March 2, 2020 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 2nd day of March, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause, and Mayor Droba.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Nelson
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APPROVED agenda with additions |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the agenda with additions as presented: Additions:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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APPROVED minutes of the February 18, 2020 regular City Council meeting |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 18, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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ADOPTED Resolution No. 21-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 21-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
|
Adam Mannausau |
CAT Team Travel Expense |
35.00 |
68192 |
|
|
All Season Equipment Inc. |
Safety Supplies – Street Department |
124.95 |
68193 |
|
|
American Water Works Assoc. |
Membership Dues – Scholler/Brokaw |
293.00 |
68194 |
|
|
AmeriPride Services |
Cleaning Service |
1,255.98 |
68195 |
|
|
Ameritas Life Ins Corp |
Dental Insurance Premiums |
1,927.48 |
68196 |
|
|
Auto Value Int’l Falls |
Supplies/Parts – Water Plant/Fire/Gar |
88.17 |
68197 |
|
|
BCBS of Mn |
Health Insurance Premiums |
4,676.50 |
68198 |
|
|
Ben Mortenson |
Travel Expense – CAT Team |
35.00 |
68199 |
|
|
Borderland Humane Society |
Pound Operation |
2,250.00 |
68200 |
|
|
Bound Tree Medical LLC |
Ambulance Supplies |
1,143.96 |
68201 |
|
|
Bremer Bank NA |
Safe Deposit Box Rent |
20.00 |
68202 |
|
|
Bremer Cardmember Service |
Trvl/Trng – Pol/Fire/Amb/San Sew/CAT |
9,268.81 |
68203 |
|
|
Charlie Anderson |
Basketball Coaching 2019-2020 |
600.00 |
68204 |
|
|
Chris Tomczak |
7th Gr Girls Basketball 2019-2020 |
600.00 |
68205 |
|
|
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 |
Lodging Tax Transfer |
469.02 |
68206 |
|
|
City Water Department |
City Buildings – Water Usage |
1,258.64 |
68207 |
|
|
Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc. |
Supplies – Fire |
10.53 |
68208 |
|
|
CMS Medicare |
Ambulance Overpayment Refund |
797.86 |
68210 |
|
|
Convention & Visitors Bureau |
Lodging Tax |
8,911.46 |
68211 |
|
|
Core & Main |
Repair Clamps/Meter Valves |
1,939.64 |
68212 |
|
|
Display Sales |
US Flags |
291.00 |
68213 |
|
|
DSC Communications |
Pagers |
1,459.50 |
68214 |
|
|
Earl F Andersen |
Traffic Cones |
1,743.50 |
68215 |
|
|
Ellie Jean |
7th Gr Girls Basketball Coach 2019-2020 |
600.00 |
68216 |
|
|
Essentia Health |
Oxygen |
141.36 |
68217 |
|
|
Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC |
Clothing Allowance – Ambulance |
286.80 |
68218 |
|
|
Global Equipment Company |
Office Supplies – Engineer |
2,527.20 |
68219 |
|
|
Greg Harris |
8th Gr Girls Basketball Coach 2019-2020 |
600.00 |
68220 |
|
|
Harley Droba |
LMC Confrence, Ann Stand Expend Reimb |
1,690.15 |
68221 |
|
|
Hawkins Inc. |
Chemicals |
354.62 |
68222 |
|
|
Holiday Companies |
Gas-Strm S/Fire/Str/VNP/Amb/Wtr/S Sew |
8,962.17 |
68223 |
|
|
Innovative Office Solutions LLC |
Supplies – Fire/Pol/Admin/Brds & Comm |
983.91 |
68224 |
|
|
International Code Council |
Training Materials – Bldg Official |
107.70 |
68225 |
|
|
Int’l Falls US Post Office |
Permit #79 Escrow |
2,000.00 |
68226 |
|
|
IUOE Local 49 |
Health Insurance Premiums |
28,354.00 |
68227 |
|
|
K & K Meyers Inc. |
Grounds – Keys, Tools – VNP |
126.84 |
68228 |
|
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Macqueen Equipment Inc. |
Sanitary Sewer – Piranha 1×600′” |
2,137.17 |
68229 |
|
|
Marco |
Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange |
479.00 |
68230 |
|
|
Marco Technologies LLC |
Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW |
1,189.71 |
68231 |
|
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Matt Salo |
Jr High Boy Basketball Coach 2019-2020 |
1,200.00 |
68232 |
|
|
MedicareBlue RX |
Health Insurance Premiums |
3,430.00 |
68233 |
|
|
Melanie Clarity |
Sewing – Myers |
64.00 |
68234 |
|
|
Menards International Falls |
Sup/Tools-Amb/Wtr/Eng/Str/Str Lght/Safty |
1,967.14 |
68235 |
|
|
Michael Kostiuk |
Travel Expense |
255.00 |
68236 |
|
|
Minnesota Dept. of Health |
State Test Fee |
6,449.00 |
68237 |
|
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Minnesota Energy Resources |
Utilities |
2,539.99 |
68238 |
|
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Minnesota Industries |
Sup – Wtr/Str, Shelving/Bins |
618.74 |
68239 |
|
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Minnesota Power |
Repl Opt 2 Lighting |
150.00 |
68240 |
|
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MN Dept. of Agriculture |
E Drewes – Comm Applicator Lic Renew |
89.00 |
68241 |
|
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MN Dept. of Labor & Industry |
Boiler Inspection – Water Plant 137707 |
40.00 |
68242 |
|
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Moody’s Investors Service Inc. |
Refunding EDA Bonds – VNP Facility |
17,000.00 |
68243 |
|
|
North Star Publishing |
Paper – Police |
519.50 |
68244 |
|
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Northwestern Power Equip Co |
Supplies – Water Plant |
85.47 |
68245 |
|
|
Petty Cash – Betty Bergstrom |
Sup/Maint – Admin/Pol/Wtr/Str/Bldg Off |
375.69 |
