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 5th day of February 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 with additions | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve agenda with the following additions.
1. CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts 301 4th Street business licenses 2. CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts 1709 2nd Ave business licenses Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Tuesday, January 16, 2024 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve minutes of the Tuesday, January 16, 2024 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 09-2024, approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Wegner to adopt Resolution No. 09-2024 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| Adam Mannausau | Meal Allowance/Training | 360.37 | 77897 |
| Align Chiropractic & Wellness | Physical/Drug & Alcohol Testing | 385.00 | 77898 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Off Supp-Wtr Pl/Maint/Bld Off, Sup-Police | 1,153.89 | 77899 |
| Ameritas Life Ins. Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,792.00 | 77900 |
| Amsoil Inc | Maintenance & Repair-Water Plant | 111.79 | 77901 |
| Anderson Law Offices, P.A. | Legal Services-Criminal & Civil Matters | 7,065.00 | 77902 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 183.00 | 77903 |
| Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel | Cleaning Service | 1,549.55 | 77904 |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Maintenance & Repair-Water | 15.99 | 77905 |
| BCBS of Mn | Health Insurance Premiums | 5,334.77 | 77906 |
| BKV Group Inc | Municipal Needs Assessment | 5,597.40 | 77908 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 4,726.50 | 77909 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Water Plant, DOT Numbers | 198.15 | 77910 |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 77911 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 2,312.99 | 77912 |
| Braun Intertec Corp | Second Avenue & 7th Street Utility Improv | 1,558.15 | 77913 |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Train-Amb/Bldg Off/Hazmt/Adm/Hous/Pol | 12,119.81 | 77914 |
| Brenda Luettjohann | EMS Conference Expense | 389.80 | 77915 |
| Carlson’s Auto Repair | Unit 114/Amb/Unit 141/Unit 16-01 | 4,562.50 | 77916 |
| Cenex Voyageur Fleet | Gas-Pol/Str/Amb/Fire/Wtr/VNP/Sewer | 4,974.42 | 77917 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc. | Real Estate Sale/Minutes/Ads | 1,385.00 | 77918 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Lodging Tax Transfer | 288.27 | 77919 |
| City Water Department | City Buildings-Water Usage | 3,003.02 | 77920 |
| Compass Minerals | Bulk Hwy Coarse W/YPS | 22,621.23 | 77921 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 5,477.19 | 77922 |
| Costin Group Inc | Govt Relations | 2,000.00 | 77923 |
| Crystal Skrien | Building Permit Training | 574.99 | 77924 |
| Curtis Blue Line | Clothing Allowance-Kastens | 78.49 | 77941 |
| Dave McRoberts | EMS Conference Expense | 389.80 | 77925 |
| Expert Billing LLC | Ambulance Transports | 3,509.00 | 77926 |
| Falls Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | Unit 201/Unit 20-05/Ambulance | 481.41 | 77927 |
| Gall’s | Clothing Allowance-Baldwin | 373.96 | 77928 |
| Great Plains Fire | Supplies-Ambulance | 650.00 | 77929 |
| Hasbargen Customs LLC | Printing of Hats/Hi-Vis Jackets | 564.00 | 77930 |
| I-Falls Super One Foods | Dept Training | 37.20 | 77953 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Admin/Mayor&Council | 537.43 | 77931 |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 29,707.00 | 77932 |
| Jared Baldwin | Travel Expense | 500.62 | 77933 |
| K & K Meyers Inc | Supplies-VNP/Street Lighting | 414.59 | 77934 |
| Kelly Meyers | Travel Expense | 311.00 | 77935 |
| KGHS/KSDM | City Talk | 150.00 | 77936 |
| Kooch County Attorney | Seized Property | 2,495.00 | 77937 |
| Kooch County Hwy Dept | Dyed Fuel-Street/Garage/VNP/Water | 3,388.19 | 77938 |
| Kooch County Public Health | Water Sample Testing 2023 | 3,080.00 | 77939 |
| Kraus-Anderson Constr. Co. | Const Mgmt IF Bldg Improvements | 11,927.59 | 77940 |
| Larry Chezick | Account Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 77942 |
| LVC Inc | Annual Fire Extinguisher Servicing | 1,005.88 | 77943 |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | Maintenance & Repair-Trackless MT 7 | 1,369.88 | 77944 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 549.78 | 77945 |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy-Fire/Adm/PW/Wat | 1,598.60 | 77946 |
| Margaret Johnson | Account Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 77947 |
| MedicareBlue RX | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,893.30 | 77948 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Arena/Amb/P&R, Tools-Water/P&R | 997.28 | 77949 |
| Mesabi Bituminous Inc | 5th Ave West Paving | 58,000.00 | 77950 |
| Meyers Glass | Maintenance & Repair Doors | 1,586.00 | 77951 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt/Gar | 828.23 | 77952 |
| Minnesota Child Support | ID 0014487664, Locator Code 27 | 57.00 | 77954 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 3,505.44 | 77955 |
| Minnesota Fire Service Certification | Certification Exam | 252.00 | 77956 |
| Minnesota Industries | Supplies-Water Dept | 394.04 | 77957 |
| N Koochiching Area Sanitary Dist | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 86,944.61 | 77958 |
| Nicole Maish | Travel Expense-EMS Conference | 389.80 | 77959 |
| North American Bank Company | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 77960 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | Sup-St/Water, M&R-P&R/St/Gar/Amb | 1,222.25 | 77961 |
| Peter Kalar | 2024 Council Standard Expenditure Reimb | 700.00 | 77962 |
| PowerPlan | 644K Parts/John Deere 180G | 1,480.72 | 77963 |
| R&R Specialties of Wisconsin | Ice Shelter Maintenance | 339.60 | 77964 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies | 368.00 | 77965 |
| Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC | Unit 202 | 864.79 | 77966 |
| Range Paper Corp | Supplies-Street/Water Plant | 696.37 | 77967 |
| Ronning’s | Hi-Vis Safety Jackets | 1,364.92 | 77968 |
| Shannon’s Inc | M&R-Water, Sup-St Light, Tools-St Light | 6,998.78 | 77969 |
| SHI International Corp | Veeam Backup Essentials License | 342.22 | 77970 |
| Shred-N-Go Inc | Recycling Police | 75.89 | 77971 |
| Soundnorth | Computer, Sup-Water, Router-Kerry Park | 1,481.96 | 77972 |
| St. Louis County Auditor | Liquid Brine/Amp | 84.80 | 77973 |
| Steffan Tveit | Travel Expense | 162.00 | 77974 |
| Streicher’s Inc | Clothing-Hulst/Kasten/Lessard/Offerdahl | 646.93 | 77975 |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 539.20 | 77976 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC | Sewer Cleaning | 400.00 | 77977 |
| Ted Brokaw | Meal Expense | 82.31 | 77978 |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 40,624.57 | 77979 |
| Tim Wegner | 2023 Council Standard Expenditure Reimb | 1,400.00 | 77980 |
| Travis Carlson | Travel Expense-EMS Conference | 162.00 | 77981 |
| Treasury Div, MN Mgmt & Budget | Seized Property | 395.12 | 77982 |
| TruStar Federal Credit Union | Research-Police | 30.00 | 77983 |
| UHL Company Inc | Bldg Maint-Arena/Library/VNP/CH/Wtr | 12,216.53 | 77984 |
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,806.24 | 77985 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | Sup-Street Light, Tools-Street Light | 702.34 | 77986 |
| Walt Buller | 2024 Council Standard Expenditure Reimb | 700.00 | 77987 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Fire/Amb/St/Hous/VNP/P&R/Hzmt | 4,977.74 | 77988 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge-Water Plant | 86.70 | 77989 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102128 |
| All State-American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102129 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 370.17 | 102130 |
| Bremer Bank, NA | Federal Withholding | 49,002.06 | 102131 |
| I.U.O.E. Central Pension Fund | Retirement | 4,928.50 | 102132 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA-Police/Fire Health Reimbursement | 44,834.97 | 102133 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 189.00 | 102134 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas. | C.O.P.S. | 150.00 | 102135 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 832.56 | 102136 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 9,788.76 | 102137 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Deferred Compensation | 7,910.00 | 102138 |
| PERA | Retirement | 42,677.93 | 102139 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 811.61 | 102140 |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 781.09 | 102141 |
| United Way of NE MN Inc. | Employee Donation | 42.00 | 102142 |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS:
1. APPROVED low bid and first reading of Contract Ordinance for the 2024 Tower #2 Reconditioning Project |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve low bid in the amount of $509,500.00 from O & J Coatings Inc. and approve first reading of Contract Ordinance for the 2024 Tower #2 Recondition Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| 2. APPROVED Construction Management proposal for the 2024 Tower #2 Reconditioning Project | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve construction management proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for the 2024 Tower #2 Recondition Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| 3. APPROVED Demolition of Hazardous Buildings
|
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve demolition of the following hazardous buildings with the low bid for each property from Travis Thompson:
1. 916 6th Street – Low Bid of $8,390.00 2. 1103 9th Street – Low Bid of $2,390.00 3. 1732 3rd Avenue – Low Bid of $4,299.00 Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| OLD BUSINESS: | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve consent agenda as presented:
1. Approve/allow necessary expenses for City Attorney Nelson to attend the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) 2024 Minnesota Association of City Attorneys Annual Conference in Bloomington, February 8-9, 2024 Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED the use of Smokey Bear Park for the Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club 2024 Fishing Derby |
Ronna Mackay spoke on behalf of the Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club (RLSFC), requesting the use of Smokey Bear Park for their annual fishing derby. Mackay noted they are not able to host the derby on Rainy Lake due to the warm temperatures.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the use of Smokey Bear Park for the Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club 2024 Fishing Derby on Saturday, February 24 from 1-4 pm. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership with the International Falls Bass Championship for the 2024 International Falls Bass Championship Tournament | Tara Arndt, Facilities board member for the International Falls Bass Championship (IFBC) requested use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership from the City of International Falls for the 2024 International Falls Bass Championship. Ms. Arndt went on to mention how instrumental the Public Works department is to the success of the tournament and thank them for the great job they did in 2023.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership with the International Falls Bass Championship for the 2024 International Falls Bass Championship Tournament scheduled for August 22-24, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 10-2024 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 10-2024 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament to be held on August 22-24, 2024 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 11-2024 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 11-2024 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for exempt permit to sell raffle tickets, with the drawing to be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 12-2024 approving the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 12-2024 approving the application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in connection with the St. Thomas School Gala on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 13-2024 application for exempt permit for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ash River Trail to conduct a raffle | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 13-2024 approving the application for exempt permit for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ash River Trail to conduct a raffle, with the drawing to be held at the Backus Community Center on April 6, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the 2024 Election Judges | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the 2024 Election Judges for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election, August 13, 2024 Primary Election and November 5, 2024 General Election. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the International Falls Public Library board appointment | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the appointment of Sasha Moss to the International Falls Public Library board with a term of January 2024-December 2026. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the Koochiching County Development Authority (KCDA) board appointment and alternate | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the appointment of Mayor Droba and Councilor Buller (alternate) to the Koochiching County Development Authority (KCDA) board.
Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation from full-time Sergeant effective February 12, 2024 and declare vacancy | MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept letter of resignation from full-time Sergeant Paul Kennedy effective February 12, 2024 and declare vacancy. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED recommendation of Police Chief Kostiuk to fill vacant Sergeant position | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the recommendation from Police Chief Kostiuk to promote Anthony Kastens to Sergeant effective February 6, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED recommendation of Police Chief Kostiuk to fill vacant Patrol Officer positions | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve recommendation of Chief of Police Mike Kostiuk to hire William Lahmayer, Aiden Litfin, and Nathan Wahl to Patrol Officer positions effective February 6, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED agreement from Widseth for Kerry Park Health & Wellness Center pre-design work | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the agreement from Widseth for Kerry Park Health & Wellness Center pre-design work with expenses paid from Fund 211 Park & Recreation. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Public Works committee recommendation:
a APPROVED design proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for 5th and 6th Street Lead Service Replacement Project |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the design proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc., for 5th and 6th Street Lead Service Replacement Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| Land Use & Legislation committee recommendation(s):
a APPROVED first reading of Ordinance No. 52, 5th Series |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 52, 5th Series, amending Sec. 3.20 Sewer usage regulations. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| b APPROVED first reading of Ordinance No. 53, 5th Series, amending Sec. 3-40 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 53, 5th Series, amending Sec. 3.40 rules and regulations relating to water service. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| Public Safety committee recommendation(s):
a APPROVED 2024 International Falls Fire/Rescue/EMS CPR Rates |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve 2024 International Falls Fire/Rescue/EMS CPR Rates, as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| b INFORMATIONAL; options to purchase ambulance(s) for the International Ambulance Service | Fire Chief Mannausau stated the ambulance service is in need of ambulances as they are reaching end of life. Ambulance build time is approximately two years. Mannausau presented different options; either to purchase, lease or finance them. Mannausau also discussed options to purchase two in 2024 and possibly one or two in 2025 with delivery dates of 2026 and 2027. Discussion ensued with the council requesting additional information from Chief Mannausau to be discussed at the next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on February 12, 2024. |
| APPROVED CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts 301 4th Street business licenses
|
MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts business licenses – cigarette license, fireworks license, gasoline pumps license, restaurant license and 3.2 off sale license located at 301 4th Street. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts 1709 2nd Avenue business licenses
|
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve CAPL Retail, LLC dba Joe’s Kwik Marts business licenses – cigarette license, gasoline pumps license, restaurant license and 3.2 off sale license located at 1709 2nd Avenue. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | None. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Wegner shared that he, the Police Chief, Building Official and Fire Marshal toured a vacant building that is for sale to see if it had the potential to house the police department.
Mayor Droba briefed the council and boardroom of the meeting that he, Administrator Bergstrom and Public Works Director Ted Brokaw attended at Manitou Mounds in Canada regarding the International Bridge. Mayor Droba shared it was a good meeting with great information and that a Short-Term Group and a Long-Term Group have been created to address concerns in regard to the International Bridge. Mayor Droba has been assigned to participate in the Short-Term Group where they will focus on lowering the bridge fees. |
| AUDIENCE | Victoria and Eric Glascock of Littlefork, MN addressed the council in regards to the 15 minute response time for non-emergency personnel. The Glascocks are native to International Falls and found their dream home in Littlefork. They have concerns they would not qualify for city employment due to their residence location. The Glascocks requested possibly changing the ordinance. Mayor Droba explained there is a petition process to have the ordinance changed and that he would follow up with them on the specific process.
Drake Dill expressed concerns with the discussions the city and county are currently having in regard to funding of the airport. Mr. Dill further commented on the positive economic impact that the airport has on the community and questions why the city does not want to fund it. Mayor Droba noted the City does not want ‘out’ of the joint powers agreement however, he and the Councilors would like to explore a more equitable funding model through the Joint Powers Agreement. Currently city taxpayers pay more than county taxpayers as the city taxpayers pay both city and county taxes. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:55 P.M. |
Harley Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
