May 18, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

May 18, 2020 City Council Minutes

 

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 May, 2020 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Mayor Droba and Councilor Krause.

                Councilor Ditsch, Councilor Nelson, Councilor Buller, media, and public via Zoom Conferencing. All members noted they could hear the others and the discussion.

MEMBERS ABSENT:     None.

 

APPROVED agenda with additions and deletions

MOTION by Councilor Nelson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions as presented.

Additions

  1. Resolution No. __-20 Approving Employee Return to Work with Conditions (Council action)
  2. Consent to Mayoral appointment of City representative to KCDA (Council action)
  3. Consent to Mayoral appointment of City representative to the Recreation Commission (Council action)

Correspondence

  • May 12, 2020 – Letter of Support for 2020 BUILD Discretionary Grant for Koochiching County
  • May 13, 2020 – International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees meeting packet
  • May 14, 2020 – Cancellation of Memorial Day Ceremonies, Peter Graham VFW Post 2948

Deletions

  1. First Reading of Contract Ordinance #
    , Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 CIPP sanitary sewer rehabilitation project to Drain Services, Inc. in the amount of $399,892.05 (Council action)

Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED minutes of the May 4, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the May 4, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED minutes of the May 7, 2020 special Emergency City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve minutes of the May 7, 2020 special Emergency City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilor Ditsch, Krause, Buller and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’, and Councilor Nelson abstaining.

   

ADOPTED Resolution No. 41-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 41-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

 

CLAIMS

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

816.35  

68669 

Bowman Construction Co 

Crusher Fines 

15,840.00  

68670 

Brian Youso 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68671 

Bureau of Crim Apprehension

Key Fob for Remote Access

100.00  

68672 

CDW Government

Fujitsu Document Scanner 

4,226.70  

68673 

Cenex Voyaguer Fleet 

Gas – Grounds/Police/Ambulance 

1,607.29  

68674 

Chelsea Nelson 

Trng-Travel Exp, Stand 2020 Exp Reimb

1,178.25  

68675 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 101

Water/Sewer Admin Expenses 

9,951.67  

68676 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 401

Water Funds Transfer 

66,666.66  

68677 

City of Int’l Falls – Fund 403

Water Funds Transfer 

25,760.42  

68678 

City of Ranier

Water – City Beach 

11.00  

68679 

Clarey’s Safety Equip Inc.

Chem Assessment Team – Maint

588.64  

68680 

Crandall’s Septic Pumping 

Portable Johns – City Parks 

157.00  

68681 

Department of Employment

Benefit Pmt – Police/Fire/Rec Com

738.11  

68682 

Department of Human Services

2020 Ambulance Supplemental Payment

16,842.00  

68683 

DH Wireless Solutions

Hazmat Equipment 

4,909.64  

68684 

Earl Boyum 

Waste Tires 

446.30  

68685 

Earl F Andersen 

Playground Signs – Play Safe

524.02  

68686 

Entenmann – Rovin Co

Officer Badge – Sergeant

574.00  

68687 

Expert T Billing 

Ambulance Transports

2,576.00  

68688 

Falls Lumber Company 

Bldg Maint – VNP

121.90  

68689 

Federal Resources 

Cordless Electro Sprayer W/Backpack 

2,233.00  

68690

Friend’s Garbage Service LLC

Monthly Garbage Service 

1,797.12  

68691 

Frontier 

Monthly Telephone Service 

2,570.66  

68692 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Clothing Allowance – M Kostiuk

59.34  

68693 

Goodin Company 

Filters – VNP

164.64

68694 

Gopher State One – Call

Monthly Billing 

87.75  

68695 

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

FRT for Admin Supplies

209.65  

68696 

International Code Council  

Code Books 

1,696.14  

68697 

Julie Mannausau 

100 Cloth Face Masks – Public Works

300.00  

68698 

Kantor Electric Inc.

VNP – Chg Out Led’s

5,593.00  

68699 

Koerter’s Amoco 

Gas – Str/Gar/Str Light/Water/Sewer 

706.35  

68700 

Kooch Co Env Services Dept.

Demo – Tires/Tipping Fee Street

147.00  

68701 

Lawson Products Inc.

Supplies – Street Lighting

478.36  

68702 

Mannco Trucking Inc.

Parts – Unit 123/141/Vactor/Str Sweeper 

2,687.49  

68703 

Menards International Falls 

Sup-Gar/Amb/Str Lght/Str, M& R-P&R 

409.08  

68704 

Michael Musich 

Police Benefit

150.00  

68705 

Mid-State Truck Service Inc.

Unit 123 – St Dump Truck

1,908.74  

68706 

Minnesota Energy Resources 

Utilities 

4,060.55  

68707 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

24,007.62  

68708 

N Kooch Area Sanitary District 

Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge

151,971.92  

68709 

Napa Falls Supply 

Supplies – Street Dept., Parts – Unit 203

143.57  

68710 

North Star Publishing 

Envelopes – Water Dept.

