January 20, 2026 City Council Minutes

·         Monday, January 5, 2026 regular City Council meeting

·         Monday, January 12, 2026 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

Lundin concluded by asking if the city had not participated in this survey if there were similar comparison tools that they utilized when budgeting and preparing to hire new staff or for annual salary reviews and negotiations

Erik Strand, 1831 4th Avenue E advised he had two matters of interest.  One being the handling of the Kootasca Project and the other being the need for financial oversight for long term planning, oversight of city finances.  He was surprised at the last meeting that non-union employees were getting a 3% raise just to keep up with union represented people.  Strand stated with the 2026 levy now set, he encourages council to have a breakdown and total monies spent on the Kootasca project as this money is owed to the residents of International Falls.  Strand commented that the amount should be split from the City Administrator’s budget and the Police budget 50/50 and be proven to be repaid to the city over 1 to 2 year’s maximum.  To assist with financial oversight and to be a communication liaison between City Council and the City Administrator’s office, Strand stated he strongly hoped that a 3 or 4 member Citizens Financial Oversight Committee with auditing, budgeting, planning experience be called to create better communication and long-term planning efforts and in return financial accountability.

Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th Street asked what the $16,764.50 paid out for the Bandshell was for on 12/31/2025 if no work had been done on the Bandshell since it had been torn down.  Councilor Wegner advised the payment to Bolten & Menk was for boring of the soil.  Benedix then questioned why plumbing issues at the Law Enforcement Center continues to be a topic of discussion when no plumbing issues exist.  Mayor Dill stated the draft lease was brought to the council and it was discussed with minor issues or concerns, but it was always agreed upon that a building inspection would occur.

APPROVED 2026 license renewals as presented

·         KNV Restaurants Inc dba Subway IF – restaurant license

Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 10-2026 approving the Rotary Club application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual Kerry Park Arena Hockey Tournament to be held on March 13-15, 2026, at Kerry Park Arena, 601 13th Street.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

a.      APPROVED Midco Business Service upgrade for Water Treatment Plant

b.       APPROVED Koerter’s Inc dba Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash, lower-potency hemp license application

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve the Midco Business Service upgrade at the Water Treatment Plant.   Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Koerter’s Inc dba Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash, lower-potency hemp license application.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

a.      APPROVED low quote of $6,300 from Lem’s Electric for replacement of 2 heat exchangers for the Library Building

b.      APPROVED moving this item back to Public Works Committee for further discussion

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the low quote of $6,300 from Lem’s Electric for replacement of 2 heat exchangers for the Library Building.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

Mayor Dill advised that Int’l Falls Rec Hockey Association came forward and wanted to participate in a portion of the cost to replace radiant tub heaters at Kerry Park Arena.  Mayor Dill stated the best course of action would be to refer this item back to Public Works Committee and sit down with them for further discussion.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to refer this agenda item back to Public Works Committee.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

a.       APPROVED the City Attorney to work with the Koochiching County Attorney to amend the fiduciary responsibilities section in the Joint Powers Airport Agreement

Mayor Dill stated that over the course of the summer of 2025 a study was performed on the Airport Joint Powers Agreement that is 50/50 between the City of International Falls and Koochiching County.  The presentation of the study indicated that for many years, the city has been the fiduciary agent for the Airport Commission.  The study recommended that the Airport Commission itself take over those fiduciary duties.  Mayor Dill stated the city has provided fiduciary responsibilities at no cost since approximately 1962.

City Attorney Nelson advised that the Joint Powers Agreement could be amended, noting other parts of the Agreement are no longer applicable being how old it is, noting the Joint Powers Agreement ends in 2027.

Mayor Dill and Councilor Buller noted that one item of concern from the study was to change the fiduciary responsibilities and that other items could be addressed upon the renewal of the document in 2027.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize the City Attorney to meet with the County Attorney regarding language to amend the portion of the Joint Powers Agreement that lists the City of International Falls as the fiduciary agent for the Airport Commission. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

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