68246 |
|
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Pitney Bowes Inc. |
Postage Machine Supplies |
72.67 |
68247 |
|
|
PowerPlan |
John Deere 210G – Rental |
3,105.00 |
68248 |
|
|
Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club |
Material for Floating Docks |
3,118.02 |
68249 |
|
|
ServiceMaster of Intl Fall |
Cleaning Services – VNP |
3,500.00 |
68250 |
|
|
Small Town Tech Inc. |
Supplies – IT |
15.00 |
68251 |
|
|
Steven M Shermoen |
Legal Fees |
7,276.00 |
68252 |
|
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Stewart’s Super One Foods |
Prorated 2020 Business Lic Refund |
62.50 |
68253 |
|
|
Streicher’s Inc. |
Clothing Allowance – Police |
863.85 |
68254 |
|
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Sun Life Financial |
Life Insurance Premiums |
636.61 |
68255 |
|
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Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC |
Senior Citizens Center Furnaces |
10,000.00 |
68256 |
|
|
Ted Brokaw |
Travel Expense/Meals Water Dept. |
309.81 |
68257 |
|
|
Teleflex Medical |
Ambulance Supplies |
1,345.50 |
68258 |
|
|
The Nelson Trust |
Health Insurance Premiums |
36,480.00 |
68259 |
|
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The Sherwin Williams – Bemidji |
Paint Machine w/Dispenser |
8,314.00 |
68260 |
|
|
Tritech Software Systems |
Zsuite Annual Fee |
6,832.36 |
68261 |
|
|
UHL Company Inc. |
Bldg Maint – City Hall |
1,854.56 |
68262 |
|
|
Viking Electric Supply Inc. |
Supplies – Water Plant/Str Lighting |
688.10 |
68263 |
|
|
Volunteer Firefighters |
Firefighters Insurance |
794.00 |
68264 |
|
|
Wherley Motors Inc. |
2020 Ram 2500 – Water/Street |
108,448.00 |
68265 |
|
|
Ziegler Inc. |
Grader Lease – 12M3AWD |
4,750.00 |
68269 |
|
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The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: |
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AFLAC |
Supplemental Insurance |
225.04 |
100505 |
|
|
AllState – American Heritage |
Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100506 |
|
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Bremer Bank NA |
Federal Withholding |
36,850.42 |
100507 |
|
|
IUOE Local Central Pension |
Retirement |
4,019.10 |
100508 |
|
|
Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas |
C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100509 |
|
|
Intl Falls Ambulance Service |
Dues |
168.00 |
100510 |
|
|
MN Child Support Pmt Center |
Wage Assignment |
500.68 |
100511 |
|
|
MN Department of Revenue |
State Withholding |
6,965.90 |
100512 |
|
|
Empower Retirement |
Deferred Comp |
7,125.00 |
100513 |
|
|
PERA |
Retirement |
30,723.12 |
100514 |
|
|
Sun Life Financial |
Supplemental Life Insurance |
644.97 |
100515 |
|
|
The Hartford |
Voluntary LTD Insurance |
558.98 |
100516 |
|
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AUDIENCE |
None. |
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PUBLIC HEARING |
None. |
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OPENING BIDS
APPROVED purchase of 2021 Horton Type III Ambulance from Premier Specialty Vehicles |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve purchase of 2021 Ford E-450, Type III, Horton 533 Ambulance from Premier Specialty Vehicles for $199,404, less $15,000 for trade-in of 2014 Ford/Horton Type III Ambulance, and less estimated Municipal Fleet Rebate of $5,800, for an estimated net price delivered of $178,604.00 per quote. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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OLD BUSINESS |
None. |
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CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
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NEW BUSINESS: |
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ADOPTED Resolution No. 22-20 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 22-20 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament held August 27-29, 2020 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch. Motion passed 3-0-1 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Droba voting “yea,” and Councilor Buller abstaining. |
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ADOPTED Resolution No. 23-20 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held Saturday, August 29, 2020 |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 23-20 to approve the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Motion passed 3-0-1 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Droba voting “yea,” and Councilor Buller abstaining. |
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AUTHORIZED the hire of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to authorize the hire of Travis Carlson as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to the Fire/Rescue/EMS Department subject to satisfactory background check. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
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APPROVED the draft Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan for streets and sidewalks and set public review and comment period to end 5:00 P.M. on Monday, March 23, 2020 |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the draft Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan for streets and sidewalks and set public review and comment period to end 5:00 P.M. on Monday, March 23, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Councilor Krause noted that the sidewalk on eleventh street is currently on the south side of the street not the north side. Motion carried unanimously. |
