APPROVED agenda as presented

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the June 10, 2019 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2019 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the June 17, 2019 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2019 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the

June 17, 2019 regular City Council meeting with amendments

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 17, 2019 with the following changes: remove “FHA” and replace with “FAA”; change “$2,5000,000 to “$2,500,000” as suggested by Mayor Anderson. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the June 24, 2019 Special City Council meeting with amendment

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of June 24, 2019 with the following change: replace “Legislative” with “Legislature” as suggested by Mayor Anderson. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 43-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 43-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

Adam Mcintyre Painting

City Beach Bath House 

2,200.00  

66435 

Alex Air Apparatus Inc.

Sup/Boots/Hose-Fire Harness-Wtr Plnt

2,271.77  

66436 

All Season Equipment Inc.

Stihl Parts/Oil/Ariens Parts 

191.65  

66437 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums

2,032.36  

66438 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

3,501.00  

66439 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,484.00  

66440 

Biller Press 

Parking Ticket Books 

338.83  

66441 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

66442 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

AED’s Sup/Trvl Exp/Comm – Amb/Fire

3,727.96  

66443 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

498.42  

66444 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage

1,339.19  

66445 

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Lodging Tax 

9,470.00  

66446 

Core & Main 

Sanitary Sewer Parts 

408.73  

66447 

Diamond Blade Warehouse 

Supplies – Street

979.97  

66448 

Emergency Automotive Tech Inc.

Parts – Squad Car

166.67  

66449 

Entenmann – Rovin Co.

Officer Badges 232/223 

419.00  

66450 

Erickson’s Lawncare 

Fertilizing-Smokey Bear Park/Lib/VNP

4,800.00  

66451 

Galls, An Aramark Co., LLC.

Clothing – Ambulance/Fire 

800.07  

66452 

Golden Rule Creations 

Uniform Shoulder Patches

623.63  

66453 

Graybar 

Electrical Supplies/Street Light

527.79  

66454 

Grotberg Electronics LLC.

Upfit Unit 1901/Light Bar Repair 

1,885.00  

66455 

Holiday Companies 

Gas – Grnds/Fire/Pol/Str/Amb/Wtr/P&R

4,470.29  

66456 

Hydro Klean

Televise Sewer Lines 

12,608.51  

66457 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC.

Supplies – Admin/Street/Build Official

205.60  

66458 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

23,884.00  

66459 

Kevin Zook 

Reimburse for Gas Purchase

95.00

66460 

Lakehead Trucking Inc.

Ballfield Lime 

1,543.50  

66461 

Lawson Products Inc.

Supplies – Water Plant

388.08  

66462 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange 

446.00  

66463 

Marco Technologies LLC.

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,168.74  

66464 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Fire Dept 

104.00  

66465 

Menards International Falls 

Sup – Housing/Str Light/Wtr/Gar/Str

219.07  

66466 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance 

102.58  

66467 

Minnesota Energy Resources

Utilities 

302.30  

66468 

Minnesota Industries 

Sfty Equip-Wtr Plnt/Grnds Gloves-Wtr 

245.25  

66469 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

22,688.06  

66470 

MN Dept. of Labor & Industry

Elevator ID #01884

100.00  

66471

PowerPlan

650k Parts/Unit 043 – Parts 

737.66  

66472 

Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso

January – June 2019

2,540.51  

66473 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Amb/Fire

608.73  

66474 

Robert Bahr 

Top Soil 

240.00  

66475 

Scholler Repair

Door Assembly – Dodge

130.00  

66476 

Sears & Northland Sales & Service

Tools – Ambulance

116.47  

66477 

Shannon’s Inc.

Filters – Water Plant

66.60  

66478 

Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery 

Flowers – Cty Bch/Cty Plntrs/11th St

1,087.65  

66479 

Small Town Tech Inc.

Wireless Mouse – Fire

21.50  

66480 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

9,995.95  

66481 

Streicher’s Inc.

