APPROVED agenda with additions

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agenda with additions as presented:

• Consider Planning Commission recommendation to adopt the City of International Falls 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Council action)
  
• Consider Recreation Commission recommendation to amend Bylaws/City-members in the Joint Powers Agreement (Council action)
• Accept letter of retirement from Public Works Director Gary Skallman and authorize process to fill the vacancy (Council action)
• Public Works Department Annual Report (Council Information)
• January 8, 2020 – International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees meeting packet
  
• January 16, 2020 – Minnesota DNR Deer Population Goal Setting Workshop seeking Public Input – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020, RRCC Theater
  

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 4-0.

APPROVED minutes of the January 3, 2020 special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the January 3, 2020 special City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried 4-0.

APPROVED minutes of the
January 6, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the January 6, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 4-0.

APPROVED minutes of the January 13, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of January 13, 2020. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Nelson abstaining.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 07-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 07-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

500.00  

67877 

AmeriPride Services

Cleaning Service 

1,278.02  

67878 

ATCO International

Supplies – Street Garage

115.00  

67879 

At-Scene LLC

Subscription 

3,000.00  

67880 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant/Street

165.75  

67881 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

1,113.78  

67882 

Brian Briggs 

Annual Reimbursement – Water/Sewer

290.38  

67883 

Brian Youso 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

67884 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Water/Sewer Admin Expenses

9,951.67  

67885 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401

Water Funds Transfer 

66,666.66  

67886 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403

Water Funds Transfer 

25,760.42  

67887 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

11.00  

67888 

Civic Systems LLC

Semi-Annual Software Support 

6,574.00  

67889 

CMS Medicare

Amb Overpayment Refund-25788997 

237.44  

67890 

Core & Main 

Supplies – Water Department

37.77  

67891 

E Kooch Sanitary Sewer Dist.

City Beach/Water Plant 

159.00  

67892 

Eagle Engraving

Retire Axe – D Vohler/Honor Guard Axe

934.98  

67893 

Electric Pump Inc.

Concertor – Flame Liftstation

36,819.39  

67894 

Epic Threads 

Clothing- Sears/Bombenger/Maish/Amb 

360.00  

67895 

Expert T Billing 

Ambulance Transports

3,108.00

67896 

Falls Lumber Company 

Dock Repair – City Beach/Gloves – Street

724.78  

67897 

Forestland Sales & Service 

Car Wash – Police 

8.83  

67898 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,731.60  

67899 

Frontier 

Monthly Telephone Service

2,504.96  

67900 

Gasaway Consulting Group LLC

Firefighter Safety – Presentation 

500.00  

67901 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

1,955.19  

67902 

IF Recreation Commission

1st Half 2019/2020 Funding 

41,500.00  

67903 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Sup-Police/Admin, Respirators-Police

266.69  

67904 

J2M Apparel Co

Screen Printing – Safety Jackets

106.88  

67905 

Kelly Meyers 

Travel Expense 

558.39  

67906 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Wtr/Str Light

955.94  

67907 

Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer

LEC Quarterly Lease

18,750.00  

67908 

Kooch County Hwy Dept.

Materials – Street, Fuel – Street/Garage

5,192.73  

67909 

Kooch County Public Health 

Water Sample Testing 2019

2,700.00  

67910 

KRIS Engineering Inc.

Parts – Street Department

602.00  

67911 

Lawson Products Inc.

Batteries/Supplies 

410.60  

67912 

League of Minnesota Cities

Conf Registration – W Buller/Krause

550.00  

67913 

Lisa Riggs 

Travel and Training Expense

439.65  

67914 

LMC Insurance Trust – WC

Baldwin Deductible 

290.44  

67915 

LVC Inc.

Supplies – Fire Department

58.00  

67916 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

3,758.70  

67917 

Marco – LEC

LEC – C368 Copier Agreement

263.08  

67918 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Ambulance

152.00  

67919 

Menards International Falls 

Sup/Tools-Grnds/Str/Wtr/Amb/St Lght 

662.54  

67920 

Michael Musich 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

67921 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

7,086.52  

67922 

Minnesota Industries 

Safety Equip – Wtr, Supplies – Grnds/Wtr

97.36  

67923 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

30,669.80  

67924 

MN Chiefs of Police Assoc.

Training Reg – P Kennedy/J Franz

1,470.00  

67925 

MN Dept. of Labor & Industry

Boiler Inspect – Wtr Plnt, Pressure Vessel

260.00  

67926 

MN Fire Service Cert Board

Fire Official Cert – Besch/Mannausau

240.00  

67927 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Parts – VNP

5,172.90  

67928 

NAPA Falls Supply

Supplies – Ambulance/Garage 

53.94  

67929 

Nick Kittelson 

Boot Allowance

110.00  

67930 

Northern Lumber & Hardware 

Sup-Grnds/Wtr/Elec/Wtr Plnt/Str Lght/Ice 

11,359.80  

67931 

ODB Company

Building Repair – Garage

1,187.39  

67932 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services 

260.00  

67933 

Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force

2020 Membership Fee 

3,500.00  

67934 

Pelland Welding, Inc. 

Parts – Street Department

195.75  

67935 

PowerPlan

Rental – John Deere, Parts – Street

3,165.60  

67936 

Praxair Distribution Inc.

Oxygen – Ambulance

144.05  

67937

Premier Specialty Vehicles 

Ambulance Repairs/Parts 

406.37  

67938 

Rainy Lake Medical Center 

Medical Supplies 

572.66  

67939 

Rainy Lake Oil 

Isopropylal Drum 

1,516.50  

67940 

Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC

Sup-Police, Refund 2020 License Fees

202.79  

67941 

Range Paper Corp 

Sup-VNP/Amb, Clean Serv-Bldgs, Rcpt

5,429.28  

67942 

Rob & Kim Tupper 

Acct Deposit Refund – 25 Prop.

500.00  

67943 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Water Department

160.00  

67944 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

67945 

Sherelle Dilworth 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

2,049.00  

67946 

Streicher’s Inc.

Cloth-Franz/Franko/Offerdahl/Helgeson 

1,417.83  

67947 

Stryker Sales Corp 

Ambulance Supplies 

154.98  

67948 

Super One Foods

Supplies – Police

171.48  

67949 

Terry Christie 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

67950 

Terry Wood 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

67951 

The Journal 

Agendas/Minutes/Dog & Cat License 

1,683.69  

67952 

Wherley Motors Inc.

Ambulance Repairs

102.05  

67953 

Widseth Smith Nolting 

Engineering Services

144,054.88  

67954 

Willi Kostiuk 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

67955 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant 

24.80  

67956 

Ziegler Inc.

Grader Lease-12M3AWD

4,750.00

67957 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

218.90

100458

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100459

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

44,250.95

100460

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund

Retirement 

3,936.15

100461

City of Int’l Falls

HRA – Police/Fire

546.00

100462

City of Int’l Falls

Health Insurance – 49ers

304.00 

100463

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100464

IAMAW District W33 

Union Dues 

1,625.00

100465

IF Fire Dept. Relief

Volunteer Firemen Dues

378.00 

100466 

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

161.00

100467

Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers 

Union Dues 

910.00

100468

I.U.O.E. Local 49ers 

Health Reimbursement 

200.00

100469

MN Benefit Association

Supplemental Life Insurance

20.43

100470

MN Child Support Payment Center

Wage Assignment 

540.28

100471

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

8,546.23

100472

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,900.00

100473

PERA 

Life Insurance 

96.00

100474

PERA

Retirement 

36,142.33

100475

AUDIENCE:

Reni Calder requested that the City Council form a committee to ban the use of single-use plastic in the City. Fort Francis approved a resolution on January 13, 2020 regulating single-use plastics. Duluth and Minneapolis have enacted fees for single-use plastic shopping bags. Mayor Droba stated they would discuss the request at the next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Joan Christenson shared her environmental concern of reducing greenhouse gases. She invited the City Council to attend the film “Paris to Pittsburgh” on January 22, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. at the Trinity Episcopal Church.

PUBLIC HEARING:

None.

OPENING BIDS:

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

APPROVED the Planning Commission recommendation to adopt the City of International Falls 2019 Comprehensive Plan with amendments

Mayor Droba stated that the current Comprehensive Plan has been in effect since 1966. The Council and Planning Commission board have been working with the Community Design Group since 2017 to finalize the City of International Falls Comprehensive Plan. On December 2, 2019 a public hearing was held asking for public input and letters were sent to Fort Francis, Rainer, and Koochiching County. Several modifications were suggested and made such as removing the Deer Hunting section. After discussion from the Mayor and City Council the following amendments were made:

1^st Amendment

Motion by Councilor Krause to change on page 40, the paragraph “Strengthening coordination with the county” from “City leaders have noted that there are opportunities to increase coordination with the county regarding residential development in areas outside the city. Closely working with the county to adopt a common framework will help reduce potential future requests for provisions of services outside the current service area, and will help protect the area’s agricultural and natural assets” back to the original language reading “City leaders have noted that there are opportunities for better coordination with the county regarding limiting residential development in areas outside the city. Closely working with the county to adopt a unified stance will help reduce potential future requests for provision of services outside the current service area, and will help protect the area’s agricultural and natural assets.” Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

2^nd Amendment
Motion by Mayor Droba to strike on page 38 in section “Opportunity: Annexation of adjacent lands and parcels” the following statement “This plan recommends completing these steps before any annexation actions: 1) Completing a financial cost-benefit analysis on the implications of the proposed annexation. 2) Close coordination with Koochiching County. 3) Communications with the affected land owners.” Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

3^rd Amendment

Motion by Mayor Droba to add on page 62, under Goal 4, Strategy 4.1., in the second paragraph “International Falls HRA”. Second paragraph will state “Work with the ARDC, the Koochiching County HRA, the International Falls HRA, and private developers to ensure that there are sufficient units accessible at a range of price points for all current and future residents.” Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the City of International Falls 2019 Comprehensive Plan with the three amendments as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:

• Approve quote for Workers’ Compensation coverage and deductible premium option through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) and authorize signatures
• Approve/allow necessary expenses for Street/Water Commissioner to attend 2020 conferences/trainings, as presented
• Approve travel and SkillPath training expenses in Brainerd on March 4-5, 2020 for the Fire Chief and City Administrator

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED
Mayoral Proclamation declaring January 26 – February 1, 2020 as Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas School

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to approve the Mayoral Proclamation declaring January 26 – February 1, 2020 as Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas
School. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Public Works Committee recommendation to install school zone signs on 4^th St. at 8^th and 9^th Ave. for St. Thomas Aquinas School

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Public Works Committee recommendation to install school zone signs on 4^th St. at 8^th and 9^th Ave. for St. Thomas Aquinas School. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Resolution approving Business Development Infrastructure BPDI Application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

City Administrator Anderson shared that WSN will be preparing and submitting a Business Development Infrastructure application for curb and gutter, bituminous road, and sanitary sewer extension on 22^nd Street in the Industrial Park area. No action taken pending completion of the application.

APPROVED Resolution No. 08-20 approving application for exempt permit for the Ruffed Grouse Society Voyageur Chapter to conduct a raffle on March 27, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve Resolution No. 08-20 approving application for exempt permit for the Ruffed Grouse Society Voyageur Chapter to conduct a raffle on March 27, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Resolution No. 09-20 approving application for exempt permit for the Rotary Club of International Falls to conduct bingo and a raffle on February 29, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Resolution No. 09-20 approving application for exempt permit for the Rotary Club of International Falls to conduct bingo and a raffle on February 29, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayoral appointment to Police Civil Service Commission vacancy for the term expiring December 31, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayoral appointment of Julie Ehrman to the Police Civil Service Commission vacancy for the term expiring December 31, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Fire Department Fee Schedule for 2020

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Fire Department Fee Schedule for 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED
2020 Pay Equity Report

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the 2020 Pay Equity Report. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson. City Administrator Anderson explained that the City was non-compliant in this report. This is due in part to a female position(s) being paid less than comparable male dominated positions. Also, this occurred when the Finance Officer position was vacated by a female and filled with a male. Anderson explained adjustments will need to be made. The report must be submitted by January 31, 2020 and he will research and coordinate with the State of Minnesota. Motion carried unanimously.

Promotion of Police Officers Justin Franz and Paul Kennedy to rank of Sergeant

City Administrator Anderson shared the promotion of Police Officers Justin Franz and Paul Kennedy to rank of Sergeant effective January 21, 2020.

APPOINTED Logan J. Hulst as part-time Police Officer effective January 21, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to appoint Logan J. Hulst as part-time Police Officer effective January 21, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED
Resolution No. 10-20, PERA Declaration for part-time Patrol Office Logan J. Hulst

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Resolution No. 10-20, PERA Declaration for part-time Patrol Officer Logan J. Hulst. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED
Recreation Commission recommendation to amend Bylaws/City-members in the Joint Powers Agreement

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving the Recreation Commission recommendation to amend Bylaws/City-members in the Joint Powers Agreement. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

ACCEPTED letter of retirement from Public Works Director Gary Skallman

MOTION by Councilor Buller accepting letter of retirement from Public Works Director Gary Skallman with regrets effective after January 31, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Nelson, Krause, and Buller voting ‘yea’ and Mayor Droba voting ‘nay’.

AUTHORIZED process to fill the Public Works Director vacancy

MOTION by Councilor Krause authorizing filling the Public Works Director vacancy and appointing Street/Water Commissioner Brokaw as the interim Public Works Director until the position is filled. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS: 

None.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson informed the Council of upcoming phone call with Moody’s Rating Agency on January 23, 2020 regarding questions on the refunding bond issue for the Voyageurs National Park bonds.

City Administrator Anderson also thanked all the departments for submitting their annual reports.

City Administrator Anderson shared that Finance Officer Brad Ettestad and he attended the Koochiching County Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to discuss the cash flow deficit for the International Falls Airport operations and improvement projects. The Koochiching County board will set up a sub-committee to discuss how they can move forward.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Mayor Droba shared that Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) received full funding of $6.5 million for broadband access from Ericsburg to International Falls and from the Junction to International Falls.

Mayor Droba thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Public Works Department, and Police and Fire Departments for their work during Ice Box Days. Mayor also stated that the Snow Sculptures were great.

Councilor Ditsch reminded the Council that he is still looking for the top five blight items within each Ward identified by the Councilors.

AUDIENCE 

Reni Calder explained that he misstated that the United States could ban the use of single-use plastic. Consumers are discouraged from using single-use plastics.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the next City Council meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:52 P.M.