Lawson Products Inc. | Supplies – Electrical | 589.12 | 74722 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen, LLP | Legal Services | 2,737.00 | 74723 |
| Marco | Antivirus / Microsoft Exchange | 80.00 | 74724 |
| Marco – Law Enforcement Center | Copier Agreement – LEC | 250.86 | 74725 |
| Mark Rock Products | Crusher Fines | 4,998.62 | 74726 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup – St/Fire/St.Lt./GGB, Forfeiture-Pol | 406.80 | 74727 |
| Mershon Technology Interests | Supplies – IT | 89.98 | 74728 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74729 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 1,749.15 | 74731 |
| Minnesota Industries | Safety Equipment – Water | 172.90 | 74732 |
| Minnesota North College | Customized Trainings | 3,425.00 | 74733 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 40,802.66 | 74734 |
| Minnesota Rural Water Association | Annual Membership | 2,574.20 | 74735 |
| MN Dept. of Labor & Industry | Boiler Registration-Mun/Lib/Wtr Pl/VNP | 425.00 | 74736 |
| MN Secretary of State – Notary | Notary Application – M Werdier | 120.00 | 74737 |
| Morrison Seal Coating | Basketball Ct/Roller Hockey Rink-19th Sty | 22,905.00 | 74738 |
| NAPA | Fuel Filters – Street, Parts – Water Plant | 91.82 | 74739 |
| Northern Lights Display | Supplies – Electricals | 242.26 | 74740 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network (WAN) Services | 267.73 | 74741 |
| Pelland-Swenson & Associates | Supplies – Street Garage, Tools – Street | 391.39 | 74742 |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct. | Qtrly Lease – Inserting & Mailing System | 1,000.00 | 74743 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Pharmaceutical & Medical Supplies | 188.73 | 74744 |
| Rainy Lake Oil | Off Road Fuel – Water | 606.18 | 74745 |
| Range Paper Corp. | Cleaning Supplies – Street Dept. & VNP | 1,178.44 | 74746 |
| Rick Becvar | Safety Glasses Allowance | 58.83 | 74747 |
| ServiceMaster of Int’l Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 4,500.00 | 74748 |
| Shannon’s Inc. | Building Maintenance – Water Plant | 1,255.72 | 74749 |
| Steve Boyum Construction | 1103 9th St Demolition & Equip. Rental | 9,211.72 | 74750 |
| Streicher’s Inc. | Clothing – Hulst / Mannausau | 528.89 | 74751 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating, LLC | Building Maintenance – Street Garage | 2,505.76 | 74752 |
| Teleflex Medical | Ambulance Supplies | 677.50 | 74753 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74754 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74755 |
| Todd Ojala | IT Mileage Expense | 61.47 | 74756 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74757 |
| Travis Thompson | 1016 7th St Demolition | 11,900.00 | 74758 |
| UHL Company Inc. | Building Maintenance – Arena | 864.24 | 74759 |
| Wagner Construction | Blast Rock | 175.50 | 74760 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-StrmSew/Fire/Hous/St/Amb/Wtr/San | 6,558.40 | 74761 |
| Wherley Motors, Inc. | Unit 205 – 2020 Dodge Ram | 6.86 | 74762 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 74763 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg, LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 74764 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 206.62 | 101596 |
| All State – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101597 |
| Bay Ridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 364.30 | 101598 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 46,406.22 | 101599 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 4,050.30 | 101600 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Fire Department Relief | 392.00 | 101601 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 154.00 | 101602 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101603 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 622.14 | 101604 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 8,549.27 | 101605 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 15,820.66 | 101606 |
| PERA | Retirement | 38,767.33 | 101607 |
| RCB Collections, Inc. | Wage Assignment | 120.90 | 101608 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 833.91 | 101609 |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 688.02 | 101610 |
| United Way of NE MN Inc. | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101611 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
· Approve 2023 license renewals, as presented. o Ammex Tax & Duty Free Shops dba Duty Free America – gasoline pumps license o Forestland Sales & Service dba Pizza Barn – restaurant license o Fun Food Factory – itinerant restaurant license o Icebox Investments LLC dba Dairy Queen Int’l Falls – restaurant license o Jasen Mayfield – snowplow license o Jeff Briggs Construction – snowplow license o Silvers Construction – snowplow license o Thomas J Coulombe – snowplow license · Approve 2023 Ameritas Dental Insurance renewal, as presented · Approve/allow necessary expenses for Human Resources/Safety Director to attend the 2023 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute in St Paul, MN – May 18-19, 2023 Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED year 2023 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the following 2023 license renewals:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| INFORMATIONAL – AB/Backus housing project | Building Official Meyers informed the council that the Planning Commission had a meeting discussing the Alexander Baker and Backus preliminary plat for splitting the Citizens for Backus/AB parcel #920006-43000 at 900 5th Street, International Falls, MN 56649 in a P-1 Zone. Isaac Meyer, Kootasca Housing Development Director, shared they have been working closely with Mr. Meyers Building Official on the design of the twenty seven apartments. Construction is planned for Spring of 2024. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No.75-2022 Routine Maintenance Agreement State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation and City of International Falls | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopting resolution 75-2022 Routine Maintenance Agreement No. 1050291W01 between State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation and City of International Falls for FY 2023 and FY 2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED request of Police Chief Mike Kostiuk to fill the vacant full-time Patrol Officer position | MOTION by Councilor Krause approving request of Police Chief Mike Kostiuk to fill the vacant full-time Patrol Officer position. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED fee increase for the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) classes | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving the fee increase for the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) classes that are offered by the International Falls Ambulance Service. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations: | |
| APPROVED sale of city property- Parcel ID 92-114-01170 and advertise for proposals | MOTION by Councilor Buller approving the sale of city property- Parcel ID 92-114-01170 and advertise for proposals in accordance with Section 93 of the Home Rule Charter. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| TABLED recommendation from Committee-of-the-Whole to consider replacing the vacant Deputy City Administrator position | MOTION by Councilor Buller to table the recommendation from Committee-of-the-Whole to approve replacing the vacant Deputy City Administrator position and have the Committee-of-the-Whole review further. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.
Discussion ensued amongst the Council with Councilor Krause stating he missed the position being budgeted for in 2023. Krause shared his concerns of raising taxes to fill the position noting the levy has not been finalized yet. Councilor Ditsch had the same concerns with raising tax payer dollars. Councilor Holden stated how valuable the Deputy Administrator position is as it alleviates other employees from having to do the work of that position. Holden stated he is in support of replacing the vacant position to ensure the City Administrator can work on un-touched projects that she has not had time to do. Mayor Droba agreed with the recommendation to table replacing the position until all councilors have had time to discuss further. Motion carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No.76-2022 approving application to conduct off-site gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association | MOTION by Councilor Buller adopting Resolution No.76-2022 approving application to conduct off-site gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association with the drawing to be held on March 19, 2023 at Kerry Park Arena. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Attorney, Administrator and Department Heads |
City Administrator Bergstrom shared that she and Fire Chief Mannausau attended the Minnesota State Ambulance Association meeting held in Duluth, MN where discussion occurred on The Future of Rural Ambulance and EMS. Funding and staffing are the two main issues that are in all rural areas. State Representative Huot stated at the meeting that there is new information coming in the next legislative session.
Bergstrom also stated that the Multi Model project is moving forward. The Post-Election Review was held 11/21/2022 and state canvassing will be 11/29/2022. City Attorney Shermoen stated that Attorney Nelson is taking over the criminal prosecutions. Shermoen shared that he expects to have a signed agreement by the end of the year for the Multi Modal project. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Buller noted that the Airport Commission is still waiting on grant funding information from the FAA, as it relates to the 2023 budget.
Councilor Buller and Mayor Droba attended the AmericInn by Wyndham grand opening. Both stated the property and rooms are beautiful. Mayor Droba met with Lobbyist Jeff Anderson and shared that he is involved with many projects for the city, including the Kerry Park project that is still looking favorable. They further discussed the Ambulance funding and staffing issues that we and many other rural EMS services are experiencing. Mayor Droba encouraged the Councilors to go to the Capital, meet with representatives, and have discussions with them on issues that are important to International Falls. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba stated that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday December 5, 2022 at 5:30 P.M., along with the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting at 6:00 P.M. The city offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday November 24 and Friday November 25, 2022. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:59 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
