December 15, 2025, City Council Minutes

·         Approve City support for activities for the Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 26, 2026.

Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

·         Monday, December 1, 2025 regular City Council meeting

·         Monday, December 8, 2025 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 82-2025, Resolution Approving the Final Tax Levy Collectible 2026 and the 2026 Budget for the City of International Falls, MN

Motion by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 82-2025, Resolution Approving the Final Tax Levy Collectible 2026 and the 2026 Budget for the City of International Falls, MN.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner.  Councilor Kalar commented that along with never putting money directly into the ambulance fund, the city was also making efforts to start paying back some of the short falls in reserves in the amount of $700,000.

Mayor Dill stated the levy needed to be certified by end of year and he did not plan to support it, but wanted to thank the council as there had been lots of meetings on the topic and progress made in some areas, such as the ambulance.  Dill commented that the city owns the ambulance service and the losses incurred operating it.

Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner voting “yea” and Mayor Dill voting “nay.”

APPROVED 2026 license renewals as presented

·         Dairyland Operations dba Dunkin & Baskin Robbins – Restaurant License

·         Forestland Sales & Service Inc dba Pizza Barn – Restaurant License

·         Hollie Bahr LLC dba HB Wellness – Massage Individual License

·         Kennedy’s City Cab and Transport LLC – Taxi License

·         M W Friend’s Inc dba Friends Garbage Service, LLC – Garbage Haulers License

·         Pete-Ham Food Service Inc dba Hardee;s Int’l Falls – Restaurant License

·         Rose Garden – Restaurant License

·         Soundnorth LLC – Pawnbroker License w/Established Business

·         Taylor’s Tax LLC – Taxi License

Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve city support for 2026 Ice Box Days Celebration scheduled for January 16-25, 2026, and Chamber Fest 2026 scheduled for June 25, 2026.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED moving this agenda item to closed session

APPROVED a closed meeting on December 19, 2025 to address Todd Ojala’s payout benefits

MOTION by Councilor Holden to move this agenda item to a closed session.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner.  Mayor Dill added he had requested a special City Council meeting to meet with the Labor Attorney on another matter and still had not heard back from city staff.  Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner voting “yea” and Mayor Dill voting “nay.”

Mr. Ojala inquired as to the date of the special session.  Mayor Dill acknowledged the 72-hour notice requirement and offered the date of Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to schedule a closed meeting for December 19, 2025, at 10:00 A.M to address Todd Ojala’s payout benefits.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve city support for the activities for the Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 26, 2026.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

• Bootleggers Fuel & Liquor – Cigarette License, Gasoline Pumps License and Restaurant License
• Bootleggers Liquor LLC – Off Sale Liquor License
• Border Bar & Pizza House Inc – Off Sale Liquor License, On Sale Liquor License, Restaurant License and Sunday Liquor License
• DG Retail, LLC dba Dollar General Store #15619 – Cigarette License
• espresso lane LLC dba The Library – Restaurant License, Sunday License and On Sale Liquor License
• Family Dollar LLC dba Family Dollar Store #30058 – Cigarette License
• Forestland Sales & Service Inc – Cigarette License and Gasoline Pumps License
• Holiday Stationstore dba Circle K #2746509 – 3.2 Off Sale License, Cigarette License, Gasoline Pumps and Restaurant License
• IFalls Group LLC dba Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Restaurant License, On Sale Liquor License and Sunday Liquor License
• Koerter’s Inc dba Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash – Cigarette and Gasoline Pump License
• MN CSTORE INC – 3.2 Off Sale License, Cigarette License, Gasoline Pump License and Restaurant License
• MN CSTORE INC – 3.2 Off Sale License, Cigarette License, Gasoline Pumps License, Fireworks License and Restaurant License
• Timber Pins Bowling Center – On Sale Liquor License, Restaurant License and Sunday Liquor License

Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve fire department purchase of Thermal Imagers to replace aging equipment with funding from the fire department annual capital 101.41200.5600.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

a.      ADOPTED Resolution 84-2025 approving fee schedules

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to adopt Resolution 84-2025 approving fee schedules for Police, Fire/Housing, and Building/Zoning Departments.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

a.      APPROVED quote for replacement of Kerry Park Arena Zamboni room garage door

b.      APPROVED quote for replacement of Kerry Park Arena locker room door #4

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the quote from Meyers Glass to replace the Zamboni room garage door at Kerry Park Arena.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.  Motion carried 4-1 with Mayor Dill and Councilors Buller, Holden and Kalar voting “yea” and Councilor Wegner voting “nay.”

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve quote from Northern Lumber for replacement of Kerry Park Arena locker room door #4.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

a.       APPROVED 2025 audit engagement letter with Schlenner Wenner & Co. and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve 2025 audit engagement letter with Schlenner Wenner & Co. and authorize signatures.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

a.      APPROVED Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Policy

b.      APPROVED internal posting for Chief of Police position

c.       APPROVED appointments to the 2026 Northeast MN Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)

d.      APPROVED appointments to the 2026 Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB)

e.       APPROVED cannabis license application for Miner’s Inc dba Super One Foods

f.        APPROVED cannabis license application for Super One Liquor

g.      DISCUSSED process of placing a ballot question prohibiting deer feeding on the November 3, 2026 election ballot

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Policy.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve internal posting for Chief of Police position.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve appointments of Chief Mannausau and an IT staff member to the 2026 Northeast MN Regional Advisory Committee (RAC).  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve appointments of Councilor Holden and alternate Councilor Wegner to the 2026 Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB).  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve cannabis license application for Miner’s Inc dba Super One Foods.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve cannabis license application for Super One Liquor.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

City Attorney, Chelsea Nelson spoke of the memorandum in the packet with the 3 options.

·         Option #1- Council may place a non-binding policy question on the ballot, no petition or signatures required, and would be used for advisory purposes only.

·         Option #2- council may adopt an ordinance.  Go through all the steps, publish it and then if the citizens don’t want the ordinance they can do a referendum petition requiring at least 7% of the votes cast at the last Mayoral election, saying they do not want the ordinance, if the petition is valid, the ordinance is suspended and submitted to the voters.

·         Option #3- Citizen Initiative Petition. Whereby the citizens may propose an ordinance by initiative.  The petition must include full ordinance text, and meet the required signature thresholds.  If the petition is valid, the Council must adopt the ordinance or submit it to the voters.

Mayor Dill stated the discussion had spurred due to the mixed feelings over this matter.  There have been many conversations around this matter including an open house.  Mayor Dill added that he has received an incredible amount of correspondence on this issue.  Mayor requested Attorney Nelson inform he and the council on the process to have this topic on the ballot.  Councilor Buller advised that he had not had any feedback indicating opposition to the deer feeding ordinance.  The issues stem with the boundaries being suggested.

Councilor Kalar and Mayor Dill both indicated the feedback they have been receiving is split.

The question on the ballot would be whether or not to have a city wide deer feeding ban or not.  This would allow the citizens to vote. Placing this question on the November ballot eliminates the requirement to have a special election.  Councilor Buller concluded the reason for the big push with the deer feeding ordinance was because no remedy or assistance from the DNR is available on the deer population issue until an ordinance has been put in place.

Review of this matter will continue in Land Use & Legislation meetings.

Mayor Dill read a letter received from Koochiching County which stated the County’s commitment to ensuring a viable and sustainable financial solution for the ambulance services currently provided by the City of International Falls within the established ambulance service district.

Mayor Dill stated that a decision would need to be made, and a vote conducted, before the end of the year regarding how the ambulance service would continue to operate.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to retain the current license structure for the ambulance service through the end of 2026.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

The International Falls Police Department Activity Report for November 2025 was available for review.

The International Falls Fire/Rescue/EMS Activity Report for November 2025 was available for review.

Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th Avenue expressed concerns regarding what she perceives as a lack of response and engagement from Mayor and Council when members of the public provide comments during meetings.  Benedix also commented on the deer feeding ordinance, expressing opposition to the practice of this ordinance.

Todd Ojala asked if he had been censured or moved to a closed session.  Ojala asked what statute pushed the meeting to a closed session.  City Attorney Nelson stated MN Statutes 13.43 and 13D.

Scott Gerlach, 309 Shorewood Drive inquired about the MN State Legislatures appropriating additional monies for smaller cities and asked how much more the city received.  Mayor Dill advised that the main portion the city receives from the state is called Local Government Aid (LGA) and the increase this year was about $10,000.

Glenn Davis, 1702 15th Avenue asked if there were no additional cost saving options that could be found to lower the 6.1% levy increase.  Mayor Dill expressed that 6.1% was where council arrived at after four months of culmination of work.  Davis stated he had hoped the deer feeding matter would have been moved to ordinance so some action could be taken in the new year.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, at 5:30 P.M.  Mayor Dill concluded by wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 7:06 P.M.