APPROVED agenda as presented

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the October 5, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the October 5, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 92-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 92-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

555.00  

69633

Amazon Capital Services 

Parts/Sup – Fire/VNP/Police/IT/Amb

681.12  

69634 

American Ambulance Association 

Membership Renewal 

525.00  

69635 

AmeriPride Services

Cleaning Service 

945.29  

69636 

Arrowhead EMS Association

Annual Membership Fee

170.00  

69637 

Big Fish Print Solutions 

Letterhead/Envelopes – Admin/Amb

767.41  

69638 

Binder Lift LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

40.00  

69639 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant

112.25  

69640 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

728.67  

69641 

Brian Briggs 

Standard Expenditure Reimbursement 

291.67  

69642 

Brian Youso 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69643 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Water Admin Expenses

9,951.67  

69644 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401

Water Funds Transfer 

66,666.66  

69645 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403

Water Funds Transfer 

25,760.42  

69646 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

45.06  

69647 

Core & Main 

Meters/Supplies – Water Dept.

21,616.87

69648 

E Kooch Sanitary Sewer Dist.

City Beach/Water Plant 

189.00  

69649 

Fairview Health Services 

Fire Fit Tests 

179.00  

69650 

Falls Lumber Company 

Maintenance – Signs

34.99  

69651 

Forestland Sales & Service 

Gas – San. Sewer

53.00  

69652 

Forterra Pipe & Precast 

Sanitary Sewer 

2,860.05  

69653 

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,797.12  

69654 

Frontier 

Monthly Telephone Service 

2,471.29  

69655 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – Fire General

172.92  

69656 

Goodin Company 

Filters – VNP

516.57  

69657 

Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus 

Flu Shots 

1,773.55  

69658 

Hamilton Medical 

Ventilator – Ambulance

21,915.81  

69659 

Hawkins Inc.

Chemicals 

1,198.08  

69660 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Supplies – Police/Admin/Elections

229.34  

69661 

Kenneth R Anderson 

Travel Expenses – LMC

85.68  

69662 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Elec./Water/Sewer

1,478.28  

69663 

Kooch Co Env Services Dept.

Tipping Fee – Street

6.00  

69664 

Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer 

LEC Qrtly Lease

18,750.00  

69665 

Kooch County Hwy Dept.

Dyed Fuel – Grounds/Street/Garage

2,171.18  

69666 

Kooch County Recorder 

Copies – Admin 

1.00

69667 

Lawson Products Inc.

Supplies – Street Lighting

204.26  

69668 

Locators & Supplies 

Supplies – Street/Storm

243.23  

69669 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Unit 124 – Parts 

15.55  

69670 

Menards International Falls 

Supplies – Grds/Str/Elec/Bldg Off.

236.81  

69671 

Michael Musich 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69672 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

707.64  

69673 

Minnesota Industries 

Gloves – Water, Safety Equip – Street

93.94  

69674 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

24,051.67  

69675 

MTI Distributing Inc.

Maint/Repair – VNP

217.54  

69676 

Municipal Code Corporation 

Annual Fee – MyMunicode

100.00  

69677 

N Kooch Area Sanitary District 

Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge 

80,624.65

69678 

NAPA Falls Supply

Tools/Parts/Sup/Lub – Fire/Wat/Str 

177.68  

69679 

Northern Lumber & Hardware 

Maint/Tools/Parts – Str/Wat, Ice Shelter

530.78  

69680 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services 

260.00  

69681 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Part/Sup/Lub-Str/Fir/Amb/Pol/Gar/Vac 

1,189.05  

69682 

Pelland Welding, Inc. 

Maint/Supplies – Street/Water/Str Light

1,162.56  

69683 

Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct 

Qtrly Lease – Inserting & Mailing Sys

1,000.00

69684 

PowerPlan

Unit 710l Part, John Deere 210G Rental

3,181.85  

69685 

Praxair Distribution Inc.

Oxygen – Ambulance

600.62  

69686 

Rainy Lake Medical Center 

Medical Supplies 

715.80  

69687 

Range Paper Corp 

Maint Repair – Fire, Clean Serv – Bldgs

630.81  

69688 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

69689 

Soundnorth 

Office Supplies – Street

84.99  

69690 

Streicher’s Inc.

Squad Equip, Clothing-R Mastin/Franz

320.89  

69691 

Studio B Flooring

Upstairs Office Renovation 

1,659.49  

69692 

Terry Christie 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69693 

Terry Wood 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69694 

The Journal 

Agendas/Minutes 

1,354.47  

69695 

The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters 

Gun & Magazine/Clean Kit/Binoculars

864.97  

69696 

UHL Company Inc.

Bldg Maint – Lib/City Hall Server Rm

425.25  

69697 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Maint & Repairs/Supplies – St Lighting

1,042.93  

69698 

Viking Industrial Center 

Maintenance – Sanitary Sewer

108.23  

69699 

Wagner Construction Inc.

Ready Mix – Curb & Gutter

1,652.00  

69700 

Widseth 

Proj. 2020-11028 PW Site Master Plan

1,062.50  

69701 

Willi Kostiuk 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69702 

WMG Lyfjaberg LLC

Medical Director 

300.00  

69703 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant 

31.56  

69704 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100738

AllState – American Heritage

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100739 

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

36,055.61

100740

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

4,149.00

100741

City of Int’l Falls

HRA – Police/Fire

546.00

100742

City of Int’l Falls

Health Insurance – 49ers

454.00

100743

IAMAW District W33 

Union Dues 

1,641.00

100744

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

140.00

100745

Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers 

Union Dues 

875.00

100746

I.U.O.E. Local 49ers 

Health Reimbursement 

200.00

100747

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100748

MN Child Support Payment Center

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100749

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

6,984.41

100750

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,175.00

100751

PERA 

Life Insurance 

96.00

100752

North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist.

Health Insurance 

125.00 

100753

PERA 

Retirement 

31,779.62

100754

AUDIENCE

None.

PUBLIC HEARING 

None.

OPENING BIDS:

TABLED approval of quote for replacement of two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station

MOTION by Councilor Buller to table approving a quote for replacement of two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Councilor Buller stated he wants to see multiple quotes prior to approving this expense. It was agreed this item would be placed on the City Council agenda for reconsideration at the November 2, 2020 meeting with multiple quotes. Chief Mannausau explained that he did not provide multiple quotes, because under the League of Minnesota Cities information memo an expense less than $25,000 would not require multiple quotes. Motion carried unanimously to table until the November 2, 2020 City Council meeting.

APPROVED Software Purchase Agreement for Building Permit/Inspections module(s) and annual support from Civic Systems LLC

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve a Software Purchase Agreement for Building Permit/Inspections module(s) and annual support from Civic Systems LLC for estimated cost of $42,637 payable from CARES Act funds and authorize signatures. This software will allow persons to apply for building permits online. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

APPROVED Holiday Stationstore Development Agreement and Site Plan

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the Holiday Stationstore Development Agreement and Site Plan. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause. Mayor Droba noted that the Site Plan was updated to address neighboring citizens’ concerns including lighting, sound, and traffic, therefore he and the Council felt comfortable approving the Development Agreement. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED with revisions

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to set aside for discussion the 2021 garbage hauler’s license renewal for M W Friend’s Inc., while approving the remainder of the Consent Agenda:

1. Approve 2021 license renewals effective January 1, 2021:

• Doug Wickstrom – snowplow license
• Fun Food Factory – itinerant restaurant license
• Hardee’s of Int’l Falls – restaurant license
• Jeff Briggs Construction – snowplow license
• Soundnorth – pawnbroker license w/ established business
• Up North Builders Inc. – snowplow license

Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED 2021 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Year 2021 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications:

• Koerter’s Inc dba Koerter’s Amoco and Car Wash – cigarette license and gasoline pumps license
• Orton’s Int’l Falls Cenex – cigarette license and gasoline pumps license

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

Notice of Election

The Notice of City Election and information on the vote on ordinance to allow the keeping of chickens was provided to the Council and the public.

ADOPTED Halloween pamphlet with best practices for safety

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt a Halloween pamphlet with best practices for safety and authorize publishing it in The Journal and on the City’s Facebook page. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 93-20 authorizing the Write-off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivable for Water/Sewer and Grass and Blight

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 93-20 authorizing the Write-off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivable for Water/Sewer and Grass and Blight. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Schlenner Wenner and Co. three-year audit engagement letter and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve a Schlenner Wenner and Co. three-year audit engagement letter and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

Consider 2021 renewal of garbage hauler’s license for MW Friends Inc. dba Friend’s Garbage Service

Councilor Ditsch stated he wants the City to have a conversation with Friend’s Garbage Service in regards to cleaning up their blight prior to approving their 2021 license renewal. It was noted the situation at their property has gotten worse and needs to be addressed. It was discussed that Mayor Droba, Councilor Ditsch, City Administrator Anderson, City Attorney Shermoen, and Friend’s Garbage Service all need to have a meeting to discuss the current blight situation. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to table approval of the 2021 renewal of the garbage hauler’s license for MW Friends Inc. dba Friend’s Garbage Service to allow for a meeting between the City and Friend’s Garbage Service. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson confirmed availability with the Council to hold a canvassing meeting on November 12, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. to canvass the results of the November 3, 2020 General Election. Councilor Krause indicated he would not be able to attend.

City Attorney Shermoen stated there are pending criminal charges against the principal owners of Friends Garbage Service LLC for blight and he has not heard from Friend’s Garbage Service on this matter. City Attorney Shermoen stated there are three (3) blighted properties that are nearing completion of demolition agreements.

The Third Quarter 2020 Building Permit report was available for review.

The International Falls Police Department September 2020 Activity Report was available for review.

The September 2020 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Mayor Droba explained that the State bonding bill was approved by the legislature and just requires signature by Governor Walz. This bonding bill awards $1.8 million in bond funds to the Airport. Mayor Droba said the budget will have to be reevaluated prior to its final approval in December to see how much the levy can be reduced due to this increase in outside funding.

Councilor Ditsch thanked officials that worked on blight this year noting that a tremendous amount of progress was made.

Councilor Krause stated that KEDA has a modified purchase agreement with Granite Digital LLC for an additional lot for rainwater runoff. Councilor Krause stated this is good news and he believes this project is close to fruition.

AUDIENCE 

None.  

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba shared that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:32 P.M.