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 March 2026 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 Wegner to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the following meeting minutes, as presented
|
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the following meeting minutes:
· Tuesday, February 17, 2026 special City Council meeting · Tuesday, February 17, 2026 regular City Council meeting Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 17-2026 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 17-2026 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| 3S Design LLC | IT Management | 13,700.00 | 82922 |
| A+ Pest Management | Pest Control | 551.49 | 82923 |
| ACME Tools-Grand Forks | Motor Fuels & Lube-St | 16.67 | 82924 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup-Gar/Wtr Plnt/San Sew/Bldg Off | 897.49 | 82925 |
| Ameritas Life Ins. Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,311.80 | 82926 |
| Anderson Law Offices, P.A. | Legal Services-Criminal & Civil | 6,810.00 | 82927 |
| Andy Kittelson | Meal Allowance | 11.69 | 82928 |
| Anthony Kastens | Travel Expense-Per Diem | 108.00 | 82929 |
| BCBS of Mn | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,365.71 | 82930 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 16,115.50 | 82931 |
| Border Boxes | Clothing Return | 19.25 | 82932 |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 82933 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,141.96 | 82934 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc | Bandshell Bids, Minutes | 510.50 | 82935 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses | 881.86 | 82936 |
| City Water Department | City Buildings-Water Usage | 1,972.92 | 82937 |
| CMS Medicare | Amb Overpayment Refund | 3,231.89 | 82938 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 16,755.27 | 82940 |
| Core & Main | Supplies-Water Dept | 407.87 | 82941 |
| Derek Hell | Meal Allowance | 11.48 | 82942 |
| dsgw Architecture | Design Public Works Build | 400.00 | 82943 |
| Fairview Health Services | Fire Fit Tests | 276.00 | 82944 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Sup-VNP | 39.95 | 82945 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Parts-St Gar, Gas-St | 138.96 | 82946 |
| Gall’s | Clothing-Wherley | 639.00 | 82947 |
| Hawkins Inc | Cylinder Chgs, Chemicals | 2,101.22 | 82948 |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty | City Share February 2026 | 48,500.50 | 82949 |
| IUEO Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 31,825.00 | 82950 |
| Jay Taylor | Travel & Training | 392.35 | 82951 |
| John P MacLean | Meal Allowance | 13.00 | 82952 |
| Jorson & Carlson Co | Ice Scraper Knives Clean | 312.00 | 82953 |
| Kelly Meyers | ICC Region 3 Meal Allowance | 257.00 | 82954 |
| Kooch County Public Health | Water Sample Testing | 2,555.00 | 82955 |
| Lakes Gas | Fuel-Water | 36.76 | 82956 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Sup-St Gar/Electrical | 912.40 | 82957 |
| Little Falls Machine | Repairs-Unit 211, Parts-Unit 126 | 7,273.33 | 82958 |
| LVC Inc | VNP Fire Alarm Annual, Fire Ext. | 2,272.00 | 82959 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen LLP | Labor Relations Services | 141.00 | 82960 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 641.31 | 82961 |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy- Fire/Adm/PW | 1,578.19 | 82962 |
| MedicareBlue RX | Health Insurance Premiums | 2,151.50 | 82963 |
| Menards International Falls | M&R-Wtr/Vactor/Fire, Sup-St/Wtr | 432.11 | 82964 |
| Meyers Glass | M&R-VNP | 1,254.00 | 82965 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Pl | 253.08 | 82966 |
| Minnesota Chiefs of Police | Gun Permits | 77.00 | 82967 |
| Minnesota Dept of Health | Test Fee | 9,923.00 | 82968 |
| Minnesota Dept of Health | Class B/D Cert-J Mostad/B Kelly | 64.00 | 82969 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 5,681.11 | 82970 |
| Minnesota Industries | M&R-Gar/Ice Shelter, Gloves-St | 134.19 | 82971 |
| MN Dept of Labor & Industry | Boiler Registra-Mun/Lib/Wtr Pl | 125.00 | 82972 |
| MTI Distributing Inc | M&R-GGB | 1,599.12 | 82973 |
| Musco Sports Lighting LLC | Kerry Park-Capacitor | 610.00 | 82974 |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 82975 |
| North Country Collision | Police Squad Repairs | 743.00 | 82976 |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct | Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mailing Sys. | 398.82 | 82977 |
| Pitney Bowes Inc | Ink Cartridges-Postage Machine | 161.01 | 82978 |
| Pomp’s Tire Service Inc | Unit 126 | 4,729.20 | 82979 |
| PowerPlan | Unit 672G Repairs | 204.12 | 82980 |
| Rainy Lake Oil | Window Wash | 528.44 | 82981 |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Sup-Amb | 728.04 | 82982 |
| Rhory Gelo | Meal Allowance | 13.00 | 82983 |
| Rice Lake Contracting Corp | Water Treatment Plant | 214,986.14 | 82984 |
| Rick Becvar | Meal Allowance | 11.37 | 82985 |
| ServiceMaster of Int’l Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,961.25 | 82986 |
| Shane Thramer | Travel and Training | 108.00 | 82987 |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 506.33 | 82988 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC | Bldg Maint-Fire Hall | 1,476.73 | 82989 |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 40,522.28 | 82990 |
| Tim Wherley | Account Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 82991 |
| UHL Company Inc | Maint-VNP/City Hall/Library | 5,868.17 | 82992 |
| USABLUEBOOK | Sup-Water Plant | 480.38 | 82993 |
| Vestis | Cleaning Services | 668.32 | 82994 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Bldg Off/Fire/Hzmt/St/Amb | 1,797.99 | 82995 |
| Ziegler Inc | Parts-Unit 121, Sup-St | 741.26 | 82996 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 103019 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 103020 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 354.51 | 103021 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 47,463.46 | 103022 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 5,450.80 | 103023 |
| IF Fire Dept Relief | Firemen Dues | 406.00 | 103024 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance Service | EMT Dues | 112.00 | 103025 |
| Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas | Cop Dues | 110.00 | 103026 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Ctr | Wage Assignment-Child Support | 177.19 | 103027 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding SWT | 9,312.40 | 103028 |
| MN Dept Empl & Economic Dev | MN Paid Leave Premiums | 2,028.18 | 103029 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Empower Retirement | 6,619.00 | 103030 |
| PERA | Public Employees Retirement | 38,979.63 | 103031 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 813.91 | 103032 |
| The Hartford V-LTD | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 403.64 | 103033 |
| United Way of NE Minnesota Inc | United Way | 16.00 | 103034 |
| AUDIENCE: | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVED second and final reading of the contract ordinance setting water and sewer rates |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve second and final reading of the contract ordinance setting water and sewer rates. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: | None. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
INFORMATIONAL – Legislative Update – Rob Ecklund-Lobbyist, Capitol Hill Associates |
Mayor Dill welcomed city lobbyist Rob Ecklund who updated that he is still working hard, February forecast looks better for projects being completed with a budget surplus at the state level. Ecklund meets tomorrow with Senator Hauschild and other Senators regarding the bonding bill. Ecklund met with Representative Skraba who said there will be no Legacy funding available, but there are grants available. Mayor Dill asked for confirmation on the amount the city has applied for the Water Treatment Plant Rehab. Ecklund replied the amount is $4.6-4.8M, noting cuts will have to be made to the Capital Investment monies. Ecklund recommended a letter be submitted to Senator Hauschild and Representative Skraba requesting their support to get and keep their attention on this matter. Ecklund also recommended the mayor and council visit the State Capital after Easter to meet with officials at the state level. Mayor Dill asked City Administrator Bergstrom to draft a letter on behalf of the City of International Falls for possible funding of the Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation project. |
| INFORMATIONAL – Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project Update – Luke Heikkila, Bolton & Menk, Inc | Mayor Dill introduced Luke Heikkila of Bolton & Menk Inc to give an update of the Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation project. Mr. Heikkila stated the progress is going well with numerous sub-contractors and Rice Lake Construction on site. Luke shared that the demolition of the lab will happen during March, demo of the elevator is completed, new doors and frames are all set. The HVAC materials are all on site now so the roofing demo and new construction can begin. He also updated the new filter is set to arrive in June and that tours will be available for the mayor and council to see the progress. They have monthly meetings scheduled for the engineering staff, water plant staff, and all contractors, with the next being Thursday, March 12. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 18-2026 Approving Additional Designated Depository of City Monies | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 18-2026 approving additional designated depository of city monies, as recommended by the Budget & Finance Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 19-2026 approving the MN Deer Hunters Association – Trails End Chapter application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 19-2026 approving the MN Deer Hunters Association – Trails End Chapter application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held Friday, April 24, 2026 at Backus Community Center, 900 5th Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED letter of resignation from EMT | MOTION by Councilor Buller to acknowledge and accept letter of resignation from Charlene Tomczak, EMT, effective immediately. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED letter of resignation from Police Officer | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to acknowledge and accept letter of resignation from Kane Kostiuk, Police Officer, effective March 10, 2026. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED quote from Forestland Sales & Service and authorized purchasing a Hustler Super Z lawnmower | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve quote from Forestland Sales & Service and authorize purchasing a Hustler Super Z lawnmower for $14,514.26, as a budgeted item, payable from 402-41100-5300. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED letter of support for the Voyageur Country ATV Federal Recreational Trails Program Equipment Grant | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve letter of support for the Voyageur Country ATV Federal Recreational Trails Program (FRTP) Equipment Grant. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| Other Business | None. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | City Administrator Bergstrom’s bi-weekly report was available for review.
The International Falls Police Department Annual Report by Police Chief Wherley for 2025 was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor & Council | Mayor Dill sent a congratulations from himself and the Council to the Bronco PeeWee A Hockey Team for advancing to the State Tournament in Fairbault, MN. This is a great accomplishment and has not been done in 36 years.
Mayor Dill also thanked Police Chief Wherley for the work and effort on the Annual Report he constructed. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Dill reminded everyone that there is a Public Hearing to take public comment on the proposed street improvement project located at 6th Avenue West between 17th Street and 19th Street scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:00 P.M., and he also reminded everyone that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 6:00 P.M. |
Drake Dill, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