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APPROVED Public Works Committee’s recommendation for 2020 Street Improvements |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Public Works Committee’s recommendation for 2020 Street Improvements. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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APPROVED Temporary Easement Agreement between Pullar for Ulland Brothers and the City of International Falls and County of Koochiching |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve a Temporary Easement Agreement between the City of International Falls, Koochiching County, and Doris Pullar; authorize signatures of the Mayor and City Administrator; and subject to approval of the Easement Agreement by the Koochiching County Board. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
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APPROVED recommended steps, fine, and timelines for blight enforcement activities and directed staff to prepare necessary ordinance amendments |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve recommended steps, fine, and timelines for blight enforcement activities and direct staff to prepare necessary ordinance amendment(s) for first reading on March 16, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.
City Attorney Shermoen said he could have the revised draft ordinances ready for the March 16, 2020 City Council meeting, but did not believe that there was sufficient time to have it finalized and ready for the first reading on March 16, 2020. It was agreed that that would be acceptable to the Council, so long as the process was kept moving along.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to amend original motion to change the timelines for garbage/junk, yard waste, and abandoned automobiles, campers, ATVs, trailers, etc. all to 7 days for enforcement purposes. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.
The vote to approve the Main Motion, as amended, carried unanimously. |
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REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Anderson reminded everyone of the Presidential Primary Election to be held from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
City Attorney Shermoen informed the Council and public of Warrant Resolution Day approaching on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 2020, which will allow citizens who believe they may have a warrant out on themselves to resolve it in court without the fear of being immediately detained and incarcerated. He said this will help Koochiching County get some of the many pending warrants off the books and resolved. |
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Reports of Mayor and Council Committees |
Councilor Krause stated he attended a Steering Committee Meeting for Habitat for Humanity on February 18, 2020. These steering committee meetings will help determine if Habitat for Humanity would be successful and a good fit for this community. He said the next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. in the Backus Community Center dining room.
Mayor Droba stated that the Charter Commission is making progress working on the necessary revisions to the Charter and is considering language that would eliminate the Police and Fire Civil Service Commissions. The Charter Commission holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month and is having its next meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Councilor Ditsch stated that his concern with eliminating the Civil Service Commissions would be the part-time employees’ lack of protection or buffer from the supervisors when there are disciplinary issues.
Councilor Buller explained that the 2020 street improvement plan is based on a 2019 road condition study completed by the City’s engineering firm, Widseth Smith Nolting (WSN), ranking road conditions on a scale from 1 (Best) to 5 (Worst). Councilor Buller further explained that citizens will see roads ranked as two or three being completed before roads ranked four or five, because it will be more cost effective to fix roads to prevent them from deteriorating to the point of needing complete reconstruction. |
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AUDIENCE |
Bobbi Bernath, 1900 6th Avenue, expressed her concern regarding the street improvement plan and the need to improve upon the dirt and gravel roads in City limits. Mayor Droba and City Administrator Anderson explained that a petition was circulated for the paving of 6th Avenue between 17th and 20th Streets. Only the block from 19th to 20th Street was paved, because all fronting property owners in favor of the project. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the next regular City Council meeting on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba noted he will be out of town on a family vacation from March 14-28, 2020 and will not be present at the next Council meeting. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:48 P.M. |
ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator
