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 20th day of May 2024 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Droba and Councilors Buller and Kalar
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilors Holden and Wegner
| APPROVED agenda with an addition | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the agenda with the following addition.
1. Approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 19-25, 2024, as Emergency Medical Services Week Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, May 6, 2024, regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of Monday, May 6, 2024, regular City Council meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, May 13, 2024, Committee-of the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the minutes of Monday, May 13, 2024, Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 28-2024 Approving Transfers, Payment of Claims, and Accounts Payable | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 28 -2024 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| Adam Mannausau | Coldzone Training | 270.00 | 78594 |
| Align Chiropractic & Wellness Center | Random DOT Drug/Alcohol Test | 35.00 | 78595 |
| Allied Generators | Generator Inspection-Mun Build | 655.00 | 78596 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Maint-Fire, Cloth-Pol, Auto-Hous | 1,480.02 | 78597 |
| Ben Mortenson | Coldzone Training | 270.00 | 78598 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 102,343.00 | 78599 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Water Plant | 74.25 | 78600 |
| Braun Intertec Corp | Bandshell Inspection | 2,100.30 | 78601 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78602 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78603 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc. | Council Mtg Dates, Minutes | 500.41 | 78604 |
| Citizens for Backus/AB | Lease Agreement-Suite 305 | 6,446.33 | 78605 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 401 | Water Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 78606 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 403 | Water Funds Transfer | 20,567.25 | 78607 |
| City of Ranier | Water-City Beach | 12.50 | 78608 |
| Commercial Refrigeration Sys | Kerry Park Arena | 405.00 | 78609 |
| Crandall’s Septic Pumping | Pat Roche Landing | 30.00 | 78610 |
| Customized Training Solutions | Safety Training | 3,425.00 | 78611 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Supplies-Water Dept | 160.80 | 78612 |
| Department of Human Services | 2024 Ambulance Supply Payment | 18,399.00 | 78613 |
| Enterprise FM Trust | Lease-St/Pol/Fire/Gar/P&R/VNP | 25,936.61 | 78614 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Supplies-Grounds | 17.79 | 78615 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 3,040.95 | 78616 |
| Galls | Clothing-Ambulance/Lessard | 508.72 | 78617 |
| Graybar | Sup-St/GGB, M&R-San Sew, Wtr | 1,094.47 | 78618 |
| Hawkins Inc | Supplies-Water Plant | 3,019.84 | 78619 |
| Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC | Supplies-Park & Rec | 2,496.00 | 78620 |
| Howards-Cenex LLC | Gas-Street/Storm Sewer | 268.80 | 78621 |
| I-Falls Super One Foods | Sup-Water, Trng-Wtr/St/San Sew | 603.56 | 78640 |
| InfoUSA Marketing Inc | Polk Directory | 952.00 | 78622 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Envelopes | 621.92 | 78623 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance CPR | Training-Police | 880.00 | 78624 |
| K & K Meyers Inc | Tools-P&R | 104.22 | 78625 |
| Kantor Electric Inc | Supplies-Street Lighting | 14.72 | 78626 |
| KCC TV | KCC-TV Broadcast Equipment | 14,260.00 | 78627 |
| KGHS/KSDM | City Talk | 150.00 | 78628 |
| Kooch Co Env Services Dept | Bandshell Disposal | 12.00 | 78629 |
| LMC Insurance Trust-Liab | Annual Liability and Auto Ins | 383.08 | 78630 |
| LVC Inc | VNP Fire Alarm Service | 1,100.00 | 78631 |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | Maintenance & Repair-Sweeper | 300.78 | 78632 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen LLP | Labor Relations Services | 1,456.87 | 78633 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Unit 061 & 16-01, M&R-St Light | 301.20 | 78634 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-St/GGB/Wtr, Tool-Wtr/Grnd | 697.00 | 78635 |
| Meyers Glass | Change locks-Rizzo | 141.85 | 78636 |
| Michael Fisher | Travel Expense-Fire Dept | 591.20 | 78637 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78638 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire/Amb, Internet-Wtr | 764.48 | 78639 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | 2024 GOSC Sponsor | 298.90 | 78642 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 4,529.46 | 78641 |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies-Street/Storm | 251.88 | 78643 |
| MN Power | Utilities | 34,743.83 | 78644 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Sup-St/Wtr, M&R-Amb, Grnds | 349.66 | 78645 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Maint-Wtr Plnt/Grnd/St/P&R | 2,197.45 | 78646 |
| Northland Securities Inc | Utility Study | 2,200.00 | 78647 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network (WAN) | 267.73 | 78648 |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct | Qtrly Leason-Inserting & Mailing | 398.82 | 78649 |
| PowerPlan | 710L | 1,232.47 | 78650 |
| Rainy Lake Oil | Fuel-Storm/Water Dept | 144.32 | 78651 |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Supplies-Bldg | 1,025.60 | 78652 |
| Schlenner Wenner & Co | 2023 Audit | 22,000.00 | 78653 |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,961.25 | 78654 |
| SHI International Corp | Hardware-Police | 1,068.97 | 78655 |
| Soundnorth | Supplies-Water Dept/Admin | 82.47 | 78656 |
| State of Minnesota Dept of Public Saf | Program Fees | 100.00 | 78657 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78658 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78659 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78660 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 78661 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 78662 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102254 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102255 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 370.17 | 102256 |
| Bremer Bank, NA | Federal Withholding | 43,177.72 | 102257 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 5,139.29 | 102258 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA-Police/Fire | 572.00 | 102259 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance-49ers | 2,517.00 | 102260 |
| IAMAW District W3 | Union Dues | 2,076.50 | 102261 |
| IF Fire Dept Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 364.00 | 102262 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance Service | EMT Dues | 168.00 | 102263 |
| Int’l Union of Oper Engineers | Union Dues | 945.00 | 102264 |
| Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas | Cops Dues | 140.00 | 102265 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Ctr | Wage Assignment-Child Support | 775.71 | 102266 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding SWT | 8,075.38 | 102267 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Empower Retirement | 7,590.00 | 102268 |
| NCPERS Minnesota | PERA Life Insurance | 144.00 | 102269 |
| North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist | Health Insurance Premiums | 450.00 | 102270 |
| PERA | Public Employees Retirement | 37,716.45 | 102271 |
| United Way of NE Minnesota Inc | United Way | 42.00 | 102272 |
| AUDIENCE: | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
OPENING BIDS:
|
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve low bid in the amount of $302,766.00 from KGM and approve the first reading of Contract Ordinance #989 for the 2024 5th Street Storm Sewer Relocation as part of the Koochiching County Jail Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.
Second reading to be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, at a Special City Council Meeting at 10:00 AM. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve necessary expenses for the Human Resources/Safety Director to virtually attend the 2024 Minnesota Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA) Summer Conference, August 7-9, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park by RLMC Foundation for a Color 5K Family Fun Run | Emily Gedde, RLMC Foundation requested use of Smokey Bear Park on September 2, 2024 for the Color 5K Family Fun Run. Gedde thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing this fun, family event last year.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve use of Smokey Bear Park by RLMC Foundation for a Color 5K Family Fun Run on September 2, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 29-2024 approving Commercial Loan Program funding in the amount of $24,999.99 as requested by TruStar Federal Credit Union on behalf of Dancing Winter Sky LLC | City Administrator Bergstrom stated the city would be listed as the 3rd mortgage on the Commercial Loan for the property located at 510 6th Street. Daniel and Shelly Ducharme stated the project has been in progress for 18 months with 2 units completed and 2 more units to follow.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 29-2024 approving Commercial Loan Program funding in the amount of $24,999.99 as requested by TruStar Federal Credit Union on behalf of Dancing Winter Sky LLC, to improve the building located at 510 6th Street. Motion was seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming the week of June 3-7, 2024, for the distribution of Buddy Poppies | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming June 3-7, 2024, as the week for distribution of Buddy Poppies. Motion was seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming June 2024 as Pride Month | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming June 2024 as Pride Month. Motion was seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 30-2024 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 1, 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 30-2024 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 1, 2024, for a concert at the Amphitheater located at 360 Hwy 11E. Motion was seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 31-2024 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 3, 4 & 5, 2024 for the July 4th Celebration | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 31-2024 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 3, 4 & 5, 2024 for the July 4th Celebration at Smokey Bear Park located at 600 Third Street. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED resignation notice from Planning Commission member Tara Besch
APPROVED appointment of Linnea Imhof to fill the vacant position on the Planning Commission |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the resignation notice from Planning Commission member Tara Besch. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the appointment of Linnea Imhof to fill the vacant position on the Planning Commission. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the request to purchase three (3) HP Workstation computers for the police department | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the request to purchase three (3) HP Workstation computers for the police department, as a budget item from capital outlay funds. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Stocke Commissioning and Building Solutions (SCBS) to provide a full commissioning process for the Kerry Park Health & Wellness Center | Public Works Director Brokaw explained as part of the Kerry Park Wellness bonding money received from the State Legislature a predesign is required to access the funds.
