June 2, 2025 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 2nd day of June 2025 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mayor Dill and Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

APPROVED agenda as presented MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED the following meeting minutes, as presented

 

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the following meeting minutes:

·         Monday, May 19, 2025, regular City Council meeting

·         Wednesday, May 21, 2025, special City Council meeting

Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 39 -2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 39-2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

CLAIMS

A Plus Pest Management LLC Pest Control    2,531.12 81138
Alanna Smith Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81139
Alex Air Apparatus 2 LLC Inflation Hose w/Shutoff, Hose Guard    4,487.61 81140
Align Chiro. & Wellness Center Random DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing         35.00 81141
Allied Generators Generator Maintenance    3,150.00 81142
Amazon Capital Services Sup-IT/Adm/House/Wtr/Fire/Amb       553.82 81143
Ameritas Life Ins. Corp Dental Insurance Premiums    1,679.08 81144
Anderson Law Offices, P.A. Legal Services-Criminal & Civil    9,330.00 81145
Auto Value Int’l Falls M&R Equip-Street       139.58 81146
BCBS of MN Health Insurance Premiums    5,113.79 81147
Border Boxes Shipping-St/Wtr Plnt         37.25 81149
Borderland Humane Society Pound Operation    2,250.00 81150
Borderland Rentals LLC Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81151
Bound Tree Medical LLC Ambulance Supplies    1,272.88 81152
Bremer Cardmember Services Auto-Admin/Pol/Fire/St/Bldg Official       276.21 81153
CherryRoad Media Inc Minutes       733.38 81154
Christine Howard Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81155
City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 Water/Sewer Admin Expenses       204.85 81156
City Water Department City Buildings-Water Usage    1,537.68 81157
Convention & Visitors Bureau Lodging Tax    3,892.17 81158
Core & Main Meters    3,952.97 81159
Dane Olson Travel Expense       108.00 81160
Donald Lavalley Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81161
Estate of John & Pat Gavin Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81162
Frank Oveson Account Deposit Refund           5.00 81163
Grafix Shoppe Building/Zoning Shields       555.00 81164
Grand Forks Fire Equip LLC Fire Gear    5,620.00 81165
Ice Box Antiques Account Deposit Refund         20.00 81166
Int’l Falls Super One Foods Sup-Police         13.76 81184
Innovative Office Solutions Sup-Water         96.36 81167
Intl Falls/Kooch Cty Airport Com City Share May Maj Cap/2025 Cap 531,184.83 81168
IUEO Local 49 Health Insurance Premiums   31,507.00 81169
Joe Dion Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81170
John P MacLean Meal Allowance          28.00 81171
Josh Baron Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81172
KGHS/KSDM City Talk        150.00 81173
Kimberly Demars Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81174
Koerter’s Amoco Gas-St/Wtr/Pol/San Swr/Wtr Plnt     4,977.21 81175
Lawson Products Inc Fuel/Lube Garage        990.23 81176
MacQueen Equipment Inc Lube/Fuel-Street          41.25 81177
Marco Technologies LLC Contract/Print/Copy-Fire/Adm/PW/Wtr     1,717.30 81178
Mary Giauque Account Deposit Refund            5.00 81179
MedicareBlue RX Health Insurance Premiums     2,106.00 81180
Menards International Falls Sup-Wtr/Fire/St/Gar/St Light        323.63 81181
Midco Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt        580.09 81182
Mike Herman Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81183
Minnesota Dept of Health State Test Fee     6,400.00 81185
Minnesota Energy Resources Utilities     1,141.65 81186
Minnesota Industries Sup-Street, Cabinet     1,197.80 81187
Miranda Sears July 4th Supplies          62.32 81188
MTI Distributing Inc M&R-VNP/P&R/Grnds     1,127.33 81189
Nicholson’s Garden Center Grass/Coleus for Cement Planters        862.56 81190
Nick Sivonen Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81191
North American Bank Company Inserting System Lease        181.75 81192
Northern Border Investments LLC Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81193
Parker Sivonen Meal Allowance          28.00 81194
Robert Bahr Top Soil     2,250.00 81195
Robert Heinlen Meal Allowance            7.83 81196
Scottie Pfeiffer Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81197
Sherri Stensland Upper Midwest Employment Law        842.00 81198
Shred-n-Go Inc Purge Service, Recycling Police        467.77 81199
Sierra Wood Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81200
Soundnorth Sup-IT/M&C        109.92 81201
Stephen Briggs Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81202
Streicher’s Clothing Allowance-Wherley        242.97 81203
Sun Life Financial Life Insurance Premiums        548.49 81204
Sure Can Homes LLC Account Deposit Refund          40.00 81205
SymbolArts LLC Fire & Ambulance Coins, City Pins     5,256.75 81206
Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC Bldg Maint-St Gar/Mun Bldg        390.50 81207
The Nelson Trust Health Insurance Premiums   44,837.76 81208
The Sherwin Williams Co-Bemidji Paint        392.04 81209
Troy Lepper Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81210
Valeriy Yanyuk Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81211
Vehicle Response Training LLC Hands on Training     7,445.95 81212
Verizon Monthly Cellular Service     2,779.42 81213
Viking Electric Supply Inc M&R-P&R        399.37 81214
Wagner Construction Inc Washed Sand/4000 PSI Grout          90.00 81215
Walls All Season Equipment Inc Fuel-St/P&R, Maint-Grnds/P&R        400.88 81216
Watts Regulator Co Supplies-Wtr Plnt     1,843.24 81217
WEX Bank Gas-Gar/Fire/House/St/Grnd/Pol/Amb     1,900.37 81218
William McDougall Account Deposit Refund          20.00 81219
Ziegler Inc Parts-950H     5,953.36 81220
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance        182.08 102701
American Heritage Life Ins Co Supplemental Insurance            9.64 102702
Bay Bridge Administrators LLC Supplemental Insurance        354.51 102703
Bremer Bank NA Federal Withholding   44,585.17 102704
Central Pension Fund Source A Retirement     5,007.60 102705
Intl Falls Ambulance Service EMT Dues        154.00 102706
Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas COPS Dues        140.00 102707
MN Child Support Pmt Ctr Wage Assignment-Child Support        177.19 102708
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding SWT     8,857.88 102709
MSRS-Empower Retirement Empower Retirement     8,798.00 102710
PERA Public Employees Retirement   39,893.96 102711
Sun Life Financial Supplemental Life Insurance        936.09 102712
The Hartford V-LTD Voluntary LTD Insurance        804.79 102713
United Way of NE Minnesota Inc United Way          42.00 102714

 

AUDIENCE: Sharon Ball, 120 Cedar Road, shared a handout with Mayor Dill, Administrator Bergstrom and the Councilors regarding her dog kennel business and the 4th of July fireworks.  She asked that the city consider moving the location of the fireworks to a new location because of the anxiety and fear it causes her dogs and her fear of a fire starting in the heavily wooded area around her home.
   
  Nancy Imhof, business owner of 339 3rd Street, approached the Mayor and Council asking if they have the funds to support and are ready to vote on the project at the Water Treatment Plant.  She stated she is as surprised as others to find the vote on tonight’s agenda but would request to table the project until the funding is available and we know better where we are financially.
   
  Joe Kantor, 1607 13th Avenue, came forward to share his complaints of the potholes for the last year and a half in Stenberg Addition.  Mayor Dill assured Mr. Kantor that there is street/sewer, mill and overlay planned for completion in Stenberg by the end of September.  Mayor Dill also shared that the same repairs in Riverview Boulevard will be completed by the end of 2026.  “I need to let you all know that the Land Use & Legislation have also been busy working hard on the issue with the deer within the city limits.  I have spoken with people at the State level.  We are working on the issue, and they are being addressed.”
   
  Mayor Dill addressed Rob Ecklund, lobbyist for the City, to give an update on the MN Legislative Session.  Mr. Ecklund greeted the Mayor and Council and briefed that the 2025 MN Legislative Session was not completed yet.  The total $780M in the bonding bill would probably be allocated to Clean Water Funds, PFA, etc and that he is diligently working on what would be available for the City to apply for with the financing provided from the state.  He shared that he is confident that a bill will pass, “But it is all up in the air right now”, shares Ecklund.  He also shared there are no local projects funded within the bonding bill and that the bonding bill is typically passed in the second session of the legislation biennium, which will be next year.
   
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) None.
   
OLD BUSINESS:

APPROVED second and final reading of Ordinance No. 59 5th Series to update Sec. 10-32 Rules, regulations and traffic governing public parks

 

MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 59 5th Series to update Sec. 10-32 Rules, regulations and traffic governing public parks.  All public parks will be open to the public daily from 7:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

   
APPROVED contract with CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), Rice Lake Construction for GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) for Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation project in the amount of $11,844,680 Mayor Dill invited Brian Guldan, Water/Wastewater Project Manager with Bolton & Menk, Inc to come forward and explain the improvements of the Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation project.  Brian updated, “This bonding bill has funding of 1%-2% low-rate loans that the City is eligible for.  They are for water projects only.  There are no grants available, I want to be clear on that portion.”  Brian further discussed the estimated rate increase options that were laid out in his memo.  Councilor Buller questioned if there was a bonding bill next year would we be eligible to apply for this project.  Brian indicated we could as long as we were still working on the project.  Mayor Dill didn’t believe that was the case with the conversations that he has had with legislators.  Rob Ecklund, lobbyist, approached and spoke about the bill and also the $1M that the city turned back from the Kerry Park Project.  Other items discussed included inflation, what would the project cost if it was delayed.

 

Attorney Nelson asked if the loan would remain if the project got voted down and/or if the project could be broken up.  Brian replied that they would have to re-apply for the loan, and to break the project up would not be cost effective.

 

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the contract with CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), Rice Lake Construction for GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) for Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation project in the amount of $11,844,680.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.  Motion passed 3-2 with Councilors Kalar, Holden, and Buller voting “yea” and Councilor Wegner and Mayor Dill voting “nay”.

   
CONSENT AGENDA: None.
   
NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED road closure and support for the annual Chamber of Commerce Crazy Daze event on Wednesday, July 30, 2025

 

MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve road closure and support for the annual Chamber of Commerce Crazy Daze event scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as presented by JJ McBride, Executive Director.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

   
APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park for Wednesday Concerts in the Park series MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve use of Smokey Bear Park for Wednesday Concerts in the Park series, as requested by Amy Mortenson and Toni Korpi members of IFalls Nice.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 40-2025 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 1, 2025, for Riverfest Concert at the Amphitheater located at 360 Hwy 11E MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 40-2025 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 1, 2025, for Riverfest Concert at the Amphitheater located at 360 Hwy 11E – Carol Grim.  Carol Grim was not able to attend so Bob DeGross attended on her behalf.  Motion was seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 41-2025 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 3 & 4, 2025 – City 4th of July Celebration MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 41-2025 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 3 & 4, 2025 for the July 4th Celebration at Smokey Bear Park located at 600 Third Street – Carol Grim.  Bob DeGross attended on behalf of Carol Grim.  Motion was seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
   
APPROVED hiring two summer employees for the public works department, as presented MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve hiring two summer employees for the public works department, as presented:

·         Taylor Burns

·         Kayden Korpi

Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

   
Other Business: None.
   
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads City Administrator Bergstrom bi-weekly report was available for review.
   
Reports of Mayor & Council Councilor Kalar gave an update that KEDA continues to work on the warehouse project and JJ McBride presented updates regarding the Chamber of Commerce.  Councilor Buller noted that the North Koochiching Human Resources committee is meeting soon regarding the re-configuration of the board.
   
AUDIENCE Reynold Calder, 1901 6th Ave E, asked when the next Public Safety meeting will be.  Mayor Dill looked to Administrator Bergstrom for confirmation that the meeting will be the 3rd Monday of each month at 2:00 P.M.  Administrator Bergstrom confirmed the next meeting is Monday, June 16, 2025, at 2:00 P.M.
   
  Sharon Ball, 120 Cedar Road, spoke of her disappointment in the approval of the project for the renovation of the Water Treatment Plant.  Ms. Ball stated, “There is too much gloat going on within the city.  This decision is just wrong!  We need to figure out where all our waste is, with all these crazy tariffs we have our backs against the wall!”
   
  Joe Kantor, 1607 13th Ave W, also spoke about his concern with the Council passing the project for the renovation of the water plant.  “By not being patient and waiting for state funding this will force hands to raise taxes.  That is not fair to the citizens”, stated a frustrated Mr. Kantor.
   
  Nancy Imhof, business owner requested clarification of the loan for the Water Treatment Plan- that it is for 20 years.  She shared her disappointed that the project has passed with the financial state of the city, and the few council members being impatient to wait on the state funding.  Mrs. Imhof also wanted an update of the bandshell.  Councilor Wegner stated there is a meeting scheduled for June 18th, and the remaining demo should be completed by the end of this week.  Nancy also wanted to bring attention to the building that was Jim’s Café needs attention.  “It is an eye sore, it smells, and probably needs to be demoed”, declared Mrs. Imhof.
   
  Allen Kruse of Mesa, AZ approached the Mayor and Council stating that he is a graduate from Falls High School, he ran for Mayor of International Falls in ’08.  He wants to come back here and bring his business here, bring jobs to town, help build new homes, bring white collar revenue income to International Falls.  Mr. Kruse scolded the Council that they are elected officials, they are expected to educate the public and to lead the community from the front.  He wants to become a part of that.
   
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Dill reminded everyone the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2025, at 5:30 P.M.  Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 7:00 P.M.

                                                            

Drake Dill, Mayor

Attest:

                                                           

Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator