A special emergency 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 June, 2022 at the hour of 9:00 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Buller, Ditsch, Krause and Mayor Droba (via Zoom-non-voting).
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Holden.
| Review Koochiching County Declaration of Flood Emergency | The Council reviewed the Koochiching County Declaration of Flood Emergency. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 37-2022, approving Proclamation and Declaration of Flood Emergency due to recent storms resulting in flood damage which began on April 22, 2022 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 37-2022, approving Proclamation and Declaration of Flood Emergency due to recent storms resulting in flood damage which began on April 22, 2022. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 3-0. |
| APPROVED Cooperate Agreement between the United State of America and City of International Falls for Emergency Flood Assistance (33 CFR 203.31 et seq.) | MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve a Cooperate Agreement between the United State of America and City of International Falls for Emergency Flood Assistance (33 CFR 203.31 et seq.). Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried 3-0. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 38-2022, approving Request for Emergency Flood Assistance | MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to adopt Resolution No. 38-2022, approving Request for Emergency Flood Assistance. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried 3-0. |
| Water Treatment Plant Update | City Administrator Bergstrom reviewed with the Council the Press Release regarding the Water Treatment Plant and area flooding. City Administrator Bergstrom reiterated that the Water Treatment Plant is not in any danger, but the City is taking precautionary measures to protect the integrity of the plant and its ability to make water. City Administrator Bergstrom explained that the City of International Falls is working closely with Koochiching County, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and the Army Corps of Engineers which will be building a five-foot clay berm around the Water Treatment Plant to ensure it is protected.
Director of Public Works Brokaw noted that the Water Treatment Plant’s intake is gravity-based and pulls water at the same level as the river. Director Brokaw explained that as the river rises, the water tanks rise, and if the river gets too high, it may cause cross-contamination into the clear well or the inability to backwash the water being treated. Director Brokaw further explained that the City of International Falls is working with its engineering firm, Bolton & Menk to take other preventative measures inside the Water Treatment Plant in addition to the clay berm. Director Brokaw explained that the clay berm that the Army Corps of Engineers is constructing will be temporary and must be removed no more than thirty (30) days after the flood threat has been lifted. It was requested that the public stay away from the Water Treatment Plant area over the next several days as the Army Corps of Engineers constructs the berm for safety and efficiency purposes. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 9:12 A.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
ATTEST:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
