APPROVED agenda with additions

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda with additions as presented:

• Consider Mayor’s appointment of Michael Klaphake to the vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals to the term expiring December 31, 2019 (Council action)
  
• Schedule a Special City Council meeting to consider Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation(s) (Council action)
  
• Discuss times for holding monthly Committee-of-the-Whole meetings (Council action)
  

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the October 21, 2019 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 21, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the October 21, 2019 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of October 21, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 73-19 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 73-19 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Adam Mannausau 

CAT Team Training

70.00  

67319 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,990.56  

67320

Andy Kittelson 

Boot Allowance 

110.00  

67321 

Aqua – Pure Inc.

Polymer 

2,912.00  

67322 

Armory Shell Service 

Unit 123-Dump Truck Wrecker Service 

1,175.00  

67323 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Supplies – Water Dept.

1.10  

67324 

Battalion Distributing 

Supplies – Ambulance

108.00  

67325 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,248.00  

67326 

Ben Mortenson 

CAT Team Training

70.00  

67327 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Ambulance

9.00  

67328 

Borderland Humane Society

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

67329 

Borderland Substance Abuse Court

Prosecution Costs 

8,750.00  

67330 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

743.40  

67331 

Bowman Asphalt Products Inc.

14th Ave MSA – Appl 1

223,541.65  

67332

City of Fargo, North Dakota

Water Lab Tests 

80.00  

67333 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

738.52  

67334 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

2,247.15  

67335 

CMS Medicare

Overpayment Refund – 25471186

370.13  

67336 

Commercial Refrigeration System

Kerry Park Arena 

4,820.00  

67337 

Commissioner of Public Safety

Excavation Activity Breach of Gas Line

200.00  

67338 

Community Design Group 

Intl Falls Comprehensive Plan 

2,776.25

67339 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

14,031.90  

67340 

Core & Main 

Meter Repair/Supplies – Business Park 

3,579.44  

67341 

Deb Scofield 

Flowers – 11th Street Garden

50.00  

67342 

Display Sales 

LED Mini Lights

418.00

67343 

DSC Communications

Radio Batteries (12) 

687.00  

67344 

Earl Boyum 

Waste Tires 

320.00  

67345 

Earl F Andersen 

Signs/Supplies – Park & Rec

768.10  

67346 

Emergency Automotive Tech Inc.

2020 Explorer Equipment 

326.46

67347 

Essentia Health  

Oxygen 

141.36  

67348 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Sweney

28.67  

67349 

Gard Specialists Co., Inc.

Supplies – St Garage

498.02  

67350 

Graybar 

Street Lighting 

99.84  

67351

Hawk Labeling Systems 

Office Supplies – Ambulance/Fire

151.20  

67352 

Holiday Companies 

Gas – Fire/Street/Ambulance/Water

5,770.18  

67353 

Hydro Klean 

Sanitary Manhole Rehabilitation 

11,566.80  

67354 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Sup-Admin/Wtr Admin/Pol/Eng/Street

197.99  

67355 

I.U.O.E Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

31,324.00  

67356 

KGM Contractors Inc.

FOB Mix

2,269.30  

67357 

K-Mart 9689 

Refund Partial Account Deposit

30.85  

67358 

Kooch County Diesel Inc.

Unit 123 – Repairs

80.00  

67359 

Kooch County Hwy Dept.

Dyed Fuel – Grnds/Street/Garage/Water

1,943.63  

67360 

Lawson Products Inc.

Electrical Supplies 

432.84  

67361 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Parts – Vactor

160.01

67362 

Marco 

Microsoft – Exchange/License for Server

1,203.75  

67363 

Marco – LEC

LEC – C368 Copier Agreement

241.50  

67364 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,405.40  

67365 

Med One Equipment Services 

Medsystem Charger

260.00  

67366 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Sweney

54.00  

67367 

Menards International Falls 

Supplies/Tools-Wtr/Str/Amb/Bldg Off 

292.89  

67368 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Ambulance 

132.58  

67369

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

665.65  

67370 

MN State Fire Dept. Assoc.

Utilities 

375.00  

67371 

National Pen Co LLC

Styluses 

249.90  

67372 

North Star Publishing 

Business Cards – H Droba

82.22  

67373 

Northwest Tire

Tires – Unit 124/Ambulance

1,013.78  

67374 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct 

Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mailing System 

1,000.00  

67375 

PowerPlan

644k Parts 

1,511.71  

67376 

Range Paper Corp 

Clean Sup-Bldgs & Grds/Supplies-VNP

829.02

67377 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Police/Excavator Rental

4,585.00  

67378 

Ronning’s  

Clothing Allowance – J Mastin

114.98  

67379 

Sammy Butts 

Zero Deaths Conference – Trav & Train

105.00  

67380 

Shannon’s Inc.

Bldg Maint – VNP

70.20  

67381 

Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery 

Hwy 53 Replace Shrubs 

622.41  

67382 

Soundnorth 

Supplies – St Lighting

19.98  

67383 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

11,516.50  

67384 

Stryker Sales Corp 

Amb – Stretcher Battery Packs/Supplies 

1,349.60  

67385 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums 

593.28  

67386 

Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC

Life Insurance Premiums 

5,350.00  

67387 

Teleflex Medical 

Ambulance Supplies 

1,345.50  

67388 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums

35,145.30  

67389 

United Electric  

Supplies – Water Plant

314.88  

67390 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

769.67  

67391 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Supplies – St Lighting

75.30  

67392 

Viking Industrial Center

Survey Marking – Paint/Flags/Stick 

1,571.24  

67393 

Wagner Construction Inc.

Ready Mix 

701.10  

67394 

Whitney Gearhart 

Zero Deaths Conference – Trav & Train

105.00  

67395 

Zach Scofield 

Zero Deaths Conference – Trav & Train

439.08  

67396 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

218.90 

100372 

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100373

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

37,037.74

100374

I.U.O.E Local Central Pension Fund

Retirement 

2,886.72

100375

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100376

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

175.00

100377

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

454.44

100378

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,175.95

100379

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,492.00

100380

PERA 

Retirement 

29,747.16

100381

Rodenburg Law Firm 

Wage Assignment – Levy  

380.90

100382

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

577.22

100383

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance

399.76

100384

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

OPENING BIDS

Shannon’s, Inc.

Mayor Droba explained that he was approached by representatives of the Koochiching County Senior Center stating they had concerns with the heating system and stated the heat did not work, thus he put this item on the agenda for discussion and approval of the quote received from Shannon’s, Inc. It was noted that there was only one quote, prepared by Shannon’s, Inc., as a means for budgeting purposes and there was not an advertisement seeking other quotes. Street/Water Commissioner Brokaw explained that the current furnaces are functioning, however, they have outlived their life and if they stop working, parts cannot be ordered for these furnaces. It was noted that in the lease agreement between the City and Koochiching County Senior Center, the Senior Center is responsible for paying for the replacement of these items. The Mayor noted the Senior Center is struggling financially and cannot afford to pay for this work at this time.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to advertise and seek further quotes to remove, upgrade, and replace two furnaces and air conditioners for the Koochiching County Senior Center. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

REMOVE from Table and APPROVED Mayor Pro Tem 

MOTION by Councilor Krause to remove from the Table appointment of Mayor Pro Tem. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. MOTION by Councilor Buller to appoint Councilor Krause to the role of Mayor Pro Tem. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Nelson and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Krause abstaining.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented

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

• Approve 2020 license renewals
  • Ammex Tax & Duty Free Shops West Inc., Duty Free Americas-gasoline pumps
  • Boyer’s Scrub-A-Rug and Lawn Care – snowplow license
  • Carter Kittelson – snowplow license
  • Doug Wickstrom – snowplow license
  • Jim’s Disposal Service- garbage hauler license
  • KNV Restaurants Inc., Subway – restaurant license
  • Mr. Faith’s Sound & Light Inc. – dance permit license and theater license
  • Sarah Nevalainen-Massage Therapy LLC – massage individual license
• Approve Patrol Officer Kalan Schneider’s separation from employment effective October 24, 2019
• Approve travel and training expenses for two Firefighters to attend the National Fire Academy Incident Safety Officer class in Maple Grove, MN, on December 6 and 7, 2019
• Approve Amanda Steffen to serve again as City Beach Camp Host for the 2020 season (third year)

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED 2019 license and 2020 license renewals, as presented

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve a 2019 license and 2020 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented:

• Citizens for Backus/AB – restaurant license, wine on sale license, 3.2 on sale restaurant and bar license
• DG Retail, LLC – Store #15619, Dollar General Store – cigarette license
• Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC – cigarette license and gasoline pumps license

Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.  

ADOPTED Resolution No. 74-19 application and permit for a 1 to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for Koochiching Aging Options on December 6, 2019 at the Backus Community Center

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 74-19 Application and Permit for a 1 to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for Koochiching Aging Options on December 6, 2019 at the Backus Community Center for the annual Logging Camp Christmas. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution 75-19 approving the new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Master Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) and Court Data Services Subscriber Amendment to the CJDN Subscriber Agreement

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to adopt Resolution 75-19 approving the new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Master Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) and Court Data Services Subscriber Amendment to the CJDN Subscriber Agreement and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED renewal of the
Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force Inter-Agency Agreement and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve renewal of the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force Inter-Agency Agreement and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED hire of part-time Patrol Officer Dustin Helgeson to full-time Patrol Officer vacancy effective November 18, 2019

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Police Chief’s recommendation to hire part-time Patrol Officer Dustin Helgeson to full-time Patrol Officer vacancy effective November 18, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED sending letters to the Airport Commission, KEDA and the Recreation Commission requesting bylaw changes

Mayor Droba presented a written request to the Council asking that the Council send letters requesting the Airport Commission, KEDA, and the Recreation Commission look at changing their bylaws to allow the City to have the discretion to select its representatives and not be bound to selecting solely Council members. Councilor Buller stated that he would like to see that at least one of the City representatives on each boards be Councilor members due to the financial impact on the City. The Council concurred that City Council representation is vital on these boards and it wants to maintain the ability to select whomever to represent the City, whether it be a City Council member or a citizen. The City Attorney notes that KEDA was established by special legislation, therefore, a change to the legislation would be required.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to send letters to the Airport Commission, KEDA, and the Recreation Commission requesting they look at changing their bylaws to allow the City to have discretion in selecting its representatives on the board, allowing either City Council members or citizens. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Mayor’s appointment of Michael Klaphake to the Zoning Board of Appeals to the term expiring December 31, 2019

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Michael Klaphake to the vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals to the term expiring December 31, 2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

SCHEDULED Special City Council meeting to consider Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation(s)

Mayor Droba announced the IFalls Hospitality Group LLC will be submitting a building permit to construct an eighty-three (83) room Best Western Plus hotel with pool, lounge, restaurant, and bocce ball court. They are proposing a Fall 2020 grand opening. A height variance approval is necessary to move forward with the four-story high building at the southeast corner Highway 53 and Memorial Drive.

Mayor Droba scheduled a Special City Council meeting to consider Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation(s) on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 6:30 P.M., following the 5:30 P.M. Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing for the variance.

Discussion on monthly Committee-of-the-Whole meeting times

Mayor Droba explained that he would like to go back to having monthly Committee-of-the-Whole meetings. It was discussed what is the best time for the entire Council to meet and they agreed that the second Monday at 4:00 P.M. works best and if meetings become shorter, to push the time back to 5:00 P.M. A Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. due to the Veteran’s Day holiday.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson provided a Voyageur’s National Park news release explaining a new aquatic species detected in Voyageurs National Park and ways to prevent the spread of it.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Mayor Droba handed out a written Mayor’s Report dated November 4, 2019. Mayor Droba also inquired as to where the voluntary annexation process was at and if there was anything the Council needed to do to move the process forward. City Administrator Anderson explained that he has to get back together with the City Attorney to re-submit the annexation request to the Municipal/Boundaries Unit with additional information on plats referenced in the legal descriptions.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on November 18, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:26 P.M.