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 2nd day of May, 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 and deletions | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the agenda with the following additions and deletions:
· Changes were made to the signatures on the Air Service Marketing Grant Agreement · Deletion of Resolution to approve application for an exempt permit for the International Falls Lions Club to conduct a raffle Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the April 18, 2022 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 18, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 30-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | City Administrator Bergstrom stated one check was removed for approval and duplicate checks were removed.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 30-2022 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup-Str/Amb/IT/Wtr, Automation-Admin/Str | 1,033.63 | 73355 | |
| Ameritas Life Ins Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,882.32 | 73356 | |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 169.00 | 73357 | |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Two Pumps | 1,791.27 | 73358 | |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Maint/Repair – VNP, Tools – Water Plant | 71.95 | 73359 | |
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums | 4,856.19 | 73361 | |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 73362 | |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,172.25 | 73363 | |
| Brandon & Joney Vaughn | Overpayment Refund | 52.00 | 73364 | |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Train-Wtr Plnt/Pol/Grnd/Admin/Mayor/Coun | 9,029.03 | 73365 | |
| Bruce Wilson | Travel Expense | 140.00 | 73366 | |
| City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer | 161.65 | 73367 | |
| City Water Department | City Buildings – Water Usage | 1,188.79 | 73368 | |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 3,071.35 | 73369 | |
| Core & Main | Meters, Meter Parts | 4,802.71 | 73370 | |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing Allowance – Wherley | 185.26 | 73371 | |
| HACH Company | Chemicals/Lab Supplies | 54.73 | 73372 | |
| Harley Droba | Annual Standard Expenditure Reimburse | 1,000.00 | 73373 | |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 1,596.33 | 73374 | |
| I-Falls Super One Foods | Department Training | 27.74 | 73393 | |
| VOID | 0 | 73375 | ||
| Int’l Falls/Kooch County | City Share April 2022 Project Costs | 44,921.14 | 73376 | |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 31,299.00 | 73377 | |
| Justin Mostad | Travel Expense | 140.00 | 73378 | |
| K & K Meyers Inc | Supplies – Street | 40.00 | 73379 | |
| Kelly Meyers | Building Official License Fee | 65.00 | 73380 | |
| Kiesler Police Supply | Remington 9MM Rounds | 338.28 | 73381 | |
| Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer | Chamber Bldg Property Taxes-1st Half 2022 | 1,503.00 | 73382 | |
| Lake of The Woods County | 1st Half Property Tax – Miggins | 182.00 | 73383 | |
| Louise Fry | Ambulance Overpayment Refund | 116.80 | 73384 | |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | Parts – Sweeper | 9,212.20 | 73385 | |
| Magna-Matic | Maint/Repair – Park Rec | 115.58 | 73386 | |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 80.00 | 73387 | |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print Copies – Fire/Admin/PW | 1,195.74 | 73388 | |
| MedicareBlue Rx | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,820.00 | 73389 | |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Wtr/Grnd/IT/Gar/Str/Bldg Off/Wtr Plnt | 103.94 | 73390 | |
| Meyers Glass | Door Repair – Water Plant | 219.85 | 73391 | |
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable-Fire/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt/Garage | 384.48 | 73392 | |
| Minnesota Child Support | ID 0014487664, Locator Code 27 | 60.00 | 73394 | |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | 2022 GOSC Sponsor, Utilities | 1,435.67 | 73396 | |
| Minnesota Industries | Tools – Storm Sewer | 91.96 | 73397 | |
| Minnesota Power | Utilities | 1,811.46 | 73398 | |
| MN Chiefs of Police Assoc. | Permits to Acquire | 114.00 | 73399 | |
| MN Dept. of Transportation | Hwy 53 City Share – Beautification 2022 | 165,229.20 | 73400 | |
| MN Pollution Control Agency | Hazardous Waste Annual Fee | 728.26 | 73401 | |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 73402 | |
| Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force | 2022 Membership Fee | 3,500.00 | 73403 | |
| Pitney Bowes Inc | Postage Machine Supplies | 298.75 | 73404 | |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Sup – Amb/Str/Fire/Bldgs | 1,674.64 | 73405 | |
| Rick Becvar | Safety Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 73406 | |
| Scott Wherley | Travel Expense | 463.61 | 73407 | |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services – VNP | 4,500.00 | 73408 | |
| Snap-On Virginia | Tools – Street Garage | 206.00 | 73409 | |
| Sportsmen’s Service | Clothing Allowance – Franko/Mastin | 439.00 | 73410 | |
| Steven M Shermoen | Legal Fees | 7,118.00 | 73411 | |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing Allowance – Kennedy/Kastens | 580.95 | 73412 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 592.38 | 73413 | |
| Sure Can Homes LLC | Overpayment Refund | 19.24 | 73414 | |
| Tc Lighting Supplies & Recycle | Recycling | 92.75 | 73415 | |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 39,188.64 | 73416 | |
| The Sherwin Williams – Bemidji | Paint/Supplies | 1,900.00 | 73417 | |
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,568.08 | 73418 | |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Strm Sew/Fire/House/Str/Amb/Wtr/Haz | 7,665.20 | 73419 | |
| Wherley Motors Inc | Towing – Housing | 85.00 | 73420 | |
| VOID | 0 | 73421 | ||
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 73422 | |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant | 36.65 | 73423 | |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Administration | 80.08 | 73456 | |
| Widseth | Engineering Services | 8,800.29 | 73457 | |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | ||||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 206.62 | 101347 | |
| AllState – American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101348 | |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 37,370.42 | 101349 | |
| I.U.O.E. Local Central Pen Fund | Retirement | 4,422.66 | 101350 | |
| IF Fire Dept. Relief | Volunteer Firemen Dues | 350.00 | 101351 | |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 140.00 | 101352 | |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas | C.O.P.S | 120.00 | 101353 | |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 614.39 | 101354 | |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 6,737.02 | 101355 | |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Comp | 9,033.00 | 101356 | |
| PERA | Retirement | 31,647.52 | 101357 | |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 800.51 | 101358 | |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 695.13 | 101359 | |
| United Way of NE MN | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101360 | |
| AUDIENCE | Kathy Fisher addressed her concerns with the Council regarding Backus Board of Directors not renewing the contract with ISD #361 for the Alternative Learning Center classes for the 2022-2023 school year.
