APPROVED agenda with addition

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda with the addition of the Minutes of the Wednesday October 2, 2019 Municipal Consent Public Information meeting – U.S. Highway 53 Reconstruction Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the

September 16, 2019 regular City Council meeting 

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 16, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the September 23, 2019 Special City Council meeting 

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of September 23, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the September 30, 2019 Special City Council meeting 

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of September 30, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the October 2, 2019 Municipal Consent-Public Information meeting on the U.S. Highway 53 Reconstruction Project 

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the Municipal Consent-Public Information meeting on the U.S. Highway 53 Reconstruction Project of October 2, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 63-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 63-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

7-Sigma Inc.

Training Kit 

1,009.16  

67077 

Adam Mannausau 

Supplies – Fire

38.48  

67078 

Alert – All Corp

Fire Safety Week 

796.50  

67079 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,990.56  

67080 

Andy Kittelson 

Travel Expense

70.00  

67081 

April Askey 

Account Deposit Refund

20.00  

67082 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Supplies – St Garage

22.98  

67083 

Automatic Systems Co.

Heater – San. Sewer

145.45  

67084 

Battalion Distributing 

Supplies – Ambulance

26.25  

67085 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

3,304.00  

67086 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Dept./Ambulance

39.25  

67087 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

67088 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies

562.26  

67089 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

Trvl-Fire, Trng Pub, Sup-P&R/Str/Pol

3,116.26  

67090 

Brian Russell 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

60.00  

67091 

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Annual CJDN Remote Access

780.00

67092 

Cenex Voyaguer Fleet 

Gas – Grounds/Police/Amb/Wtr Plnt

3,036.66  

67093 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

706.38  

67094 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

64.63  

67095 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage

1,207.64  

67096 

Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc.

Equipment Checks

1,557.50  

67097 

Clean Plus Inc.

Nitrile Gloves 

188.19  

67098 

CMS Medicare

Overpaymnt Refund-943219240067410

1,143.74  

67099 

Community Design Group 

Intl Falls Comprehensive Plan

2,851.25  

67100 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

13,421.19  

67101 

Core & Main 

Copper Tube 

211.76  

67102 

Crandall’s Septic Pumping 

Portable Johns – City Parks 

1,395.00  

67103 

Customs Credentials 

Full Color ID Cards

6.75  

67104 

Dan Sweney 

Travel Expense 

35.00  

67105 

Danny Salo 

UB Overpayment Refund

48.42  

67106 

Derek Hell 

Travel Expense 

35.00  

67107 

Diversified Inspections 

Annual Inspections 

2,389.10  

67108 

Emergency Automotive Tech Inc.

2020 Explorer Equipment 

1,902.36  

67109 

Emma Rud 

Travel & Training Reimbursement

617.72  

67110 

Erickson’s Lawncare 

Fertilizing – City Parks

4,800.00  

67111 

Ewald Enterprises 

Annual Alarm CK/Sprinkler Maint

1,119.00  

67112 

Fairchild Sign 

Welcome Sign Maint 

2,750.00  

67113 

Forestland Sales & Service 

Gas – Water Dept.

124.62  

67114 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,731.60  

67115 

Galls, an ARAMARK Co., LLC

Clothing – Amb/Mannausau/Myers

619.93  

67116 

Gopher State One – Call

Monthly Billing 

166.05  

67117 

Government Finance Officers Assoc.

GFOA Membership Dues

170.00  

67118 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

1,586.48  

67119 

Holiday Companies 

Gas-Fire/Hazmat/House/Str/Amb/Wtr

5,798.31  

67120 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Toner-Pol, Sup-Admin/Amb/Fire/M&C 

615.69  

67121 

Int’l Falls US Post Office

Permit #79 Escrow 

2,000.00  

67122 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

25,124.00  

67123

J P Cooke Co 

Animal Licenses 

83.50  

67124 

K & K Meyers Inc.

Bandsaw Kit – St Lighting

349.99  

67125 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Wtr/Str Light

2,388.93  

67126 

Kooch County Attorney 

Seized Property 

2,772.81  

67127 

Kooch County Recorder

Copies – Building Official

15.00  

67128 

Kooch County Sheriff’s Office 

Squad Room Supplies – Ink

137.50  

67129 

Lake of The Woods County

2nd Half Property Tax – Miggins

217.00  

67130 

Lawson Products Inc.

Supplies – Street Garage

648.01  

67131 

Lisa Riggs 

Travel and Training Expense

105.00  

67132 

Locators & Supplies 

Red Flags – For Locates

104.31  

67133 

LVC Inc.

VNP Sprinkler Serv/Repair, Sfty Trng

9,496.25  

67134 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Swage Tool 

1,817.24  

67135 

Madden Galanter Hansen LLP

Legal Services 

10,089.70  

67136 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Unit 123/174 – Parts 

2,408.00  

67137 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

446.00  

67138 

Marco – LEC

LEC – C368 Copier Agreement

239.26  

67139 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,180.36  

67140 

Matt Buller 

Travel Expense 

70.00  

67141 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing- Mannausau/Sears

38.00  

67142 

Menards International Falls

Sup-Fire/Str/Str Lght/Bld Of/Eng/Wtr 

685.25  

67143 

Mesabi Bituminous Inc.

