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 February 2025 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dill 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 seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the following meeting minutes, as presented
|
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve the following meeting minutes:
· Minutes of the Monday, February 3, 2025, regular City Council meeting · Minutes of the Monday, February 10, 2025, Committee-of-the-Whole meeting Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 15-2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 15-2025 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A Plus Pest Management LLC | Pest Control | 551.49 | 80445 |
| Adam Mannausau | Meal Allowance | 80.00 | 80446 |
| Align Chiropractic & Wellness | Random DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing | 35.00 | 80447 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Sup-Police | 19.94 | 80448 |
| American Water Works Assoc | Membership Dues | 83.00 | 80449 |
| Aqua-Pure Inc | Quarterly Service | 1,000.00 | 80450 |
| Automatic Systems Co | SCADA Improvements | 2,910.00 | 80451 |
| Axon Enterprises Inc | Pro License Bundle | 12,180.16 | 80452 |
| Barnum Companies Inc | M&R-VNP | 518.88 | 80453 |
| Becker Arena Products Inc | Flooding Hose | 319.44 | 80454 |
| Ben Mortenson | Meal Allowance | 80.00 | 80455 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-Water Plant | 180.75 | 80456 |
| Bound Tree Medical LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,668.90 | 80457 |
| Bremer Cardmember Services | Sup-Amb/St/Wtr, License Renew, T&T | 4,664.73 | 80458 |
| Brian Jespersen | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 80459 |
| Brian Youso | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 80460 |
| Bronko Nagurski Foundation | Appropriation 2025 | 4,000.00 | 80461 |
| Capitol Hill Associates Inc | Representation MN State Legislative | 2,000.00 | 80462 |
| Cenex Voyageur Fleet | Gas-Pol/St/Amb/Fire/Hzmt/Strm Sew | 4,802.10 | 80463 |
| CherryRoad Media Inc | Council Mtg Dates/Min/Ad/Ord/Proc | 2,628.98 | 80464 |
| Chocolate Moose Restaurant Co | Crew Meals | 49.53 | 80465 |
| Citizens for Backus/AB | Lease Agreement-Suite 305 | 6,446.33 | 80466 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 401 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 66,666.66 | 80467 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 403 | Water/Sewer Funds Transfer | 29,166.67 | 80468 |
| City of Ranier | Annual State Test Fee/City Beach | 22.22 | 80469 |
| Department of Human Services | 2025 Ambulance Supply Payment | 1,718.00 | 80470 |
| Earl F Andersen | M&R-Street | 132.45 | 80471 |
| Electric Pump Inc | M&R-San Sew | 917.04 | 80472 |
| Emergency Apparatus Maint Inc | Parts-Rural Truck 2 | 289.90 | 80473 |
| Enterprise FM Trust | Vehicle Leases | 17,696.57 | 80474 |
| ESX Technology Solutions, LLC | VPN Access | 97.50 | 80475 |
| Falls License Bureau | 2025 Mack Truck #2513 | 13,670.44 | 80476 |
| First Independent Bank | Interest-GO Water Rev Note Series | 12,159.00 | 80477 |
| Friend’s Garbage | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,967.36 | 80478 |
| Frontier | Monthly Telephone Service | 2,701.72 | 80479 |
| Gall’s | Clothing-Hulst/Thram/M Gede/Offerdah | 1,296.16 | 80480 |
| Gopher State One-Call | Monthly Billing | 97.25 | 80481 |
| Hasbargen Customs LLC | Printing of Hi-Vis Jackets | 40.00 | 80482 |
| Hawkins Inc | Cylinder Charges | 3,964.01 | 80483 |
| Hometown Billing LLC | Ambulance Billing | 1,736.00 | 80484 |
| Hotsy Minnesota | M&R-Street Lighting | 183.35 | 80485 |
| I-Falls Super One Foods | Supplies-Street | 33.78 | 80507 |
| Industrial Health Sv Ntwk Inc | DOT Drg Screen & MRO Services | 99.80 | 80486 |
| Innovative Office Solutions LLC | Sup-Adm/Wtr Adm | 1,040.65 | 80487 |
| Intl Assoc of Chiefs of Police | Membership Renewal | 220.00 | 80488 |
| Joshua Ballejo | Clothing Allowance Reimbursement | 410.23 | 80489 |
| Kent Automotive | Supplies-Safety | 5.54 | 80490 |
| KGHS/KSDM | City Talk | 150.00 | 80491 |
| Koerter’s Amoco | Gas-St/Pol/Wtr/St Lght/San Sew | 10,428.46 | 80492 |
| Lawson Products Inc | Sup-Street Garage | 614.84 | 80493 |
| Linde Gas & Equipment Inc | Oxygen-Ambulance | 1,700.56 | 80494 |
| LMC Insurance Trust-WC | WC Deductible | 500.00 | 80495 |
| Logan Hulst | Clothing Allowance Reimbursement | 179.84 | 80496 |
| LVC Inc | Annual Fire Extinguisher | 1,072.00 | 80497 |
| Madden Galanter Hansen LLP | Labor Relations Services | 4,096.36 | 80498 |