Ed Bates indicated interest in purchasing the Chamber building. Lois Lundin, Executive Director from Backus Community Center stated that the Backus Board of Directors determined they would not renew the contract with ISD #361 Alternative Learning Center based on happenings that have occurred. Ms. Lundin shared that the annual agreement with the City outlines that the funding received is to be used for artistic activities. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS:
APPROVED low quote from Automatic Systems Company in the amount of $132,872.00 for three Variable Frequency Drives for the Water Treatment Plant |
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving low quote from Automatic Systems Company in the amount of $132,872.00 for three Variable Frequency Drives for the Water Treatment Plant. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVED updated price of $147,601.00 for previously approved purchase of single axle plow truck |
MOTION by Councilor Buller approving updated price from $143,188.00 to $147,601.00 for previously approved single axle plow truck. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
· Accept resignation letter from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Kevin Zook
Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| APPROVED Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming May 9-13, 2022 as the week for distribution of Buddy Poppies | MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming May 9-13, 2022 as the week for distribution of Buddy Poppies. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED request to co-sponsor the Koochiching Labor Assembly, Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 5, 2022 | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the request to co-sponsor the Koochiching Labor Assembly, Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 5, 2022, approve closure of 3rd Street and use of Smokey Bear Park. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 31-2022 supporting Local Government Aid (LGA) Formula Update and $90M Increase | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 31-2022 supporting Local Government Aid (LGA) Formula Update and $90M Increase. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED internal application and testing process for Police Investigator position | Chief Kostiuk explained that currently the Sergeant performs investigative duties. As criminal activity becomes more complex, so too has the need for a specialized, formal investigator.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve internal application and testing process for Police Investigator position. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED request to suspend calendar parking city wide from June 18-26, 2022 | Chief Kostiuk stated he received a request from PCA to suspend calendar parking during the mill-shut down
June 18-26, 2022. Chief Kostiuk recommended that calendar parking be suspended city wide and not just in the area of PCA. Kostiuk ensured everyone that the police department will continue to enforce other applicable parking and traffic ordinances to ensure safe, efficient travel and movement in the city. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve calendar parking be suspended city wide during the annual PCA outage/shutdown scheduled for June 18-26, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED requesting bids for the Greentech Sanitary Sewer Line Relocation project | MOTION by Councilor Holden approving request for bids for the Greentech Sanitary Sewer Line Relocation project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Transfer Agreement with Widseth | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Transfer Agreement with Widseth for use of electronic media. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. |
| AUTHORIZED selling the 2012 International tandem dump truck as surplus property through a surplus auction firm | Public Works Director Brokaw asked the council to consider declaring the 2012 International Tandem dump truck as surplus property to allow the Public Works department to sell through a surplus action firm.
MOTION by Councilor Ditsch authorizing selling the 2012 International tandem dump truck VIN#4471 as surplus property through a surplus auction firm. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No.32-2022, FY2023 Air Service Marketing Grant Agreement | City Administrator Bergstrom explained she received an email from Airport Secretary Hasbargen explaining that the airport Chairman and Vice Chairman are required to sign the Air Service Marketing Grant Agreement since they are their own entity. Changes were made to the signatures based on the email.
MOTION by Councilor Buller adopting Resolution No.32-2022, FY2023 Air Service Marketing Grant Agreement. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously. |
| REPORTS:
Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads |
City Administrator Bergstrom stated she has been working on the Ambulance Taxing District. Meetings occur every two weeks. She further noted that the city is not alone in the challenges that we facing, this is a statewide problem.
City Attorney Shermoen stated he has been working with Widseth. City trials will begin next week, first time since the COVID pandemic. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba shared that May 3, 2022 a special Committee-of-the-Whole meeting is scheduled to discuss the transition of City Attorney Shermoen’s duties due to his upcoming retirement.
Councilor Holden stated the Recreation Commission agreed to the same pay schedule for the lifeguards as the city is using for their summer employees. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba stated that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2022 at 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:10 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
