APPROVED agenda

Mayor Droba asked if the demolition application for removal of two structures at 2105 and 2107 3^rd Avenue that was tabled at the last meeting should be added to the agenda. City Administrator Anderson stated they did not have all the information they needed to proceed.

MOTION by Councilor Briggs to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilors Ditsch, Briggs, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Buller was inaudible.

APPROVED minutes of the September 8, 2020 regular City Council meeting

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve minutes of the September 8, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilors Ditsch, Briggs, Krause, and Mayor Droba voting ‘yea’ and Councilor Buller was inaudible.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 84-20 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 84-20 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the second monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

A+ Pest Management 

Pest Control 

1,055.00  

69455 

Acme Tools-Grand Forks 

Tools – Storm Sewer 

249.00  

69456 

Amazon Capital Services 

Ambulance Supplies 

239.98

69457 

Andrew Holler 

Lawn Cleanup 

748.00  

69458 

Aqua-Pure Inc.

Quarterly Service

800.00  

69459 

Badiuk Equipment Inc.

Maintenance – Fire Boat

225.80  

69460 

Big Fish Print Solutions 

Blight Inspection Forms 

241.16

69461 

Bound Tree Medical LLC

Ambulance Supplies 

524.30  

69462 

Brian Youso 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69463 

City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101

Water/Sewer Admin Expenses 

9,951.67  

69464 

City of Int’l Falls-Fund 401

Water/Sewer Funds Transfer

66,666.66  

69465 

City of Int’l Falls-Fund 403

Water/Sewer Funds Transfer 

25,760.42  

69466 

Eagle Engraving 

Plaque – Bruce Bergstrom

429.95  

69467 

Earl F Andersen 

Street Signs 

1,366.00  

69468 

Emergency Apparatus Maint Inc.

Repairs – Ladder L-2

44.29  

69469 

Expert T Billing 

Ambulance Transports

3,304.00  

69470 

Falls Lumber Company 

Maintenance – Signs, Tools – Garage

33.75  

69471 

Frontier 

Monthly Telephone Service 

2,475.43  

69472 

Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC

Cloth-Helgeson/Amb, Haz-Siren/Spker

791.95  

69473 

Graybar 

Supplies – Street Lighting

460.31  

69474 

Hawkins Inc.

Aqua Hawk Skma7 – Chem, Chemicals

34,080.19  

69475 

International Code Council  

Code Books 

892.84

69476 

J P Cooke Co 

Animal Licenses 

83.50  

69477 

K & K Meyers Inc.

Building Maintenance – Arena

146.46  

69478 

Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer 

LEC Quarterly Lease

18,750.00  

69479 

Lake of The Woods County

2nd Half Property Tax – Miggins

197.00  

69480 

Macqueen Equipment Inc.

Maint & Repair – San Sewer/Vactor 

2,098.82  

69481 

Marco 

Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange

80.00  

69482 

Menards International Falls 

Sup/Tls-Str/Amb/Wtr/Fire/Grnd/Safty

497.33

69483 

Michael Musich 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69484 

Minnesota Power 

Utilities 

24,779.32  

69485 

MN Dept. of Public Safety

Fire License Plates 

18.00  

69486 

N Kooch Area Sanitary District 

Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge 

91,068.32  

69487

Napa Falls Supply 

Sup/Tls/Prts -#1902/Fire/Strm/Gar/Wtr

268.89  

69488 

Northern Lumber & Hardware 

Sup/Mnt/Tls-Wtr/Str/Strm/Plntr/Sktprk

947.38  

69489 

Office of MNIT Services

Wide Area Network(Wan) Services

260.00  

69490 

Petty Cash – Betty Bergstrom

Sup-Adm/Pol/Fir/Wtr/Str, Lic-Pol/P&R 

420.06  

69491 

Pitney Bowes 

Qtrly Lease-Insert & Mailing System 

691.14  

69492 

PowerPlan

Unit 710l Parts 

76.83  

69493 

Praxair Distribution Inc.

Oxygen – Ambulance

737.79  

69494 

Premier Specialty Vehicles 

2019 Ford Type III Ambulance

171,332.00  

69495 

Rainy Lake Medical Center 

Medical Supplies 

571.21  

69496 

Rainy Lake Oil 

Fuel – Water Dept.

161.10  

69497 

Range Paper Corp 

Cleaning Supplies – Ambulance/Fire

316.81  

69498 

Roche’s Towing 

Towing – Police

80.00  

69499 

ServiceMaster of Intl Falls

Cleaning Services – VNP

3,500.00  

69500 

Shannon’s Inc.

Boiler-Wtr Plnt, Bldg Maint-Libary/Gar

79,941.00  

69501 

Streicher’s Inc.

Clothing Allowance – Franko

157.97  

69502 

Teleflex Medical 

Ambulance Supplies 

59.50  

69503 

Terry Christie 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69504 

Terry Wood 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69505 

The Dent Shop 

2017 Ford Taurus Police

10,160.62  

69506 

The Journal 

Ad-Pleasant Ave/Ally Vac, Agnda/Min

2,505.95  

69507 

The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters 

Gun & Magazine, Rifle Case 

782.37  

69508 

Willi Kostiuk 

Police Benefit 

150.00  

69509 

WMG Lyfjaberg LLC

Medical Director 

300.00  

69510 

Xerox Corporation 

Maint/Monthly Charge – Water Plant 

142.43  

69511 

The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

AFLAC 

Supplemental Insurance 

225.04

100708

AllState – American Heritage

Supplemental Insurance 

9.64 

100709

Bremer Bank NA 

Federal Withholding 

38,807.74

100710

I.U.O.E. Local Central Pension Fund 

Retirement 

4,085.30

100711

City of Int’l Falls

HRA – Police/Fire

546.00

100712

City of Int’l Falls

Health Insurance – 49ers

454.00

100713

IAMAW District W33 

Union Dues 

1,641.00

100714

IF Fire Dept. Relief

Volunteer Firemen Dues

364.00

100715

Intl Falls Ambulance Service 

Dues 

154.00

100716

Int’l Operating Engineers 49ers 

Union Dues 

875.00

100717

I.U.O.E. Local 49ers

Health Reimbursement 

200.00

100718

Justin Franz, Sec/Treas

C.O.P.S.

120.00 

100719

MN Child Support Payment Center

Wage Assignment 

601.46

100720

MN Department of Revenue 

State Withholding 

7,129.94

100721

Empower Retirement 

Deferred Comp 

7,075.00

100722

PERA 

Life Insurance 

96.00

100723

North Kooch Area Sanitary Dist.

Health Insurance

125.00 

100724

PERA 

Retirement 

30,980.14

100725

AUDIENCE:

Dan Grover asked if the money that was received from the CARES Act could be used for COVID testing for the residents of International Falls. Mayor Droba explained that he and Administrator Anderson had discussed this option. Concerns they had were that the test results would only be accurate at the time of the actual testing. They also expressed concerns for the Medical Providers to be able to handle the number of tests and how long it would take to get the test results back.

PUBLIC HEARING:

None.

OPENING BIDS:

APPROVED First reading of Contract Ordinance for Pleasant Avenue Water Main Project

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch approving the first reading of Contract Ordinance for Pleasant Avenue Water Main Project. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED First reading of Ordinance No. 39, 5th Series, An Ordinance Repealing Section 8-30 and Enacting Revised Section 8-30 of the Code of Ordinances for Regulating Recreational and Special Vehicles

City Administrator Anderson explained the ordinance is repealing the existing Section 8-30 ordinance, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle traffic control and regulations, and enact reasonable regulations for the use of recreational and special vehicles on public and private property. The intent is to allow such uses to the extent allowed in state law. Anderson stated that golf carts would need a slow moving emblem and a permit issued by the city every three years.

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving first reading of Ordinance No. 39, 5th Series, An Ordinance Repealing Section 8-30 and Enacting Revised Section 8-30 of the Code of Ordinances for Regulating Recreational and Special Vehicles. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

Mayor Droba credited Councilor Krause for his work to get the ordinance completed in 2020. Councilor Krause commended City Administrator Anderson for all the research and work he did on the ordinance revisions.

APPROVED First reading of Ordinance No. 40, 5th Series, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, Section 2-9, Salaries of Mayor and Councilor, by Adding Per-Meeting Pay

Mayor Droba explained that currently the Mayor receives $350.00 per month salary and Councilors receive $300.00 per month salary, along with a $700.00 annual contingency fee. If approved the monthly salary of the Mayor and Councilors would include additional pay on a per-meeting-basis. Per meeting $45.00, half-day meeting $75.00 and full-day meeting $150.00.

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving first reading of Ordinance No. 40, 5th Series, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, Section 2-9, Salaries of Mayor and Councilor, by Adding Per-Meeting Pay. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED quote of $71,324 from UHL Company for installing a card access, electronic security system for buildings payable from CARES funding and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving quote of $71,324 from UHL Company for installing a card access, electronic security system for buildings payable from CARES funding and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

APPROVED quote of $21,915.81 from Hamilton Medical, Inc. for purchase of Hamilton – T1 Ventilator Package for Ambulance Service payable from CARES funding and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving quote of $21,915.81 from Hamilton Medical, Inc. for purchase of Hamilton – T1 Ventilator Package for Ambulance Service payable from CARES funding and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED quote of $19,455 from Up North Builders for Municipal Building repair/improvements payable from insurance proceeds and authorize signatures

City Administrator Anderson stated the repairs are needed due to the water leak from the drinking fountain. League of Minnesota Cities Insurance proceeds will cover the entire bill except for the $500.00 deductible.

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving quote of $19,455 from Up North Builders for Municipal Building repair/improvements payable from insurance proceeds and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

APPROVED quote of $2,005.50 from Studio B Flooring for Municipal Building carpet/floor repair payable from insurance proceeds, $1,659.49 for upstairs office payable from CARES funds, and $1,598.58 payable from Gen. Govt. Bldgs. and authorize signatures

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving quote of $2,005.50 from Studio B Flooring for Municipal Building carpet/floor repair payable from insurance proceeds, $1,659.49 for upstairs office payable from CARES funds, and $1,598.58 for the 3^rd floor elevator lobby payable from Gen. Govt. Bldgs. and authorize signatures. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

CONSENT AGENDA:

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

NO ACTION TAKEN on North Koochiching Area Sanitary District (NKASD) request for sharing NKASD legal costs for transfer of pipes and lift stations to the City of International Falls

City Administrator Anderson explained that North Koochiching Area Sanitary District requested the City of International Falls to consider sharing in the legal fees for preparing the documents for transfer of pipes and lift stations.

No motion was offered.

APPROVED revised Bill of Sale and Transfer Agreement between City and NKASD

MOTION by Councilor Krause approving Bill of Sale and Transfer Agreement between City and NKASD with the following addition on page 2 ‘Copies of said access and easement rights shall be provided to the City at the time this Transfer Agreement is executed. Access to Pipes for operations, maintenance, and improvement purposes shall be granted by District to the City from South Falls Lift Station No. 1.’ Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVED letter of support for Koochiching County application for Minnesota Highway Freight Program grant

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving letter of support for Koochiching County application for Minnesota Highway Freight Program grant. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 85-20 authorizing to execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement No. 1044887, State Project No. A3601-111 for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition

MOTION by Councilor Briggs adopting Resolution No. 85-20 authorizing to execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement No. 1044887, State Project No. A3601-111 for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 86-20 authorizing to execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement No. 1044886, State Project No. A3601-112 for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch adopting Resolution No. 86-20 authorizing to execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement No. 1044886, State Project No. A3601-112 for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition. Motion seconded by Councilor Briggs and carried unanimously.

NO ACTION TAKEN on Consider Fire Civil Service Commission recommendations of September 18^th

Fire Chief Mannausau stated that the Fire Civil Service Commission interviewed four candidates. He requested that they hold off on the Fire Marshall position until the next City Council Meeting scheduled for October 5, 2020.

No action was taken.

APPROVED Delegating authority to City Administrator to pre-approve quote to purchase new indirect/direct/dimmable lighting in Council Chambers for Council authorization on October 5, 2020

MOTION by Councilor Briggs approving Delegating authority to City Administrator to pre-approve quote to purchase new indirect/direct/dimmable lighting in Council Chambers for Council authorization on October 5, 2020 payable from the CARES fund. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

Scheduled meeting with Ranier City Council

City Administrator Anderson stated he received an email from the City of Ranier requesting a meeting to discuss water rates that are charged to Ranier customers. Meeting with Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2020 at 3:00 P.M.

REPORTS:

Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads 

City Administrator Anderson shared that the 2020 Census in nearly over. All counting efforts are scheduled to end on September 30, 2020. All persons should make effort to be counted.

City Attorney Shermoen stated that one blight case has been fully resolved. Trial has been dismissed as long as the property remains clean with no further issues for one year. The property owner is responsible to pay $150.00 administration fee. City Attorney Shermoen is working on a couple new cases for businesses with blight and proceeding with criminal proceedings on residential blight.

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

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

Fire Chief Mannausau shared the ISO analysis results. International Falls received 04 Public Protection Classification down one from prior year of 05. Chief Mannausau said this was great news. ISO’s Public Protection Classification plays an important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies. Businesses and residents could benefit by receiving a reduction in their insurance premiums.

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

Reports of Mayor and Council Committees

Mayor Droba shared that Recreation Hockey is hoping to have Kerry Park Arena open for hockey as long as Federal and State guidelines can be met.

Mayor Droba would like to schedule a meeting with the Paramedics and EMT’s to discuss any concerns they have.

Mayor Droba shared that the goal of the Budget & Finance Committee is to balance the budget without raising taxes. They are working on determining a levy amount if needed. At this time they are still unsure what the LGA funding will be.

AUDIENCE 

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba shared that a Special City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday September 28, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. and the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:40 P.M.