July 15, 2019 City Council 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 July, 2019 at the hour of 4:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Ditsch, Droba, Krause, Buller and Mayor Anderson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with additions | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agenda with additions as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the July 1, 2019 regular Committee-of-the Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the regular Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of July 1, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the July 1, 2019 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 1, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 44-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 44-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| Adam McIntyre Painting | Grind/Clean Smokey Bear |
2,400.00 |
66553 |
| AmeriPride Services | Cleaning Service |
1,025.83 |
66554 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup |
525.00 |
66555 |
| Aqua-Pure Inc. | Coagulant/Qtly Service/Lab Bench |
8,217.75 |
66556 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping – Water Plant |
105.00 |
66557 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies |
384.10 |
66558 |
| Bowman Construction Co | Asphalt Heater |
5,000.00 |
66559 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
66560 |
| Brigzy’s Bundles | Firewood – City Beach |
75.00 |
66561 |
| Cenex Voyaguer Fleet | Gas-Grnds/Pol/Str/Amb/Wtr Plnt/Wash |
3,428.01 |
66562 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses |
9,951.67 |
66563 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses |
66,666.66 |
66564 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses |
25,760.42 |
66565 |
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach |
103.32 |
66566 |
| Civic Systems LLC | Semi – Annual Software Support |
6,442.00 |
66567 |
| Core & Main | Water Plant Meters/Supplies Water |
25,672.36 |
66568 |
| Crandall’s Septic Pumping | Lup/Blanch/Holler/Kerry/Rvr/Pat/Beach |
825.00 |
66569 |
| Customs Credentials | Full Color ID Cards |
12.75 |
66570 |
| E Kooch Sanitary Sewer Dist. | City Beach/Water Plant |
189.00 |
66571 |
| Emergency Automotive Tech Inc. | Parts – Squad Car Siren |
428.23 |
66572 |
| Erickson’s Lawncare | Fertilizing – Park/Rizzo/Kerry Park |
375.00 |
66573 |
| Falls Advanced Chiropractic | Employment Physical |
90.00 |
66574 |
| Falls Lumber Company | Supplies – Str/Gar Maint – P&R/Grnds |
371.79 |
66575 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Gas – Water Plant/Water |
90.03 |
66576 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC. | Monthly Garbage Service |
1,731.60 |
66577 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service |
2,541.86 |
66578 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing – Butts/Tveit/Fire Gen |
1,076.44 |
66579 |
| Gopher State One – Call | Monthly Billing |
213.30 |
66580 |
| Graybar | Electrical Supplies |
70.99 |
66581 |
| Hach Company | Chemicals/Lab Supplies |
357.93 |
66582 |
| Hamilton Medical | Repair of Hamilton – TI Ventilator |
1,678.67 |
66583 |
| Harley Droba | LMC Annual Conference |
601.00 |
66584 |
| Hibbing Community College | Annual Safety & Health Training |
3,187.76 |
66585 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies – Administration |
72.77 |
66586 |
| Kantor Electric Inc. | Electrical Supplies |
211.60 |
66587 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas – Str/Gar/Str Lght/Wtr/Demo |
2,807.12 |
66588 |
| Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer | LEC Quarterly Lease |
18,750.00 |
66589 |
| Kooch County Hwy Dept. | Dyed Fuel-Grnds/Str/Gar/Wtr/Strm Sew |
2,512.28 |
66590 |
| Lawson Products Inc. | Electrical Supplies |
529.39 |
66591 |
| League of Minnesota Cities | Conference Registration – Droba |
450.00 |
66592 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen LLP | Legal Services |
15,207.91 |
66593 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc. | Unit 123 – Parts |
165.72 |
66594 |
| MedicareBlue Rx | Health Insurance Premiums |
1,851.50 |
66595 |
| Melanie Clarity | Sewing – Tveit |
32.00 |
66596 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Str/Wtr/Fire/Grnds/Str Lght/Amb |
1,242.86 |
66597 |
| Meyers Glass | Door Repair – VNP Maintenance |
1,186.88 |
66598 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
66599 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities |
1,797.17 |
66600 |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies – Wtr/Str/Str Light |
98.55 |
66601 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities |
1,405.00 |
66602 |
| MN Dept. of Labor & Industry | Inspection – Pat Roche/City Hall |
72.00 |
66603 |
| MN Fire Service Cert Board | Firefighter I Exam |
345.00 |
66604 |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge |
113,401.46 |
66605 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Sup – Parts-Tools-Gar/Grnds/Str/Amb |
411.53 |
66606 |
| North Star Publishing | Forms – Ambulance/Blight Inspection |
413.94 |
66607 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Maint-Sup-Gar/Str/Wtr/Fire/Amb/Plnt |
1,543.98 |
66608 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc. | Parts-Tools-Sup-Grnds/Amb/Str/Fire |
1,925.17 |
66609 |
| Pace Analytical Services Inc. | City Beach Water Testing |
45.00 |
66610 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc. | 324-L Trimmer/Oil – Gar/Parts – Fire |
437.89 |
66611 |
| Plasky Repair | 650 Dozer Install Door Glass |
90.80 |
66612 |
| Praxair Distribution Inc. | Oxygen – Ambulance |
144.97 |
66613 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies |
256.88 |
66614 |
| Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC | Gas – Grounds/Fire |
18.29 |
66615 |
| Range Paper Corp | Sup – Tools – Bldgs & Grds/VNP/Str |
2,058.20 |
66616 |
| Robert Anderson | LMC Annual Conference |
701.86 |
66617 |
| Schlenner Wenner & Co | 2018 Audit/Audit Work |
29,310.00 |
66618 |
| Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery | City Beach Work |
269.50 |
66619 |
| Soundnorth | Battery – Firehall |
19.99 |
66620 |
| Spohn Ranch Inc. | Skate Park – Maint |
5,177.08 |
66621 |
| Strategic Insights Inc. | Plan – IT Software License Renewal |
725.00 |
66622 |
| Streicher’s Inc. | Clothing – Kennedy/Wherley/Franko |
1,350.81 |
66623 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC | Bldg Maint – Fire Hall |
150.00 |
66624 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
66625 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
66626 |
| The Journal | Agendas/Minutes/Ordinances/Audit |
2,740.16 |
66627 |
| Thyssen Krupp Elevator Corp | Water Plant Elevator Maint |
699.91 |
66628 |
| UHL Company Inc. | Bldg Maint – VNP/Library |
1,588.00 |
66629 |
| United States Treasury | PCORI Fees |
161.70 |
66630 |
| USABlueBook | Tools – Water |
688.30 |
66631 |
| Vicky Steinbach | 1519 2nd Ave E – Insurance Claim |
11,387.16 |
66632 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc. | Electrical Supplies |
487.78 |
66633 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit |
150.00 |
66634 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Mth Chrg – Fire/Street/Wtr Plnt |
141.31 |
66635 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance |
218.90 |
100235 |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100236 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding |
39,383.53 |
100237 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund | Retirement |
2,770.86 |
100238 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA – Police/Fire |
546.00 |
100239 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance – 49ers |
304.00 |
100240 |
| Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100241 |
| IAMAW District W33 | Union Dues |
1,790.00 |
100242 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues |
203.00 |
100243 |
| Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers | Union Dues |
805.00 |
100244 |
| I.U.O.E. Local 49ers | Health Reimbursement |
180.00 |
100245 |
| MN Benefit Association | Supplemental Life Insurance |
20.43 |
100246 |
| MN Child Support Payment Center | Wage Assignment |
362.15 |
100247 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding |
8,193.15 |
100248 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp |
6,536.00 |
100249 |
| PERA | Life Insurance |
64.00 |
100250 |
| PERA | Retirement |
29,844.19 |
100251 |
| Rodenburg Law Firm | Wage Assignment |
265.02 |
100252 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVED First Reading of Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Repealing Ordinance No. 31 and Enacting Revised Chapter 14 of the City Code Imposing a One Percent (1%) Local Sales and Use Tax |
City Administrator Anderson reviewed Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Repealing Ordinance No. 31 and Enacting Revised Chapter 14 of the City Code Imposing a One Percent (1%) Local Sales and Use Tax. Councilor Droba inquired the reasoning for the repeal. City Administrator Anderson stated that he and the Mayor received correspondence from the Commissioner of Revenues office indicating they wanted a standardize template that all community’s use establishing a local Sales and Use Tax.
MOTION by Councilor Droba approving the First Reading Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Repealing Ordinance No. 31 and Enacting Revised Chapter 14 of the City Code Imposing a One Percent (1%) Local Sales and Use Tax. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. MOTION by Councilor Krause to hold a Special City Council Meeting on Monday July 22, at 5:00 P.M. for the Second Reading of Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Repealing Ordinance No. 31 and Enacting Revised Chapter 14 of the City Code Imposing a One Percent (1%) Local Sales and Use Tax. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| OPENING BIDS: | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS: | None |
| CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Councilor Droba asked for a point of order inquiring why the VFW Post 2948 and Boise White Paper, LLC were on the consent agenda when they had previously been approved. City Administrator Anderson stated that he just learned that state law requires adoption of a resolution to accept donations. The previous resolutions are included in the resolution with the other new donations. Motion carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: International Falls, Rainy Lake, and Ranier Convention and Visitors Bureau annual report presentation for FY2018-2019 |
Pete Schultz, from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented the International Falls, Rainy Lake, and Ranier Convention and Visitors Bureau annual report for FY2018-2019 |
| APPROVED request to provide a Certificate of Support for the Citizens for Backus/AB application for financial support from the USDA – Rural Development | Tim Fairchild shared that Backus/AB Community Center has filed an application for financial assistance with the USDA – Rural Development. The funds would be used to improve health and safety in the Backus Building, improve energy efficiency and help maintain the structural integrity of the historic building and include:
Mr. Fairchild is requesting a certificate of support showing the communities support of the project. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve providing a Certificate of Support for the Citizens for Backus/AB application for financial support from the USDA – Rural Development. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| AUTHORIZED $400 to advertise and sponsor the 6:00 P.M., August 7th reception/presentation at the AmericInn on Increasing a community’s sense of purpose, identity and can-do spirit by finding a common sense of direction by Don Ness, former Duluth Mayor |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize $400 to advertise and sponsor the 6:00 P.M., August 7th reception/presentation at the AmericInn on Increasing a community’s sense of purpose, identity and can-do spirit by finding a common sense of direction by Don Ness, former Duluth Mayor. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba whom questioned if we could co-sponsor this event. City Administrator Anderson will check the public expenditure policy. Motion carried unanimously. |
| Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notice of Service Connection Fee Increase from $6.36 to $9.72 per customer effective January 1, 2020 | City Administrator Anderson received a letter from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) indicating there will be a Service Connection Fee Increase from $6.36 to $9.72, per customer, per year effective January 1, 2020. The City typically bills this expense once annually in the July water bill sent to each customer. |
| APPROVED Building Demolition Policy as amended and lifted Moratorium | City Administrator Anderson stated the Council reduced the number of building types, will demolish homesteaded single-family residential buildings and not rental buildings at City expense, deleted the Type B building, and combined duplex buildings with Type A buildings.
MOTION by Councilor Droba to approve the Building Demolition Policy with the following revisions on Page 1 Section II, Definition of Terms. Types of Buildings. Eligibility of Buildings, under Type A, remove the word “duplex”, also remove the word “duplex” from the second bullet. Page 2 under Type D, insert the word “duplex” after multifamily housing. Section III, Demolition Fees, under Type A, remove the word “duplex.” Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. City Administrator Anderson stated that modifications are still needed for Exhibit B, Application to Qualify Building for Demolition form and Building Demolition Ready form. MOTION by Councilor Droba to amend original motion to allow revisions to Exhibit B, which will be presented at the Special City Council meeting on Monday July 22, 2019, and to lift the moratorium. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion carried unanimously. The vote to approve the Main Motion as amended carried unanimously. |
| AUTHORIZED Declaring two Police squad’s surplus equipment and authorize the Police Chief to sell and dispose of the excess property via DoBid online bids | MOTION by Councilor Buller authorizing declaring two Police squad’s surplus equipment and authorize the Police Chief to sell and dispose of the excess property via DoBid online bids. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba.
City Administrator Anderson requested the funds from the sale be placed in 402 Reserve for Capital Outlay Fund, Police Vehicles/Equipment, instead of the General Fund. Councilor Droba questioned the change in the disbursement of the funds. City Administrator Anderson explained if the vehicle had been traded-in, the funds would not have gone to the General Fund. The Do-Bid revenues will be used to reduce the cost of the purchase of future Police Vehicles and payment out of the General Fund. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to amend the motion to place the funds from the sale in the 402 Reserve for Capital Outlay Fund, Police Equipment. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. The vote to approve the Main Motion as amended carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Police Civil Service Commission and Police Chief recommendation to hire Anthony Kastens for position of Part-time Patrol Officer effective July 16, 2019 | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve Police Civil Service Commission and Police Chief recommendation to hire Anthony Kastens for position of Part-time Patrol Officer effective July 16, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Resolution No. 46-19, PERA Declaration for Part-time Patrol Office Anthony Kastens | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Resolution No. 46-19, PERA Declaration for Part-time Patrol Officer Anthony Kastens. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Resolution No. 47-19, Delegating authority to make electronic fund transfers to the Finance Officer and Deputy City Administrator | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve Resolution No. 47-19, Delegating authority to make electronic fund transfers to the Finance Officer and Deputy City Administrator. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED WSN proposal to conduct Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and public parking lot condition assessment for up to $8,300 payable from MSA and PI Fund Professional Services | Councilor Buller asked why and what is the purpose of the assessment. City Administrator Anderson stated the previous Council had approved assessment of our local streets. Streets were rated 1 to 6. Recommendation at that time was to not assess the Municipal State Aid (MSA) streets and public parking lots. The staff is requesting to have the assessment completed so our MSA streets and parking lots are rated. This rating will be used to determine which streets/parking lots need repairs and how they fit into our improvement schedule. Street/Water Commissioner stated that it is beneficial to have all our streets and parking lots rated on the same system.
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve WSN proposal to conduct Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and public parking lot condition assessment for up to $8,300 payable from MSA and PI Fund Professional Services. |
| OTHER BUSINESS: | None. |
| REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
Police Chief Mastin gave a brief report for June 2019.
Fire Chief Mannausau gave a brief report for June 2019. Councilor Droba inquired about blight removal. Chief Mannausau stated that 84 letters have been sent. He also shared that homeowners have been more receptive this year with cleaning up their properties after receiving a letter. Building Official Meyers gave a brief report for second quarter 2019. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated July 15, 2019. Mayor Anderson also shared an email he received from MnDOT regarding construction beginning July 22, 2019 along Highway 53 south of Cook.
Councilor Droba shared that a Public Works Committee meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. |
| AUDIENCE | Duane Etienne, from KGHS/KSDM radio stated that the stop light at the corner of 3rd St. and 6th Ave. is not being triggered. Motorists are using the KGHS/KSDM parking lot to avoid waiting for the light. Employees have on occasion gone and hit the button to trigger the change in the light. Street/Water Commissioner Ted Brokaw stated that crews will be out soon painting yellow blocks so drivers will know where to stop their car to activate the stop light. Mayor Anderson asked that research be done to see if any signage exists instructing the motorist how to trigger the light change.
Ricky Roche from 6 R’s Inc., addressed his concerns regarding the road near his business on 22nd St. He inquired if the road would be improved by paving it or if gravel would be laid. Street/Water Commissioner Ted Brokaw stated that there are no plans for improvements at this time. Mayor Anderson stated they will discuss it at the Public Works meeting on Wednesday, July 17. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Anderson reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. A Special City Council meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. for the second reading of the ordinance imposing the one percent sales and use tax and repealing Ordinance No. 31. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:17 P.M. |
ATTEST: Robert W. Anderson, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator
