APPROVED agenda as presented

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

APPROVED minutes of the August 19, 2019 Committee-of-the Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of August 19, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the

August 19, 2019 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 19, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the August 26, 2019 Special City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of August 26, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 54-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 54-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,990.56  

66884 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

1,330.00  

66885 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Tools/Sup/Parts-Gar/Wtr/Wtr Plnt/Street 

90.43  

66886 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,484.00  

66887 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant/Ambulance

71.00  

66888 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

66889 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

381.64  

66890 

Brigzy’s Bundles 

Firewood – City Beach

110.00  

66891 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

729.71  

66892 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,256.33  

66893 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

13,864.55  

66894 

Core & Main 

Meters-W/Hourly Read & Leak Detect

9,849.20  

66895 

Earl F Andersen 

Playground Equipment – Sand Digger

1,228.36  

66896 

Erin Technology LLC

Anural Maint Evidence Rm Info. Net

750.00  

66897 

Forest Lake Printing 

Fire Dept. Clothing

137.43  

66898 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Bombenger

152.96  

66899 

Holiday Companies 

Gas-Grnds/Fire/Demo/Str/Gar/Amb/Wtr 

6,271.46  

66900 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

25,124.00  

66901 

Jacob Clarity 

IT Services

325.00  

66902 

K & K Meyers Inc.

Door Repairs – Fire Hall

1,862.84  

66903 

Kenneth R Anderson 

Copy From Recorder’s Office/Trvl Exp 

35.84  

66904 

Kooch County Sheriff’s Office 

Everbridge System 

2,750.00  

66905 

Locators & Supplies

Electrical Supplies 

89.61  

66906 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Parts – Vactor

182.52  

66907 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

2,453.18  

66908 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

446.00  

66909 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract Agree – Fire/Admin/PW

1,193.97  

66910 

Menards International Falls 

Sup-Fire/Str/Wtr/Amb/CAT/Amb/P&R

887.34  

66911 

Meyers Glass 

Door Repair – Street Garage

85.00  

66912 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance

102.58  

66913 

Minnesota Dept. of Health

State Test Fee 

4,232.00  

66914 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

132.26  

66915 

MN Dept. of Labor & Industry

Pressure Vessel 

35.00  

66916 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Parts – Water

256.43  

66917 

Municipal Code Corporation 

City Code Update 

591.55  

66918 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes – Admin

61.11  

66919 

Pace Analytical Services Inc.

City Beach Water Testing 

15.00  

66920 

PowerPlan

Parts – Street Dept.

486.90  

66921 

Range Paper Corp 

Supplies – VNP/Bldgs/Street

892.63  

66922 

Robert Bahr 

Top Soil 

1,920.00  

66923 

Shannon’s Inc.

Bldg Maint-Chamber 

53.45  

66924 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

9,824.50  

66925

Stryker Sales Corp 

Ambulance Stretcher Battery Packs 

1,292.29  

66926 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

588.95  

66927 

Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC

Bldg Maint-Fire Hall/Water Dept.

1,326.28  

66928 

Ted Brokaw 

Asset Mgmt Training – Alexandria

681.73  

66929 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

33,973.79  

66930 

The Sherwin Williams Co – Virginia

Paint Sprayer Repair Kit 

97.67  

66931 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

873.20  

66932 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Electrical Supplies/Tools 

263.60  

66933 

Water Conservation Services Inc.

Water Leak Survey 

4,800.00  

66934 

Xerox Corporation 

Monthly Charges/Maint Agree-Street 

20.43  

66935 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

218.90

100299

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100300

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

38,987.30

100301

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

2,794.84

100302

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100303

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

168.00

100304

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

362.15 

100305

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

8,078.36

100306

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp

6,419.00

100307

PERA 

Retirement 

29,456.37

100308

Rodenburg Law Firm 

Wage Assignment – Levy  

269.24

100309

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

591.06

100310

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

364.68

100311

AUDIENCE

Joan Christensen, 3292 County Road 24, welcomed the Council to attend the presentation entitled “The Economics of Climate Change and Climate Solutions” presented by Indivisible IFalls on September 25, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS  

None. 

OLD BUSINESS

None.

CONSENT AGENDA

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation observing CareerForce Week

Alysa Hackenmueller, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training (NEMOJT), was on hand to explain that the local Minnesota WorkForce Center is rebranding to CareerForce. Hackenmueller explained that rebranding will make all of their services readily available in one place and will allow for re-training of employees. Hackenmueller stressed her office connects job seekers and businesses, and provides one-on-one guidance, training, networking, labor market information and more. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 16-22, 2019 CareerForce Week in the City of International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation observing National Rail Safety Week

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Mayoral Proclamation observing National Rail Safety Week, September 22-28, 2019, on behalf of the CN 100^th Anniversary and MD & W local short-line rail. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously.

APPROVED letter of recognition and thanks to Representative Rob Ecklund

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to send a letter to Representative Rob Ecklund, District 3A, in recognition of his League of Minnesota Cities “Legislator of Distinction” status and in thanks for all of his hard work for this community. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 55-19 modifying the loan payment schedule paid by KEDA for the 2017 Cold Box Construction Project

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 55-19 modifying KEDA’s loan payment schedule for the 2017 Cold Box Construction Project by delaying the annual payment due date from November 1 to December 31 in order to alleviate financial constraints. Motion seconded by Councilor Droba and carried unanimously. Councilor Droba stated that at a later date KEDA may request the City to forgo the 2020 loan payment due to financial difficulties.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 56-19 approving and authorizing signatures for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission 2019 Federal Grant Agreement(s)

MOTION by Councilor Droba to adopt Resolution No. 56-19 approving and authorizing signatures for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission 2019 Federal Grant Agreement(s). Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED three-year contract with Stryker for preventative maintenance on Ambulance equipment

Fire Chief Mannausau explained that the purpose of the three-year preventative maintenance contract with Stryker would be to ensure that regular maintenance is scheduled and performed on ambulance equipment such as the power cots and lifts. This would ensure equipment is properly maintained and would help avoid unnecessary costly repairs down the line. MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the ProCare Services Agreement with Stryker for a three-year maintenance agreement on four Power Cots, four Power-LOAD, and four Stair Chairs for a cost of $7,764 (plus the quoted price for four Stair Chairs – pending) and authorize signatures subject to compliance with the following:

1. Service Agreement effective dates from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022,
   
2. deleting in number 14 the phrase “. . . Stryker ceases to provide Services or . . .”
   
3. Stryker submittal of certificates of insurance naming the City of International Falls as an additional insured per number 16, and
   
4. Stryker submittal of price quote to add preventive maintenance services for four Stair Chairs with said costs to be included or deleted from Service Agreement at the Fire Chief’s discretion.
   

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson provided notification from TransformCo, owner of the local Kmart store, stating the local Kmart will be closing permanently on December 15, 2019.

City Administrator Anderson stated that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has invited the public to an open house to learn about updating the master plan for the David Dill-Arrowhead State Trail in St. Louis and Koochiching counties. The open house will be from 6-8 P.M. on September 4 at the Cook Community Center.

City Administrator Anderson explained that the League of Minnesota Cities has reported that the FCC has put restrictions on franchise fees and the City may have to revise its franchise agreement with Midcontinent Communications sometime in the future.

City Administrator Anderson informed the Council that someone is disputing an ambulance bill they received and has requested the Council hold a Special closed-session meeting to discuss this matter with the ambulance patient, their legal representative, and the City Attorney. MOTION by Councilor Krause to schedule a closed Special City Council meeting on September 9, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

City Attorney Shermoen explained that Inter-City Oil (ICO) was disputing the City’s findings in Court regarding the condition of the building and the request for demolition. ICO reconsidered and has taken it upon themselves to demolish the building, which has already begun. The other two properties with court orders filed are scheduled to be heard in district court on October 3, 2019.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Councilor Ditsch stated there is a Commercial, Residential Building, and Property Blight Ad Hoc Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for September 10, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. Councilor Ditsch expressed his concern and frustration with commercial buildings in the city limits that he believes are violating the blight ordinance and urged City officials to take action against said businesses. Fellow Councilors echoed his sentiments, but stated that blight enforcement takes time and the community has many other good things happening that need to be acknowledged rather than dwelling on the negative.

Mayor Anderson handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated September 3, 2019. Mayor Anderson thanked all involved in making the 2019 Labor Day Picnic a success.

APPROVED travel expenses to attend the 2019 League of Minnesota Cities regional meetings

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve travel expenses for Council members and staff to attend the 2019 League of Minnesota Cities regional meetings. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Anderson reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on September 16, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 5:28 P.M.