July 20, 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 20th day of July, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Droba, Councilor Ditsch, Councilor Nelson and Councilor Krause.
Media and public via Zoom Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Buller.
APPROVED agenda with additions and deletions |
MOTION by Councilor Nelson to approve the agenda with additions/deletion as presented. Additions
Deletions
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
APPROVED minutes of the July 6, 2020 regular City Council meeting |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the July 6, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 60-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 60-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
A+ Pest Management |
Pest Control |
555.00 |
69048 |
All Season Equipment Inc. |
Tire-Amb, Sup-Gar/Grnds, M&R-Str |
881.98 |
69049 |
AmeriPride Services |
Cleaning Service |
918.15 |
69050 |
Andrew Holler |
Lawn Cleanup |
2,973.00 |
69051 |
Border Boxes |
Shipping – Water Plant |
108.25 |
69052 |
Bound Tree Medical LLC |
Ambulance Supplies |
118.53 |
69053 |
Bowman Construction Co |
3/4 Minus”, Hot Mix |
4,475.25 |
69054 |
Brian Youso |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
69055 |
Carl Holunga |
Account Deposit and Credit Refund |
20.12 |
69056 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 |
Water/Sewer Admin Expenses |
9,951.67 |
69057 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 |
Water Funds Transfer |
66,666.66 |
69058 |
City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 |
Water Funds Transfer |
25,760.42 |
69059 |
City of Ranier |
Water – City Beach |
44.54 |
69060 |
Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc. |
Serv Truck, Chem Assess Team – Equip |
2,327.53 |
69061 |
CMS Medicare |
Amb Overpayment Refund – 27186378 |
244.63 |
69062 |
Core & Main |
Hydrant Oil |
200.34 |
69063 |
Crandall’s Septic Pumping |
Portable Johns – City Parks |
925.00 |
69064 |
E Kooch Sanitary Sewer Dist. |
City Beach/Water Plant |
189.00 |
69065 |
Earl F Andersen |
Street/Pedestrian Signs, Sup-San Sewer |
2,265.35 |
69066 |
Emergency Apparatus Maint Inc. |
Inspection/Repairs – Fire Trucks |
13,065.60 |
69067 |
Epic Threads |
Cloth Allow – P Kennedy/M Lessard |
63.00 |
69068 |
Erickson’s Lawncare |
Fertilizing |
3,250.00 |
69069 |
Expert T Billing |
Ambulance Transports |
2,856.00 |
69070 |
Falls Lumber Company |
Dock Flts, Sup-Wtr Plnt, Maint-Hrseshoe |
1,573.27 |
69071 |
Frontier |
Monthly Telephone Service |
2,520.94 |
69072 |
Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC |
Clothing Allowance – Butts/Mannausau |
108.97 |
69073 |
Hawkins Inc. |
Chemicals |
1,893.47 |
69074 |
Innovative Office Solutions LLC |
Supplies – Administration/Police |
107.12 |
69075 |
Int’l Falls/Kooch County |
Deficit/Cty Share July 6 Proj, 06/30/20 |
1,204,535.32 |
69076 |
ISD #361 |
Overpayment Refund-Scheela Field Wtr |
170.00 |
69077 |
Lawrence Mann |
Ambulance Overpayment Refund |
1,765.75 |
69078 |
LMC Insurance Trust – WC |
Annual Liability And Auto Insurance |
46,324.00 |
69079 |
Local 49 Training Center |
Motor Grader Training |
1,000.00 |
69080 |
LVC Inc. |
Inspections – Fire |
395.80 |
69081 |
Menards International Falls |
Sup/M&R/-Str/Gar/S Sew/Wtr/Amb/P&R |
1,842.84 |
69082 |
Michael Musich |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
69083 |
Minnesota Power |
Utilities |
24,067.93 |
69084 |
MTI Distributing Inc. |
Parts – Water |
14.35 |
69085 |
N Kooch Area Sanitary District |
Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge |
100,072.00 |
69086 |
Napa Falls Supply |
Supplies – Fire Dept., Parts – Vactor |
39.75 |
69087 |
North Star Publishing |
Forms – Blight Inspection |
297.17 |
69088 |
Northern Lumber & Hardware |
Sup/Tls-Fire/Str/Grnds/Wtr/Gar/Housing |
763.86 |
69089 |
Office of MNIT Services |
Wide Area Network(Wan) Services |
260.00 |
69090 |
Pelland Welding, Inc. |
Supplies – Street, Pre-Mix Gas |
69.70 |
69091 |
Praxair Distribution Inc. |
Oxygen – Ambulance |
493.04 |
69092 |
Rainy Lake Medical Center |
Medical Supplies |
795.55 |
69093 |
Range Paper Corp |
Cleaning Supplies/Service – Fire/Bldgs |
619.05 |
69094 |
Reijo Lintila |
Ambulance Overpayment – Refund |
200.00 |
69095 |
Rick Becvar |
Safety Glasses Allowance |
125.00 |
69096 |
Rihm Kenworth |
Maint- 2018 Kenworth T440 / Vactor |
2,547.61 |
69097 |
Schlenner Wenner & Co |
Additional Audit Work 2019 |