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Stocke Commissioning and Building Solutions (SCBS) to provide a full commissioning process for the Kerry Park Health & Wellness Center. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Public Works Committee recommendation:
a. APPROVED architecture proposal for equipment garage and vactor garage from DSGW Architecture |
Public Works Director Brokaw requested permission to proceed with developing and implementing plans to refurbish the equipment garage and vactor garage to improve the facilities as part of the facility study recommendations.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve architecture proposal for the equipment garage and vactor garage from DSGW Architecture with budgeted funds from capital outlay. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.
|
| b. APPROVED design and engineering proposal for the equipment garage and the vactor garage from A.W. Kuettel and Sons | Public Works Director Brokaw requested permission to proceed with design and engineering plans to refurbish the equipment garage and vactor garage to improve the facilities as part of the facility study recommendations.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the design and engineering proposal for the equipment garage and the vactor garage from A.W. Kuettel and Sons with budgeted funds from capital outlay. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.
|
| c. APPROVED accepting the 17th Street Watermain Replacement bid in the amount of $739,758.75 from KGM Contractors, Inc. | Public Works Director Brokaw and Bolton & Menk Engineer Jason Fisher explained that bids were completed through Koochiching County on the 17th Street Watermain Replacement project.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept the 17th Street Watermain Replacement bid in the amount of $739,758.75 from KGM Contractors, Inc., as part of the County project. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole recommendation(s):
a. APPROVED advertising and hiring of a part-time, seasonal Office Assistant for the Police Department |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept advertising and hiring a part-time, seasonal Office Assistant for the Police Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar. Motion passed 2-1 with Mayor Droba and Councilor Buller voting “yea” and Councilor Kalar voting “nay”.
|
| b. APPROVED first reading amending the Midcontinent Communications franchise agreement including an additional ten-year term
|
MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept the first reading amending the Midcontinent Communications franchise agreement including an additional ten-year term. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| c. APPROVED ESX Technologies cybersecurity managed services proposal | Information Systems Administrator Ojala explained that ESX Technology Solutions ensures continuous coverage and protection of our critical infrastructure.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept ESX Technologies cybersecurity managed services proposal. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| d. DISCUSSED first reading of the updated City of International Falls Charter, as presented by the Charter Commission | The motion to approve the first reading of the updated City of International Falls Charter was brought forward by Councilor Kalar and seconded by Councilor Buller. Mayor Droba noted that the motion cannot be carried as they need to have a full council to vote on a first reading. City Administrator Bergstrom informed the Mayor and Council that the next meeting with a full council will not be until July 1, 2024. The first reading of the updated City of International Falls Charter, as presented by the Charter Commission, will be considered on Monday, July 1, 2024. The draft document is available for the public to view at City Hall, the International Falls Public Library, and on the City website (www.ci.international-falls.mn.us). |
| APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 19-25, 2024, as Emergency Medical Services Week | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 19-25, 2024, as Emergency Medical Services Week. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | Public Works Director Brokaw stated Shawn Kelly, Police Chief Kostiuk and himself attended the job fair that was held at Falls High School. Brokaw noted it is a great way to share career opportunities within the Public Works department. Brokaw noted Minnesota Rural Water Association training was conducted at the AmericInn on May 15 & 16, 2024 and was well attended and informational. Brokaw also shared that there will be numerous Falls Elementary classes touring the water plant next week. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Kalar reminded everyone that Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4:00P.M. to 6:00 P.M. there will be a picnic to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. Councilor Kalar also stated the Elks Club will have a watermelon feed as part of the 4th of July Celebration.
Mayor Droba shared the pickleball courts at Holler Park are always full and getting a lot of use and that the space behind the Koochiching County Museum would be a great space for additional pickleball courts. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that City Hall offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in honor of Memorial Day. Mayor Droba further noted there will be a Special City Council meeting on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the council chambers, and the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:25 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