Mag – Cloth-Less/Franko/Kost/Els/Ken

1,422.62  

66482 

Stryker Sales Corp 

Ambulance Supplies

103.50  

66483 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

576.50  

66484 

Tactical Solutions 

Radar Calibration (5) 

177.00  

66485 

The Dent Shop 

Repairs – Covel Vehicle

361.75  

66486 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums

33,973.79  

66487 

The Sherwin Williams Co-Bemidji 

Maint for Paint Machine/Paint

315.22  

66488 

The Tessman Company 

Fast N Full Sun/Shade Relegate – Rye

384.30  

66489 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Electrical Supplies 

2,315.12  

66490

Wherley Motors Inc.

2014 Ford Explorer Repairs 

510.03  

66491 

Widseth Smith Nolting 

PI Wtr/Bit Pav – Demo-MSA 14th Ave

52,191.41  

66492 

WMG Lyfjaberg LLC.

Medical Director 

300.00  

66493 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

446.18

100221 

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100222

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

42,681.67

100223

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

2,934.75

100224

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100225

IF Fire Dept. Relief

Volunteer Firemen Dues 

420.00

100226

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

168.00

100227

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

362.15

100228

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding

8,643.75

100229

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,536.00

100230

PERA 

Retirement 

30,964.48

100231

Rodenburg Law Firm 

Wage Assignment – Levy  

288.87

100232

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

602.92

100233

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance

364.68

100234

AUDIENCE

ACCEPTED KTI donation and APPROVED Wi-Fi installation

Ted Saxton, Small Town Tech, approached the Council as a member of both the International Falls Public Library Board and the Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) to request permission for the Library to have equipment installed at both the Library and the Bandshell that would allow for public Wi-Fi in Smokey Bear Park. Saxton explained that the equipment and installation is fully funded by a grant the Library received from the Koochiching Technology Initiative. Saxton also explained that the Street/Water Commissioner, Ted Brokaw, was happy with the placement of the equipment on both buildings. MOTION by Councilor Krause to accept contribution of the Wi-Fi signal from the Library to the Bandshell and authorize installation of equipment. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS  

None. 

OLD BUSINESS

None.

CONSENT AGENDA:

APPROVED as presented

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

• Approve/allow necessary expenses for City Attorney Shermoen to attend the 2019 Criminal Justice Institute in Minneapolis on September 11 & 12, 2019
• Approve/allow necessary expenses for Public Works employee Justin Mostad to attend the University of Minnesota LTAP Motor Grader Operator Training in Brandon, MN on July 29 & 30, 2019
• Accept the following donations to the July 4th Commission for the 2019 July 4th Celebration:
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 2948 – $500
  • Boise White Paper, LLC – $2,500

Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

AUTHORIZED sending letter of support for the 2019 BUILD Discretionary Grant application for Koochiching County to construct a Bridge Overpass at the CSAH 24 (Van Lynn Road)/CN Rail Crossing

MOTION by Councilor Krause to authorize sending a letter of support for the 2019 BUILD Discretionary Grant application for Koochiching County to construct a Bridge Overpass at the CSAH 24 (Van Lynn Road)/CN Rail Crossing. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Councilor Droba questioned why the City was involved due to this being outside the city limits of the City of International Falls, aside from the City providing emergency support services. Councilor Droba stated he will however support sending the letter. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Droba, Krause and Mayor Anderson voting “yea,” and Councilor Buller abstaining as a County employee.

APPROVED Memorial Bench at Riverside Drive Park for memorial to Ralph Brown.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve a Memorial Bench at Riverside Drive Park for memorial to Ralph Brown. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Order to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District for Inter-City Oil of America (I.C.O.), 1604 Highway 11-71, International Falls, Minnesota

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the City Attorney filing an Order for the Matter of a Hazardous Building owned by Inter-City Oil of America (I.C.O.), located at 1604 Highway 11-71, International Falls in District Court, Ninth Judicial District. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Building Official Meyers distributed pictures of the I.C.O. building in its current condition as of earlier that day. Meyers stated that in his professional opinion the building is over fifty percent damaged and not worth the repairs necessary to bring the building up to necessary building and health standards. The Mayor concurred with the Building Official’s assessment of the property. City Attorney Shermoen noted that if I.C.O. does not comply with the order in the timeframe designated in the order (45 days to complete repairs/60 days to remove the building) the City can proceed with an order to the court to demolish the property and is able to assess all costs to be paid with property taxes related to removing the building, including but not limited to demolition, disposal, legal, and court costs. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVED Order to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District for 1531 Second Avenue East, International Falls, Minnesota

