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 4th day of August 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 with an addition | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the agenda as presented with the following addition:
· Consider International Falls Rec Hockey Mighty Ducks Grant – Ice Plant at Kerry Park Arena. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the following meeting minutes, as presented
|
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the following meeting minutes:
· Monday, July 21, 2025, special City Council meeting · Monday, July 21, 2025, regular City Council meeting · Monday, July 21, 2025, special Committee-of-the-Whole meeting · Monday, July 28, 2025, special City Council meeting Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 49-2025, Approving Transfers, Payment of Claims and Accounts Payable | MOTION by Councilor Wegner to adopt Resolution No. 49–2025, Approving Transfers, Payment of Claims and Accounts Payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| INFORMATIONAL update on May 31, 2025 & June 30, 2025 monies held in deposit | Emma Rud, Finance Officer stated a keying error occurred when the monies held in deposit were keyed from the investment report to the claims report. Rud noted the Fund Balance Reports that were attached were accurate. |
CLAIMS
| Ads on Boards | Hockey Board Cleaning | 1,400.00 | 81560 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Clothing-Amb, Sup-Water | 239.60 | 81561 |
| Ameritas Life Ins. Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,679.08 | 81562 |
| Anderson Law Offices, P.A. | Legal Services-Criminal & Civil | 8,105.00 | 81563 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 485.00 | 81564 |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Sup-Fire | 263.98 | 81565 |
| BCBS of Mn | Health Insurance Premiums | 5,113.79 | 81566 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-San Sew/St | 31.00 | 81568 |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 81569 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 244.46 | 81570 |
| Bremer Cardmember Services | Auto-Pol/Fire/St/Adm, Comm-Amb | 582.37 | 81571 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc | Minutes, Zoning | 253.51 | 81572 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses | 1,225.28 | 81573 |
| City Water Department | City Buildings-Water Usage | 2,289.25 | 81574 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 23,280.23 | 81575 |
| Core & Main | Hydrant Kits | 15,763.94 | 81576 |
| Crandall’s Septic Pumping | Portable Johns–City Parks | 4,210.00 | 81577 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Hydrant Maint | 1,032.31 | 81578 |
| Department of Employment | Benefit Pmt-2nd Qtr 2025 | 1,014.86 | 81579 |
| DSC Communications | Antennas | 310.54 | 81580 |
| E Koochiching Sanitary Sewer | City Beach/Water Plant | 289.00 | 81581 |
| EBIX, Inc | Top Health Subscription | 269.40 | 81582 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | M&R-Wtr Plnt/St/VNP, Gas-Gar/St | 464.28 | 81583 |
| Gall’s | Clothing-Amb/Sears | 101.18 | 81584 |
| Geotab USA, Inc | GO9B Device | 15.00 | 81585 |
| Hach Company | Materials-Wtr Plnt | 811.94 | 81586 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 2,023.53 | 81587 |
| Holiday Outdoor Decor | Flags | 687.47 | 81588 |
| Hook & Book/Roche’s Towing | Towing-Police Dept | 144.96 | 81589 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Sup-Adm | 105.52 | 81590 |
| Int’l Falls US Post Office | Permit #79 Escrow | 5,000.00 | 81591 |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty | City Share July 2025 Maj Cap | 532,997.93 | 81592 |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 31,507.00 | 81593 |
| Kooch County Hwy Dept | Dyed Fuel-St/Gar/Wtr | 2,462.85 | 81594 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Sup-St Garage | 802.80 | 81595 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 535.25 | 81596 |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy-Fire/Adm/PW | 1,689.43 | 81597 |
| MedicareBlue RX | Health Insurance Premiums | 2,106.00 | 81598 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-GGB/Gar/P&R/St/Grnds/Amb | 286.69 | 81599 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr | 600.09 | 81600 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 385.31 | 81601 |
| Minnesota Industries | M&R-Street | 60.00 | 81602 |
| MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehen | DMT-G Cert-Taylor | 375.00 | 81603 |
| MTI Distributing Inc | M&R-Grnds/VNP/P&R | 871.14 | 81604 |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 81605 |
| North Star Training & Consulting | Search & Rescue Training | 1,295.00 | 81606 |
| Northern Fire Suppression, Inc | VNP-Annual Fire Suppression | 1,960.00 | 81607 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Maint-P&R/St/Grnd/Wtr Plnt, Wtr | 613.56 | 81608 |
| Northland Securities Inc | Annual TIF Report | 1,250.00 | 81609 |
| Richard Mastin | Police Benefit July 2024-July | 1,950.00 | 81610 |
| Robert Heinlen | Meal Allowance | 13.00 | 81611 |
| Scott Wherley | Clothing-Wherley | 87.44 | 81612 |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 558.33 | 81613 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit Jan 2025-July | 1,050.00 | 81614 |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 44,837.76 | 81615 |
| T-Mobile | Internet-Street | 1,092.98 | 81616 |
| US Bank | Trustee Fees | 575.00 | 81617 |
| Verizon | Monthly Cellular Service | 2,017.09 | 81618 |
| Vestis | Cleaning Services | 1,432.62 | 81619 |