Cold Mix 

8,545.25  

67144 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance 

102.58  

67145 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

574.77  

67146 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

22,689.99  

67147 

Miranda Sears 

Supplies – Fire

18.79  

67148 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes/Colored Paper – Admin

213.79  

67149 

Northwest Tire 

Maint & Repair Equip – Street 

1,780.88  

67150 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network (Wan) Services

260.00  

67151 

On2 Solutions 

Sports Floodlights 

7,040.00  

67152 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Lube-Wtr/Gar, Parts-Amb/Pol/Wtr

1,967.05  

67153 

Otis Elevator Company 

Elevator Repair – Municipal Building

1,071.00  

67154 

Rainy Lake Designs 

Landscaping – 3rd St Planter Cleanout

575.00  

67155 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Bldgs & Grds/Fire

1,243.81  

67156 

RMS Tritec LLC

Hydraulic Repairs 

23.10  

67157 

Robert Anderson 

Mayor/Council Standard Expenditure

750.00  

67158 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Police

80.00  

67159 

Ryan Hilfer 

Safety Boot Allowance 

110.00  

67160 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

67161 

Shannon’s Inc.

Building Maint – Water Plant

312.12  

67162 

Steve Boyum Construction 

Sand 

1,650.00  

67163 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

13,017.04  

67164 

Streicher’s Inc.

Blstic Vst-Kasten, Cloth-Olson/Kostiuk

1,698.87  

67165 

Stryker Sales Corp 

Maint Agreement – Lock Plate Kits

10,839.39  

67166 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

612.32  

67167 

Tanner Bombenger 

Training Supplies – Fire

53.80  

67168 

Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC

Band Shell Furnace

4,200.00  

67169 

The Nelson Trust

Health Insurance Premiums 

33,973.79  

67170 

The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters 

223 Ammo – Supplies Fire 

475.99  

67171 

Treasury Div, MN Mgmt & Budget

Seized Property 

1,104.78  

67172 

TrueNorth Steel

Re-Issue Ck 66740 Maint Storm Sewer 

5,305.11  

67173 

UHL Company Inc.

Nortec Reprs-VNP Bldg Maint-Cty Hall

3,815.77  

67174 

United Electric  

Supplies – Street

198.39  

67175 

United Rentals Inc.

Backhoe Plate – Roller Pad 

3,390.44  

67176 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service

934.66  

67177 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Supplies – St Lighting

547.55  

67178 

Viking Industrial Center 

Maint – Sanitary Sewer

106.80  

67179 

Wagner Construction Inc.

Ready Mix 

1,061.50  

67180 

Wherley Motors Inc.

2014/2016 Ford E450 Ambulance 

962.72  

67181 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Mth Chrg-Fire/Street/Wtr Plnt 

184.50  

67182 

Ziegler Inc.

Parts – Caterpillar

266.17  

67183 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

218.90 

100340

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100341

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

49,744.47

100342

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

2,813.85

100343

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S.

120.00 

100344

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

175.00

100345

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

362.15 

100346

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

10,313.47

100347

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,418.00

100348

PERA 

Retirement

36,016.44

100349

Rodenburg Law Firm 

Wage Assignment – Levy  

375.99

100350

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

550.46

100351

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

364.68 

100352

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING

First Reading of Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, to Amend the Official Zoning Map within the First Addition to International Falls Business Park from P-1, Public to M-1B, Manufacturing, and C-1A, Commercial (Council action)

Mayor Droba opened the public hearing for the First Reading to amend the official zoning map within the proposed plat of the First Addition to International Falls Business Park. Administrator Anderson summarized the request noting that the Planning Commission held a public hearing and is recommending that the proposed Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 should change zoning from P-1, Public, to M-1B, Manufacturing, and Lots 3 and 4, Block 1 should be changed from P-1, Public, to C-1A, Commercial (C-2B requested by applicant). The applicant is the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA). The ordinance is drafted with the additional provision that the zoning amendments will not take effect until the Final Plat is approved by the Council, signed, and recorded at the Koochiching County Recorder’s office. There was no public comment.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the First Reading of Ordinance No. __, 5th Series, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, to Amend the Official Zoning Map within the First Addition to International Falls Business Park from P-1, Public to M-1B, Manufacturing, and C-1A, Commercial, as proposed and recommended by the Planning Commission.

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Councilor Ditsch questioned what the intended commercial use was for this property, and expressed his concern for the impact on neighbors and increased traffic flow on Second Avenue East. It was noted that there are buffers on the east side of the property adjacent to Second Avenue East and on the north boundary of the proposed plat. Motion carried unanimously.