169.53  

68711 

Northern Lumber & Hardware 

Bldg Maint/Supplies-Garage, Tools-Street 

2,155.54

68712 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services

260.00  

68713 

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

Haz, Parts-Unit 173/22/7/121/4/Gar/Vactr

2,474.08  

68714 

Pitney Bowes Inc.

Ink Cartridges – Postage Machine

113.04  

68715 

PowerPlan

Unit 644J – Parts

471.04  

68716 

Praxair Distribution Inc.

Oxygen – Ambulance

163.16  

68717 

Rainy Lake Designs 

Landscaping 

450.00  

68718 

Rainy Lake Medical Center 

Medical Supplies 

617.53  

68719 

Rainy Lake Oil 

Tire Repair – Street, Fuel – Water

420.33  

68720 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Amb/VNP/Garage

276.85  

68721 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Additional Cleaning-VNP Covid 19

1,471.26  

68722 

Snap On – Marble MN

Tools – Street Garage

3,700.00  

68723

Soundnorth 

Supplies – Fire

29.98  

68724 

Stevens Equipment Supply 

Electrical Conservation 

3,327.44  

68725 

Streicher’s Inc.

Clothing Allowance – Helgeson/Kostiuk

53.96  

68726 

TC Lighting Supplies & Recycle

Recycling 

173.00

68727 

Terry Christie 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68728 

Terry Wood 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68729 

The Dent Shop 

Tom Gate-Str, M&R-Str/Wtr, Backrack

3,405.58  

68730 

The Journal 

Agendas/Minutes/Ordinances/Ads 

4,509.52  

68731 

Wherley Motors Inc.

Unit 4 – Police 

8.94  

68732 

Willi Kostiuk 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

68733 

WMG Lyfjaberg LLC

Medical Director 

300.00  

68734 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Monthly Charge – Wtr Plant/Admin

129.91  

68735 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100578

AllState – American Heritage  

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100579

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

35,302.15

100580

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement

4,114.20

100581

City of Int’l Falls

HRA – Police/Fire

520.00

100582

City of Int’l Falls

Health Insurance – 49ers

454.00

100583

Grant DeBenedet, Sec/Treas 

C.O.P.S. 

120.00 

100584

IAMAW District W33 

Union Dues 

1,495.00

100585

Intl Falls Ambulance Service

Dues 

154.00

100586

Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers 

Union Dues 

875.00

100587

I.U.O.E. Local 49ers 

Health Reimbursement 

200.00

100588

MN Child Support Payment Center

Wage Assignment 

500.68

100589

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding

6,678.36

100590

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

6,825.00

100591

PERA 

Life Insurance 

96.00

100592

North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist

Health Insurance

125.00 

100593

PERA 

Retirement 

29,526.07

100594

    

AUDIENCE:

None.

   

PUBLIC HEARING:

APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance #967, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 15th St. Street Improvement Project (Municipal State Aid) to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $365,560.20

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the First Reading of Contract Ordinance #967, approving the lowest responsible bid for the 15th St. Street Improvement Project (Municipal State Aid) to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $365,560.20.
Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED First Reading of Contract Ordinance #968, Approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 Street Improvements to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $977,688.50

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the First Reading of Contract Ordinance #968, approving the lowest responsible bid for the 2020 Street Improvements to KGM Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $977,688.50.
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

Reconsider Ord. No. 38, 5th Series Amending Emergency Ord. No. 34, 5th Series, Necessary for the Immediate Preservation of the Public Health

MOTION by Councilor Krause to repeal Ord. No. 38, 5th Series Amending Emergency Ord. No. 34, 5th Series, Necessary for the Immediate Preservation of the Public Health. This action will delete the requirement that restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffee houses and other places offering prepared food and beverages must be closed to occupancy by the public. Therefore, the Governor’s Executive Orders will apply. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. The Council recognized there is much confusion about the COVID-19 rules and encouraged the public to contact them or City Hall if they have questions. Motion carried unanimously.

   

OPENING BIDS:

APPROVED Resolution No. 42-20, Providing for the Issuance and Sale of $5,550,000 General Obligation (G.O.) Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2020A

George Eilertson, from Northland Securities reviewed the Bond Sale Summary of May 18, 2020. The City received a rating of ‘A+” by S&P Global Ratings. George shared that interest rates have decreased resulting in the negotiated sale amount of $5,745,000 being reduced to $5,550,000. This is also due to reoffering premium, and an unused discount. The City received five bids with the bond being purchased by United Bankers’ Bank, Bloomington, MN with a very good true interest cost of 1.33%.

 

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Resolution No. 42-20, Providing for the Issuance and Sale of $5,550,000 General Obligation (G.O.) Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2020A. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

OLD BUSINESS:

REMOVED from the Table and APPROVED Phased Opening Plan and Preparedness Plan for the International Falls Public Library

MOTION by Councilor Krause to remove from the table to consider a Phased Opening Plan and Preparedness Plan for the International Falls Public Library. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. MOTION by Councilor Buller approving a Phased Opening Plan and Preparedness Plan for the International Falls Public Library beginning May 19, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

REMOVED from the Table and APPROVED opening of City Beach and Playground

MOTION by Councilor Buller to remove from the table the opening/closure of City Beach.  Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.  MOTION by Councilor Krause to open City Beach and the Playground, camping area to remain closed until Governor Walz Executive Order 20-38 rescinded and task the City Beach Committee with preparing a Preparedness Plan to safely open bathrooms and showers.  Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.         

   

APPROVED Notice of City Council Agendas to The Journal on Tuesday’s at 5:00 P.M.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Notice of City Council Agendas to be advertised in The Journal. Notices shall include key points and where to find the full City Council Agenda on the web page and Facebook page. Notices to be submitted by 5:00 P.M. on Tuesdays. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

CONSENT AGENDA:  

None.

   

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVED Resolution No. 43-20, Observance of Pride Month in June 2020

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving Resolution No. 43-20, Observance of Pride Month in June 2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Resolution No. 44-20, Approving amendment to the Koochiching County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving Resolution No. 44-20, approving amendment to the Koochiching County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Preparation and implementation of Inflow and Infiltration Elimination Plan Option 1 – I/I Elim Plan Submittal in November 2020

MOTION by Councilor Buller approving the Preparation and implementation of Inflow and Infiltration Elimination Plan, Option 1 – I/I Elim Plan Submittal in November 2020 with the stipulation if the City does not have the required data that an extension will be needed. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED scheduling Budget and Finance Committee meeting for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving scheduling Budget and Finance Committee meeting for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2020, with Mayor Droba chairing the meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Resolution No. 45-20 Approving Employee Return to Work with Conditions

City Administrator Anderson reviewed the resolution approving the employee to return to work. Anderson stated the following up dates were made to the Resolution. In the fourth WHEREAS removed ‘subject to waiving any obligation of the City to pay for costs if the diagnosed injury is aggravated or worsened as a result of employee performing light duty work and meeting certain terms and conditions’. In the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED removed ‘subject to waiving any liability or obligation of the City to pay for costs if the diagnosed injury is aggravated or worsened as a result of employee performing said light duty work’. Removed number 2. “The employee shall indemnify and hold the City of International Falls harmless from any and all liability whatsoever for further aggravation or injury to the injury diagnosis that is limiting work to light duty, including any future obligations from worker’s compensation claims for said injury;” and Employee will not return as a Firefighter Engineer but will be performing light duties and working with the Blight issues.

Joe Schwartz, Union representative stated he approved of the changes that were made.

 

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving the revised Resolution No. 45-20 approving Employee Return to Work with Conditions. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   
 

Councilor Nelson left the meeting.

   

APPROVED Mayoral appointment of City representative to KCDA

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Mayoral appointment of Mayor Harley Droba as the City representative to KCDA. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

   

APPROVED Mayoral appointment of City representative to the Recreation Commission

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Mayoral re-appointment of Mayor Harley Droba and Ashley Hall, and appointment of Karla Olson-Line as City representatives to the Recreation Commission. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

   

OTHER BUSINESS:

None.

   

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Attorney Shermoen stated he has been working with Kelly Meyers, Building Official, on Commercial Blight issues.

 

The International Falls Police Department April 2020 Activity Report was available for review.

 

The April 2020 Fire/Rescue/EMS Department written report was available for review.

 

The Blight written report dated May 18, 2020 was available for review.

 

The Zoning Violation report dated May 15, 2020 was available for review.

   

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

Mayor Droba shared he was contacted by Abbott Medical inquiring if the City needed any assistance in preparing a preparedness plan. Mayor shared our Public Works preparedness plan with them and they stated it was the best plan they have seen. Also, the local Union asked if they could share our preparedness plan with others as it was written so well. Mayor Droba stated ‘Our City is a leader in the preparation of preparedness plans’.

 

Mayor Droba shared he has been as open as he can be with the community in regards to the COVID-19, he has also been visiting all business to see how they have been doing during this difficult time.

   

AUDIENCE 

Tricia Heibel, Chamber President, thanked the Council for repealing the Ordinance and supporting re-opening our businesses.

   

APPROVED Parade Route from 13th St. to Kerry Park and returning on 11th St. for Pre-School, Kindergarten and High School graduations

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Parade Route from 13th St. to Kerry Park and returning on 11th St. for Pre-School, Kindergarten and High School graduations. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

 

Councilor Buller requested that Mayor Droba contact the County and let them know of the parade route since 11th St. is a County State Aid Highway.

   

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba reminded everyone of the Budget and Finance meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. and the next City Council meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:33 P.M.

 

                    

ATTEST: Harley M. Droba, Mayor

                        

Kenneth R. Anderson, City Administrator

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