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 January 2024 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 Buller to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Minutes of the Monday, December 18, 2023 special City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve minutes of the Monday, December 18, 2023 special City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Minutes of the Monday, December 18, 2023 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the Monday, December 18, 2023 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 01-2024, Approving Transfers, Payment of Claims and Accounts Payable | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt resolution No. 01-2024 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| ACME Tools-Grand Forks | Tools-P&R | 299.00 | 77661 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | M&R Equip – Police | 1,896.00 | 77662 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup-IT/Pol/Adm/Amb | 177.04 | 77663 |
| Ameritas Life Ins. Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,792.00 | 77664 |
| Anderson Law Offices, P.A. | Legal Services-Criminal & Civil Matters | 10,055.00 | 77665 |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Sup-Water Plant, Maint-Water Plant | 1,825.53 | 77666 |
| Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel | Cleaning Service | 1,224.84 | 77667 |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Lub-Wtr, M&R-Gar/Wtr, Tools-Gar | 161.94 | 77668 |
| Badiuk Equipment Inc | Maintenance-Police | 178.73 | 77669 |
| BCBS of Mn | Health Insurance Premiums | 5,334.77 | 77670 |
| Benedict Sign Co | Maintenance Logs | 457.50 | 77672 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 116,111.18 | 77673 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Fire Dept | 97.75 | 77674 |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 7,250.00 | 77675 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,795.30 | 77676 |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Trng-Amb/Bldg Off, M&R-VNP | 2,362.21 | 77677 |
| Carlson’s Auto Repair | Ambulance Repairs | 2,192.88 | 77678 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc. | Water Tower Bids/Minutes | 847.95 | 77679 |
| City Drug | Water Account Overpayment | 160.86 | 77680 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer | 433.17 | 77681 |
| City Water Department | City Buildings – Water Usage | 1,525.73 | 77682 |
| CivicPlus LLC | Annual Hosting & Support/Subscription | 3,336.00 | 77683 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 8,230.22 | 77684 |
| Core & Main | Meters | 7,179.76 | 77685 |
| Curtis Blue Line | Clothing Allowance-Kastens | 64.50 | 77704 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Sup-Water, Air Filters, M&R-Water | 1,223.65 | 77686 |
| Earl F Andersen | Supplies-Street | 2,210.45 | 77687 |
| Emma Rud | COBRA Reimbursement | 48.84 | 77688 |
| Forestland Sales & Service | Parts-Street Garage | 109.90 | 77689 |
| Gall’s | Clothing-Sears/Mannau/Bomben/Amb | 452.86 | 77690 |
| Hach Company | Maint & Repair-Wtr Plnt | 366.00 | 77691 |
| Hawkins Inc | Chemicals | 90.00 | 77692 |
| Hotsy Minnesota | M&R-Street Garage | 884.21 | 77693 |
| IF Properties LLC | Tax Abatement – 2nd half 2023 | 16,687.30 | 77694 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Administration | 134.19 | 77695 |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch County | City Share Major Cap Proj – Dec 2023 | 15,226.50 | 77696 |
| IUOE LOCAL 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 27,162.00 | 77697 |
| Ixom Watercare Inc. | GS-9 120 VAC Single Phase | 9,824.00 | 77698 |
| James Peterson | Account Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 77699 |
| Jorson & Carlson Co | Blade sharpening/cleaning-Zamboni | 342.40 | 77700 |
| July 4th Commission | Budgeted Amount – Entertainment | 16,000.00 | 77701 |
| K & K Meyers INC | Stamp Set | 122.25 | 77702 |
| Kraus-Anderson Const. Co. | Kerry Park Facility Assessment | 9,900.00 | 77703 |
| Lake Superior College | Fire Inst. I Trng-Mortenson/Gedde | 1,370.00 | 77705 |
| Locators & Supplies | Safety Vests-Public Works | 37.90 | 77706 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 80.00 | 77707 |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy- Fire/Adm/PW/Wat | 1,598.60 | 77708 |
| MedicareBlue RX | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,932.00 | 77709 |
| Menards International Falls | Tools/Sup-St/Gar/Bldg Of, M&R-GGB | 982.96 | 77710 |
| Mesabi Bituminous Inc | Cold Mix | 5,460.00 | 77711 |
| Meyers Glass | M&R-Garage, Ice Shelter Maint | 1,513.42 | 77712 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Internet-Street/Water Dept/Dog Pound | 312.27 | 77713 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 1,278.51 | 77714 |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies-Fire | 493.34 | 77715 |
| MNIAAI | Membership Renewal | 25.00 | 77716 |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 77717 |
| North Central Labs of Wisconsin | Supplies-Water Plant | 108.16 | 77718 |
| PowerPlan | Unit 710L Parts | 255.44 | 77719 |
| Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso | Lodging Tax | 5,330.99 | 77720 |
| Randy’s Tire & Auto | Unit 203 | 114.95 | 77721 |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies-Street | 283.23 | 77722 |
| Scott Wherley | Clothing – Wherley | 171.79 | 77723 |
| Servicemaster of Int’l Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,725.00 | 77724 |
| Sherri Stensland | SHRM Membership | 244.00 | 77725 |
| SHI International Corp | Hardware-Admin IT | 380.00 | 77726 |
| Soundnorth | Monitors | 2,708.00 | 77727 |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 589.11 | 77728 |
| Tactical & Technical Assessment | Simulator Training | 650.00 | 77729 |
| Taft Stettinius & Hollister | TIF District #1-4 (Housing) | 500.00 | 77730 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC | Bldg Maint-City Garage | 1,867.32 | 77731 |
| Ted Brokaw | Gas-Travel | 56.00 | 77732 |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 44,555.98 | 77733 |
| US Bank Operations Center | Go Bond Sales Tax-Payment/Interest | 493,887.50 | 77734 |
| Verizon | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,688.20 | 77735 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Amb/St/Housing/San Sewer | 2,942.37 | 77736 |
| William Tomczak | Safety Boot Allowance | 160.00 | 77737 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maintenance Agreement-Wtr Plant | 112.54 | 77738 |
| Ziegler Inc | Parts | 40.65 | 77739 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102094 |
| All State-American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102095 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental insurance | 370.17 | 102096 |
| Bremer Bank, NA | Federal Withholding | 44,332.64 | 102097 |
| I.U.O.E. Central Pension Fund | Retirement | 3,962.70 | 102098 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA-Police/Fire Health Reimbursement | 75,550.06 | 102099 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 203.00 | 102100 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas. | C.O.P.S. | 140.00 | 102101 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 1,064.67 | 102102 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 8,543.23 | 102103 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Deferred Compensation | 7,350.00 | 102104 |
| PERA | Retirement | 37.327.47 | 102105 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 894.24 | 102106 |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 769.25 | 102107 |
| United Way of NE MN Inc. | Employee Donation | 42.00 | 102108 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVED second and final reading of Section 308 – Rubbish and Garbage Ordinance |
MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve second and final reading of Section 308 – Rubbish and Garbage Ordinance. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED second and final reading of contract ordinance for a 1.5% in sanitary sewer rates effective 01/01/2024 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve second and final reading of contract ordinance for a 1.5% in sanitary sewer rates effective 01/01/2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve consent agenda as presented:
5. Approve necessary expenses for Office Clerk to attend Permit Tech training at the Annual Institute for Building Officials in Minneapolis, MN – January 22, 2024 6. Approve IRS mileage reimbursement rate for 2024 Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | |
| APPROVED City support for activities for the Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 29-31, 2024 | Ken and Jackie Krueger requested support from the City including use of Kerry Park at 6:00 A.M. on January 29, 2024, banner at Smokey Bear Park, police coverage at road crossings, bullhorn and fireworks. Ken shared that there are participants coming from the US, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Australia and the Netherlands this year.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the City’s support for activities for the 20th Annual Arrowhead Ultra 135 on January 29-31, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 02-2024 authorizing execution of Mn Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Grant excluding Land Acquisition | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 02-2024 authorizing execution of Mn Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Grant excluding Land Acquisition – Minnesota Agreement No. 1055665, Project No A3601-120. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED recommendation of the Utility Supervisor hiring committee to fill the vacant Utility Supervisor | Public Works Director, Ted Brokaw noted three qualified individuals were interviewed.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the committee recommendation to hire Steve Crosby for the Utility Supervisor position. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Mayor Droba and Councilors Buller, Holden and Wegner voting “yea” and Councilor Kalar abstaining. |
| APPROVED payroll dates – every two weeks on Tuesday, commencing 01/09/2024 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the payroll dates-every two weeks on Tuesday, commencing 01/09/2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 03-2024 delegating authority to make electronic fund transfers to the Finance Officer and City Administrator for 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 03-2024 delegating authority to make electronic fund transfers to the Finance Officer and City Administrator for 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 04-2024 approving Designation of Depositors | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 04-2024 approving Designation of Depositors. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED adding an internal Public Safety Committee | Councilor Kalar stated since the city does not have a Civil Service Commission a Public Safety Committee would be beneficial.
Mayor Droba noted two Councilors, Fire Chief, and Police Chief would be appointed to the committee. MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve adding an internal Public Safety Committee and setting up meeting dates/times. Mayor Droba appointed Councilor Holden and Councilor Wegner to the Public Safety Committee, with meetings occurring on the third Monday of each month at 3 PM in the city council chambers. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the Mayoral appointments of members to internal and external committees | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Mayoral appointment of members to internal and external committees as presented:
Mayor Droba Councilor Wegner, Chair
Mayor Droba Councilor Holden Councilor Kalar, Chair Councilor Buller Councilor Wegner
Mayor Droba Councilor Buller, Chair
Councilor Walt Buller Councilor Tim Wegner
Director of Public Works, Ted Brokaw
Councilor Kalar
Councilor Holden Councilor Wegner
Lois Lundin to fill vacant term 01/01/2021-12/31/2024 Harley Droba to fill vacant term 01/01/2023-12/31/2026
Ben Line, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2026
Thomas Smyithe, Chairman, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2028
Mayor Droba 2024 EDA President
Paul Nevanen , re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2026 Heather Weaver, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2026
Julie Ehrman, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2026 Paul Nevanen, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2026 Jessica Crosby- 01/01/2024-12/31/2026
Julie Ehrman, re-appoint 01/01/2024-12/31/2028 Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | None. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Buller gave a brief update on the Airport Commission. Buller stated the airplane hangar lease rates are being reviewed as the rates have not increased since the hangers were built.
Councilor Wegner shared from the Legislation and Land Use Committee that state licensing of certain edible and beverage products infused with THC has been pushed out to 2025. Wegner also shared that there are no updates on annexation of the airport or the ambulance taxing district. Mayor Droba spoke briefly about the Community Luncheon held on December 20, 2023. Droba looks forward to holding community luncheons quarterly. He thanked the city council members for attending. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:57 P.M. |
Harley Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
