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 21st day of October 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 Holden to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, October 7, 2024, Public Hearing | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of Monday, October 7, 2024, Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, October 7, 2024, regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the minutes of Monday, October 7, 2024, regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the Monday, October 14, 2024, regular Committee-of-the-Whole meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the minutes of Monday, October 14, 2024, regular Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 62-2024 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 62-2024 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A Plus Pest Management LLC | Pest Control | 683.22 | 79617 |
| Adam Mannausau | FireFighter I Training | 136.98 | 79618 |
| Alert-All Corp | Fire Safety Week | 1,540.00 | 79619 |
| All Season Equipment Inc | Sup-St, Chainsaw Parts & Repairs | 81.97 | 79620 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup-Adm/Police | 96.76 | 79621 |
| American Ambulance Association | Membership Renewal | 578.00 | 79622 |
| Andrew Holler | Lawn Cleanup | 504.00 | 79623 |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Bulk Delpac | 32,862.40 | 79624 |
| Becker Arena Products Inc. | Ice Shelter Maintenance | 593.62 | 79625 |
| Bolton & Menk Inc | Engineering Services | 92,937.75 | 79626 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 605.45 | 79627 |
| Brad Hagen | Street Supplies | 52.98 | 79628 |
| Bremer Cardmember Services | Travel/Train-San Sew, Dept of Labor | 384.88 | 79629 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79630 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79631 |
| Bureau of Crim Apprehension | Key Fob & CJDN Remote Access | 600.00 | 79632 |
| Cady Business Technologies | Annual Platinum Support Plan-Mitel | 1,992.00 | 79633 |
| Carlson’s Auto Repair | Unit 16-01 Amb, Unit 15-06 Repairs | 610.00 | 79634 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc | Ordinance, Minutes, Ads, Easement | 1,363.88 | 79635 |
| Citizens for Backus/AB | Lease Agreement-Suite 305 | 6,446.33 | 79636 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund- 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 79637 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund- 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 20,567.25 | 79638 |
| Coca-Cola Bottling Co | Water-VNP | 1,050.00 | 79639 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Tools-Water Plant | 237.69 | 79640 |
| dsgw Architecure | Design Public Works Building | 3,450.00 | 79641 |
| Earl F Andersen | Supplies-Street | 295.05 | 79642 |
| Enterprise FM Trust | Vehicle Lease Agreements | 17,625.28 | 79643 |
| ESX Tchnology Solutions LLC | MDR & Firewall, Police Professional | 8,327.50 | 79644 |
| Fairview Health Services | Fire Physicals | 8,853.25 | 79645 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 3,004.71 | 79646 |
| Gall’s | Clothing-Ambulance/Police | 593.95 | 79647 |
| Hach Company | Sup-Water Plant, Tools-Water Plant | 4,962.71 | 79648 |
| Hawkins Inc | Cylinder Charges | 2,377.33 | 79649 |
| Heather Olson | Halloween Candy | 226.90 | 79650 |
| Howards-Cenex LLC | Supplies-Street Garage | 716.97 | 79651 |
| I-Falls Super One Foods | Supplies-Police | 71.46 | 79665 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Supplies-Administration | 715.98 | 79652 |
| Justin Mostad | Meal Allowance | 203.00 | 79653 |
| KGHS/KSDM | City Talk | 150.00 | 79654 |
| KGM Contractors Inc | Patching Mix | 4,247.04 | 79655 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas-St/Wtr/Gar/San Sewer/Pol/St Light | 4,203.27 | 79656 |
| Kooch Co Env Services Dept | Brush, Holler Fence | 229.00 | 79657 |
| Kooch County Hwy Dept | Dyed Fuel-Street/Garage/VNP/Water | 3,078.32 | 79658 |
| MacQueen Equipment Inc | M&R Equip-Street | 404.38 | 79659 |
| Mark Rock Products | 3/4″ Minus, Crusher Fines | 7,224.49 | 79660 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Bldg Off/Str/P&R/San Sewer/Pol | 331.07 | 79661 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79662 |
| Michael Wallace | Meal Allowance | 149.00 | 79663 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr | 514.48 | 79664 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 969.95 | 79666 |
| Minnesota Industries | Gloves-Street, Lubricants-Garage | 261.49 | 79667 |
| MN Power | Utilities | 38,599.27 | 79668 |
| Minnesota Rural Water Assoc | SC&SD Collections Exam | 150.00 | 79669 |
| MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehen | DMT-G Cert-Hulst | 75.00 | 79670 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Sup-Street Lighting, Lubricants-Water | 30.05 | 79671 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Sup-Wtr/Str/San Swr, Tools-P&R | 374.53 | 79672 |
| Nuss Truck & Equipment | 2025 Mack GR42F Dump Truck | 147,955.38 | 79673 |
| Oberg Fencing Inc | Fencing-Parks & Rec | 2,874.00 | 79674 |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct | Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mailing Syst | 1,500.00 | 79675 |
| Premier Pyrotechnics | 4th of July/Icebox Days Fireworks | 14,000.00 | 79676 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies | 281.80 | 79677 |
| Range Cornice & Roofing Co | Roof Inspections/Repairs | 62,977.00 | 79678 |
| Range Paper Corp | Cleaning Supplies-VNP | 153.08 | 79679 |
| Robert Heinlen | Meal Allowance | 149.00 | 79680 |
| Ryan Hilfer | Meal Allowance | 149.00 | 79681 |
| Servicemaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,961.25 | 79682 |
| Shane Thramer | DARE Training | 1,391.50 | 79683 |
| Shannon’s Inc | Bldg Maint-VNP | 174.14 | 79684 |
| Shawn Kelly | Meal Allowance | 257.00 | 79685 |
| Shred-N-Go Inc | Recycling Police | 83.93 | 79686 |
| Soundnorth | Supplies-IT | 20.98 | 79687 |
| Steve Boyum Construction | Equip Rental/1710 4th Ave Demo | 9,200.00 | 79688 |
| Stocke Commissioning & Building | Kerry Park Predesign | 3,750.00 | 79689 |
| Streicher’s | Clothing-PT Hulst | 42.98 | 79690 |
| Taylor’s Plumbing & Heating LLC | Bldg Maint-Water Plant | 682.09 | 79691 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79692 |
| Terry Wood | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79693 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 79694 |
| Trustar Federal Credit Union | Commercial Loan-Kor Properties | 24,999.99 | 79695 |
| UHL Company Inc | Bldg Maint-VNP, VNP Humidifier Proj | 16,507.28 | 79696 |
| Viking Electric Supply Inc | M&R-Park & Rec, Laydown Yard | 1,491.87 | 79697 |
| Wagner Construction Inc | 1 Minus” | 691.00 | 79698 |
| Watts Regulator Co | Lamy Assy WT/LT MTOL | 804.65 | 79699 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Amb/Fire/House/St/Grnd/Pol/VNP | 1,589.60 | 79700 |
| Widseth Smith Nolting | Engineering Services | 2,285.00 | 79701 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 79703 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102440 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102441 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 354.51 | 102442 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 43,726.44 | 102443 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 4,768.90 | 102444 |
| IF Fire Dept Relief | Firemen Dues | 434.00 | 102445 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance Service | EMT Dues | 126.00 | 102446 |
| Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas | Cop Dues | 140.00 | 102447 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Ctr | Wage Assignment-Child Support | 424.54 | 102448 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding SWT | 8,425.18 | 102449 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Empower Retirement | 8,188.00 | 102450 |
| PERA | Public Employee | 37,340.64 | 102451 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Insurance | 881.56 | 102452 |
| The Hartford V-LTD | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 795.47 | 102453 |
| United Way of NE Minnesota Inc | United Way | 42.00 | 102454 |
| AUDIENCE: | International Falls resident Erik Strand of 1831 4th Ave E addressed the Mayor and Council regarding the Police Department moving from Backus to the Kootasca building. Strand asked why Backus is not sufficient for the Police department and has concerns with so much of the city’s money being spent to renovate the building to make it effective to run the Police Department. Mayor Droba explained that the move is long term for the police department, and a lot of money is paid to Backus for rent, but still cheaper than it was to rent from the county. Droba also stated work done at Backus can be moved to the new building. Mr. Strand also stated that the County and the City Officers had “synergy” when they were housed together and feels the” synergy” no longer exists between them. Strand asked if the city had explored using the Koostasa building/property for housing development. Mr. Strand thanked the Mayor and Council for their time. |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS: | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the Consent Agenda as presented: · Approve 2025 renewal of BlueCross BlueShield Plan 653 · Approve 2025 renewal of Senior Gold/Medicare Blue Rx Plan · Approve 2025 renewal of Ameritas Dental Plan · Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form to not waive limits on Municipal Tort Liability and authorize signatures Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED purchase of portable recording devices (body-worn cameras) for the International Falls Police Department |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the purchase of portable recording devices (body-worn cameras) for the International Falls Police Department. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED a request to use Smokey Bear Park and co-sponsor the Home for the Holiday’s event | Event coordinator Andrea Pastor explained that this will be the 30th Anniversary of Home for the Holiday’s Parade. They have events beginning at 4 P.M. at Smokey Bear Park, with the parade and fireworks to follow at 6 P.M. New this year will be the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Smokey Bear Park.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve a request to use Smokey Bear Park and co-sponsor the Home for the Holiday’s event on Friday, November 29, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 63- -2024 approving application for exempt permit for International Falls Chamber of Commerce to conduct bingo, to be held on December 5, 2024 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 63-2024 approving application for exempt permit for International Falls Chamber of Commerce to conduct bingo, to be held on December 5, 2024, at the VFW Club, 1416 Third Avenue, International Falls. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
Public Works Committee recommendation(s):
|
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve submitting an application for Active Transportation Grant funding for the 9th Street Local Road Improvement Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 64-2024 approving the MPCA Clean Water Partnership Program application process. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | City Administrator Bergstrom shared Koochiching County and the City of International Falls both approved the request for proposals for Airport Consulting Services for the International Falls Airport. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Kalar shared that the emergency demolition at 1st Ave W had been completed. Kalar also wanted to remind everyone that the One Watershed, One Plan will have an Open House educational event and BBQ on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Elks Lodge. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that a special Committee-of-the-Whole meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2024, at 4:00 P.M, a Public Hearing on the 5th Avenue West project is on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:00 P.M, and the next regular City Council meeting is Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:55 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
