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 18th day of December 2023 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Droba and Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
| APPROVED agenda as presented | MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, December 4, 2023 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the minutes of Monday, December 4, 2023 regular City Council meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, December 4, 2023 special City Council meeting – Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the minutes of Monday, December 4, 2023 special City Council meeting Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing and Input meeting on proposed 2024 Budget and Levy. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, December 11, 2023 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of Monday, December 11, 2023 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, December 11, 2023 special City Council meeting – Public Hearing | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the minutes of the Monday, December 11, 2023 special City Council meeting – Public Hearing on the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Application for Onesimus. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 83-2023 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 83-2023 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A+ Pest Management | Mthly Pest Control | 551.49 | 77546 |
| Adam Hanson | Winterize Fire Boat | 300.00 | 77547 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | Tires-Ambulance Supplies-Garage | 959.33 | 77548 |
| Allied Generators | Generator Inspections | 5,050.00 | 77549 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Supplies-Police/Forfeiture/Fire | 432.19 | 77550 |
| Andrew Holler | Cleaning of Property | 384.00 | 77551 |
| Andy Kittelson | Meal Allowance | 69.00 | 77552 |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Quarterly Service | 2,000.00 | 77553 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Police/San. Sewer | 32.65 | 77554 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 609.81 | 77555 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77556 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77557 |
| Carlson’s Auto Repair | Unit 1701/Credit Memo | 159.89 | 77558 |
| Cenex Voyager Fleet | Pol/St/Fire/BO//House./Amb/Water | 3,544.59 | 77559 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc. | Minutes/Council Mtg/Yard Waste | 1,327.50 | 77560 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 401 | Water Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 77561 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 403 | Water Funds Transfer | 20,567.25 | 77562 |
| City of Ranier | Escrow-City Beach | 12.50 | 77563 |
| Coffee Landing LLC | Crew Meals | 20.00 | 77564 |
| Compass Minerals | Bulk Hwy Coarse W/YPS | 18,969.32 | 77565 |
| Costin Group Inc | Govt Relations | 2,000.00 | 77566 |
| Crandall’s Septic Pumping | Holiday Parade | 550.00 | 77567 |
| Derek Hell | Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 77568 |
| DSC Communications | Mob. Radios Prog-Install/Supplies | 6,633.80 | 77569 |
| DTN | Automation-Street | 886.53 | 77570 |
| Earl F Andersen | Signs | 147.95 | 77571 |
| Electric Pump Inc | M&R Other-San Sew | 818.99 | 77572 |
| Enterprise FM Trust | BO/Hous/St(4)/VNP/Water Lease | 7,490.92 | 77573 |
| FlowMSP, Inc. | Annual License Fee | 1,700.00 | 77574 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,751.49 | 77575 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,909.87 | 77576 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing-Amb/Myers | 128.15 | 77577 |
| Gopher State One-Call | Mthly Bill-Elect/Re-Issue Aug. | 203.85 | 77578 |
| Grafix Shoppe | Fire Truck Reflective Strips | 2,725.38 | 77579 |
| Graybar | Supplies-Street Lighting | 2,021.34 | 77580 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 2,386.76 | 77581 |
| Hook & Book/Roche’s Towing | Towing-Police Dept/Housing | 580.00 | 77582 |
| Howards – Cenex LLC | Gas-Storm/Street/Garage/WP | 1,886.11 | 77583 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Administration | 72.13 | 77584 |
| J P Cooke Co | Animal Licenses | 79.75 | 77585 |
| John P Maclean | Meal Allowance | 69.00 | 77586 |
| Justin Mostad | Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 77587 |
| KGHS/KSDM | City Talk | 150.00 | 77588 |
| Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer | Proposed Tax Notices | 3,865.20 | 77589 |
| Kraus-Anderson Const. Co. | Const Mgmt IF Bldg Improvements | 9,027.00 | 77590 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Supplies-Street Lighting | 222.42 | 77591 |
| Linde Gas & Equipment Inc. | Oxygen-Ambulance | 1,194.18 | 77592 |
| LMC Insurance Trust-WC | WC Deductible | 500.00 | 77593 |
| Locators & Supplies | Hi Vis Safety Shirts | 1,051.25 | 77594 |
| Lutgen Tile | So Falls Post Office-Tile Work | 3,000.00 | 77595 |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | Supplies-Street | 312.44 | 77596 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Unit 062 | 211.80 | 77597 |
| Mark Rock Products | MN Class 5 Base/Crusher Fines | 18,345.89 | 77598 |
| Melanie Clarity | Sewing-Ambulance | 8.00 | 77599 |
| Menards International Falls | Arena/WP/Gar/Amb/Water/St/Pol | 840.26 | 77600 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77601 |
| Michael Wallace | Meal Allowance | 162.00 | 77602 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable Internet-Amb/Fire/WP/Police | 754.14 | 77603 |
| Mid-State Truck Service Inc | Unit 062 Street/Unit 141 Street | 3,163.84 | 77604 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Monthly Utilities | 3,387.03 | 77605 |
| Minnesota Industries | Gloves-Water Dept | 38.63 | 77606 |
| Minnesota North College | Refund Overpayment-Wrong Vendor | 135.24 | 77607 |
| Minnesota Power | Monthly Utilities | 13,457.94 | 77608 |
| MN Chiefs of Police Assoc | 2024 Associate Membership | 212.00 | 77609 |
| MN Dept of Labor & Industry | Elevator ID #01884 | 100.00 | 77610 |
| MN Power | Transformer Repl.-1703 3rd Ave E | 1,585.00 | 77611 |
| Moba Trex | Maint/Repair-St Lighting | 196.00 | 77612 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc | Mobile Radios (3)-Police | 11,078.64 | 77613 |
| Multiple Concepts Interiors | IF Bldg Improvements – Appl 3 | 4,756.35 | 77614 |
| N Koochiching Area Sanitary Dist | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 109,248.74 | 77615 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Supplies-VNP/Fire/Street/Water | 322.70 | 77616 |
| Nathan Dietz | Acct Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 77617 |
| Nick Kittelson | Meal Allowance | 15.00 | 77618 |
| Nicole Maish | Travel Expense-CALS Conference | 561.55 | 77619 |
| Northern Lights Display | Supplies-Street | 486.94 | 77620 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Supp-Street/PR/Garage/KP/Water | 450.32 | 77621 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(WAN) Serv. | 267.73 | 77622 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | St/Gar/San/Amb/KP/Water/Fire/Pol | 2,003.57 | 77623 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc. | Supplies-Street/Water | 628.30 | 77624 |
| Pitney Bowes Global Financial Ser | Quarterly Lease-Mailing System | 398.82 | 77625 |
| Plasky Repair | Unit-Sweeper/Unit 124 Street | 638.42 | 77626 |
| PowerPlan | Unit 710l Parts | 871.96 | 77627 |
| Premier Pyrotechnics | Holiday Fireworks (RLMC) | 5,000.00 | 77628 |
| R&R Specialties of Wisconsin | Maint-Kerry Park Arena | 379.60 | 77629 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies | 639.13 | 77630 |
| Rainy Lake One Stop | Hand Pump for Vacuum Splints | 55.81 | 77631 |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies-Fire/Arena | 988.63 | 77632 |
| Schwab Vollhaber Lubratt | Bldg Maint–VNP | 1,010.00 | 77633 |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,725.00 | 77634 |
| Shannon’s Inc | Ice Shelter Maint | 78.78 | 77635 |
| Shred-N-Go Inc | Recycling Police | 75.89 | 77636 |
| Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery | Trees/Labor | 27,255.00 | 77637 |
| Steve Boyum Construction | Demo-817 6th Street | 12,840.00 | 77638 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing Allowance-Kastens/Olson | 470.97 | 77639 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC | Bldg Maint-St Garage | 4,757.00 | 77640 |
| Ted Brokaw | MRWA Conf/Boot Allowance | 1,093.85 | 77641 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77642 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77643 |
| TNT Construction Group LLC | Lift Station #15 Improvements | 12,088.23 | 77644 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77645 |
| UHL Company Inc | Bldg Maint-Water Pl | 1,957.49 | 77646 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Supplies-St Lighting | 1,000.73 | 77647 |
| Viking Industrial Center | Maint/Repair-Other-San Sewer | 140.44 | 77648 |
| Widseth | Proj. 2021-10749 VNP Hdqtrs | 270.00 | 77649 |
| Willi Kostiuk | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 77650 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 77651 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102075 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102076 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 370.17 | 102077 |
| Bremer Bank, NA | Federal Withholding | 45,545.14 | 102078 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 4,528.70 | 102079 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA–Police/Fire | 598.00 | 102080 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance–49ers | 1,090.00 | 102081 |
| IAMAW District W3 | Union Dues | 1,845.50 | 102082 |
| IF Fire Dept Relief | Dues | 350.00 | 102083 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 189.00 | 102084 |
| INTL Union of Oper Engineers | Dues | 945.00 | 102085 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas. | C.O.P.S | 140.00 | 102086 |
| MN Child Support Payment Center | Wage Assignment | 1,064.67 | 102087 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 8,876.83 | 102088
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| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Deferred Compensation | 7,800.00 | 102089 |
| NCPERS Minnesota | Life Insurance Premiums | 128.00 | 102090 |
| N. Kooch Area Sanitary District | Health Insurance Premiums | 285.00 | 102091 |
| PERA | Retirement | 40,795.09 | 102092 |
| United Way of NE MN Inc | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 102093 |
| AUDIENCE | Julie Melstrom, 904 6th Street expressed concerns that no cuts were made to the budget since the public input meeting on December 4, 2023. Mayor Droba explained the council has been working on the budget for six months. Since the public input meeting the council approved reverting back to the 2023 departmental budget expenditures along with funding the airport at the full requested amount.
Seth Boyer, 1706 3rd Avenue noted that the school referendum passed a few years ago is part of the reason for some of the increases in property taxes. Further Mr. Boyer questioned the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the future land use and zoning plans in the area in which he lives. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS:
Opened sealed bids for the real estate property located in International Falls, Minnesota, described as follows: Lots 30-32, Block 2, Fransons Addition to Koochiching Parcel No. 92-109-02300 |
City Administrator Bergstrom opened the sealed bids for the real estate property located in International Falls, described as follows: Lots 30-32, Block 2, Fransons Addition to Koochiching, Parcel No. 92-109-02300. Bergstrom noted three bids were received as follows:
City Administrator Bergstrom stated the individuals who submitted a bid could increase their bid amount. Derek Vohler was the only bidder in attendance. No other bids were received. |
| APPROVED high bid of $6,431 from Derick Vohler for Lots 30-32, Block 2, Fransons Addition to Koochiching, Parcel No. 92-109-02300 and authorized the City Attorney to create a purchase agreement for the property | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the highest bid of $6,431 from Derick Vohler, 1530 1st Ave E, International Falls, MN for Lots 30-32, Block 2, Fransons Addition to Koochiching, Parcel No. 92-109-02300 and authorize the City Attorney to work with the successful bidder on a purchase agreement. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
ADOPTED Resolution No. 84-2023 approving the Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2024 and the 2024 Budget |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 84-2023 approving the Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2024 and the 2024 Budget. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
· Approve 2024 license renewals, as presented:
· Approve/allow necessary expenses for up to six (6) ambulance personnel to attend the Arrowhead EMS Conference and Expo in Duluth, MN, January 19-21, 2024- as a budgeted item Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 85-2023 approving Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Application | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 85-2023 approving Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Program application to provide funds for preconstruction services and partial facility construction costs for Onesimus Corporation. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 | Shannon Arnold, Administrator of the Chamber of Commerce requested use of Smokey Bear Park and collaboration with the City for Icebox Days Festival January 19-28, 2024.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve collaboration with the Intl Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and use of Smokey Bear Park for the 2024 Icebox Days Festival planned for January 19-28, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Year 2024 license renewals that may include tobacco and/or liquor applications, as presented | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the following 2024 license renewals:
Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner voting “yea” and Mayor Droba abstaining. |
| APPROVED 2024 regular City Council meeting schedule | MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve the 2024 regular City Council meeting schedule. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 86-2023 approving Designation of Polling Places for 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 86-2023 approving Designation of Polling Places for 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 87-2023 approving 2024 Wages and Benefits for Nonunion Employees | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 87-2023 approving 2024 Wages and Benefits for Nonunion Employees. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED 2024 Consultant Agreement with Costin Group, Inc. | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the 2024 Consultant Agreement with Costin Group, Inc. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED appointment of primary and alternate representatives to the Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB) for 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve appointment of Councilor Kalar as primary and Councilor Wegner as alternate representatives to the Northeast MN Regional Emergency Communications Board (ECB) for 2024 and authorize signatures and submittal of the appointment form. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED appointment of primary and alternate representatives to the Northeast MN Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve appointment of Chief Mannausau as primary and Todd Ojala as alternate representatives to the Northeast MN Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for 2024 and authorize signatures and submittal of the appointment. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations:
a. APPROVED Classification & Compensation Plan Policy |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the Classification & Compensation Plan Policy. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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b. APPROVED to discontinue advertisement for Paramedic |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve discontinuing advertisement for Paramedic. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
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c. APPROVED first reading of Section 308 – Rubbish and Garbage Ordinance |
MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve the first reading of Section 308 – Rubbish and Garbage Ordinance. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
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d. APPROVED Resolution No. 88-2023 Governing Write-In Vote Count |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Resolution No. 88-2023 Governing Write-In Vote Count. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.
