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 December, 2021 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda as presented | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the December 6, 2021 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 6, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the December 6, 2021 City Council Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting on the proposed 2022 Budget and Levy | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the December 6, 2021 City Council Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting on the proposed 2022 Budget and Levy. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the December 13, 2021 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of December 13, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 78-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 78-2021 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A+ Pest Management | Pest Control | 425.00 | 72446 |
| Adam Hanson | Winterize Fire Boat | 300.00 | 72447 |
| Adam Mannausau | CAT Team Travel Expense | 35.00 | 72448 |
| AIM Electronics Inc | Ice Shelter – Scoreboard Parts | 60.00 | 72449 |
| AlcoPro Inc | Supplies – Police Department | 555.00 | 72450 |
| Alex Air Apparatus Inc | Ladder/10′ Poles/Water Rescue Vests | 2,207.60 | 72451 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | Tires – Police, Tools – Park & Rec | 232.21 | 72452 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies – Police/Ambulance/IT | 195.30 | 72453 |
| Barbara Hell | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 3,980.00 | 72454 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Asset Mgmt/Cap. Improv Plan – Water Plant | 3,856.50 | 72455 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping – Water Plant/Fire | 77.00 | 72456 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 761.98 | 72457 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72458 |
| Brian Kelly | Safety Boot Allowance | 110.00 | 72459 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72460 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 72461 |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 25,760.42 | 72462 |
| City of Ranier | Water – City Beach | 11.55 | 72463 |
| Compass Minerals | Winter Salt With Moisture Deduction | 6,434.60 | 72464 |
| Core & Main | Americinn Meter | 1,674.21 | 72465 |
| Curtis Blue Line | Clothing Allowance – Hulst/Kastens | 40.00 | 72482 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Parts – Water Department | 364.76 | 72466 |
| Expert Billing LLC | Ambulance Transports | 3,219.00 | 72467 |
| Falls License Bureau | 2014 Ford #0916 – Police | 96.25 | 72468 |
| Flaherty & Hood, PA | Job Class & Compensation Study | 870.00 | 72469 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Parts – St Garage | 11.95 | 72470 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,740.96 | 72471 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,475.65 | 72472 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Ballistic Vests, Cloth-Mannausau/Bombenger | 3,880.97 | 72473 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 2,681.29 | 72474 |
| Image Trend Inc | Vault Records – Annual Fee | 824.00 | 72475 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Sup – Admin/Bldg Off/Str/Wtr Adm | 128.34 | 72476 |
| K & K Meyers Inc | Door Repairs – Gar,Gar Door – Fire | 3,149.87 | 72477 |
| Koerter’s Fuel & Car Wash | Gas-Fire/Str/Gar/Str Lght/Wtr/Wtr Pl/Police | 3,438.28 | 72478 |
| Kooch County Attorney | Seized Property | 2,312.35 | 72481 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Supplies – Street Lighting | 461.03 | 72483 |
| LMC Insurance Trust – WC | Challeen/Kennedy Deductible | 162.02 | 72484 |
| Locators & Supplies | Safety – Safety Data Sheet Center | 516.02 | 72485 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen LLP | Legal Services | 171.00 | 72486 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Haul Sand, Parts-141/Gar/Tanker, Safe Jckets | 6,388.40 | 72487 |
| Marco – LEC | LEC – C368 Copier Agreement | 246.71 | 72488 |
| Mark Leblanc | Crew Meals | 10.00 | 72489 |
| Mark Rock & Concrete | Crusher Fines/Winter Sand/3/4” Minus | 39,273.38 | 72490 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup/M&R-GGB/Strm/Admin/Light/Wtr Plnt | 268.29 | 72491 |
| Meyers Glass | Install Garage Door Panels – Fire Department | 2,540.00 | 72492 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72493 |
| Midwest Playscapes Inc | 8th Street Park | 4,412.50 | 72494 |
| Minn State Fire Chiefs Assn | Membership | 580.00 | 72495 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 3,737.05 | 72496 |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies – Water Department | 278.10 | 72497 |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 28,762.16 | 72498 |
| Mn Dept of Labor & Industry | Elevator ID #01884 | 100.00 | 72499 |
| Municipal Code Corporation | Annual Administrative Support Fee | 275.00 | 72500 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Tools/Parts – Gar/Str/Wtr/Bldg Off | 174.04 | 72501 |
| Northern Lights Display | Christmas Decoration Repairs | 2,000.02 | 72502 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Sup/Main/Tool-Str/Grnds/Gar/Strm/Wtr/P&R | 766.94 | 72503 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(Wan) Services | 267.73 | 72504 |
| On2 Solutions | Holophane, 8th St Rink – Alset Led | 7,325.00 | 72505 |
| Paul Kennedy | Travel Expense | 252.56 | 72506 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc. | Parts – Street Department | 340.21 | 72507 |
| Quality Flow Systems Inc | Outside Liftstation – Water Plant | 6,150.00 | 72508 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Pharmaceutical Supplies | 597.18 | 72509 |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Supplies – VNP/Fire | 920.89 | 72510 |
| Rick Becvar | Safety Boot Allowance | 110.00 | 72511 |
| Roche’s Towing | Towing – Police | 80.00 | 72512 |
| Ronning’s | Clothing Allowance – Franko/Baldwin | 119.96 | 72513 |
| Ryan Stenson | Clothing Allowance Reimbursement | 59.02 | 72514 |
| Scott Wherley | Travel Expense | 175.00 | 72515 |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 3,500.00 | 72516 |
| Small Town Tech Inc | Supplies – Fire | 14.00 | 72517 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing – Kennedy/Thramer/Lagergren | 113.97 | 72518 |
| Stryker Sales Corp | Ambulance Parts | 435.91 | 72519 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Htg LLC | Building Maintenance – Ice Shelter | 195.80 | 72520 |
| TC Lighting Supplies & Recycle | Recycling | 74.53 | 72521 |
| Ted Brokaw | Travel Expense | 443.34 | 72522 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72523 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72524 |
| Todd Summer | Overpayment Refund | 20.60 | 72525 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72526 |
| Towmaster | Plow Truck – VIN #1700/Slurry Pump | 110,804.00 | 72527 |
| Treasury Div, Mn Mgmt & Bdg | Seized Property | 406.10 | 72528 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Supplies/Maint & Repair – St Lighting | 2,008.91 | 72529 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Strm/Fire/House/Str/Amb/Wtr/Hazmat | 3,679.19 | 72530 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 72531 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 72532 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant | 29.31 | 72533 |
| Ziegler Inc | Parts – Street Department | 434.85 | 72534 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 225.04 | 101202 |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101203 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 41,422.76 | 101204 |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 3,840.16 | 101205 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA – Police/Fire | 520.00 | 101206 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance – 49ers | 404.00 | 101207 |
| IAMAW District W33 | Union Dues | 1,657.00 | 101208 |
| IF Fire Dept. Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 322.00 | 101209 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 147.00 | 101210 |
| I.U.O.E. Local 49ers | Health Reimbursement | 910.00 | 101211 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101212 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 614.39 | 101213 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,941.62 | 101214 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 9,193.00 | 101215 |
| PERA | Life Insurance | 112.00 | 101216 |
| North Kooch Area San Dist | Health Insurance | 425.00 | 101217 |
| PERA | Retirement | 37,018.49 | 101218 |
| United Way of NE MN | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101219 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS: | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVED the Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2022 |
MOTION by Councilor Krause approving the final Tax Levy Collectible in 2022 of $3,395,411 which is a 13.91% increase over 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden. Mayor Droba stated this was the toughest budget they have ever had to put together. In 2021 there was a zero percent levy increase. They also had to pull $87,000 from reserves. The Council put a lot of thought into the tax levy. Mayor Droba explained that with the tax levy monies the infrastructure will be fixed and maintained for the future. He thanked everyone for their hard work and the comments from the community. Motion carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve 2022 license renewals, as presented · City Cab & Van Service Inc – taxi license · Huffaker Lawn & Snow Service, LLC – snowplow license · Fun Food Factory – itinerant restaurant license · Glenn Spears – snowplow license · Hollers Property Maintenance – snowplow license · Massage by Megan Boe massage individual license · Ohana Homes Property Management – snowplow license · Posh Relief LLC – massage individual license · Ralinda Ferguson dba Northern Zen-Massage Therapy – massage individual license · Rose Garden – restaurant license 2. Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form to not waive limits on Municipal Tort Liability and authorize signatures 3. Approve training expenses for City Council virtual attendance at League of Minnesota Cities 2022 Elected Leaders Institute: Foundational or Advanced Program for $175 and $95 per person, respectively 4. Approve travel and training expense for two paramedics and three emergency medical technicians to the 2022 Arrowhead EMS Conference/Expo in Duluth, MN, January 21-23, 2022 Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED year 2022 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve year 2022 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, and Krause voting “yea” and Mayor Droba abstaining. |
| APPROVED signatures on updated Memorandum of Understanding and Amendment between Rainy River Community College and the International Falls Police Department | Chief Kostiuk noted he has been working with Brad Krasaway of Rainy River Community College, and this request is to update the existing Memorandum of Understanding and Amendment between Rainy River Community College and the International Falls Police Department with new dates and recognize the sharing of information between the two agencies, as statutorily required.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve signatures on updated Memorandum of Understanding and Amendment between Rainy River Community College and the International Falls Police Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| Approve an easement dedicating for public roadway purposes and right of way over and across Lot 13, Block 4, Auditor’s Plat No. 33, Koochiching County, Minnesota | City Attorney Shermoen explained that the Christianson family is requesting an easement for property adjacent to their Riverside Court Trailer Park. City Attorney Shermoen explained that this piece of property has been utilized as a roadway for the past fifty (50) years and they would like legal declaration and approved use as a roadway to allow for the pending sale to go through, as the prospective buyers have plans to improve the trailer park.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve an easement dedicating for public roadway purposes and right of way over and across Lot 13, Block 4, Auditor’s Plat No. 33, Koochiching County, Minnesota. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 80-2021 approving Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association to conduct a raffle at Kerry Park Arena on March 20, 2022 | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 80-2021 approving Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for the International Falls Recreation Hockey Association to conduct a raffle at Kerry Park Arena on March 20, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 81-2021 approving Airport Rescue Grant No. 3-27-0043-040-2022 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 81-2021 approving Airport Rescue Grant No. 3-27-0043-040-2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 82-2021 approving transfer of funds from Fund 250 Sales and Use Tax to Fund 350 G.O. Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2020A | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 82-2021 approving the transfer of funds from Fund 250 Sales and Use Tax to Fund 350 G.O. Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2020A. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED a one month extension of the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers – December 31, 2021 – January 31, 2022 to allow sufficient time to inform all parties of the updates/changes needed to the existing agreement | City Administrator Bergstrom explained they are requesting additional time to meet with all parties to inform them of the updates/changes to the existing agreement.
Councilor Krause shared that Recreation Director Bill Mason plans to retire in April of 2023. The Recreation Commission will have decisions to make regarding if they will replace Mr. Mason or if they will hire a Recreation Director through the school district which is the traditional process for schools in Minnesota. MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve a one-month extension of the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Joint Recreation Commission and Defining Its Powers – December 31, 2021 – January 31, 2022 to allow sufficient time to inform all parties of the updates/changes needed to the existing agreement. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations: | |
| a. APPROVED not replacing the stop signs going North and South at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 7th Street- they were taken removed due to the placement of the detour route for the Highway 53 Rehabilitation | It was explained that the stop signs going North and South at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 7th Street were removed due to the placement of the detour route for the Highway 53 Rehabilitation. The Highway 53 Rehabilitation is complete and it was noted that traffic seems to be flowing better without those stop signs, given there are already stop signs going East and West. This was a four-way stop because many years ago a hearing impaired child lived in the neighborhood and this was done as a safety measure. It was determined that there is no longer a need for a four-way stop at this intersection and the Committee recommends not replacing the stop signs going North and South.
Police Chief Kostiuk stated there has not been an increase in accidents and he has no concerns with not replacing the stop signs. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve not replacing the stop signs going North and South at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 7th Street. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| b. APPROVED annexing all of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport property into the City limits of International Falls | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve annexing the remainder of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport property into the City limits of International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller.
Mayor Droba asked the City Attorney what the next steps were in the process of annexing the Airport. City Attorney Shermoen explained that given the property is contiguous to other property located in the City of International Falls, as long as the County is on board, the City and County can jointly petition the state requesting the annexation. Motion carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED purchasing FlowMSP a pre-incident fire planning software for the Fire Department | Fire Chief Mannausau explained he is requesting to purchase a software system from FlowMSP that will assist in pre-planning for the fire and housing departments. The benefits include maintaining or improving their ISO score by having a database of preplans for our service area.
Chief Mannausau shared that ISO stands for Insurance Service Office. ISO scores reflect how prepared a community and area is for fires. It mainly focuses on local fire departments and water supply. Residents and Businesses can expect to see reductions in their insurance premiums based on the ISO score. MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the purchase of FlowMSP a pre-incident fire planning software for the Fire Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED hiring of paid on-call firefighters | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the hire of the following applicants as paid on-call firefighters effective January 1, 2022:
· Tyler Jonson · Chase Bernard · Mike Fisher · Matt MacKenzie · RayAnna Wolden Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED 2022 regular City Council Meeting Schedule | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the 2022 regular City Council Meeting schedule. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Approve 2022 Committee meeting schedule | Mayor Droba noted that now that there is a Human Resources Director, it eliminates the need for a Human Resources Committee. Mayor Droba noted that everything still needs to be brought before the Committee-of-the-Whole for Council approval, but there will not be a separate Human Resources Committee.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the 2022 City Council Committee Meeting schedule. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Bergstrom thanked staff and the City Council for their great work over the past year and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
City Attorney Shermoen noted that he had seventy (70) criminal court cases for the City heard on Thursday of last week, setting a new daily record. Mr. Shermoen stated he is continuing to work through criminal blight cases, as well as the three (3) bargaining unit contract negotiations. The November 2021 International Falls Police Department Activity Report was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba thanked both the International Falls Police and Fire Departments for participating in the ‘Best Christmas Ever’ event coordinated by Amy Basaraba.
Mayor Droba explained that the IFEDA met earlier in the evening and awarded the Koochiching County Museum a $40,000 loan for roof improvements, with $20,000 to be forgiven if the loan is paid back in five (5) years. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba stated that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 3, 2022 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba noted that there will be appointments to various boards and commissions in the area at this meeting and asked those who may be interested in serving to contact him. Mayor Droba thanked City Administrator Bergstrom for all her hard work this past year. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:20 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