| Mannco Trucking Inc | Unit 251 & 141, M & R-Water/Street | 662.43 | 80499 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 535.25 | 80500 |
| Marco Technologies LLC | Contract/Print/Copy-Fire/Adm/PW/Wat | 167.37 | 80501 |
| Melanie Clarity | Sewing-Tveit/Gedde/Myers | 64.00 | 80502 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Amb/Strm Sew/St/Gar/Wtr Plnt | 570.93 | 80503 |
| Meyers Glass | M&R-Water | 149.05 | 80504 |
| Michael Musich | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 80505 |
| Midco | Cable-Fire Hall/Amb, Internet-Wtr Plnt | 141.26 | 80506 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 14,996.85 | 80508 |
| Minnesota Industries | Sup-Street Dept | 55.40 | 80509 |
| MN Power | Utilities | 45,326.38 | 80510 |
| MN Dept of Labor & Industry | Inspection-Water Plant, Boiler-Library | 50.00 | 80511 |
| MN Fire Service Cert Board | Firefighter II Exams | 75.00 | 80513 |
| Moody’s Investors Service Inc | Annual Fee for EDA Bonds | 500.00 | 80514 |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 79,795.08 | 80515 |
| NAPA Falls Supply | Sup-St Gar/Wtr Dept, Tools-St Gar | 1,822.18 | 80516 |
| Northern Lumber & Hardware | Sup-St Gar/Str, Tools-Street/Water | 222.74 | 80517 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | M&R-Amb/Str, Sup-Gar/Wtr/Str/Amb | 1,126.04 | 80518 |
| Orton Oil Company | Gas-Water | 55.22 | 80519 |
| Pace Analytical Services Inc | Water Testing | 600.00 | 80520 |
| Pelland Welding, Inc | Sup-St Gar/St Lght, M&R Equip-Str | 1,501.03 | 80521 |
| Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct | Qtrly Lease-Inserting & Mailing | 797.64 | 80522 |
| Rainy Lake Oil | Fuel-Street Garage | 390.50 | 80523 |
| Range Paper Corp | Sup-St Lght | 99.14 | 80524 |
| Robert Heinlen | Meal Allowance | 10.00 | 80525 |
| Ryan Hilfer | Meal Allowance | 149.00 | 80526 |
| Shannon’s Inc | M&R-Water | 540.00 | 80527 |
| Shred-N-Go Inc | Recycling Police | 83.93 | 80528 |
| St Louis County Auditor | Liquid Brine/Amp, 2025 Regional Fees | 464.40 | 80529 |
| Streicher’s | Cloth-PT Patrol/G Offerdahl | 453.99 | 80530 |
| Terry Christie | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 80531 |
| Todd Ojala | IT Mileage Expense | 26.60 | 80532 |
| Tom Lynch | Police Benefit | 150.00 | 80533 |
| Towmaster | M&R-Equip | 28.70 | 80534 |
| Viking Industrial Center | Maint-Water | 140.63 | 80535 |
| Watts Regulator Co | M&R-Wtr Plnt | 3,660.38 | 80536 |
| WMG Lyfjaberg LLC | Medical Director | 300.00 | 80537 |
| Ziegler Inc | Unit 208 Parts | 726.73 | 80538 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 102569 |
| American Heritage Life Ins Co | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 102570 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators LLC | Supplemental Insurance | 354.51 | 102571 |
| Bremer Bank NA | Federal Withholding | 45,255.87 | 102572 |
| Central Pension Fund Source A | Retirement | 5,190.00 | 102573 |
| City of Int’l Falls | HRA-Police/Fire | 81.64 | 102574 |
| City of Int’l Falls | Health Insurance-49ers | 4,207.00 | 102575 |
| IAMAW District W3 | Union Dues | 940.00 | 102576 |
| Int’l Falls Ambulance Service | EMT Dues | 161.00 | 102577 |
| Int’l Union of Oper Engineers | Union Dues | 910.00 | 102578 |
| Kane Kostiuk, Sec/Treas | Cop Dues | 140.00 | 102579 |
| Law Enforcement Labor Services | Union Dues | 876.00 | 102580 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Ctr | Wage Assignment-Child Support | 177.19 | 102581 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding SWT | 8,905.47 | 102582 |
| MSRS-Empower Retirement | Empower Retirement | 8,648.00 | 102583 |
| NCPERS Minnesota | PERA Life Insurance | 128.00 | 102584 |
| North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist | Health Insurance Premiums | 450.00 | 102585 |
| PERA | Public Employees Retirement | 40,360.01 | 102586 |
| United Way of NE Minnesota Inc | United Way | 42.00 | 102587 |
| AUDIENCE: | Susan Wadaga, 107 Park Avenue, stated she had sent an email to Mayor Dill, Councilors, and Administrator Bergstrom. She thanked Administrator Bergstrom and Mayor Dill for answering her promptly. Ms. Wadaga shared that she confirmed with the county that most of the repairs the city had concerns with at the Law Enforcement Center have been completed. Wadaga asked the council to considered exploring the costs for the remainder of repairs at the LEC to house the Police Department. Wadaga asked if the city has considered getting mediator to work with the county. Wadaga noted there is not much transparency with the council working with the county, the taxpayers, and the Police Department. |
| Wendy Mayer, 1001 13th Street, spoke on behalf of herself and her husband Tom Mayer as concerned citizens of International Falls regarding the council considering the Kootasca building to house the Police Department. They both feel this is not the best use of taxpayer’s money, and that repairing the Law Enforcement Center would be a much better choice, or maybe just waiting to see if there would possibly be another building available. | |
| Sharon Ball, 120 Cedar Road, shared she feels the council is making decisions to spend more money that we do not have thus causing her taxes to go up 40%. Ball is concerned that Kootasca is in a flood zone. She also asked why the Sheriff’s Department and Police Department cannot be housed together again like they had been for many years. Ball also asked why she is not able to find where the city employee’s salaries are listed online, “That is public information”, she stated. Ball asked the city to slow down a bit as the new jail is 20% over budget as well. | |
| Joe Kantor, 1607 13th Avenue West, is wondering how the council thinks that now is the right time to be taking on a project like Kootasca. “Now is not the time, we need to slow down and not be in such a hurry.” Mr. Kantor also requested for the city employee salaries to be posted online for the public to see. | |
| Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th Street, addressed the council to ask how they can in good faith spend the taxpayer’s money, and spend millions of dollars for the school, the water plant project and now the Police Department. “We have a poor town. Apparently, there is not enough money for the lead pipes to be fixed and that is mandated. | |
| Stephen Blair, 1301 7th Avenue, asked the council where they would turn for funds if the project ran over budget? Mr. Blair said he is scared, with the way things are being taken away from the American people every day that it will eventually impact the citizens of International Falls. He also asked what is happening with the Bandshell after the fire? City Administrator Bergstrom explained that the holdup is with the insurance company and the fact that when it is rebuilt it needs to be ADA compliant. | |
| Wayne Fuller, 1601 3rd Avenue East, questioned why the letter dated February 13, 2025, from the County was not on the agenda for discussion. City Administrator Bergstrom stated the letter was addressed to the Mayor and herself and the Mayor could have requested the letter to be added to the agenda. Mr. Fuller questioned how the project started out at $5M and is now down to $3M. Councilor Holden explained that cooperation between Chief Kostiuk, Kraus Anderson and the City of International Falls, there have been reductions from the initial request. Holden added “Potentially having city employees complete some of the work will help keep costs down”. | |
| PUBLIC HEARING: | None. |
| OPENING BIDS (AND/OR QUOTES) | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS: | None. |
| CONSENT AGENDA: | None. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED the Police Department to use Smokey Bear Park for National Night Out activities from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 |
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the Police Department to use Smokey Bear Park for National Night Out activities from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Committee-of-the-Whole
Recommendation(s): a. APPROVED first reading of Ordinance authorizing the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of International Falls to exercise the powers under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C, on behalf of the City of International Falls
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City Administrator Bergstrom explained the HRA and Fryberger Law Firm on behalf of Stone Beam Development LLC requested an issuance of conduit revenue bonds for rehabilitation of West Falls Estates not to exceed $12 million. There would be no impact to the city’s debt services.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve first reading of Ordinance authorizing the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of International Falls to exercise the powers under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C, on behalf of the City of International Falls. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| b. APPROVED moving forward with Kraus Anderson for renovation of the Kootasca Building for the Police Department | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve moving forward with Kraus Anderson for renovation of the Kootasca Building for the Police Department, for Design and Construction Services through Project Completion.
