September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

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 15th day of September 2025 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mayor Dill and Councilors Buller, Kalar, and Wegner.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Councilor Holden

 

ACKNOWLEDGED a moment of silence to honor those affected by politically motived events Mayor Dill asked for everyone to take a moment of silence for all the victims and their families of recent politically motivated events.
   
APPROVED agenda as presented MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar.  Mayor Dill asked that the following items under new business be moved to the next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting:

·         Public Works recommendation(s):

a.       Approve interim pay adjustment for Assistant Public Works Director

·         Approve Derek Hell for the internal posting of the Maintenance Worker I/Equipment Operator (Plow Truck) position

·         Approve internally posting for the Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator/Sweeper) position and if no internal interest, authorize advertising externally

The amendment requested by Mayor Dill was approved by the motion maker and the second.  Motion carried unanimously.

   
APPROVED the following meeting minutes, as presented

 

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the following meeting minutes:

·         Tuesday, September 2, 2025 regular City Council meeting

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

Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.

   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 60-2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable MOTION by Councilor Wegner to adopt Resolution No. 60-2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller    and carried unanimously.

CLAIMS

A+ Pest Management LLC Pest Control 2,171.42 81839
ACME Tools Mowers 36.28 81840
Amazon Capital Services Sup-IT 196.98 81841
Andrew Holler Lawn Cleanup 1,189.00 81842
Blue Rose Capital Advisors LLC Series 2025A Bond-Pricing Opinion 1,550.00 81843
Bolton & Menk Inc Engineering Services 46,541.00 81844
Border GMC Maint-VNP 88.86 81845
Bound Tree Medical LLC Ambulance Supplies 1,073.01 81846
Bremer Bank – Credit Card Sup-Fir/Hous, TR/TR-Pol/CAT/St/Wtr 6,050.48 81847
Brian Jespersen Police Benefit 150.00 81848
Brian Youso Police Benefit 150.00 81849
Capitol Hill Associates Inc Representation MN State Legislative 2,000.00 81850
Cenex Voyageur Fleet Gas-Grnd/Pol/Hzmt/Bldg Off/St/Amb 4,175.02 81851
CherryRoad Media Inc Council Mtg Dates/Min/Spec. Election 1,351.55 81852
Citizens for Backus/AB Lease Agreement-Suite 305 6,446.33 81853
City of Int’l Falls-Fund 401 Water/Sewer Funds Transfer 66,666.66 81854
City of Int’l Falls-Fund 403 Water/Sewer Funds Transfer 29,166.67 81855
City of Ranier Water-City Beach 136.95 81856
Civic Systems LLC Semi Annual Support-Admin 10,818.00 81857
Crandall’s Septic Pumping Portable Johns – City Parks 7,370.00 81858
Deluxe W-2/1099 Forms 266.00 81898
DSC Communications APX Batteries 1,080.00 81859
Earl F Andersen Sup-Street 2,453.80 81860
Enterprise FM Trust Vehicle Leases 20,954.29 81861
ESX Technology Solutions, LLC MDR & Firewall, SCADA Back Online 3,017.00 81862
Forestland Sales & Service Gas-Gar/VNP, M&R Equip-Grds 315.28 81863
Friend’s Garbage Monthly Garbage Service 2,856.57 81864
Frontier Monthly Telephone Service 1,367.38 81865
Gall’s Clothing-Offerdahl 52.25 81866
Geotab USA, Inc Automation-Street/P&R 39.75 81867
Gopher State One-Call Monthly Billing 147.15 81868
HACH Company Chemicals 168.50 81869
Hawkins Inc Chemicals 2,674.13 81870
Holiday Outdoor Decor Flags 252.00 81871
Hometown Billing LLC Ambulance Billing 4,374.83 81872
Hotsy Minnesota M&R Equip-Storm 114.95 81873
I-Falls Super One Foods Supplies-Garage 2.58 81886
Industrial Health Sv Ntwk Inc DOT Drg Scrn & MRO Services 49.90 81874
Kantor Electric Inc Ice Shelter Maintenance 575.00 81875
KGHS/KSDM City Talk 150.00 81876
Linde Gas & Equipment Inc Oxygen-Ambulance 1,395.43 81877
Madden Galanter Hansen LLP Labor Relations Services 765.00 81878
Mannco Trucking Inc Maint/Repair-Street 299.60 81879
Marco Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange 535.25 81880
Marco Technologies LLC Contract/Print/Copy- Fire/Adm/PW 1,477.27 81881
Mark Rock Products 3/4 Washed”, 3/4 Minus” 2,122.99 81882
Menards International Falls Sup-Gar/Wtr/Amb/St, M&R-Fire/P&R 3,016.85 81883
Michael Musich Police Benefit 150.00 81884
Midco Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt 141.26 81885
Minnesota Energy Resources Utilities 469.82 81887
Minnesota Industries Sup-St/Gar, M&R-P&R 45.50 81888
MN Power Utilities 33,307.56 81889
MTI Distributing Inc M&R-Grds 1,296.44 81890
N Kooch Area Sanitary District Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge 87,666.45 81891
NAPA Falls Supply Sup-Wtr/Grd, M&R-Fire/Amb/P&R 485.48 81892
Nuss Truck & Equipment 2023 Mack GR64F Dump Truck 1,968.48 81893
On The Rocks LLC Account Deposit Refund 20.00 81894
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc M&R Equip-St, Sup-St/Gar/Grds 418.28 81895
Pelland Welding, Inc M&R Equip – Grds, Sup-St 137.27 81896
PowerPlan Stump Grinder Parts 84.45 81897
Rainy Lake Medical Center Medical Supplies 186.69 81899
Rainy Lake Oil Fuel-St/P&R/Wtr, M&R-P&R 570.06 81900
Range Paper Corp Sup-Fire/Amb 414.67 81901
Richard Mastin Police Benefit 150.00 81902
Robert Heinlen Meal Allowance 77.54 81903
Schlenner Wenner & Co Financial Assistance 142.00 81904
Shred-N-Go Inc Recycling Police 90.30 81905
Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery Watering Trees/Labor 300.00 81906
Sportsmen’s Service Supplies-VNP 59.98 81907
Streicher’s Clothing-PT Kastens 204.99 81908
Terex Services Unit 083-Maintenance 1,592.32 81909
Terry Christie Police Benefit 150.00 81910
Terry Wood Police Benefit 150.00 81911
T-Mobile Internet-Street/Water 107.85 81912
Tom Lynch Police Benefit 150.00 81913
US Bank Trustee Fees 850.00 81914
Viking Electric Supply, LLC Sup-St Light 55.27 81915
Wagner Construction Inc Street & Utility Improvements 271,420.70 81916
William & Raelene Haynes Account Deposit Refund 20.00 81917
WMG Lyfjaberg LLC Medical Director 300.00 81918
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance 182.08 102817
American Heritage Life Ins Co Supplemental Insurance 9.64 102818
Bay Bridge Administrators LLC Supplemental Insurance 354.51 102819
Bremer Bank Federal Withholding 51,990.13 102820
Central Pension Fund Source A Retirement 5,054.40 102821
City of Int’l Falls Health Insurance-49ers 1,486.75 102822
IAMAW District W3 Union Dues 860.00 102823
Int’l Falls Ambulance Service EMT Dues 154.00 102824
Int’l Union of Oper Engineers Union Dues 910.00 102825
Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas Cop Dues 140.00 102826
Law Enforcement Labor Services Union Dues 876.00 102827
MN Child Support Pmt Ctr Wage Assignment-Child Support 177.19 102828
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding SWT 11,044.32 102829
MSRS-Empower Retirement Empower Retirement 9,398.00 102830
NCPERS Minnesota PERA Life Insurance 112.00 102831
North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist Health Insurance Premiums 420.00 102832
PERA Public Employees Retirement 51,643.88 102833
United Way of NE Minnesota Inc United Way 42.00 102834

 

AUDIENCE: Tyler Weir, 1201 2nd Ave E, stated that he is employed by the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office as an E911 Dispatcher/Corrections Officer, but was present as a taxpayer.  Mr. Weir described the 9-1-1 call process and expressed concern that it functions like a “game of telephone,” wasting valuable time.  Mr. Weir questioned why the City funds an additional dispatch function when the County already provides the service, and inquired about the annual cost of full-time firefighters performing dispatch duties.  He stated his belief that taxpayers should not be paying for two separate dispatch systems.  Mr. Weir further commented that he believes the City Administrator’s salary is significantly above the average for cities of similar size within the state and that the City employs more staff than other communities of comparable population.  He also noted that the City’s population is the lowest it has been in 70 years, yet the number of employees has increased.

Councilor Kalar responded that nothing has changed regarding how ambulance dispatching is handled, noting it has remained the same since before the implementation of paramedics.  Councilor Kalar also pointed out that staffing levels at Koochiching County, particularly within the Sheriff’s Office, have also increased.

Mayor Dill added that the City will hold another budget meeting on September 16th, during which some of the concerns raised by Mr. Weir will be discussed.

   
  Bill Valentine, 1504 5th Ave E, asked why 9-1-1 calls are dispatched through the Sheriff’s Office before being routed to the Fire Department for ambulance and fire calls, and whether efforts have been made to change this system. Councilor Kalar responded that this is the current process and, as the Mayor indicated, the City is reviewing the matter.  Councilor Kalar further explained aspects of the County’s process and requirements, noting his prior work experience with the County jail system.

Mayor Dill stated that these discussions have been ongoing during budget meetings, particularly regarding the ambulance service and its debt, and emphasized that the City has faced increasing pressure related to ambulance dispatch and management.  Mayor Dill noted, this ambulance issue is as real as it gets.

Mr. Valentine asked how long each council member has served and why the issue had not been addressed sooner. Councilor Buller explained that, prior to COVID, the City met with the County for two years in an effort to establish an ambulance taxing district, which the County declined.  Mr. Valentine asked about the status of those discussions.  Mayor Dill replied that the City and County continue to meet, and that County representatives recently attended a City of Ranier council meeting to discuss an ambulance taxing district.  Mayor Dill added that the City is in the middle of budget season and expressed confidence that changes are forthcoming.

   
  Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th St, asked if the City knows how much revenue was lost while the ambulance service was not transporting patients out of town. She also asked whether any council members had followed up with the representative from the Warroad/Roseau hospital who previously offered ideas to assist with local ambulance issues.  Mayor Dill responded that he has spoken with her and noted that every ambulance service faces different circumstances.  He explained that the City covers nearly 1,000 square miles and currently employs four paramedics, compared to six in the past.  Ms. Benedix further inquired about ambulance billing and the rumor that the service was losing money due to billing problems.  Mayor Dill stated that this is not the case, acknowledging there had been concerns with a billing agent several years ago, but confirming that billing is not currently an issue.
   
  Reynold Calder, 1901 6th Ave E, asked Councilor Kalar how long he has served on the Council.  Councilor Kalar responded that he is in his third year of the current term and had also served about 10 years ago.  Mr. Calder then asked about the qualifications for the City Administrator position and requested both the job description and the current City Administrator’s resume.  Mayor Dill asked whether this was an appropriate request, and Councilor Kalar confirmed that it is public data.  City Administrator Bergstrom informed Mr. Calder that he would need to complete a data request form. Mr. Calder requested the form be emailed to him, and Bergstrom confirmed that could be done.
   
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) None.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: None.
   
NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park for annual Home for the Holidays event

 

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve use Smokey Bear Park and co-sponsor the Home for the Holidays event, as requested by Andrea Pastor of Rainy Lake Medical Center.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 61-2025 special assessment of 5th Ave West between 19th St and 20th St for Improvement for Bituminous Paving The required Public Hearing for this item was held at 5:00 P.M. prior to the council meeting.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 61-2025 approving the cost of the special assessment for Improvement for Bituminous Paving of 5th Avenue West between 19th Street and 20th Street.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

   
ADOPTED Resolution No. 62-2025 MnDOT Airport Maintenance & Operation Grant Contract No. 1060327 MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 62-2025 authorizing execution of Minnesota Department of Transportation “Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract” No. 1060327.  Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.
   
Committee-of-the-Whole recommendation(s):

a.      APPROVED Sun Life for 2026 life insurance provider

 b.      APPROVED T-Mobile for Fire/Ambulance department

  c.       APPROVED 2026 Business License, Park and Recreation, and Other Fees schedule – effective January 1, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  d.      APPROVED first reading of ordinance to regulate Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Sales

 

e.       APPROVED placement of temporary stop sign on the NW corner of 15th Avenue and 15th Street 

 

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve renewal of 2026 life insurance with current provider Sun Life.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve T-Mobile for Government Cradelpoint R980 plan for the Fire/Ambulance department.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve 2026 Business License, Park and Recreation, and Other Fees with the following update to the data request fee:

·         Inspection: No charge.

·         Copies (≤100 pages, standard paper): $0.25 per page; no staff time charges allowed.

·         Copies (>100 pages, electronic, or non-standard): Actual costs of staff time (lowest-paid qualified employee), materials, and mailing.

·         Optional compilations: Actual costs if City agrees to create new data.

·         Advance payment: Allowed for large or costly requests, with written estimate recommended.

·         Important to note: If an individual makes multiple smaller requests to avoid being charged for actual time, the City may look at all the requests from one individual within the past 6 months to determine if the individual should be charged.

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve first reading of ordinance to regulate Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Sales.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve placement of a temporary stop sign on the northwest corner of 15th Avenue & 15th Street during the school year to help facilitate traffic control.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

   
ACKNOWLEDGED Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba for each being selected as a League of Minnesota Cities Legislator of Distinction for 2025 Mayor Dill spoke to the letters received from the League of Minnesota Cities regarding Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba both being selected as a League of Minnesota Cities Legislator of Distinction for 2025.  Mayor Dill noted his appreciation and recognized both Senator Hauschild and Representative Skraba for always being eager and willing to work for our city.

Councilor Kalar added that he appreciated the bipartisan working relationship of Senator Hauschild and Representative Skraba.

   
APPROVED special city council meeting to approve preliminary 2026 budget & levy and the second reading of Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Sales ordinance MOTION by Councilor Buller to set a Special City Council meeting for 5:30 P.M. on Monday, September 22, 2025 to consider the Preliminary 2026 Budget & Levy and the second reading of Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Sales ordinance.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.
   
Ambulance Continued Discussion Mayor Dill noted that the Koochiching County Board has met with the City of Ranier regarding the creation of an ambulance taxing district.  He encouraged everyone to watch the meeting that is available on the KCC-TV YouTube channel.
   
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 Activity Report for August 2025 was available for review.

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

   
Reports of Mayor & Council None.
   
AUDIENCE Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th St, read aloud the formal complaint against City Attorney Chelsea Nelson that she had presented to Mayor Dill on August 25, 2025.  In response, City Attorney Chelsea Nelson read aloud her professional response.
   
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Dill reminded everyone of the Special City Council meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. to approve the preliminary 2026 budget and levy and the second and final reading of Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Sales ordinance.  The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6, 2025, at 5:30 P.M.  Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 6:17 P.M.

Drake Dill, Mayor

Attest:

Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator