• Discuss Kerry Park ice time for Guns & Hoses

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

• Monday, January 6, 2025, Public Hearing-5th Avenue West
• Monday, January 6, 2025, City Council Organizational meeting
• Monday, January 6, 2025, regular City Council meeting
• Monday, January 13, 2025, Committee-of-the-Whole meeting

Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

Councilor Kalar spoke to the amount being paid on repairs for Kerry Park compressors which was upwards of $20,000. Kalar noted the amount does not include money spent on the same thing last year.  Mayor Dill asked if this was an ongoing expense.  Councilor Kalar indicated that it had been as the compressors have been fixed more than once in the last two years.  Motion carried unanimously

Joe Kantor 1607 13th Avenue W spoke to Mayor and Councilors regarding his concerns with the Police and Sheriff’s Departments. Kantor felt it would be a good idea for the two departments to join and budget their money together.  Kantor questioned what the Kootasca building in South Falls would be utilized for.  Councilor Holden advised it was a possible spot for the Police Department to be housed if it was possible to get the remodel cost down.  Holden continued that another possibility would be to sit down with the county again, however that did not work before as the county would not give the city a number as to the cost of utilizing their space.  Kantor then inquired about the salt shed and vactor garage. Kantor felt that the city has not had much snow this winter and those projects could be bypassed until the following year and instead utilize the funds to work on sewer lines.  City Attorney Chelsea Nelson stated both Koochiching County Courthouse and Backus are ADA compliant.

Lois Lundin representative for Backus wanted to offer a quick point of clarification.  The Backus lease for the Police Department would end as of March/April.  Lundin offered the Police Department the option to sign a lease for one year, six months or month to month. Lundin commented that they would be happy to assist the PD in finding their home, but there is no push from Backus to have them leave. Lundin also thanked City Attorney Nelson for clarification on the ADA compliance with the elevator in Backus.  Councilor Holden thanked Lundin for what she has done for the PD and allowing them to stay on a monthly basis if needed.  Lundin followed up that having the PD in Backus was an asset to the building. They are great tenants, and she was proud to have them there and they are welcome to stay as long as they needed.

APPROVED second and final reading of Contract Ordinance # 990 Setting Rates Collected as Revenue Supporting Utility Operations for 2025

1. APPROVED dsgw Architecture report for the rehabilitation of the Vactor garage, and equipment garage

MOTION by Councilor Wegner to approve dsgw architecture report for the rehabilitation of the vactor garage, and equipment garage to be financed and paid for with budgeted street and sanitary sewer funds.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 3-2 with Councilors Buller, Kalar and Wegner voting “yea” and Mayor Dill and Councilor Holden voting “nay.”

1. APPROVED travel and continuing education training expenses for public works staff

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve travel and continuing education training expenses for public works staff.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

APPROVED as presented

• Smoke & Fire Inc dba Int’l Falls Dairy Queen

Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

APPROVED 2025 additional committee appointments as presented

• Fire Civil Service Commission – Craig Bernath
• Koochiching Community Development Association – Mayor Dill and Councilor Kalar (alternate)

Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership with the International Falls Bass Championship for the 2025 IFBC Tournament scheduled for August 21-23, 2025.  Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

Nancy Peterson thanked the city for their unwavering support of their event.

MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve waiving the lease agreement for the annual Old Timers Hockey Tournament scheduled for March 14-16, 2025, with a donation to be given to the city for repairs to the Kerry Park arena.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner.

Shawn Kelly stated the tournament raises between $18,000 and $23,000. Councilor Wegner inquired how this would be completed if funds would be put in a separate account.  Kelly stated the tournament could write the city a check.  City Administrator Bergstrom commented stated setting up a separate checkbook would not be feasible but instead creating a direct revenue line item.

Motion carried unanimously.

Kostiuk indicated he approached Chief Mannausau regarding putting together a LEC vs EMS/Fire hockey match three years ago. The men and women who participate need time to practice and there are lots of schedules to work around.  Kostiuk requested morning time slots for approximately 1-1.5 hours Mondays and Wednesdays.

Lisa Mortenson stated that in March 2023 the tournament raised $2588.50 for Friends Against Abuse.  March 2024, they donated all the funds to the school to be used to reduce sport fees.  2025 monies raised will go to the school to reduce or pay for sporting fees.

Councilor Kalar noted maintenance is done in the mornings so the rink would not be available prior to 10:00 A.M. Councilor Kalar also mentioned that two times per week there is open men’s skating so that is also an opportunity for practice time.  Fees are applied to cover maintenance costs of Kerry Park.  Kalar suggested each player contribute $20 to go towards ice rental time.

MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve additional ice time for Guns & Hoses practice and waive the rental rates and insurance requirements.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden.

City Administrator Bergstrom commented that the city has a fiscal responsibility for Kerry Park.  Although she appreciates the gesture of $20 per player Kraus Anderson told city staff that Kerry Park is in dire straits.  Kerry Park is an expensive facility to maintain and if we continue to give away ice time the taxpayers will end up paying the cost of the facility.  The city has an agreement with Rec Hockey that 10% of the ice time goes to open hockey for the community.  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are already on the schedule each week.  Bergstrom shared a phone call she received from a dad who wished to have his son’s birthday party at Kerry Park.  Once he was told of the rental cost and insurance requirements he was unable to afford this as an option.  This bothered Bergstrom that a dad was not able to hold his son’s birthday party at this venue due to the requirements and now we continue to waive the fees and requirements for some.

Motion carried unanimously.

a.  APPROVED CD Maturity renewal for 6 months at a 4.00% interest rate

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve CD maturity renewal for 6 months at a 4.00% interest rate.  Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously.

a.  APPROVED advertising and hiring eleven (11) summer employees for various departments

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve advertising and hiring of eleven (11) summer employees for various departments.  Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Plan.  Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously.

Mayor Dill and Administrator Bergstrom also plan to meet with an HRA developer who renovates larger housing complexes.

Councilor Kalar advises there is a KEDA meeting tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.  Councilor Kalar thanked the community for the support of the Elk’s “Soup for Troops.” This event raised money for our local veteran’s office.  As well the Annual Hoop Shoot was well attended.

Shawn Kelly stated he is the head water operator at the water plant. Orthophosphate coats the lines.  Samples are taken every 3 years and the city has been compliant with lead and copper.  Rob Ecklund spoke that in 2022 lead pipe legislation came into effect and when it was passed, they did not realize how many residents were affected.