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the City Attorney filing an Order for the Matter of a Hazardous House owned by Tim Collelo Realty LLC, located at 1531 Second Avenue East, International Falls in District Court, Ninth Judicial District. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba. Discussion ensued about the transfer of ownership between the time when the original building violation letters were issued and now. Chief Mannausau stated that there has been written communication in the form of blight, long grass, and building condition violations from his department to the new owner, Tim Collelo Realty LLC. Councilor Droba stated that this is a similar situation to the Tee Pee Motel, where the property was sold to another commercial entity, however this is a residential house. Councilor Droba stated that if the City were to tear it down under the City’s current demolition policy that is under a moratorium, the property may be more profitable to the owner if they wanted to sell it and he feels that is wrong. It was also discussed if the City demolished the buildings, whether or not they could assume ownership of the property in return for tearing the buildings down. City Attorney Shermoen stated that in order for the City to take the property in return for demolishing the buildings, it would have to revise the current demolition policy. Building Official Meyers stated that if the owner does not comply with the order in the timeframe designated, the City would be able to file an order with the court to allow the City to tear down the building and assess the costs to the property taxes. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVED Order to file in District Court, Ninth Judicial District for 723 Ninth Street, International Falls, Minnesota

MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the City Attorney filing an Order for the Matter of a Hazardous House owned by Vicki Heiss, located at 723 Ninth Street, International Falls in District Court, Ninth Judicial District. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

TABLED consideration of the proposed revisions to the Building Demolition Policy

MOTION by Councilor Krause to table consideration of the proposed revisions to the Building Demolition Policy until the July 15, 2019 City Council meeting and continue the moratorium on accepting new demolition applications. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations:

1. APPROVED temporarily suspending calendar parking city-wide

MOTION by Councilor Krause to temporarily suspend calendar parking city-wide from 6:00 P.M. July 2, 2019 until 12:01 A.M. July 8, 2019 to allow for the large number of family and friends anticipated to be in town for the July 4^th festivities. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Councilor Krause explained that both the Police Chief and Fire Chief are in agreement that this temporary suspension is acceptable to their respective departments. Councilor Droba expressed that he feels this is a bad choice. Droba stated that the City has explained that the purpose of calendar parking is for street cleaning, snow removal, easy flow for emergency personnel, and he believes this suspension would be contradictory to that message. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Anderson voting “yea,” and Councilor Droba voting “nay”.

1. APPROVED continuing current work schedule for Paramedics

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to continue with the current work schedule for Paramedics from the trial schedule with shifts from:

• 6:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
• 10:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
• 6:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Councilor Droba stated this was a difficult decision, because while this new schedule has alleviated staff burnout, it puts the City in a challenging financial position and is not a long-term solution. Mayor Anderson echoed Councilor Droba’s sentiments and agreed that alternative long-term options will have to be looked at, such as taxpayer dollars subsidizing the ambulance service. Councilor Krause agreed that this is a difficult choice for the future and inevitably changes must be made to allow the ambulance service to continue long-term. Motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson stated that he distributed the necessary Local Sales and Use Tax information to the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue. He also stated that the Department of Revenue has stated they will work with the City to ensure it is ready for the October 1, 2019 implementation date. Anderson also stated there is a meeting scheduled with the MnDOT personnel and consulting engineer on July 11, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. on the Highway 53 Reconstruction project.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Councilor Droba stated that he and the Mayor attended the League of Minnesota Cities Conference in Duluth, MN, where the focus was on community engagement. He explained that he would like to see the City work on its community engagement through its notices and social media.

Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated July 1, 2019 and emphasized the upcoming International Falls July 4^th Celebration. He thanked participating organizations and City staff for their work. He also stated that he would like to see the City Council Agendas, published in the Journal, be printed in a larger font size in order to engage the citizens.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Anderson reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on July 15, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 5:53 P.M.