Councilor Wegner thanked Koochiching County for their letter. He also wanted to share with the citizens how the council members came to their decision. With the current numbers they have been given if they were to move back to the Law Enforcement Center it would cost the City of International Falls approximately $13,000/month or $159,000/year. If they were to stay at Backus it would cost $6,400/month or $77,000/year. To renovate and move into the Kootasca building the anticipated cost would be approximately $9,000/month or $110,000/year. Councilor Buller stated the $110,000/year accumulates to the estimated $1.6M proposed budget for renovations of the Kootasca building. Councilor Holden also wanted the citizens to know that the plan is to get the IFPD into the building as soon as possible by completing the roof repairs and office spaces first.
Motion carried 4-1, with Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar, and Wegner voting “yea” and Mayor Dill voting “nay”. |
| c. APPROVED a month-by-month lease renewal with Backus for the Police Department | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve a month-by-month lease renewal with Backus to house the Police Department. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wegner and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 16-2025 approving transfer of funds from Fund 250 Sales and Use Tax Fund to Fund 450 Sales Tax Construction Accounts | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 16-2025 approving transfer of funds from Fund 250 Sales and Use Tax Fund to Fund 450 Sales Tax Construction Accounts. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Order of Removal or Repair in the Matter of Hazardous Building located at 2210 3rd Avenue W | City Attorney Nelson stated the order for removal of building at 2210 3rd Avenue West was approved July 15, 2024, quotes were received but lost track of the file. Nelson requested approval to get new quotes for the removal.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the order of removal or repair in the matter of Hazardous Building located at 2210 3rd Avenue W. Motion seconded by Councilor Wegner.
Mayor Dill asked if the Public Works department could demo the building as they have done in the past. Councilors Kalar, Wegner, and Administrator Bergstrom all agreed that it is a “time” issue, but it could certainly be looked in to with Public Works Director.
Councilor Buller changed his motion to ask Public Works if they could remove the hazardous building first. If they could not do the removal than go out for quotes. Motion was seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED letter of support for the Voyageur Country ATV Club’s Federal Recreational Trail Program, 2025 Trail Grant Application | ATV Club Member Ricky Roche asked for a letter of support for the Federal Recreational Trail Program, 2025 Trail Grant Application. Grant funds would be used to create a trail to connect the communities of Kabetogama and Ray.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve letter of support for the Voyageur Country ATV Club’s Federal Recreational Trail Program, 2025 Trail Grant Application. Motion was seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| Other Business: | None. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | None. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | None. |
| AUDIENCE | Susan Wadaga, 107 Park Avenue, asked if a project of $1.6M in size can be done in part by Public Works department. |
| Rhonda Benedix, 909 6th Street, addressed Councilor Holden and said, “No one in this room is saying that the Police Department is not doing a good job.” This meeting is about the council representing the city, not just the Police Department. Councilor Holden stated he supports all departments. It is very important to him to keep taxes down by pursuing the most cost effect solution. Mayor Dill advised her to reach out to the councilors and himself with any concerns. | |
| Sheryl Christianson, 604 6th Street, asked the council what the citizen are supposed to believe when they hear the Kootasca building project will cost $5M, then $3M, and now $1.6M. “You can say you are going to keep it low. Good luck. It will cost you more than you think.” | |
| Stephen Blair, 1301 7th Avenue, wanted to confirm with Councilor Wegner that the $110,000/year was based on the $1.6M project. Councilor Wegner confirmed it was based on $1.6M. | |
| ADJOURNMENT | The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Dill adjourned the meeting at 6:52 P.M. |
Drake Dill, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