1,165.00 |
69098 |
ServiceMaster of Intl Falls |
Cleaning Services – VNP |
3,500.00 |
69099 |
Soundnorth |
Router for Kerry Park |
79.99 |
69100 |
Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC |
Bldg Maint – GGB |
2,157.64 |
69101 |
Terry Christie |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
69102 |
Terry Wood |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
69103 |
The Journal |
Agndas/Min/Ord/Ccr-Wtr Plnt/Covid Ads |
4,446.35 |
69104 |
The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters |
S&W 40 Cal. |
82.76 |
69105 |
Thyssen Krupp Elevator Corp |
Water Plant Elevator Maint |
722.87 |
69106 |
UHL Company Inc. |
Bldg Maint – VNP, Maint of Equipment |
4,896.46 |
69107 |
UnitedHealthcare |
Ambulance Overpayment – Refund |
1,574.88 |
69108 |
Viking Electric Supply Inc. |
Supplies – St Lighting |
319.15 |
69109 |
Viking Industrial Center |
Maint – Sanitary Sewer |
107.80 |
69110 |
Wagner Construction Inc. |
Washed Sand-Sanitary Sewer, Ready Mix |
2,596.25 |
69111 |
Water Conservation Services Inc. |
Water Leak Survey |
4,800.00 |
69112 |
Wherley Motors Inc. |
Unit 205 – 2020 Dodge Ram |
27,052.00 |
69113 |
Willi Kostiuk |
Police Benefit |
150.00 |
69114 |
WMG Lyfjaberg LLC |
Medical Director |
300.00 |
69115 |
Xerox Corporation |
Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant |
139.51 |
69116 |
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: |
|||
AFLAC |
Supplemental Insurance |
225.04 |
100648 |
AllState – American Heritage |
Supplemental Insurance |
9.64 |
100649 |
Bremer Bank NA |
Federal Withholding |
42,226.85 |
100650 |
I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund |
Retirement |
4,112.20 |
100651 |
City of Int’l Falls |
HRA – Police/Fire |
520.00 |
100652 |
City of Int’l Falls |
Health Insurance – 49ers |
454.00 |
100653 |
IAMAW District W33 |
Union Dues |
1,728.00 |
100654 |
Intl Falls Ambulance Service |
Dues |
154.00 |
100655 |
Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers |
Union Dues |
875.00 |
100656 |
I.U.O.E. Local 49ers |
Health Reimbursement |
200.00 |
100657 |
Justin Franz, Sec/Treas |
C.O.P.S. |
120.00 |
100658 |
MN Child Support Payment Center |
Wage Assignment |
601.46 |
100659 |
MN Department of Revenue |
State Withholding |
8,116.33 |
100660 |
Empower Retirement |
Deferred Comp |
7,075.00 |
100661 |
PERA |
Life Insurance |
96.00 |
100662 |
North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist |
Health Insurance |
125.00 |
100663 |
PERA |
Retirement |
33,635.65 |
100664 |
AUDIENCE: |
Matt Koerbitz handed out a packet to the Councilors with a petition opposed to the Northern Border Investments, LLC petition for vacation of alley in Block 4, Franson’s Addition as he will not be able to attend the Public Hearing on July 27, 2020. |
PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVED second and final reading of Contract Ordinance #970, Award bid for Library steam to hot water heating system conversion to Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in the amount of $214,400.00 |
MOTION by Councilor Nelson approving second and final reading of Contract Ordinance #970, Award bid for Library steam to hot water heating system conversion to Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in the amount of $214,400.00. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
|
OLD BUSINESS: |
None. |
CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED appointment of Shaila Spry family to serve as City Beach Camp Host July through Labor Day weekend and Fun Food Factory vendor use of Smokey Bear Park during mill shut-down, tentatively October 5-17, 2020 |
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving appointment of Shaila Spry family to serve as City Beach Camp Host July through Labor Day weekend and Fun Food Factory vendor use of Smokey Bear Park during mill shut-down, tentatively October 5-17, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
NEW BUSINESS: APPROVED Crazy Daze event to be held as scheduled on July 29, 2020 with requirement of masks to be worn and officer on site to enforce mask requirement |
Mayor Droba explained the concerns he has received regarding the Crazy Daze event to be held on July 29, 2020 with regards to the increase of COVID cases and deaths. Chamber President Tricia Heibel shared that she understands the concerns from the public. MnDOT has approved the road closure. The businesses Tricia has spoken with wish to continue Crazy Daze.
Mayor Droba shared he would be in support of the Crazy Daze event with everyone wearing masks. Councilor Ditsh stated he would like the event cancelled as it would be difficult to enforce the requirement of wearing masks. Councilor Nelson stated she struggled with how to enforce the requirement of masks and leans toward cancelling the event. Councilor Krause shared if citizens have concerns for their health they should not attend the event
MOTION by Mayor Droba to continue the Crazy Daze event on July 29, 2020 as scheduled with the exception of requiring masks to be worn, with a Police Officer on site to enforce the mask requirement. If a mask is not worn they would be asked to leave the event. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
INFORMATIONAL ONLY |
Lengthy discussion ensued in regards to requiring masks in the City of International Falls. Councilors Ditsch, Nelson, Krause and Mayor Droba stated they would be in favor of mandating masks. A Special City Council meeting will be scheduled to discuss further. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 61-20, authorizing Transfer of Certain Sewer Lines and Facilities from the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District to the City of International Falls and authorize signatures |
MOTION by Councilor Krause adopting Resolution No. 61-20, authorizing Transfer of Certain Sewer Lines and Facilities from the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District to the City of International Falls and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 62-20 Limited Use Permit Agreement with MnDOT for Shared Use Path in the Highway 53 Right of Way |
MOTION by Councilor Nelson adopting Resolution No. 62-20 Limited Use Permit Agreement with MnDOT for Shared Use Path in the Highway 53 Right of Way. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
ADOPTED Resolution No. 63-20, Approve Road Maintenance Agreement between County of Koochiching and City of International Falls effective July 1, 2020 |
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch adopting Resolution No. 63-20, approving the Road Maintenance Agreement between County of Koochiching and City of International Falls effective July 1, 2020. |
APPROVED purchase of State Fire Marshal’s used 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab Pickup by purchase or use of Chemical Assessment Team (CAT) annual reimbursement proceeds |
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving purchase of State Fire Marshal’s used 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab Pickup by using Chemical Assessment Team (CAT) annual reimbursement proceeds. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously. |
AUTHORIZED advertising a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking professional services to install communications equipment for conducting broadcast/video teleconferencing/remote meetings in the Council Chambers using CARES Act proceeds |
MOTION by Councilor Krause authorizing advertising a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking professional services to install communications equipment for conducting broadcast/video teleconferencing/remote meetings in the Council Chambers using CARES Act proceeds. |
APPROVED increase in pay for Election Judges to $13.00 per hour for the 2020 primary and general elections using CARES Act proceeds |
MOTION by Councilor Nelson approving increase in pay for Election Judges to $13.00 per hour for the 2020 primary and general elections using CARES Act proceeds. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
OTHER BUSINESS: |
None. |
REPORTS: Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Attorney Shermoen stated he is working with Jared Baldwin on blight issues. Date of birth was required to proceed with criminal action so that set them back a bit to obtain those dates. Shermoen also stated Baldwin is working with several homeowners that are requesting extensions to clean up their properties. Shermoen currently has 7 cases that qualify for criminal action.
The Blight written report dated July 17, 2020 was available for review.
The International Falls Police Department June 2020 Activity Report was available for review.
The June 2020 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review.
Second Quarter 2020 Building Permit report was available for review.
|
Reports of Mayor and Council Committees |
None. |
AUDIENCE |
None. |
ADJOURNMENT |
Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the Public Hearing regarding the petition by Northern Border Investments, LLC, to vacate alley in Block 4, Franson’s Addition on Monday July 27, 2020 and the next City Council meeting scheduled for August 3, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:45 P.M. |
ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator