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 3rd day of January, 2022 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with additions | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the agenda with additions, as presented:
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the December 20, 2021 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 20, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 01-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 01-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| ACME Tools – Grand Forks | Tools – Water Department | 2,394.00 | 72555 | |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies – Fire/Ambulance/Engineering | 259.99 | 72556 | |
| Ameritas Life Ins Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,882.32 | 72557 | |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup/Wage Assignment | 104.00 | 72558 | |
| Arrowhead Reg Firefighter Assc | Annual Membership Dues | 65.00 | 72559 | |
| ATCO International | Degreaser | 118.00 | 72560 | |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Parts – Water Department | 15.95 | 72561 | |
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums | 5,787.38 | 72563 | |
| Borderland Humane Society | Annual Contribution-2022, Pound Operation | 7,250.00 | 72565 | |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 146.97 | 72566 | |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Fireworks, Train/Sup-Amb/Grnds/Fire/House | 9,204.67 | 72567 | |
| Brenda Jones | Water Payment Reimbursement | 813.90 | 72568 | |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer | 155.22 | 72569 | |
| City Water Department | City Buildings – Water Usage | 2,680.98 | 72570 | |
| Civic Systems LLC | Software Support-Admin/Hous/Wtr/Bldg Off | 9,787.00 | 72571 | |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 2,949.25 | 72572 | |
| Core & Main | Nozzle Caps | 149.20 | 72573 | |
| Eric Weingart | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 350.00 | 72574 | |
| FlowMSP, Inc. | Annual License Fee | 1,500.00 | 72575 | |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies – Administration/Street/Police | 291.46 | 72576 | |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty | City Share December 2021 Project Costs | 78,852.50 | 72577 | |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 30,879.00 | 72578 | |
| J & J Contracting LLC | Vactor Garage Plumbing Modifications | 35,200.00 | 72579 | |
| Lawson Products Inc | Supplies – Electrical | 543.08 | 72580 | |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | Cutting Edge Blades | 901.11 | 72581 | |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 588.50 | 72582 | |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW | 1,091.87 | 72583 | |
| MedicareBlue RX | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,820.00 | 72584 | |
| Menards International Falls | Sup/Tools/MRO-Ambulance/Strm Sew/Street | 119.95 | 72585 | |
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable – Fire Hall/Amb, Internet – Garage | 284.76 | 72586 | |
| Mike Holden | 2021 Council Standard Expenditure Reimb | 700.00 | 72587 | |
| Minnesota Child Support | ID 0014487664, Locator Code 27 | 60.00 | 72588 | |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 3,824.85 | 72589 | |
| Minnesota Power | Opt 1 Lighting | 13.32 | 72590 | |
| Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. | Conference Registration – Engineering | 150.00 | 72591 | |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 72592 | |
| Pelland-Swenson | Kerry Park – Chiller Replacement | 759.00 | 72593 | |
| Pollard Water | Maintenance – Water Department | 206.20 | 72594 | |
| Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso | July-December 2021 | 2,990.38 | 72595 | |
| Rhory Gelo | Safety Boot Allowance | 110.00 | 72596 | |
| Shannon’s Inc | VNP Carpenter Shop | 11,750.00 | 72597 | |
| Steven M Shermoen | Legal Fees | 9,180.00 | 72598 | |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing Allowance – Offerdahl/Franz | 109.99 | 72599 | |
| Stryker Sales Corp | Lucas Battery | 1,510.00 | 72600 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 536.94 | 72601 | |
| Tactical & Technical Assess Ser. | Simulator Training | 800.00 | 72602 | |
| Ted Brokaw | Engineer CIP Meeting – Hermantown | 214.20 | 72603 | |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 37,696.00 | 72604 | |
| The Outdoorsman Headquarters | Supplies – Street | 57.98 | 72605 | |
| Towmaster | Jack Sander | 1,036.00 | 72606 | |
| UHL Company Inc | Building Maintenance – Arena | 808.44 | 72607 | |
| US Bank | Go Bond Interest/Payment | 482,687.50 | 72608 | |
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,222.96 | 72609 | |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Supplies – Electrical | 163.61 | 72610 | |
| Widseth | Engineering Services | 314,508.96 | 72611 | |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | ||||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 206.62 | 101221 | |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101222 | |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 39,779.06 | 101223 | |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 3,267.50 | 101224 | |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 154.00 | 101225 | |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101226 | |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 614.39 | 101227 | |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,606.50 | 101228 | |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 8,963.00 | 101229 | |
| PERA | Retirement | 34,500.18 | 101230 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 782.51 | 101231 | |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 674.64 | 101232 | |
| United Way of NE MN | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101233 | |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED as presented | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve 2022 license renewal, as presented · Riverfront Bar & Grill – restaurant license · Silvers Construction, LLC – snowplow license 2. Approve travel and continuing education training expenses for Building Official, Kelly Meyers · 2022 Annual Institute for Building Officials, Minneapolis, MN – January 12-15, 2022 · ICC Upper Great Plains Region III Educational Institute, Minneapolis, MN – February 7-11, 2022 · Attendance at quarterly Arrowhead Chapter Building Official meetings and required State seminars for continuing education credits 3. Approve IRS mileage reimbursement rate for 2022 of 58.5 cents per mile 4. Adopted Resolution No. 02-2022 Delegating authority to make electronic fund transfers to the Finance Officer and City Administrator for 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED City support for activities for the 18th Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 31, 2022 |
Ken and Jackie Krueger requested support from the City including use of Kerry Park at 6:00 A.M. on January 31, 2022, banner at Smokey Bear Park, police coverage at road crossings, bull horn and fireworks.
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve City support for activities for the 18th Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 31, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Biweekly Payroll on Tuesdays commencing 01/11/2022 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve payroll biweekly on Tuesday, commencing on 01/11/2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 03-2022 Designating Depositories | MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 03-2022 designating depositories. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 04-2022 Designating Polling Places | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 04-2022 approving the Designation of Polling Places for 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| Forest Hill Cemetery Board Appointments | It was noted that the City is working to obtain a current copy of the Forest Hill Cemetery Board Bylaws to establish what authority and criteria the City has to appoint members to the Forest Hill Cemetery Board. This item will be on the January 18, 2022 City Council meeting agenda. |
| APPROVED Legislation & Land Use Appointments | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Councilor Ditsch and Mayor Droba to the Legislation and Land Use Committee, with Councilor Ditsch chairing the Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilors Buller, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilor Ditsch abstaining. |
| APPROVED Budget and Finance Committee Appointments | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden, Krause, and Mayor Droba to the Budget and Finance Committee, with Mayor Droba chairing the Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| REJECTED Human Resources Committee appointments | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Mayor Droba and Councilor Ditsch to the Human Resources Committee, with Mayor Droba chairing the Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause.