| Viking Industrial Center | M&R-San Sew | 140.63 | 81620 |
| Wagner Construction Inc | PSI Concrete | 93.00 | 81621 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102768 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102769 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 354.51 | 102770 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 50,360.67 | 102771 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 5,124.00 | 102772 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | EMT Dues | 154.00 | 102773 |
| Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas | Cop Dues | 140.00 | 102774 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Ctr | Wage Assignment-Child Support | 177.19 | 102775 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding SWT | 10,196.43 | 102776 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Empower Retirement | 9,023.00 | 102777 |
| PERA | Public Employees Retirement | 43,212.84 | 102778 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 931.70 | 102779 |
| The Hartford V-LTD | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 669.94 | 102780 |
| United Way of NE Minnesota Inc | United Way | 42.00 | 102781 |
| AUDIENCE: | Allen Kruse, 3077 Co Rd 20, stated he questioned a couple weeks ago whether the city had gotten answers if the insurance monies from the bandshell fire had one use or multiple? Deputy Administrator Riggs answered, “City Administrator Betty Bergstrom has been working with the Insurance Agent and is waiting to find out the answers.” |
| Julie Melstrom, 904 6th St, asked the Councilors to answer exactly the amount of insurance money the city has gotten. Councilor Wegner confirmed most of the money has not yet been received. Julie was firm in her statement that the lead pipes project was promised to be completed this year, her health is bad and now this is just being pushed aside again. | |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS: | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: | None. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
ADOPTED Resolution No. 52-2025 Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025A | 9th Street Project and Sanitary Sewer Vactor acquisition |
George Eilertson of Northland Securities updated the council on the details of the bond sale in the amount of $2,830,000. Eilertson noted that Standard & Poors (S&P) assigned the City with an A+ rating as part of this process and added that our rating increased to AA with approval and acquisition of bond insurance. Eilertson added 4.39% is the true interest cost for the 20yr bond. Mayor Dill asked why they were not set up as revenue bonds. Eilertson explained the difference and added that GO Bonds provide for better interest rates. Mayor Dill asked if the rating agency considered our audited financials when assigning the rating. Eilertson noted they had. MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 52-2025 Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025A | 9th Street Project and Sanitary Sewer Vactor acquisition. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner voting “’yea” and Mayor Dill voting “nay.” |
| APPROVED submitting a grant application for up to $500,000 for a new Ice System at Kerry Park Arena through the Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program | Leif Larsen, Board Member of International Falls Recreation Hockey advised the council of a Mighty Ducks Grant for R-22 Refrigerant Elimination for up to $500,000. The grant would help with improvements that need to be made at Kerry Park Arena. Larsen added that the grant application deadline is August 29, 2025. MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve submitting the grant application for $500,000 for a new Ice System at Kerry Park Arena. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Councilor Wegner questioned if we receive the grant, are we obligated- noting that the needed upgrades would require an additional $800,000. Mayor asked if it could be reviewed by the City Attorney and brought back to the next regular meeting on August 18. Motion maker and second agreed to the amendment. Motion carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 50-2025 approving application to conduct excluded bingo for International Falls Chamber of Commerce | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 50-2025 approving application to conduct excluded bingo for International Falls Chamber of Commerce on December 4, 2025, at VFW Post #2948, 1416 3rd Ave, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 51-2025 approving Commercial Loan Program funding in the amount of $24,999.99 as requested by TruStar Federal Credit Union on behalf of Lac De Lune LLC, Max Ducharme | Max Ducharme addressed the council with an update on the housing projects he has been working on in our community. MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 51-2025 approving Commercial Loan Program funding in the amount of $24,999.99 as requested by TruStar Federal Credit Union on behalf of Lac De Lune LLC, Max Ducharme to support the remodeling of the building located at 1108 8th Street. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| Public Works Committee recommendation(s):
a. APPROVED proposal for Scope of Services for Highway 11 Multi-Use Trail Project with Bolton & Menk, Inc |
