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 6th day of February 2023 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Droba and Councilors Buller, Holden, and Kalar; Councilor Wegner attended online via Zoom conferencing.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
| APPROVED agenda with additions as presented | MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve agenda with the following additions:
1. Approve snowplow license for Rainy Lake Construction LLC. 2. Approve Wine On-Sale license, 3.2 On Sale Restaurant & Bar License and Restaurant license for The Salty Jester LLC. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the January 17, 2023 regular City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 17, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED minutes of the January 30, 2022 special City Council meeting | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve minutes of the special City Council meeting of January 30, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 08-2023 approving transfers, payment of claims, and accounts payable | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 08-2023 approving transfers, payment of claims and accounts payable for the first monthly City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
CLAIMS
| A+ Pest Management | Pest Control | 477.49 | 75149 |
| ACME Tools-Grand Forks | Maint/Repair Other-Street | 99.00 | 75150 |
| Advasec, Inc. | Cyber Security | 1,988.00 | 75151 |
| Align Chiropractic & Wellness Cntr | Physicals-Taylor, Kostiuk, Magler | 285.00 | 75152 |
| Amazon Capital Services | Automa-Fire, Sup-Admin/Fire/Police | 267.30 | 75153 |
| Ameritas Life Ins. Corp | Dental Insurance Premiums | 1,837.16 | 75154 |
| Anderson Law Offices, P.A. | Legal Fees | 12,645.00 | 75155 |
| Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel | Cleaning Services | 1,080.68 | 75156 |
| Arrowhead Chapter Of ICC | Annual Membership | 135.00 | 75157 |
| Auto Value Int’l Falls | Supplies-Street Garage, Lubricant-Water | 57.26 | 75158 |
| Axon Enterprises, Inc. | 10 Taser 60 Year 4 Payment | 2,910.00 | 75159 |
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums | 2,304.80 | 75161 |
| BCBS of MN | Health Insurance Premiums | 4,150.00 | 75160 |
| Bear’s Port Town Tire | Water-Tires | 1,374.00 | 75162 |
| Bolton & Menk, Inc. | Engineering Services | 78,097.80 | 75163 |
| Border Boxes | Shipping-House/Water Dept/Water Plnt | 117.00 | 75164 |
| Borderland Humane Society | Pound Operation | 2,250.00 | 75165 |
| Bound Tree Medical, LLC | Ambulance Supplies | 1,319.79 | 75166 |
| Bremer Cardmember Service | Autom.-St/BldgOff./Fire/Pol/Admin | 3,669.51 | 75167 |
| Brenda Luettjohann | Travel Expense | 105.00 | 75168 |
| Bronko Nagurski Foundation | Appropriation 2023 | 20,000.00 | 75169 |
| BW Distributing | Maint/Repair Equip-Ambulance | 61.00 | 75170 |
| Cenex Voyageur Fleet | Gas-Amb/Pol/St/Strm/VNP/WtrPlnt | 4,494.47 | 75171 |
| Char Tomczak | Travel Expense | 352.57 | 75172 |
| CherryRoad Media, Inc. | Bid Notices/Minutes | 1,455.32 | 75173 |
| Chocolate Moose Restaurant Co. | Crew Meals | 180.00 | 75174 |
| Citizens for Backus/AB | Appropriation 2023 | 32,000.00 | 75175 |
| City of Int’l Falls-Fund 101 | Water/Sewer Admin Expenses | 271.81 | 75176 |
| City Water Department | City Buildings-Water Usage | 1,739.62 | 75177 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Lodging Tax | 5,164.32 | 75178 |
| Core & Main | Supplies-Water Dept | 526.35 | 75179 |
| Costin Group, Inc. | Govt Relations | 2,000.00 | 75180 |
| Dakota Supply Group | Hydrant Maint | 16,593.79 | 75181 |
| DTN | Automation-Street | 1,200.00 | 75182 |
| Earl F Andersen | Park/Rec-Pickleball Sys | 2,697.95 | 75183 |
| First Independent Bank | Interest-Go Water Rev Note S.2022A | 12,159.00 | 75184 |
