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 15th day of March, 2021 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, Krause and Mayor Droba.
Media and public via BlueJeans Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with addition and deletion | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the agenda with one addition and one deletion as presented:
· Addition – Approve Human Resources Committee recommendations. · Deletion – Removed Chapter 10, Sec 52 from the first reading to repeal sections from the Code of Ordinances. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the March 1, 2021 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the March 1, 2021 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 17-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 17-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A. W. Kuettel & Sons, Inc | Steam to HW at Library | 360.00 | 70616 |
| Adele Strandberg | Acct Deposit Refund | 12.00 | 70617 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | Tires-Str/Pol/Amb, Shovels, Sthil Parts | 1,232.91 | 70618 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies – IT/Police/Ambulance | 174.05 | 70619 |
| AmeriPride Services | Cleaning Service | 944.50 | 70620 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 411.00 | 70621 |
| ATCO International | Supplies – Street Garage | 113.00 | 70622 |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Parts – Water Dept. | 58.95 | 70623 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 784.64 | 70624 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70625 |
| Bureau of Crim Apprehension | Annual CJDN Remote Access | 780.00 | 70626 |
| Cenex Voyaguer Fleet | Gas – Grnds/Pol/Amb/Str/Gar/Wtr/Hou | 2,830.84 | 70627 |
| Chocolate Moose Restaurant Co | Crew Meals | 201.48 | 70628 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 70629 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 25,760.42 | 70630 |
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach | 11.00 | 70631 |
| CMS Medicare | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 406.74 | 70632 |
| Core & Main | M&R – Water, Hydrant Meter Assembly | 1,433.87 | 70633 |
| Dan Sweney | Travel Expense | 35.00 | 70634 |
| Emergency Automotive Tech Inc | Gun Locks | 162.62 | 70635 |
| Entenmann-Rovin Co | Officer Badge 212 (2) | 243.00 | 70636 |
| Epic Threads | Clothing Allowance – Mannausau | 40.00 | 70637 |
| Expert T Billing | Ambulance Transports | 3,480.00 | 70638 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Parts – VNP, Car Wash – Police | 892.89 | 70639 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,740.96 | 70640 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,552.66 | 70641 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing – Franko/Fire | 514.47 | 70642 |
| Gopher State One – Call | Monthly Billing | 8.10 | 70643 |
| Guardian Fleet Safety | 2020 Ford Interceptor Equip – Unit 2004 | 12,864.55 | 70644 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 1,256.97 | 70645 |
| Howards – Cenex LLC | Gas – Street Garage | 29.74 | 70646 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies – Admin/Police/Housing | 337.34 | 70647 |
| John Reller | 2021 Jr High Coach | 1,200.00 | 70648 |
| John Salo | 2021 C” Boys Basketball” | 1,200.00 | 70649 |
| K & K Meyers Inc | Door Repairs – City Hall | 100.00 | 70650 |
| Kantor Electric Inc | Electrical Supplies | 146.88 | 70651 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas-Str/Gar/St Light/Strm Sew/Wtr/Sew | 1,984.89 | 70652 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Supplies – Building Official | 236.12 | 70653 |
| Leon Ditsch | 2021 Council Exp. Reimbursement | 700.00 | 70654 |
| LMC Insurance Trust – Liability | Annual Liability and Auto Insurance | 172,910.00 | 70655 |
| LMC Insurance Trust – WC | Hell Deductible | 132.54 | 70656 |
| LVC Inc | VNP Fire Alarm Cell. Monitor Upgrade | 1,504.00 | 70657 |
| Maddy Olson | 2021 Jr High Girls Basketball | 1,200.00 | 70658 |
| Mark Leblanc | Crew Meals | 27.44 | 70659 |
| Melanie Clarity | Sew-Maish/Sears/Gedde/Bombenger | 34.00 | 70660 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup/Tools-VNP/Str/Grnds/Strm Sew/GGB | 594.91 | 70661 |
| Mershon Technology Interests | HP Laptop | 729.00 | 70662 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70663 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Internet – Water Plant/Street Garage | 378.63 | 70664 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 4,458.33 | 70665 |
| Minnesota Industries | Safety Equip – Water | 5.25 | 70666 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 31,911.89 | 70667 |
| MN Pollution Control Agency | Solid Waste Operator – T Brokaw | 15.00 | 70668 |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 69,239.25 | 70669 |
| Napa Falls Supply | Parts/Sup/Tools/Lube – Str/Wtr/Vactor | 1,146.16 | 70670 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Liftmaster Oper, Tools/Sup – Fire/Gar/St | 4,103.25 | 70671 |
| Northland Securities Inc | Tax Abatement-IF Properties/Cobblestone | 2,902.50 | 70672 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(Wan) Services | 260.00 | 70673 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | Part/Lube/Sup – Str/Vac/Wtr/Pol/Gar/Amb | 1,575.45 | 70674 |
| Pitney Bowes | Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mailing System | 691.14 | 70675 |
| Praxair Distribution Inc | Oxygen – Ambulance | 915.24 | 70676 |
| R & L Carriers | Supplies – Street Lighting | 121.43 | 70677 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Pharmaceutical Supplies | 898.01 | 70678 |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies – VNP/Buildings/Street/Garage | 2,078.60 | 70679 |
| Rhory Gelo | Travel Expense | 116.20 | 70680 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing – Police/Stevens/Kennedy | 1,571.48 | 70681 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70682 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70683 |
| The Journal | Agendas/Minutes/RFP/RFQ/Local Streets | 2,610.82 | 70684 |
| The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters | Ammo | 1,179.98 | 70685 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70686 |
| UHL Company Inc | Bldg Maint – VNP/Garage | 4,270.41 | 70687 |
| Van Iwaarden Associates | GASB 75 12/31/2020 | 3,200.00 | 70688 |
| Verizon Wireless | Housing | 187.95 | 70689 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Maint – Park/Rec, Tools-Storm Sew | 596.49 | 70690 |
| Widseth | Engineering Services | 3,127.00 | 70691 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 70692 |
| Wyatt Boyum | Firefighter I Testing – Per Diem | 35.00 | 70693 |
| MN Department of Transportation | Re-Issue Ck#69992 12/08/2020 | 414.36 | 70694 |
| Chamber of Commerce | 2021 Contract Agreement | 12,474.00 | 70719 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 225.04 | 100897 |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 100898 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 40,040.71 | 100899 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund | Retirement | 4,298.10 | 100900 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA – Police/Fire | 546.00 | 100901 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance – 49ers | 454.00 | 100902 |
| IAMAW District W33 | Union Dues | 1,744.50 | 100903 |
| IF Fire Dept. Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 350.00 | 100904 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 168.00 | 100905 |
| I.U.O.E. Local 49ers | Health Reimbursement | 875.00 | 100906 |
| Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers | Union Dues | 700.00 | 100907 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S. | 120.00 | 100908 |
| MN Child Support Payment Center | Wage Assignment | 601.46 | 100909 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,444.88 | 100910 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 7,725.00 | 100911 |
| PERA | Life Insurance | 128.00 | 100912 |
| North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist | Health Insurance | 675.00 | 100913 |
| PERA | Retirement | 33,320.17 | 100884 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
INFORMATIONAL – County Assessor Open Book meeting |
Mayor Droba shared the County Assessor Open Book meeting will be held on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M (Noon) at the County Assessor’s office, 715 4th St., for informal appeal for taxpayers to discuss their property assessment/valuation. |
| APPROVED re-appointment of Ted Brokaw, Director of Public Works to the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NEMNATP) and Mike Wallace, Public Works Supervisor as an alternate | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve re-appointment of Ted Brokaw, Director of Public Works to the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NEMNATP) and Mike Wallace, Public Works Supervisor as an alternate. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution 18-2021 approving exempt permit for Falls Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc., dba Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation to conduct a raffle at 1400 Hwy 71 on August 20, 2021 | Interim City Administrator Bergstrom stated Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation is unable to conduct the raffle as previously scheduled on September 1, 2021 and is requesting changing the date to August 20, 2021.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 18-2021 approving the Falls Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc., dba Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation application for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held August 20, 2021 at Rainy Lake Medical Center, 1400 Highway 71, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED applying for USDA Facilities Grant in partnership with Koochiching County | Public Works Director Brokaw requested approval to partner with Koochiching County and KEDA to apply for the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant. The grant will assist communities with long term needs such as upgrades to the LEC/Sheriff’s department, Kerry Park, and any new facilities. Grant application would be completed by KEDA on behalf of the County and the City. The grant application is due at the end of the week.
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve applying for USDA Facilities Grant in partnership with Koochiching County. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Human Resource Committee recommendation: | |
| a. APPROVED the one-year Labor Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on pay for members planning and negotiating the contracts between the City of International Falls and the IAMAW District Lodge 5, Woodworkers Local W33, IAMAW Union for the Police Department, January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 | Joe Schwartz stated he presented the labor agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on pay for members planning and negotiating the contracts to the police department. The police department members approved the labor agreement and MOU, however, they denied an MOU related to Sick Leave Accural at Retirement.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the one-year Labor Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on pay for members planning and negotiating the contracts between the City of International Falls and the IAMAW District Lodge 5, Woodworkers Local W33, IAMAW Union for the Police Department, January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations: | |
| a. APPROVED the revised 2021 contract for services between the City of International Falls and the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce effective January 1, 2021 | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the revised 2021 contract for services between the City of International Falls and the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce effective January 1, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.
Mayor Droba thanked Tricia Heibel for the work done on the contract. Mayor Droba stated the contract opens the door to different possibilities and services they can offer. Tricia Heibel thanked Mayor Droba for working together and completing the contact. |
| b. APPROVED the revised Lease Agreement between the City of International Falls and the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce effective January 1, 2021 | Mayor Droba shared that the City had given the Chamber of Commerce the option to purchase the building as the City is trying to get out of renting property. They agreed upon a five year lease agreement with an out clause that requires 30 days’ notice.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the revised Lease Agreement between the City of International Falls and the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce effective January 1, 2021 and all rental payments paid in 2021 will be refunded to the Chamber of Commerce. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| c. APPROVED revised City Administrator Job Description | Mayor Droba shared that the Committee suggested removing the following two responsibilities from the current City Administrator Job Description:
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the revised City Administrator Job Description. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Discussion on filling the vacant City Administrator position
d. DENIED Internal Promotion for hiring a City Administrator
APPROVED Internal Recruitment Process for hiring a City Administrator
APPROVED April 30, 2021 as the deadline to accept applications for the City Administrator position |
Mayor Droba explained three different options to fill the vacancy of the City Administrator position. They are as follows:
· Internal Promotion · Internal Recruitment Process – use city staff to conduct a search · Recruitment Process – hiring a firm to conduct a search on the City’s behalf Councilor Buller stated the City should go through the recruitment process even though they have a qualified person internally. The citizens of International Falls deserve that and his constituents are requesting that. Councilor Krause agreed with Councilor Buller that the recruitment process should be done. Councilor Holden had concerns going with the recruitment process and didn’t want to see it take a year to fill the position like it did last time. Councilor Holden stated that he prefers the internal promotion. The position is very important to the city and the Deputy Administrator has worked for the city for the past 20 years. Councilor Holden stated he wanted to see someone local get the job as they have been putting their money into the community. Councilor Ditsch agreed with Councilor Holden. Why waste the money on the recruitment process when an internal employee is more than qualified. The Recruitment process of hiring a firm could cost between $19,000 and $20,000 and could take months to fill the position. Mayor Droba felt the internal recruitment process would be the best. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to perform an internal promotion to fill the City Administrator position. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Motion failed 2-3 with Councilors Ditsch and Holden voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘nay’. MOTION by Councilor Krause to perform an internal recruitment process to fill the City Administrator position. Motion seconded by Mayor Droba. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilors Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Holden voting ‘nay’. City Attorney Shermoen recommended a deadline be determined to receive applications. Councilor Krause asked Tricia Heibel about her knowledge of any job banks. Tricia stated MN DEED, USA.gov and MN League of Cities have work banks. MOTION by Councilor Krause approving April 30, 2021 as the last day to accept applications for the City Administrator position. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| e. APPROVED the first reading to repeal sections of the Code of Ordinances and replace with the International Property Maintenance Code 2021 | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the first reading to repeal the following sections of the Code of Ordinances:
Removing Sec. 4-20 Housing Code and replacing with the International Property Maintenance Code 2021 with the following insertions:
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| f. APPROVED Temporary Structure permit application and fees | Building Official Meyers explained that temporary structures such as car ports and containers need to meet zoning setbacks. They can only be used for a period of time and cannot be used as permanent structures. By implementing a permit application and fee it will ensure temporary structures do not remain for an indefinite period of time.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Temporary Structure permit application and fees. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| g. APPROVED dissolving the Building and Property Blight Advisory Committee and send letters of appreciation to the committee members | Councilor Ditsch explained with the hiring of the Fire Marshal the committee was no longer needed as those duties would now be done by the Fire Marshal. The Building and Property Blight Advisory Committee was a temporary committee.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to dissolve the Building and Property Blight Advisory Committee and send letters of appreciation to the committee members. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. Mayor Droba thanked the committee members for their time and being on the committee. |
| Public Works recommendation: | |
| a. APPROVED temporary “no parking” signs on 4th Ave from 4th Street to 11th Street during the Hwy 53 construction/detour
|
Councilor Buller noted that the Public Works Committee discussed and is recommending placing “no parking” signs on 4th Ave from 4th Street to 11th Street during the Hwy 53 construction/detour due to the narrow road and high traffic.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve placing temporary “no parking” signs on 4th Ave from 4th Street to 11th Street during the Hwy 53 construction/detour. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Attorney Shermoen shared that he has 43 criminal cases scheduled for March 16. Several of those cases are blight related. Shermoen stated he is meeting with Fire Marshal Jared Baldwin and Building Official Kelly Meyers to review blight cases every Friday morning. Currently they are addressing several buildings.
City Attorney Shermoen stated he is still continuing negotiations with Stock Tire in regards to purchasing the building. The Blight written report dated March 12, 2021 was available for review. The International Falls Police Department February 2021 Activity Report was available for review. The February 2021 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba shared he participated in the potential Ambulance Taxing District task force meeting. A lot of good questions arose and administration is addressing the questions and concerns that were brought up. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba shared that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:37 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, Interim City Administrator