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 expense for Street/Water Commissioner Brokaw to attend the annual Road Salt Symposium in Vadnais Heights, MN on October 24, 2019
• Approve 2020 license renewals, as presented
• Resolution No. 64-19 approving application for exempt permit for the Friends of the Falls Fire for the annual Venison Feed on Monday, November 25, 2019
• Resolution No. 65-19 approving application for exempt permit for the Borderland Alano Club to sell raffle tickets with the drawing to be held on December 15, 2019
• Approve the 2020 Northeast Service Cooperative/BCBS health insurance renewal and authorize signatures
• Approve the 2020 Group BCBS Medicare Senior Gold health insurance renewal and authorize signatures

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation celebrating the 100^th Birthday of Ms. Margarete Kostiuk

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayoral Proclamation celebrating the 100th Birthday of Ms. Margarete Kostiuk on October 11, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation establishing October 2019 as National Chiropractic Health Month

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Mayoral Proclamation establishing October 2019 as National Chiropractic Health Month, on behalf of the local chiropractic community. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation establishing October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayoral Proclamation establishing October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 66-19 approving delinquent water and sewer accounts to be certified to the County Auditor/Treasurer

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 66-19 approving delinquent water and sewer accounts with interest to be certified to the County Auditor/Treasurer. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 67-19 approving delinquent grass and blight invoices to be certified to the County Auditor/Treasurer

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 67-19 approving delinquent grass and blight invoices with interest to be certified to the County Auditor/Treasurer. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 68-19
approving Municipal Consent and Layout for the Highway 53 Reconstruction Project with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 1

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 68-19 approving Municipal Consent and Layout for the Highway 53 Reconstruction Project with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 1. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 69-19 Approving the Preliminary Plat of the First Addition to International Falls Business Park generally located east of Highway 53 at 22^nd Street, Section 3, T70N, R24W for KEDA

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 69-19, Approving the Preliminary Plat of the First Addition to International Falls Business Park generally located east of Highway 53 at 22^nd Street, Section 3, T70N, R24W for KEDA. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED hiring Dan Sweney as Firefighter Engineer

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve hiring Dan Sweney as Firefighter Engineer, as per the International Falls Fire Department Civil Service testing process. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED necessary expenses for Dan Sweney to attend Basic Pumps & Emergency Driving classes

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve necessary expenses for Dan Sweney to attend Basic Pumps & Emergency Driving classes on November 22-24, 2019 in Little Falls, MN. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED declaring vacancy of Maintenance Worker I and authorize replacement hire

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve declaring vacancy of Maintenance Worker I in the Public Works Department and authorize the hire of Brian Kelly from the most recent applicant pool with a starting wage of eighty percent (80%) of the current Maintenance Worker I rate of pay. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

AUTHORIZED the hire of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department

MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize the hire of Marylin Hannan as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. It was noted that Ms. Hannan does not live in the eight (8) minute response area, however, she would only be working pre-scheduled shifts and not covering 911 calls. Motion carried unanimously.

AUTHORIZED the hire of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department

MOTION by Councilor Krause to authorize the hire of Linda Barnett as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPOINTED Ashley Kostiuk to the International Falls Library Board

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to confirm the Mayor’s appointment of Ashley Kostiuk to the International Falls Library Board to fill the term vacated by Lindsi Barnhart, with a term expiring December 31, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayor’s appointments to the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the following Mayoral appointments to the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee:

• Laurel Beager
• Tara Besch
• Ariana Daniel
• Duane Etienne
• Alysa Hackenmueller
• Tricia Heibel
• Brad Krasaway
• Leif Larsen
• Amy Mortenson

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.  

APPROVED advertising for candidates to serve on internal and external committees

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve advertising for candidates to serve on internal and external committees, removing the Recreation Commission from the list of applicable committees. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ACCEPTED resignation of Jerry Franzen from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and authorize advertising for applicants

MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept the resignation of Jerry Franzen from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and authorize advertising for applicants to fill the vacancies. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson stated the Comprehensive Plan is being finalized, there is a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting scheduled for Public Works on October 10, 2019, and interviews for the Councilor At-Large position on October 14, 2019. City Administrator Anderson informed the Council that the individual disputing an ambulance bill they received, which was discussed in closed session on September 9, 2019, is continuing to dispute the bill.

City Attorney Shermoen stated that he participated in a jury trial stemming from 3^rd and 4^th degree DUIs dated July 4, 2018 and the prosecution was successful in obtaining a conviction.

Police Chief Mastin gave a brief report for September 2019.

Fire Chief Mannausau gave a brief report for September 2019.  

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

Mayor Droba handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated October 7, 2019 and gave an overview of his recent activities as well as his goals for his first one hundred days in office as Mayor.  

AUDIENCE 

Duane Etienne, 1521 Main Avenue, noted that the stop sign on the south end of Crescent Drive when turning onto Crescent Drive from the highway is missing and is a safety concern.

Dr. Alyssa Clarity thanked the Council for their declaration of October 2019 as National Chiropractic Health Month and explained the numerous health benefits of chiropractic care.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on October 21, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5: 52 P.M.