Councilor Ditsch stated that he felt since Councilor Holden would not be chairing the Legislation and Land Use Committee as the Mayor originally intended, he felt it would make sense to leave Councilor Holden on the Human Resources Committee. Mayor Droba stated he had concerns about Councilor Holden being on the Human Resources Committee as an active Local 49 member. Councilor Holden explained he does not believe that would pose a conflict and noted that he does not need to be a part of the City’s negotiating committee for bargaining unit contract negotiations. Mayor Droba noted he is still recommending appointment of Councilor Ditsch and himself to the Human Resources Committee, with himself as the chair. Motion failed 1-4-0 with Mayor Droba voting “yea” and Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Holden and Krause voting “nay”. It was noted that the appointments for the Human Resources Committee would be discussed further at the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on January 10, 2022. |
| APPROVED Public Works Committee appointments | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Mayor’s appointments of Councilor Buller and Mayor Droba to the Public Works Committee, with Councilor Buller chairing the Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Other Committee Appointments | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the following other committee appointments:
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Mayor’s recommended appointment to the “Charter Commission of the City of International Falls, MN” for submittal to the Chief Judge for approval | MOTION by Councilor Krause to confirm the Mayor’s recommended appointment of Aijah Meyer to the “Charter Commission of the City of International Falls, MN” to fill the vacant term expiring December 31, 2024 due to the resignation of Cynthia Jaksa, with submittal to the Chief Judge for approval. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED disbanding the City Beach Citizens Advisory Committee | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve disbanding the City Beach Citizens Advisory Committee and authorize sending letters of thanks to outgoing members. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED RE-APPOINTMENTS to the Fire Civil Service Commission, Housing & Redevelopment Authority, and to the International Falls Public Library Board | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to confirm the following Mayor’s re-appointments:
Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED RE-APPOINTMENT and APPOINTMENT to the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District Board | MOTION by Councilor Krause to confirm the Mayor’s re-appointment of Councilor Buller and appointment of Councilor Holden to the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District Board for three-year terms, February 1, 2022 – January 31, 2025. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED APPOINTMENT and RE-APPOINTMENTS to the Planning Commission | Mayor Droba noted that he is recommending appointment of Director of Public Works Brokaw to the Planning Commission due to the number of active projects in the works including the Kerry Park rehabilitation project. He noted that one member can live outside city limits and be an employee of the City.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to confirm the following Mayor’s appointment and re-appointments:
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED RE-APPOINTMENTS to the Recreation Commission and to the Zoning Board of Appeals | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to confirm the following Mayor’s re-appointments:
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED APPOINTMENT of City Engineer | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve appointing Bolton & Menk as the City Engineer in accordance with the Home Rule Charter, Chapter XI, Section 115. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.
Jason Fisher, Bolton & Menk, introduced himself to the Council and explained the transition process stating that the City has made request for Widseth to turn over all project files relating to the City of International Falls. Motion carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Mayor’s appointments to the 2022 Northeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board (ECB) and the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve appointment of Mayor Droba to the 2022 Northeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board (ECB), with Councilor Ditsch as the alternate, and appointment of Adam Mannausau to the 2022 Northeast Minnesota Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) with Todd Ojala as the alternate, authorizing signatures and submittal of the appointment forms. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 05-2022 approving premises permit application for lawful gambling by the International Falls Voyageurs Snowmobile Club | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 05-2022 approving premises permit application for lawful gambling by the International Falls Voyageurs Snowmobile Club at TRM 5, Inc., dba Sammy’s Pizza, 301 3rd Avenue, International Falls, MN. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Human Resources committee recommendations: | |
| a) APPROVED offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class through the International Falls Ambulance Service | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the Human Resources Committee recommendation to offer an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class through the International Falls Ambulance Service with fees and structure, as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| b) APPROVED policy for salaried employees’ vacation time ceiling limits | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the policy for salaried employees’ vacation time ceiling limits, as recommended by the Human Resources Committee. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED separation and letter for former City Engineering Firm Widseth | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve separating from City Engineering firm Widseth and sending a letter thanking them for their years of service to the City. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
None. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | None. |
| AUDIENCE | Mayor Droba noted that 3-4 weeks ago he received a blight violation and citation at his restaurant, The Library. He noted that he paid the $150.00 citation fee and mailed it into the City, along with a request for an extension to have until April 1, 2022 to clean up the property. Mayor Droba noted that he had an open building permit that he believed allowed the items to remain outside the property. |
| Ban on Deer Feeding in Koochiching County | There was discussion about the correspondence showing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has banned deer feeding in Koochiching County as a part of their Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) response plan. It was requested that a DNR Conservation Officer be present at the next City Council meeting to discuss this matter with the Council and the public to help everyone be better informed and understand the enforcement process. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:30 P.M. and adjourned the meeting at 6:20 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