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e. APPROVED ALS360 maintenance program for Stryker ambulance equipment |
Chief Mannausau explained the ambulance equipment they currently have has maintenance work done by Stryker. Maintenance contracts are expensive, and the equipment is aging. With the lease program that Stryker offers the city would have new equipment and maintenance throughout the life of the agreement.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve ALS360 maintenance program for Stryker ambulance equipment. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.
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f. APPROVED terminating the current billing services agreement for the International Falls Ambulance Service and authorize entering into a new professional services agreement for ambulance billing services |
Chief Mannausau noted since the change in ownership of Expert Billing the city has been experiencing issues with billing. Mannausau and staff representatives met with Hometown Billing and recommend terminating the contract with Expert Billing and enter into a service agreement with Hometown Billing.
MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve terminating the current billing services agreement with Expert Billing for the International Falls Ambulance Service and authorize entering into a new professional services agreement with Hometown Billing. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.
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g. APPROVED first reading of contract ordinance for a 1.5% in sanitary sewer rates effective 01/01/2024 |
Public Works Director Brokaw noted North Koochiching Sanitary District raised their rates. Due to the increase Brokaw is requesting a 1.5% sanitary sewer rate increase effective 01/01/2024.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the first reading of contract ordinance for a 1.5% in sanitary sewer rates effective 01/01/2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED request for Advertisement to Bid – Tower #2 Rehabilitation | Public Works Director Brokaw shared Tank #2 hasn’t been repaired for 30 years. Tank rehabilitation should occur every 20 years. Brokaw is requesting approval to advertise for bids to rehabilitate Tank #2.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve request for Advertisement to Bid – Tower #2 Rehabilitation. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation of full-time Police Sergeant effective January 2, 2024 and declare vacancy | MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept letter of resignation of full-time Police Sergeant Justin Franz effective January 2, 2024 and declare vacancy. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation of full-time Police Investigator effective January 5, 2024 and declare vacancy | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to accept letter of resignation of full-time Police Investigator Joshua Mastin effective January 5, 2024 and declare vacancy. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED filling the two vacant full-time positions within the police department | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve filling the vacant Police Sergeant and Police Investigator full-time positions within the police department. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation of Head Mechanic effective December 19, 2023 and declare vacancy | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to accept letter of resignation of Head Mechanic Dave Zaren effective December 19, 2023 and declare vacancy. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED filling the vacant Head Mechanic position | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve filling the vacant Head Mechanic position. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept letter of resignation from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Marylin Hannan. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation of Paid On-Call Firefighter effective December 31, 2023 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to accept letter of resignation of Paid On-Call Firefighter James Vance effective December 31, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| 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. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Mayor Droba stated Chief Mannausau, Councilor Kalar and himself attended the EMS Task Force hearing on December 13th in Mountain Iron where discussion took place regarding legislation and statewide ambulance funding, staffing and capacity crisis.
Mayor Droba noted he was contacted by Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office with concerns of the Federal Government supporting the International Bridge when it is privately owned.
Mayor Droba stated he is seeking to fill a few open Boards and Commissions positions. Apply at City Hall if interested. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the special Committee-of-the-Whole lunch with the City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 12:00 (Noon) to 2:00 P.M. at Sammy’s Pizza and Restaurant. Further, that the City offices will be closed for the Christmas holiday all day Friday, December 23 and all day Monday, December 25, 2023 and the City offices will also be closed for the New Year’s holiday on Monday, January 1, 2024. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 2, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 7:00 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