Jason Fisher, City Engineer explained funding for the project has been secured through the MnDOT Active Transportation Funds Program in the amount of $478,473 however the grant monies does not include the engineering services. Fisher further explained that Street PI Funds are available for the design and construction inspection costs for this project. Fisher added that this trail project will connect 14th Avenue to 11th Street by the school, helping to connect the trail across the City. MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve proposal for Scope of Services for Highway 11 Multi-Use Trail Project with Bolton & Menk, Inc. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner voting “’yay” and Mayor Dill voting “nay.” |
| APPROVED Open House for Monday, August 25, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. to take input on a bandshell replacement structure | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the Bandshell Committee request to schedule an Open House to gather community input on a replacement structure. Mayor Dill offered Monday, August 25, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| INFORMATIONAL
Discuss International Falls Ambulance Service: a. Authorize talks with private ambulance service providers
b. Discuss the funding plan to purchase the three ambulances currently on order |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize Mayor Dill and Councilor Holden (as the approved Committee) to reach out to private ambulance service providers as routine due diligence as part of the City’s on-going ambulance discussions. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
Fire Chief Mannausau explained the same funding plan that was discussed in February 2024 and also in July 2025 to purchase three ambulances with funds coming from the Public Safety funds, Koochiching County donation and 2023 and 2024 budgeted dollars. Mayor noted that his concern is that when the money is taken out of reserves and loan the money to the ambulance fund, it increases the debt of the ambulance service and lowers our reserves in the general fund. Chief Mannausau noted that he received information about the previous question to refurbish versus buying new- there is some savings, but not significant. |
| 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 reminded everyone of the National Night Out scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th from 4-7 P.M. at Smokey Bear Park. |
| AUDIENCE | Allen Kruse, 3077 Co Rd 20, questioned why the ambulance service is looked at something other than a mandatary city service. Kruse believes it to be a critical piece of this City. Kruse added that it is insulting to be thinking about looking at outside sources, think of those workers it would affect! Kruse added that raising the taxes over other things, to keep the ambulance service, is way more important. |
| Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th St had questions of the Bandshell fire. How did the city pay for the demo? How much has already been spent? Is funding for the lead pipe project being used for the 9th Street project- is that the delay in the lead pipe project? Are the citizens really paying for the Vactor machine, again by refinancing? Financial Officer Emma Rud offered that the city had been reimbursed for the demo fees of the bandshell. Rud then explained the lead pipe project had to be re-bid due to cost, adding that the lead pipe project was bundled with the 9th Street project to get better pricing and that the funds for each part of the project are accounted for separately. | |
| Bobbi Bernath, 1900 6th Ave indicated she remembered earlier conversation about the lead service line project that part of 6th Street would be the first area to be done. Mayor Dill explained it has been a long process. Bernath further discussed the amount of money that is being spent on engineering services. Mayor Dill stated he believes the City should have its own engineer that is independent of anybody. | |
| Helen Tveit, 3001 Co Rd 2N indicated she had a lengthy conversation with District 3A House Representative Roger Skraba, also the Mayor of Ely regarding the ambulance issue. Tveit questioned who does our ambulance billing, as the City of Ely changed companies due to lack of collections. Further, Skraba shared with her that St. Louis County is on board for a taxing district. Tveit added that Skraba indicated that things are in the works for when they go back into session. Tveit added that there are 13 States that consider EMS an essential service. Councilor Wegner added that we have changed billing companies. | |
| Lois Lundin, 2222 3rd Ave E requested further clarification on the discrepancy of the June 2025 financial report provided. Finance Officer Rud noted that staff made a typo on the July 21 cover sheet, however the Fund Balance report, as attached, did indicate the correct total. | |
| Reynold Calder, 1901 6th Ave E questioned if the 3% tax collected for the CVB is mandated. Mayor Dill answered it is a state statute called a “bed tax”- the dollars from this tax is used to market the area through the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. | |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Dill reminded everyone of the Special City Council meeting scheduled for August 11, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Councilor Holden reminded everyone of the Special Budget & Finance Meeting at 1:00 P.M. and the Airport Study Presentation at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 also in the Council Chambers. Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 7:00 P.M. |
Drake Dill, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