| Forest Hill Cemetery Assoc. | 2023 Annual Allocation | 6,400.00 | 75185 |
| Friends Against Abuse | Appropriation 2023 | 800.00 | 75186 |
| Friend’s Garbage Service, LLC | Monthly Garbage Service | 1,863.11 | 75187 |
| Galls, an Aramark Co., LLC | Clothing-S.Wherley/G.Offerdahl | 599.39 | 75188 |
| Gene Emahiser | Acct Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 75189 |
| Gopher State One-Call | Annual Fee/Monthly Billing | 75.65 | 75190 |
| Graybar | Maint & Repair Other-Grds | 304.66 | 75191 |
| H & L Mesabi | Grader Blades-Street | 4,143.60 | 75192 |
| Harley Droba | Annual Std. Expenditure Reimb. | 1,672.10 | 75193 |
| Hawkins, Inc. | Chemicals | 90.00 | 75194 |
| Hotsy Minnesota | St Garage – Maint Repair Equip | 114.65 | 75195 |
| IF Recreation Commission | 1st Half 2022/2023 Funding | 41,500.00 | 75196 |
| Innovative Office Solutions, LLC | Supplies-Police/Administration | 99.68 | 75197 |
| Int’l Falls US Post Office | Permit #79 Escrow | 5,000.00 | 75198 |
| Int’l Falls/Kooch Cty | 2023 Project Allocation | 25,000.00 | 75199 |
| IUOE Local 49 | Health Insurance Premiums | 28,609.00 | 75200 |
| K & K Meyers, Inc. | Door Repairs-VNP/Firehall | 6,275.00 | 75201 |
| KCC TV | Appropriation 2023 | 13,000.00 | 75202 |
| KGHS/KSDM | Fire Winter Safety | 200.00 | 75203 |
| Kooch County Auditor/Treasurer | LEC Quarterly Lease | 18,750.00 | 75204 |
| Kooch County Hwy Dept. | Dyed Fuel-St/Gar/Stlt/Wtr/VNP | 7,772.80 | 75205 |
| Kooch County Public Health | Water Sample Testings 2022 | 2,750.00 | 75206 |
| Kooch Econ. Dev. Authority | Bridge Funding | 100,000.00 | 75207 |
| Lake Superior College | Fire Inst. I Trng-J Baldwin/W Bacon | 1,350.00 | 75208 |
| Lawson Products, Inc. | Supplies-St Lighting/Garage/Electrical | 1,807.38 | 75209 |
| League of Minnesota Cities | Train-Police, Conf Reg-Kalar/Wegner | 2,050.00 | 75210 |
| Linde Gas & Equipment, Inc. | Oxygen-Ambulance | 1,080.53 | 75211 |
| Marco | Antivirus/Microsoft Exchange | 80.00 | 75212 |
| Marco Technologies, LLC | Contract/Print/Copy-Fire/Adm/Pw | 1,569.21 | 75213 |
| MedicareBlue Rx | Health Insurance Premiums | 1,848.00 | 75214 |
| Menards International Falls | Sup-Adm/Amb/Fire/IT/St/Stlt/Wtr | 510.85 | 75215 |
| Meyers Glass | Door Repair-VNP | 4,611.40 | 75216 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Cable-Fire/Amb, Internet-WtrPlnt/Gar | 524.90 | 75217 |
| Minnesota Energy Resources | Utilities | 4,913.15 | 75218 |
| Minnesota Industries | Tools-Fire, Supplies-Water Dept/Street | 441.02 | 75219 |
| Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. | Conference Reg-Brokaw/Wallace/Kelly | 825.00 | 75220 |
| Minnesota Safety Council | Membership Dues | 635.00 | 75221 |
| MN Pollution Control Agency | Landfill Oper. Continue Ed.-Brokaw | 240.00 | 75222 |
| MN DNR-Eco & Water Resources | 2023 Public Water Use Permit | 1,404.31 | 75223 |
| N Kooch Area Sanitary District | Effluent/Backwash/Surcharge | 72,854.53 | 75224 |
| North American Bank Co.Woodbury | Inserting System Lease | 181.75 | 75225 |
| Northern Lights Display | Maint/Repair Other-Street | 359.09 | 75226 |
| Northland Sales & Service | Maint/Repair-Water Plant | 1,598.99 | 75227 |
| Office of MNIT Services | Wide Area Network(Wan) Services | 267.73 | 75228 |
| O’Reilly Automotive Inc | Amb/Fire/Gar/Sew/St/Wtr | 1,093.55 | 75229 |
| Paul Costley | Acct Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 75230 |
| PowerPlan | Parts-Unit 644J/644k/126 | 957.90 | 75231 |
| Project Pride, c/o Cindy Youso | July-December 2022 | 3,866.48 | 75232 |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center | Medical Supplies | 474.15 | 75233 |
| Rainy River Community College | 2022-2023 Healthcare Partnership | 20,000.00 | 75234 |
| Range Paper Corp | Sup-Amb/Fire/Gar/Grnds/Wtr/VNP | 1,483.26 | 75235 |
| Roche’s Towing | Towing-Police | 170.00 | 75236 |
| ServiceMaster of Intl Falls | Cleaning Services-VNP | 4,725.00 | 75237 |
| Shannon’s Inc. | Sup-VNP, M&R- VNP/Garage, Pro Srvc | 2,971.25 | 75238 |
| Soundnorth | Supplies-Admin/IT | 58.99 | 75239 |
| Stephen F. Befort | Arbitration Hearing-Cancellation Fee | 700.00 | 75240 |
| Streicher’s, Inc. | Cloth-Franko/Franz/Magler/Offerdahl | 3,014.83 | 75241 |
| Stryker Sales Corp | Ambulance Cot Matrss-4 | 1,868.66 | 75242 |
| Sun Life Financial | Life Insurance Premiums | 558.17 | 75243 |
| SWG Holdings, LLC | Acct Deposit Refund | 40.00 | 75244 |
| The Dent Shop | 2020 Ford Police Interceptor-Unit 2004 | 843.09 | 75245 |
| The Nelson Trust | Health Insurance Premiums | 39,188.65 | 75246 |
| UHL Company, Inc. | Maint of Equipment-City Hall/Fire | 2,608.37 | 75247 |
| United Parcel Service | Acct Deposit Refund | 20.00 | 75248 |
| Verizon Wireless | Monthly Cellular Service | 1,662.46 | 75249 |
| Viking Electric Supply, Inc. | Supplies-Electrical | 436.81 | 75250 |
| Viking Industrial Center | Maint-Water Plant | 209.44 | 75251 |
| Wagner Construction, Inc. | Pay Est. 2-S. Sewer Realign. Greentech | 41,766.63 | 75252 |
| WEX Bank | Gas-Amb/Fire/Grnds/Haz/Hous/P&R | 7,364.79 | 75253 |
| Widseth | Engineering Services | 834.00 | 75254 |
| Xerox Corporation | Maint/Monthly Charge-Water Plant | 42.07 | 75255 |
| Ziegler, Inc. | Parts-Street Dept | 123.25 | 75256 |
| The following checks were issued under blanket authorization: | |||
| AFLAC | Supplemental Insurance | 182.08 | 101685 |
| All State-American Heritage | Supplemental Insurance | 9.64 | 101686 |
| Bay Bridge Administrators, LLC | Supplemental insurance | 364.30 | 101687 |
| Bremer Bank, NA | Federal Withholding | 39,672.07 | 101688 |
| I.U.O.E. Central Pension Fund | Retirement | 4,341.90 | 101689 |
| Intl Falls Ambulance Service | Dues | 175.00 | 101690 |
| Justin Franz, Sec/Treas. | C.O.P.S. | 110.00 | 101691 |
| MN Child Support Pmt Center | Wage Assignment | 604.05 | 101692 |
| MN Department of Revenue | State Withholding | 7,504.67 | 101693 |
| Empower Retirement | Deferred Compensation | 8,918.00 | 101694 |
| PERA | Retirement | 34,298.31 | 101695 |
| RCB Collections, Inc. | Wage Assignment | 290.04 | 101696 |
| Sun Life Financial | Supplemental Life Insurance | 803.81 | 101697 |
| The Hartford | Voluntary LTD Insurance | 723.52 | 101698 |
| United Way of NE MN Inc. | Employee Donation | 15.00 | 101699 |
| AUDIENCE | Tammie Doebler, Court Reporter, Koochiching County and Kate Oland, Probation Officer shared the upcoming Town Hall meeting to discuss the community’s current opioid, alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse challenges at Backus Community Center on February 8, 2023 at 6:30 P.M. Everyone is encouraged to attend. |
| PUBLIC HEARING | None. |
| OPENING BIDS | None. |
| OLD BUSINESS:
INFORMATIONAL: Title Opinion for City of International Falls properties |
City Attorney Nelson shared that she was able to find out that if an opinion was to be done on all titles ‘held’ by the City of International Falls the iDoc system that is used to store the titles only goes back to the 1970’s. Public Works Director has requested a title opinion be done on the Airport property and two Right of Way properties. Cost for a title opinion is $250.00. Cost for a Right of Way easement is $150.00 – $250.00.
Mayor Droba and the council determined to move forward with title opinions on the Airport and two Right of Way properties. |
| APPROVED second and final reading of the Contract Ordinance #980 setting water and sewer rates | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve second and final reading of Contract Ordinance #980 setting rates collected as revenue supporting utility operations. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED as presented |
