APPROVED agenda with addition

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

• Additional accounts payable claim for the City of International Falls for CARES funding.

Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED minutes of the October 19, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 19, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 94-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 94-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

Adam Hanson 

Winterize Fire Boat 

200.00  

69729 

Amazon Capital Services 

Sup-Pol/Amb/IT, Outdoor Bulletin Board

771.86  

69730 

Ameritas Life Ins Corp 

Dental Insurance Premiums 

1,837.16  

69731 

ATCO International

Supplies – Street Garage

190.00  

69732 

Auto Value Int’l Falls 

Parts – Water Plant 

14.99  

69733 

Badiuk Equipment Inc.

Maint – Fire Boat

81.83  

69734 

BCBS of MN

Health Insurance Premiums 

4,225.50  

69735 

Big Fish Print Solutions

Annual License Paper, Billing Env – Wtr

973.84  

69736 

Border Boxes 

Shipping – Water Plant

8.50  

69737 

Borderland Humane Society 

Pound Operation 

2,250.00  

69738 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

927.23

69739 

Bremer Cardmember Service 

M&R-VNP, Sup-Fire, Pub Ed-Amb, Gar

11,879.74  

69740 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Lodging Tax Transfer 

366.54  

69741 

City Water Department 

City Buildings – Water Usage 

1,808.42  

69742 

Commercial Refrigeration Sys

Kerry Park Arena 

4,651.30  

69743 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Lodging Tax 

6,964.21  

69744 

Core & Main 

Hydrant Flag/Marker 

2,594.12  

69745 

Crime Stoppers of Minnesota

2021 Partnership Program 

200.00  

69746

Expert T Billing 

Ambulance Transports

2,996.00  

69747 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing – Ambulance/Myers/Mannausau 

909.73  

69748 

Global Equipment Company 

Outdoor Drop Box, Brochure Display 

596.45  

69749 

Goodin Company 

Filters – VNP

147.15  

69750 

Graybar 

Supplies – Street Lighting

51.93  

69751 

Hawkins Inc.

Soda Ash 

15,984.00  

69752 

Holiday Companies 

Gas – Sew/Fire/Hous/Str/Gar/Demo/Amb

3,708.64  

69753 

Humana Health Care Plans 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund

65.45  

69754 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Supplies – Election/Admin

33.07  

69755 

IUOE Local 49

Health Insurance Premiums 

28,354.00  

69756 

KGM Contractors Inc.

2020 8th Ave Sewer 

4,890.00  

69757

Lakes Gas Co #23 

Maintenance – Street

25.14  

69758 

Lawson Products Inc.

Batteries/Supplies 

1,272.72  

69759 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

500.75  

69760 

Marco – LEC

LEC – C368 Copier Agreement

243.98  

69761 

Marco Technologies LLC

Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW

1,278.05  

69762 

MedicareBlue Rx

Health Insurance Premiums 

1,592.50  

69763 

Melanie Clarity 

Sewing – Mannausau/Myers

56.00  

69764 

Menards International Falls 

Maint-Ice Shel/Str, Sup-Fire/Wtr/Str/Pol

823.94  

69765 

Midcontinent Communications 

Cable – Fire Hall/Amb, Internet – Str Gar

822.00  

69766 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

743.61  

69767 

Minnesota Industries 

Safety Equip – Water/Street/San Sewer

186.05  

69768 

MN Chiefs of Police Assoc.

Critical Issues Series 

150.00  

69769 

MN State Fire Dept. Assoc.

Membership Dues 

375.00  

69770 

On2 Solutions 

Maint/Repair – GGB/Council Chambers

8,600.00  

69771

Patricia J Staker 

Ambulance Overpayment Refund 

300.00  

69772 

Pelland Welding, Inc. 

Supplies – Water Dept., Parts – Fire Dept.

77.00  

69773 

Pitney Bowes Inc.

Ink Cartridges – Postage Machine

113.04  

69774 

PowerPlan

Parts

142.22  

69775 

Premier Pyrotechnics 

4th of July/Ice Box Days Fireworks

14,000.00  

69776 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Serv-Bldgs, Cleaning Sup-Amb 

548.89  

69777 

Rose Delack 

Account Deposit Refund

20.00  

69778 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – Extra Cleaning Fire

150.00  

69779 

Shannon’s Inc.

Bldg Maint-Lib Steam To Hot Wtr/Gar

91,389.55  

69781 

Soundnorth 

Maintenance – Fire Dept.

26.49  

69782 

Steve Museta 

Account Deposit Refund

20.00  

69783 

Steven M Shermoen 

Legal Fees 

10,940.00  

69784 

Stevens Equipment Supply 

Condensate Pump 

16.52  

69785 

Streicher’s Inc.

Cloth-Offerdahl/Bounds/Olson/Pt Patrol 

1,111.65  

69786 

Sun Life Financial 

Life Insurance Premiums

504.50  

69787 

The Hartford 

Dec and Nov Vol Ltd – Baldwin

27.44  

69789 

The Nelson Trust 

Health Insurance Premiums 

36,480.00  

69790 

UHL Company Inc.

Card Access Sys-Door Release Wireless 

73,186.00  

69791 

Up North Builders

2nd Floor Office Renovation

7,275.00  

69792 

Verizon Wireless 

Monthly Cellular Service 

4,411.35  

69793 

Viking Electric Supply Inc.

Supplies/Tools – St Lighting

614.53  

69794 

Widseth 

Engineering Services 

89,512.48  

69795

Xerox Corporation 

Maint Agree – Fire, Mthly Charge Admin

104.01  

69796 

Civic Systems LLC

Build Per Software, Wtr Serv Order App 

38,925.00  

69820 

Border Bar

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69821

Farias Enterprises LLC

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69822

Hanson’s Outpost

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69823

On The Rocks LLC

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69824

Riverfront Bar and Grill

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69825

Timberpins LLC

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69826

TRM 5

On-Sale COVID-19 Relief

500.00

69827

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: 

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04 

100755

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100756

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

37,896.73

100757

IUOE Local Central Pension  

Retirement 

4,088.60

100758

IF Fire Dept. Relief

336.00 

100759

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

112.00

100760

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00

100761

MN Child Support Pmt Center 

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100762

MN Department of Revenue

State Withholding 

6,917.59

100763

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,975.00

100764

PERA 

Retirement 

30,696.38

100765

Sun Life Financial 

Supplemental Life Insurance 

664.67

100766

The Hartford 

Voluntary LTD Insurance 

529.46

100767

AUDIENCE:

None.

PUBLIC HEARING:

None.

OPENING BIDS:

Removed from the table to consider 3 quotes for replacement of two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station and APPROVED Complete Comfort Systems quote for replacement of two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station payable from the Fire Dept. budget

MOTION by Councilor Buller to remove from the table to consider 3 quotes for replacement of two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Chief Mannausau explained they received three quotes from Complete Comfort Systems, Rainy Lake Heating and Cooling, and Shannon’s. The lowest bid came from Complete Comfort Systems.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to accept the low bid from Complete Comfort Systems for the replacement of the two heating units at the South Falls Fire Station payable from the Fire Dept. budget. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

Removed from the table and APPROVED M W Friends, Inc. dba Friends Garbage Service application for Year 2021 garbage haulers license

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to remove from the table M W Friends, Inc. dba Friends Garbage Service application for Year 2021 garbage haulers license. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

City Administrator Anderson explained they had a meeting with Wade and Michelle Friend to discuss the progress the company is making on cleaning up the site. The property owners have agreed to use the winter months during frozen ground conditions to remove debris/product from the site. The group will meet around May 1, 2021 to assess progress and determine what further action may need to be done.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve M W Friends, Inc. dba Friends Garbage Service application for Year 2021 garbage haulers license. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented 

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

Approve 2021 license renewals, as presented

• D & S Pizza Inc. dba Domino’s Pizza – restaurant license
• Curb Appeal Lawn Care – snowplow license
• Icebox Investments LLC dba Dairy Queen Int’l Falls – restaurant license
• Jim’s Disposal Service – garbage hauler license
• Klinefelter Synergy LLC dba McDonald’s Int’l Falls – restaurant license
• KNV Restaurants Inc. dba Subway IF – restaurant license
• Sandy’s Place LLC – restaurant license
• Sarah Nevalainen – massage individual license
  

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation Establishing November as Family Caregivers Month

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Mayoral Proclamation Establishing November as Family Caregivers Month.
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

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

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve year 2021 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented.

• Applegreen Midwest dba Express Lane 2325 – cigarette license, fireworks license, 3.2 off sale license, gasoline pumps license, restaurant license
• Applegreen Midwest dba Express Lane 2327 – 3.2 off sale license, cigarette license, gasoline pumps license, restaurant license
• Border Oil Co Inc. dba The Jug Liquors – cigarette license, off sale liquor license
• Citizens for Backus/AB – restaurant license, wine on sale license, 3.2 on sale restaurant and bar
• Miner’s Inc. dba County Market Foods – 3.2 off sale license, cigarette license, gasoline pumps license, restaurant license
• Super One Foods – cigarette license, restaurant license, 3.2 off sale license
• Super One Liquor LLC dba County Market Liquor – cigarette license, off sale liquor license

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 95-20 approving the Planning Commission recommendation for a Conditional Use Permit for Fuel Storage and Distribution for Keep Properties VIII LLC

MOTION by Councilor Briggs adopting Resolution No. 95-20 approving the Planning Commission recommendation for a Conditional Use Permit for Fuel Storage and Distribution for Keep Properties VIII LLC. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

APPROVED closure of City demolition debris facility, authorize staff to notify the MPCA, and direct staff to perform all steps necessary to complete the closure

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving closure of the City demolition debris facility, authorize staff to notify the MPCA, and direct staff to perform all steps necessary to complete the closure. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch.

Director of Public Works Brokaw explained that in 2014 the City of International Falls tried to renew their permit with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). In 2018 the MPCA reviewed the permit submitted in 2014. In 2019 over $25,000 was spent on the permit and 2020 is slated to cost the same amount. In order to obtain a new 10-year permit, the MPCA is requiring that the City have a hydrology study completed to determine the ground water depth. This will determine if monitoring wells are necessary. The hydrology study will cost $12,000. If the hydrology study is completed, and the City decides not to proceed with renewing the permit, it will be required to install monitoring wells and monitor those wells for at least twenty years. The MPCA stated the City’s demolition site is too close to the County’s demolition site. Brokaw stated he currently has a demolition budget of $12,000. The demolition budget would need to be increased to cover the additional costs moving forward. Due to the financial burden the demolition site imposes on the City, Brokaw recommend that the City Council take action to close the demolition site.

Motion carried unanimously.

DENIED demolition application from Jana Reff for manufactured home at 1700 8^th Ave., #2

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch denying the demolition application for Jana Reff for manufactured home at 1700 8^th Ave., #2. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED unbudgeted payment of $2,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for geotechnical engineering services to conduct Rainy River slope stability analysis payable from Engineering Dept. professional services

City Administrator Anderson shared that the Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been working with landowners affected by erosion and slumping issues along Rainy River on Shorewood Drive. The problem is more complex than can be handled by in-house staff so the engineer has sought out a geotechnical engineering firm who specializes in slope failures. Koochiching SWCD is requesting funding from the City of International Falls to offset the cost of the engineering firm. City Administrator Anderson suggested appropriating $2000.00 out of the engineering department professional service line item to offset the costs of the engineering firm.

Councilor Krause, Ditsch and Briggs were in favor of the $2000.00 payment for the slope stability analysis, however wanted to make it clear that the property owners are responsible for the repairs.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving unbudgeted payment of $2,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for geotechnical engineering services to conduct Rainy River slope stability analysis payable from Engineering Dept. professional services. Including a letter that states “The City of International Falls does not wish to be obligated or to set a precedent to fund the actual repair work necessary on private property(s) after the analysis is complete.’  Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED Resolution No. 96-20 Summarizing Findings and Confirming Use of CARES Act Funds for Public Health Emergency Purposes

City Administrator Anderson stated that the City of International Falls received $462,439.00 from the CARES Act Funds for Public Health Emergency purposes. A spreadsheet summarizing the approved expenditures of $456,287.62 was provided to the council members. Anderson suggested the remaining $6,151.38 be used to offset decreased revenue at seven local business who have an on sale liquor license in the amount $500.00 each due to temporary closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic, totaling $3,500.00. The remaining amount of $2,651.38 to be used to offset payroll expenses.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Resolution No. 96-20 confirming summarized findings of the use of CARES Act Funds for Public Health Emergency Purposes. Also, approving remaining funds be used for businesses with On Sale Liquor License and payroll expenses. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads

City Administrator Anderson shared the next Committee-of-Whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 10, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. Anderson also encouraged everyone to get out and vote.

City Attorney Shermoen shared that six of the blight criminal cases are scheduled to appear before the Judge in District Court on November 3, 2020.

Fire Chief Mannausau stated he has been contacted by two individuals that are involved in the blight criminal cases. Mannausau stated he will contact City Attorney Shermoen if any changes arise before they appear in court on November 3, 2020.

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees 

Councilor Krause shared that he attended the RRCC Higher Learning Commission accreditation meeting. The meeting was well attended. Mr. Krasaway answered all the questions that came up. Krause stated it was an honor to represent the City of International Falls at the meeting.

Mayor Droba stated that the Airport Commission is waiting for a self-analysis to see what operations and maintenance activities qualify for funding from the FAA CARES Act Fund. A meeting will be scheduled to discuss further.

AUDIENCE 

Michael Bahr asked if the mask on Smokey Bear could be removed. Mr. Bahr also expressed his concerns regarding the blight concerns at the Friends Garbage Recycling Center property.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the regular City Council meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 5:30 P.M, Election Day on November 3, 2020, and that City Hall will be closed on November 11, 2020 in observance of Veterans Day. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:20 P.M.