Regular City Council Meeting 04/21/08

April 21
2008
6:30 P.M.

A regular meeting of the City Council of International Falls, Minnesota, was held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the 21st day of April 2008 at the hour of 6:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilors Eklund, McBride, Meyers and Rognerud, Mayor Mason

MEMBERS ABSENT: none

Motion by Councilor Eklund to approve minutes of the regular city council meeting of April 7, 2008. Motion seconded by Councilor McBride and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for administrative costs to General fund 101 in the amount of $26,833.00. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Eklund to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for sewer permanent improvements to Permanent Improvement fund 401 in the amount of $10,000.00. Motion seconded by Councilor McBride and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for employee PERA payments to PERA fund 803 in the amount of $7,228.00. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor McBride to approve payment of the following claims from various funds of the city.

CLAIMS
Library Board 8,560.74
408-Praxair Distribution Inc Oxygen 55.04
ABE Environmental Systems Ventilation Project 750.00
Ambulance Claims Processing Ambulance Calls Billed 1,083.00
Ameripride Linen & Apparel Ser Cleaning Service 994.44
Ameritas Dental Insurance Premiums 2,589.56
Aspen Publishers Inc OSHA Manual 108.20
Badiuk Equipment Inc Supplies - Park & Rec 178.49
Ballan Furniture Inc Carpet - Elevator 86.95
Barney's Family Restaurant Crew Meals 34.86
Battalion Distributing Ice Bags/Supplies Fire Dept 154.75
BCBS of MN Health Insurance Premiums 3,660.00
Bemidji Welders Supply Inc Supplies 89.24
Benchmark Engineering Inc Wetlands-Econ Dev 9,082.50
Bill Ewald Euthanasia-5 Cats & 1 Dog 210.00
Bound Tree Medical LLC Ambulance Supplies 394.65
Bruce Wilson Safety Boot Allowance 50.00
Canon Financial Services Inc Copier Mtc Agreement-LEC 101.96
City of Int'l Falls-Fund 101 Water Adm Expenses 26,833.00
City of Int'l Falls-Fund 401 Transfer-Sanitary Sewer Escrow 10,000.00
City of Int'l Falls-Fund 803 Water Pera Transfer 7,228.00
City of Ranier Account Deposits 840.00
Corrin's Plumbing & Heating Library 2,509.98
Cummins Npower LLC Generator Ck-Water Plant 31.67
Daily Journal Legal Ads 784.31
Falls Lumber Co Inc Library 42.55
Falls Memorial Hospital Advertising/Nurse
Reimbursements 2,660.52
Fargo Water Equipment Supplies 51.55
Frontier Comms of America Long Distance 136.38
Gary Skallman Travel Expense 125.95
Gopher State One-Call Inc Monthly Bill 35.60
Graybar Electric Replace. Parts 3rd-4th St/
Conduit 729.70
Guardian Pest Ctrl Inc Pest Control 384.84
Husky Spring Unit 11 - Parts 60.57
Int'l Falls Thrifty White Ambulance Supplies 28.78
Joe Boyle Travel Expense 70.00
K & K Meyers Inc Cart - Bldg & Grds 69.21
KGHS/KSDM Advertisements 1,326.00
Koerter's Amoco Gas-Water Dept 503.09
Kooch Co Court Administrator R Urban Hazardous
Bldg Hearing 250.00
Lab Safety Supply Inc Safety Glasses - City Employees 103.36
Lawson Products Inc Supplies-Electrical 610.89
MacQueen Equipment Inc Parts-Street Dept 3,504.43
Marco Software-License Renewal 1,602.83
Martel Electronics Inc 2008 Ford 150 / Equipment 6,040.00
Menards International Falls Supplies-Water Plant/
Elec/Street 794.62
Mesabi Bituminous Cold Mix 4,528.37
MN Dept of Labor & Industry License Renewal-Christie 20.00
MN Dept of Labor And Industry Inspection-Kerry Park Rink 35.00
MN Dept of Revenue Sales Tax 2,253.00
Moore Medical, LLC Ambulance Supplies 400.31
North Star Publishing Bldg Seminar Booklets 621.65
Paul Eklund Medical Reimbursement 416.39
Physio-Control Inc Qtrly Maint Agreement 1,176.55
Progressive Business Publ Subscription-Safety Dir 357.84
Range Paper Corp Supplies 25.99
Reid Toninato Boot Allowance 50.00
Richard Johnson Police Benefit 150.00
Ronald Rogers Police Benefit 150.00
Rural Cellular Corp Cellular Phone Service 189.97
Shannon's Inc Water Plant 369.32
Stock Tire Company Tire Repair- Water Dept 17.09
Void -
Streicher's Clothing Allow-Police Dept 1,909.69
Super One Council Mtg Supplies 18.96
Tim McBride Medical Reimbursement 1,067.65
Tri State Bobcat Inc Parts 862.63
Uniforms Unlimited Clothing Allowance-Lessard 16.50
United States Plastic Corp Supplies - Water Plant 164.49
United Truck Body Co Repair-Fire Department 515.77
Weschem Inc Electrical Supplies 667.80
Wherley Motor Sales 2008 Ford F150 - Patrol Vehicle 23,358.50
Williams Steel & Hardware Supplies-Street Garage 87.13
Xerox Corporation Maint Agreement/Toner 2,092.66
Zee Medical Service First Aid Supplies-Water/
Gar./Police 153.99

Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.
The following checks were issued under blanket authorization:

MN Benefits Association MBA 87.95
MN NCPERS Life Insurance PERA Life Ins 208.00
IAMAW District W3 Union Dues 916.05
Intl Union of Oper Engineers Union Dues 660.00
Tom Lynch, Sec/Treas C.O.P.S. 91.00
Intl Falls Ambulance Service Dues 98.00
I.U.O.E. Local 49 Health Reimbursement 1100.00
I.U.O.E. Central Pension Fund Retirement 1,482.24
United Way of NE Minnesota Inc Contribution 10.00
AFLAC Suppl Ins 279.62
TruStar Federal Credit Union Savings 1,397.00
Border States Bank Savings 695.00
MN Department of Revenue State Withholding 5,989.43
Bremer Bank NA Fed Withholding 30,989.89
Wells Fargo Bank Bonds 600.00
Bremer Bank Savings 250.00
Intl Falls Fire Dept Relief 1040.00
MN Child Support Pmt Ctr Wage Assignment 1,036.43
PERA Retirement 19,441.67
Orchard Trust Co Trustee/Custo Deferred Comp 7,011.00

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve the consent agenda as follows:
∑ Approve/allow registration expense only in the amount of $395 for CPR Trainer/EMT Pauline Costley to attend the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Conference in Las Vages, NV June 13-15
Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

Adam Coe, Administrator of Good Samaritan Society of International Falls, addressed the council. He requested a letter of support for rebuilding the nursing home with 48 beds together with a 24 unit assisted living facility. He also asked assistance with mitigation of wetlands on the project site adjacent to the clinic and proposed new hospital. Motion by Councilor Meyers to authorize letter of support including assistance with wetland mitigation. Motion seconded by Councilor Rognerud and carried unanimously.

Councilor Meyers reported that the Finance and Legislation Committee is recommending additional funding for the Airport Commission. Councilor Eklund noted that additional funding is needed to complete planned construction projects because of reduction in federal funding and equal amounts are being requested from both city and county. Motion by Councilor Meyers to approve additional funding in the amount of $8700 and a loan of $21,500. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

Councilor Rognerud stated that preliminary discussion with the county regarding a taxing district suggest that support would be forthcoming if the city agreed to taper off its funding rather than reduce it abruptly after creation of a district. Joe Schwartz, Gordy Dault and Roger Jerome addressed the council on behalf of the Recreation Commission and in support of creation of a subordinate taxing district within the boundaries of ISD #361 to include the City of International Falls. Motion by Councilor Meyers to send letter of support in favor of creation of taxing district and agreeing that the council would continue funding of $60,000 in the first year of such a district, $45,000 in the second, $30,000 in the third, $15,000 in the fourth, and $0 in the fifth. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

City Attorney Boyle reported on the results of the Dispute Resolution Board hearing on April 11, 2008. Council members agreed to go into closed session to discuss litigation at the end of other business.

Motion by Councilor McBride to send proposed letter to Falls Memorial Hospital agreeing with recommended governance changes proposed by the Falls Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor McBride to authorize payment of $650 for wetland consulting fees to Aquatic EcoSolutions, Inc. for consulting on the Rainy Lake Marine project. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Eklund to hire the following as summer help:
Street Department – Karn Fraik, Andrew Katrin, Josh Hardy, Riley Burnell, Katie Morriseau, Burke Bolstad, Bjorn Johnson, Katie Prettyman, Kelsea Davis, Emma Pavleck, Andrea Pautz, Max Ducharme, Bryce Hjelle, Jenna Wood
Water Department – Rory Hendrickson, Ryan Davis, Sarah Bradley, Tony Zubriski
Administration – Mallory Bigler
Motion seconded by Councilor McBride and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor McBride to appoint Cheryl Mickow to the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. Motion seconded by Councilor Rognerud and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to authorize publication of Mayoral Proclamation recognizing National Day of Prayer on May 1, 2008. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Police Chief Raboin requested authority to test for full-time Patrol Officers and for Deputy Chief roster. Motion by Councilor McBride to authorize testing. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor McBride to send letter of thanks to Falls Police Department recognizing the work of the department and assisting agencies in arresting a juvenile believed to have made recent terroristic threats at the school. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve expenses for advertising City Beach volunteer clean-up day. Motion seconded by Councilor Meyers and carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilor Rognerud to close meeting to discuss litigation regarding Dispute Resolution Hearing on CSAH 155 aka new Hwy 332. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

[The council went into closed session.]

Mayor Mason reconvened the council in open session.

Motion by Councilor McBride directing counsel to send letter to Commissioner of Transportation Sorel challenging the legality of the Dispute Resolution Hearing Board decision. Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

Shawn Mason, Mayor

ATTEST:
Rodney Otterness
City Administrator

The Daily Journal
May 12, 2008