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Ameritas Dental Insurance Renewal Correction. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership with the International Falls Bass Championship for the 2023 International Falls Bass Championship Tournament |
Tara Arndt, Facilities board member for the International Falls Bass Tournament requested the City of International Falls partnership with them for the 2023 International Falls Bass Tournament. Ms. Arndt also requested use of Smokey Bear Park and thanked the Public Works department for the great job they did in 2022 and how beneficial they are to the success of the tournament.
MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve use of Smokey Bear Park and partnership with the International Falls Bass Championship Tournament scheduled for August 24-26, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 09-2023 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual 2023 International Falls Bass Championship Tournament | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 09-2023 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Annual International Falls Bass Championship Tournament to be on held on August 24-26, 2023 at Smokey Bear Park.
Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 10-2023 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 10-2023 approving the International Falls Bass Championship application for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets with the drawings to be held Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Smokey Bear Park, 600 Third Street, International Falls, MN. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Amendment 1 for the State of Minnesota Contract DPS/SFM Hazmat PT_FY23-FY24 for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) Contract No. 220249 | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve Amendment 1 for the State of Minnesota Contract DPS/SFM Hazmat PT_FY23-FY24 for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) Contract No. 220249 and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to execute the amendment. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED the St. Louis County Rural Ambulance Service Assistance Contract, as amended | MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the contract for St. Louis County Rural Ambulance Service Assistance as amended. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Enterprise leasing program for city vehicles | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve use of Enterprise leasing program for city vehicles. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 11-2023 approving the application from the Koochiching County Food Access for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 11-2023 approving the application from the Koochiching County Food Access for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets with the drawings to be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Library Bistro, 1323 3rd St, International Falls, MN. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion carried 3-0-1, with Mayor Droba, Councilors Holden and Buller voting “yea” and Councilor Kalar abstaining. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 12-2023 approving application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary, on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club’s Annual Men’s Hockey Tournament | MOTION by Councilor Kalar to adopt Resolution No. 12-2023 approving the application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary, on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club’s Annual Men’s Hockey Tournament on March 17-19, 2023.
Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 13-2023 approving application from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation-Ash River for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets | MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 13-2023 approving the application from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation-Ash River for an exempt permit to sell raffle tickets with the drawings to be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Backus Community Center, 900 5th St, International Falls, MN. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| ACCEPTED letter of resignation from part-time Patrol Officer, Carter Lagergren, effective February 12, 2023 | MOTION by Councilor Buller to accept letter of resignation from part-time Patrol Officer, Carter Lagergren, effective February 12, 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| ADOPTED Resolution No. 14-2023 approving the 2023 Wages and Benefits for Nonunion Employees | MOTION by Councilor Holden to adopt Resolution No. 14-2023 approving the 2023 Wages and Benefits for Nonunion Employees. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Reappointment of Barb Albert to the Housing & Redevelopment Authority | Mayor Droba shared he would like to reappoint Barb Albert to the Housing & Redevelopment authority along with his previous appointment of Joe Krause. Droba feels it is important to have a member on the board who benefits from the services they provide. City Attorney Nelson contributed to the conversation stating the HRA board may have 5-7 board members with one executive director.
MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve reappointment of Barb Albert to the Housing & Redevelopment Authority for a five year term, effective January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED snowplow license for Rainy Lake Construction LLC
|
MOTION by Councilor Kalar to approve snowplow license for Rainy Lake Construction LLC for the remainder of 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Holden and carried unanimously. |
| APPROVED Wine On-Sale license, 3.2 On Sale Restaurant & Bar License and Restaurant license for The Salty Jester, LLC
|
Mayor Droba shared they reviewed The Salty Jesters business license application at the Legislation and Land Use meeting prior to the City Council meeting. Droba recommended the council approve the application upon the Building Officials approval to ensure all requirements are met for this type of business at 321 3rd Street in International Falls. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve Wine On-Sale license, 3.2 On Sale Restaurant & Bar License and Restaurant license for The Salty Jester, LLC upon approval from the Building Official for the remainder of 2023. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| Reports of the Administrator, Attorney, and Department Heads | City Attorney Nelson reviewed her January 2023 monthly report with the council.
The Public Works 2022 Annual report was available for review. |
| Reports of Mayor and Council Committees | Councilor Kalar informed the council of the Koochiching Warrior Initiative gathering at Backus in room 208 on February 8, 2023.
Mayor Droba shared he went to the State Capitol last week to discuss the Kerry Park project and Ambulance service concerns. Droba met with Senators and Representatives and shared they were very supportive. Mayor Droba requested a special Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to discuss the city’s position on the Recreation Commissions with the pending retirement of the Director. Special meeting will be held on February 16, 2023 at 4:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. |
| APPROVED amended language to item #10 in the St. Louis County Rural Ambulance Service Assistance Contract | Fire Chief Mannausau shared that he just received an email in regards to the St. Louis County Rural Ambulance Service Assistance Contract that was discussed earlier in the meeting stating new language updates for item #10 ‘Pick-ups must be outside the primary service area of the reporting ambulance company and outside the corporate limits of any other reporting ambulance company, but within St Louis County’ be changed to ‘Pick-ups must be outside the corporate limits of the municipality of the reporting ambulance company and outside the corporate limits of any other reporting ambulance company, but within St Louis County’. MOTION by Councilor Holden to approve the amended contract language for item #10 in the St. Louis County Rural Ambulance Service Assistance contract. Motion seconded by Councilor Kalar and carried unanimously. |
| AUDIENCE | None. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mayor Droba reminded everyone that City Offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023 in observance of the Presidents’ Day Holiday. As a result of this holiday, he further stated the next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:38 P.M. |
Harley M. Droba, Mayor
Attest:
Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator
