It's 5:30. I will call this City of International Falls regular city council meeting to order. Please rise as we say the pledge. >> Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which
it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We're having some technical difficulties as the internet uh is out at the moment. Just so everyone in attendance is aware
and for the record, all members of the council are present for this evening's meeting. Would like to get the agenda approved. Is there any additions or deletions? >> Move to approve the agenda. >> Thank you, councelor Buller.
>> Second. And councelor Wgner. Is there any discussion? >> Would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> I'll vote yes. And the agenda is approved unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to approval of minutes from prior
meetings. First, minutes of the Monday, April 6th, 2026 regular city council meeting. Second, minutes of the Monday, April 13, 2026 committee of the whole meeting.
And third, minutes of the Monday, April 13, 2026 special city council meeting. >> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. discussion on those minutes. Seeing none, I'd ask a
question. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the minutes are again approved unanimously. Thank you. We have payments of claims and transfers.
City of International Falls claims of $431,535.80. 80 International Falls Public Library Board claims of $4,435.7 for total accounts payable and claims
$435,97087. Questions on the bills as presented? would ask for a motion at this time to approve. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> A second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion? >> And the question? >> I >> I
>> I >> I'll vote yes. And transfers and payments are approved. 5-0. Thank you. At this time, if anyone uh in the room would like to come forward uh to address the council, you may. If you do, name
and address and uh time limit of 5 minutes. Thank you. >> Hello, council. My name is Lois Lundine, uh 2222 3rd Avenue East. Um I'm here to ask I would like to speak to you about an item that is on the agenda. I'm not
going to ask you to respond to questions, but I wanted to provide some citizen input on number 10. So, if it's all right with you, I would like to ask permission to do that, please. No, it's not typical. >> Yes, you may. Say anything you would like.
>> Thank you. Um the the question that I'm raising is about the purchase of the K Cabota um lawn or the the K Cabota utility vehicle to be paid for with auction proceeds. Um, I read this, it was a bit concerning to me because of
our city's financial position these days. Um, I look at, um, I read through this, I looked at what it is including, what it, what, um, is involved with this. The base price on the piece of equipment is $31,999.
The price of all of the attachments is $32,15952. When you take the discount out, it comes to $54,35.73. Now, I understand that this is going to be purchased with the proceeds from an auctioned piece, something that will go to auction or maybe already has. I don't
know. Um, but that is the intent that those dollars would be used to purchase this piece of equipment. Um, but I just I question whether or not that's the best move that we should make as a city at this point in time. I look at all of the debt that we have. I look at the the
debt that we've incurred. I look at the expenses that we have coming up and I I can't help but ask, is this a want or is this a need? Do we do we have a need that we need to replace this equipment? Um there are a lot of nice features. There are a lot of really nice
accessories, but is it necessary? Is this something that we need to spend our money on? Um or do we is this a pressing need? Um I can think of a lot of places where we maybe should put this money. Um I I do believe that we have a moral
obligation to our citizens to reduce our debt and this would be an opportunity to consider to do that. So as you take this to vote tonight, please do consider that. Um I think it sets a precedent to future purchases as well. Um that and that we need to look at our spending in
the city. Thank you. >> Thank you. My name is Bobby Bernath. I live at 19006th Avenue. I've been looking at these um leases in the in in multiple
months. Is there a year or is there a time frame that we have to stop the leases in the vehicles? I'm I'm just I just pulled one out here. For example, like the police squad lease is
$6,000, $92123 a month. Is that correct? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, is that something that you guys can is it every year that you
can change the lease or is there a you know what I'm saying a time frame on that? >> Okay. I've done the calculations on it and if you were to purchase those vehicles over that four year time frame four your
time frame >> we're saving 126,000 >> by leasing over owning. >> Okay. So after four years we own them. >> Yep. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. I didn't quite understand that because sometimes when
you go to lease things at the end of the lease then you can buy it for a certain amount of money on some cars. So I just wanted to understand that a little bit. So thank you. >> Thank you. There will be an opportunity uh towards
the end of the meeting to come forward for forward if you so choose. We have no business on the consent agenda this evening. We'll move to new business. And first, uh, like to welcome Kate Severson, the program manager for
interpretation, education, and public affairs, as well as Brian Harmon, the acting superintendent with a Voyagers National Park Service update. Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> So, thank you for having us here. And again, I'm Brian Harmon, the acting superintendent at Voyagers National Park, which is at 360 Highway 11 East. Um, as you know, um, I am still the
acting superintendent, uh, following Bob Deg Gross's retirement in, um, May. And when I am not the acting superintendent, my permanent position is the program lead for natural and cultural resources.
Uh, and I would like to start off first of all by saying uh thank you Mayor Dill for uh the pro for proclaiming April 13th to 20th as International Dark Sky Week in International Falls. Um, I for
one am very appreciative of the continued collaboration of the local communities in the park in sort of protecting and highlighting the the dark skies here. Um certainly that sort of protection is
both ecologically beneful beneficial and also draws uh tourism and visitors to not just the park but the surrounding communities as well. Um and you know I would just on a personal note there are many great things about living in
International Falls and being able to easily see the the Milky Way and the northern lights is is one of those great things for me. So again, thank you so much. Uh, a management update from the park
is uh, officer Jeff Quam who operates out of Crane Lake is the acting chief of law enforcement after Josh Wentz took a position at another park. And we have one new law enforcement
officer on staff who operates out of Kabatogama. And in May, we are expecting a another law enforcement officer to join us after he finishes his training. One of the really big events in the park
last year was the 50th anniversary of Voyagers National Park. And we celebrated this through opening uh the museum collection to a tour in April, having a birthday event at the Rain Lake Visitors Center, and
participating in local events like Grineer Days, the International Falls uh Fourth of July parade and the Home for the Holidays parade. I love being in in parades and so um as the whole park was the parade marshall for the Fourth of
July parade, I had an absolute blast and again uh thank you guys so much for for that. Looking ahead to 2026, one of the biggest things that is going to be happening in the park is the replacement of about 13 miles of
underwater cable from Moose River to Kettle Falls. That electrical line was put in in the 1980s and is definitely ready to be replaced to ensure safe and reliable power to the hotel and all the
other facilities out at Kettle Falls. the work. We're expecting the work to take place uh starting in spring of this year through fall and then in 2027 there'll be some additional work uh just on the land at Kettle Falls
when the cable is being laid out to Kettle Falls. Um that'll obviously happen on Namekin Lake and there will be some temporary slow zones around the barge that's laying the cable and as that um moves forward there'll be
updates through press releases uh social media the park website and things like that. Also, um, in the Rainy Lake area and the Ash River area, uh, there'll be road, parking lot, and walkway walkway repairs
and improvements. These are anticipated to be either this year or 2027 depending on how the contracting process plays out. Um, and when this happens, um, there will be occasionally temporary closures, traffic delays, but advanced
notice will be provided of that. as far in advance as possible. And it is I do want to note that Kabatogama and the Cran Lake visitor centers aren't impacted by this. It's the Rain Lake Visitor Center and the Ash
River Visitor Center. And also we are continuing our ongoing um multi-year effort to restore wetlands in the park which consists of removal of invasive cattails
and then either naturally letting the area uh return to a native wetland state or or planting seeds. Last year we treated 24 acres and you know the benefits of restoring
wetlands to the native to their native condition. It improves habitat for native fish, for birds, for wildlife. Uh it's great for the overall ecosystem and uh fisheries health as well. Um and also good for boat navigation getting the cattails out of there.
So, those are a little look back at 2025, the some of the very big things that are happening in 2026. And uh well, um if there are questions, I'll be happy to to answer those. Well, first thank you for all you do in
the community and um for being a part of the parade and um it's been well, I suppose coming up on 51 years and um you're all very committed uh to what you do and we really appreciate that and uh
some of the projects and the updates. We certainly enjoy hearing about and um of course the park service in a way uh in a big way is a partner of the city more than if you were just here uh anyway because of the
of the headquarters. So that's something that has worked well for the city and for you and I think it's added to um what we have together. >> Yeah. questions from the council at this time. >> I don't have a question, but I'd just
like to invite them to feel free to have a float in this year's parade, too. >> Absolutely. >> And tell your >> and every year you're following. Yeah. And neighbors and >> on your sentiment, if you like parades, we, you know, there's a Fourth of July committee you can be.
>> Oh my god. >> You can really help with the >> Did I see a Yes. Um well, thank you for the update and um had the pleasure of knowing Jeffwam down in Crane Lake and
>> his wife and great family and so it's >> we have dedicated people and >> all of those spots that makes it all happen. So, thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much and thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next we have our second item, another
update with Brad Crassaway, Denita Edestad, and Marine Wakano. >> Wakanabo. >> Wakanabo, I'm sorry. Excuse me. And uh with Minnesota North Colleges. Good evening.
>> Wakanobo. Lakavo. >> Lacanavo. Thank you. I want to get it right. We appreciate that. Thank you. >> Mayor Dale counselors, thanks for having us come. um our our primary reason for
being here is is to actually give thanks to the council, but I don't know if it's the educator in me or otherwise, but um I feel that we have to take a step back and and look at the history of how we got to this point first before we can let you know how we're moving forward and how we're currently doing. Uh
because some of you weren't here at the at the inception. And so back in 2012, I won't go back to the early '7s, so I'll I'll let you not do that. Back in 2012, there was a major shift in nursing accreditation uh across
the country. It was a national change and it forced us to redesign the way the program was offered at the college versus how it's offered now or how it now it needed to be offered after that. And so we went to a partnership with what was then Itasca Community College.
And in order to be able to make that pivot, um some sacrifices had to be made. And for instance, the delivery at that time almost was exclusively by Zoom and online and clinicals were conducted by primarily by part-time faculty. Um,
academic adviserss and admission specialists were located off campus and students in that first year of that transition because it was so major felt fairly stuck um and not nearly as supported as the previous cohorts. This continued for a few years until I actually ended up having a conversation
in 2015 with the um the executive at the essential health here locally at the clinic. And he told me that over the past year they had been searching for LPN through the paper and online as an open perpetual job announcement and have
only had one successful candidate in that one year. And so between that conversation and some others, we ended up having a healthc care summit, uh, Cuching County Healthcare Forum on campus at the Rainy River campus in the theater and nearly 100 people showed up
and we had a panel of Rain Lake Medical Center, Essentia, Good Samaritan, others in the healthcare community up on stage along with others in the community that were concerned about what was going on in the community and the workforce shortage that we had. So through that forum two main issues came out of it.
One was that we had a lack of adequate child care in the community and two was that we need to renew invest in and have more graduates coming out of the rainy river program um at the college. And so actually that evening all the key
players in the room and under the leadership of then mayor Anderson, then county commissioner Rob Ecklan, County Commissioner U. McBride um got together and said we need to create a public private partnership to be able to help fund the future of this
individual program. Um I went off my notes for way too long. So what they decided, what they wanted to do and what the college needed the most was to have an active healthcare program director located on campus and have at least the most as possible delivered
online and by Zoom. Um well here we are uh 10 years later having raised almost three quarter of a million dollars from entities such as Rain Lake Medical Center, Essentia Health, Good Sam, the county, the department of agriculture
actually and you the city. Um and we are now a self- sustaining educational partner with a thriving nursing program thanks to you primarily and under your leadership and I appreciate that. But it's also thanks to the individual in
which we were able to hire. And since 2017 until May of this coming year, Denita Edestad has been that director in that spot and she's now announced her retirement for this coming May. But we were lucky enough to be able to have
such a large nursing um applicant pool this year and in influx of nursing students that not only did we have Denita on campus as a full-time, but we were also able to bring Marina on board as the full-time as a year of transition. So Denita could help Marine
on board, get used to the program, how we do things, and then once Denita retires in May, um hands the keys over to Marine. And so that is your history lesson for today. So I apologize for that. Um but I'm gonna hopefully I didn't steal too much thunder and I'm gonna give it to him.
>> I don't have notes as nice as you did. But I think that part of the reason he can go off his notes is because it's obviously something we're very passionate about and um I've been in nursing education for 30ome years in a variety of different areas. Um but this
is my opportunity to go full-time and we spent I spent quite a bit of time the first couple of years doing recruitment outreach etc. Uh the paper that I handed out to you uh takes a look at what we've graduated out over the last 10 years of
nursing students. Uh it is uh I total on my RN side is 62 graduates and the LPN side is 91. Um, but a lot of those LPNs went on to their RN. Okay, so they have
that mobility. Uh, you can see there's been years where we've ebbed and flowed. Maybe the RN side was a little bit higher and the LPN side was a little bit lower, but it had that balance out. Uh I would say that uh other than grabbing a few out of bed, the majority of our
students have been local uh a lot of um single moms, uh parents, an opportunity that had they have needed to go to another community, they would never have taken that to get their nursing degrees. So because of this group uh we were able
to continue to um have our program and to grow our program uh to be successful and to change a hundred people's lives because we graduated them from the nursing program. Uh we also I gave you
numbers for um LPN's RNs. We also have had trained medication aid courses and uh certified nursing assistant courses and that has helped to meet the healthcare needs of the community also. So those have been very important. Um, I did do, and this is, don't like quote me
or um, fact check my income that I gave you, but I took an approximation of what an RN uh, would make and looked at working a full-time job. And I gave you an annual number there of approximately
um, $5 million that we're generating in uh, income in our community. And then I only had seven LPNs because a lot of them have gone back. So, I did add that number. Also, um mobility across the states. We just had a um we're at a
health educator conference and had a presentation. Uh 60 to 70% of LPNs go back to get their RN. And then another interesting tidbit was that the number of um LPN graduates in the state in 2025 were down by 26%. So, it was a a fair
number that dropped and that is a little bit reflected in our numbers too. Um but we have this revenue that's continued to come in because of um our increase in numbers. We've been able to become self- sustaining at this point. Uh trying to
think of what else I might have to tell you. >> Full cohorts coming in. >> Oh. Oh yeah. Thank you. Yes, we do have full cohorts coming into the LPN program. Um Marine and I were talking. I think there's 11. we we take 10 because of the clinical ratio for a nursing
instructor to the students in clinical uh we have 11 this year. So uh we can uh waiver one or two and then on the RN side we are also full at 10 students. So um I hope that that success continues.
Um I am confident in Marine's abilities to continue to ignite and to generate that enthusiasm. Any questions? Do you want to say anything? Go ahead. >> I don't want to put you on the spot.
>> I don't have any statistics or any numbers to talk about. All I want to say is thank you for welcoming us here this evening. and I am humbled but very honored to take Denita's place and to continue uh her legacy with our nursing
program here in town. I'm really looking forward to providing our community with good quality nurses to work at our clinics and hospital. There is always a need and I am glad to offer my help in ensuring the healthc care facilities in international falls hire and keep good
nurses. And lastly, I just want to say I want to thank you for councelor Bullard for sitting on our um healthcare steering committee and our advisory committee. We're still continuing to meet actually and we're meeting May, don't remember the date, early May. Um we'll be uh D
one of D's last meetings. Um and it's an attempt to have all the different healthcare partners in the in the area come together and one let us know what openings they have two what needs do they have um so that we're all working together. Um, I will mention two other
things in that we are kind of the the shining light of of of of health of the private p public partnership within healthcare because we've been asked to present at the rural healthcare conference before um and telling people how we got to where we are today and
we've attempted to help mentor other communities to be able to get there. But the one thing that we had that they didn't was the private partnerships willing to work together and invest in potentially a new crop of
graduates for healthcare because they're all worried they weren't going to get them right. I mean, they're in competition constantly with healthcare and so they weren't able to come together and they wouldn't uh they wouldn't put up the same same amount of commitment that that our group did. And uh so I'm I'm really proud of that that
we're able to pull that off locally and tried to tried to pave the way for the others, but maybe they'll maybe they'll catch on eventually. >> Well, we're it's an incredible asset to the community and uh its success and I'm going to date myself here. I don't
remember if it was last fall or early this winter when Senator um Clolobashar stopped on her tour and of course came to the college to point out what's going on with the nursing program and what a
success it was in that tour and so a bright light and there's a it's great in a small town because the council has out of town influences that come here needing enrollments and so It's great
that we have this available right here and we can keep those that want to be here at home. And a huge congrats one on your soontobe retirement and congrats um on filling those shoes and keeping things going.
Does the council have questions or >> I have one please. >> I have one. Uh what how many stay in the community? Do a lot of them >> Yes. I knew that would come up and I was going to address it so I apologize for that. Yes. Uh I was saying we had a few that have came over from Bedette um that
have came back and forth maybe five over the last 10 years. Uh and I would say that 90 to 95% probably stay in the community. It's it's I could count on one hand probably how many that have moved. So >> So the the investment captain Yeah.
>> Yeah. And I personally know of multiple just the example you gave of single mothers that gave an opportunity advance but it changed their lives but also change the people's and town's lives to have so the clinics and the hospital
have nurses that you know are here and that's very important. I was very happy to be part of the groundwork of this when I was on the council before and it's an example of how important a community college can be
to a town our size too and how we all work together. And if there's ever any other uh needs or whatnot and you'd like to expand or whatnot with certain programs, we would be willing to meet with and partner with you on those as well in the future.
>> We got some things that uh I'm thinking about, but I'm not ready to present it. >> Might take you up on that. We'll see. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. At this time, we can move to agenda item three, a mayoral proclamation
proclaiming May 2026 as mental health awareness month. >> I'll move. >> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. >> Second. Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion on the proclamation?
>> Just anything we can do to draw attention to mental health and the needs of the country and the town that have been going on for years. But >> I think I mean I think it's important this is a good start.
>> Absolutely. >> Would ask the question at this time and thank you for the remarks. I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and the proclamation is approved 50. Thank you.
>> Item four, uh to consider a request to add three individuals as new emergency medical technicians to the active ambulance roster. >> I'll make that motion. >> That was very quick. Thank you,
councelor. >> Second. Thank you, Councelor Wagner. Chief, is there anything that um you would like to add? >> Um the only thing I will add is we're grateful to have them and uh we're
predicting or hoping to get a couple more here on the next agenda. So, look forward to that as well. >> That's wonderful news. And along with um you know like we were just talking about a nursing program that this is a big
addition and a big unfilled need here locally. Um, and it uh years ago before the state kind of issued a EMS crisis letter,
the epicenter of EMT and paramedic shortages was slated to be here. Um and so the motions were very quick for a reason and um you know struggling with finding people interested in these
services. So if you know anyone please uh come forward and hopefully we can get them trained and uh on their way >> this this come up on public safety today in our committee meeting and Adam presented that. We were excited because
it was something really needed and I had no trouble making a motion on it after hearing Adam speak today. So at that public safety meeting, it's something we need. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden.
>> Any further discussion? I would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And this request is approved unanimously. Thank you. Next on the agenda, item five of new
business to consider appointments to the charter commission from the charter commission chairwoman Lois Lundine. She did write a letter uh to the council that two residents have expressed
interest in serving on the International Falls Charter Commission. Their names are as follows: Matt Corbettz and Deb Harris. Mrs. Lundine, is there anything you would like to add?
Thank you. Um at our next meeting we'll be discussing we have one member who has moved one commissioner who has moved out of the city limits. So he will be leaving the charter commission. Um and so that will reduce our numbers. Uh right now that'll leave us I believe
with nine. Um we have a minimum requirement of seven. There is not a maximum on the top end, but it's important to have a well-rounded um group of people on the commission that can discuss um the charter that can
discuss changes um objectively, professionally, and I I do believe that the addition of these two people would really round that table out nicely. >> Thank you. >> Discussion from the council, >> please. Did did we advertise these
>> open positions? >> No, we did not. >> So that the whole community had an opportunity to >> There are still um there are still there is space for other people if they would like to, but typically it's not it hasn't been my understanding that this
was something that was advertised. >> It has been in the past. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So we certainly can if there are others who would like >> I mean if there's openings that that should be I believe we've done it in the paper >> a few times.
>> So ju just a question. >> I if we haven't done that since I was here for charter commission. If that's something we need to be doing then we need to be doing it. >> And I wasn't aware of it either when I was asked. I was just personally asked.
It wasn't something that I was asked for a letter. >> Sure. >> Yeah. That was back what we have had we may have advertised but nobody replied.
That's happened multiple times cuz I asked you. >> Well, and then at one time we used to advertise once a year for all boards and Yep. >> Didn't we Betty? that one and then we'll do that and then
go from there. I >> And that's how I ended up on it back in the day. It was it wasn't just for the charter commission. It was for all commissions and boards if you're interested in as
>> things came up for time. slots. >> And I would add we have been um for some committees and commissions we have advertised and had little to no response. I'm not I'm just saying that
the more people that can um are interested in their city government to get on various different things that that uh that's a good thing. Mhm. >> Is there consideration of the request by Chairwoman Lundine?
>> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion? >> Seeing none, I'd ask a question. I >> I >> I
>> I'll vote yes and the appointments are made unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next on this evening's agenda, I would like to invite our city engineer Jason Fiser um forward and I will
let you take it from here. Good evening, Mayor Council. Um, this is a project that, uh, we've got, uh, grant funds for through the Minnesota Department of Transportation Active Transportation Program. So, um, and the
bids did come in within the grant dollars. So, we should be able to cover the whole project with the grant dollars. So, the low bidder for this project of the trail on uh Highway 1171 along Wayside Drive there um
was was bid and uh MJ Companies was the low bid of 371 220 and.75. >> So, any questions for me about this? Well, assuming um
that the council were to accept the low bid as proposed, uh it's very refreshing to see that and so many biders which um as you know more than anybody uh we have at times struggled to get bids on
projects and then that are within um estimates. Yep. >> And hopefully that continues. We'll try do our best. >> Question please. >> Our grant was for over 500, right?
>> The grant was actually was for 487. >> 487. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> That is fantastic. >> Move to accept the bid. >> Second. Thank you. Councilors Buller and Wagner. Is there more discussion?
I would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the bid is approved unanimously. Thank you. We will move to item seven to consider a resolution authorizing
execution of a cooperative manage maintenance agreement with state of Minnesota department of transportation for the shared use path adjacent to trunk highway 1171 please. >> Sure. Um this particular trail is
located in mind right ofway. So they're requesting that we adopt this resolution and and this agreement. um basically saying we're going to maintain the trail like we maintain our trails trails in town. So we'll keep them free of snow
and ice the best we can and debris and if there's cracks we'll repair them and stuff like that. So >> and we do get paid to do that as well. >> Um well we we do get paid as part of an overall right maintenance thing not for this particular but yes it'll
>> it'll go in the pot so to speak. Thank you Jason. Questions from councel for a motion. I'll make the move. >> Thank you, councelor Holden. >> I'll second. >> And councelor Taylor. >> More questions or discussion.
>> That's the sign to ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the resolution is approved. 5-0. Thank you, Jason. Item eight, I would like to Well, Chief, you're boxed in, but I will
uh to consider an updated fee schedule for providing education classes through the International Falls Ambulance Service. Chief Manassa, >> thank you, Mayor. As uh indicated in my
cover letter, um as we do the education classes, this uh was never really meant as a money-making thing for the ambulance service. This was more so to provide a service to the community. So, basically, the fees that we have in
place cover the time of the instructor, the time of materials, the time of cards and whatnot. So, as prices go up on that end, we need to cover our time to do that. So we do try to keep this as minimally as possible. Um
but it is what it is. This is basically our expense to run these these classes or test outs or what have you that are on the sheet. So um again this is covering our time to do so. Uh we were never meant to be back in the day uh we
were never meant to be in competition to private side. So there was some providers in the community that did this that did CPR classes and stuff. Uh I am not aware of any at this time that do that, but uh again that's our our purpose or our goal. So
>> So it's not a new fee, it's an adjustment. >> It's an adjustment to cover cost increases. >> Thank you. >> Approve. >> Thank you, Councelor B. >> Second Wagner. >> Is there discussion or questions for the
chief? >> Seeing none, I would ask the question. I >> I >> I >> I vote yes and fee schedule is approved unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moving to item nine on this evening's
agenda from legislation and land use committee to consider approval. Item A, excuse me, to consider approval of low potency hemp license application for Midwest Dabin Cabin contingent upon
all required documentation and state approval, which would be consistent with any other license that we would approve. It has to go to the state uh before it is uh official.
>> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Second. Thank you, Councelor Wagner. Discussion. >> Ask a question. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the motion is
approved unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to item 10 of new business. Item A from public works committee to consider approval to purchase Kabota utility vehicle to be paid for
with auction proceeds from 402 41,000 Capital Outlay. Discussion on the topic. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> I'll second it.
>> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. I would just like to add on the purchase that it was in committee and was one of our lengthier discussions. And um I would
like to thank the discussion really that um last year there was an auction in public works of of items not in use. Uh the auction total was somewhere $160 $180,000.
Um and that money is available to public works. Um and I do intend to support this, but that was the only way that I was going to support it given the circumstances >> and out of committee which I'm part I
think that was agreement with it all. He would I don't believe the public works director would have brought it if it wasn't coming from uh those auction fronts out of capital outlay which capital outlay for the street can only
be used for capital outlay for the street and it should bring more efficiency to the operations. One of those would be like we just talked with Claire in the past, hockey rinks and during
celebrations, the police might have some use for it. Um, then we'll free up like the Bobcat or whatever for something else. They got something going. If I'm missing anything, Mike, just let me know. >> Good job. >> Yeah. All right.
>> There there is a list of >> Yeah. I mean, I think >> list of good things. I think it will streamline a lot of the operations whether it's ball fields or ring the parks. Yeah. >> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. Any additional >> would ask the question at this time.
>> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and the purchase is approved. 50. Thank you. Item 11, new business from budget and finance committee to consider a resolution authorizing the transfer of
funds and closure of inactive funds. Emma, is this anything that you would like to speak about? >> If you want me to provide clarification, I'm happy to do so. >> I'll uh I I don't see any need at this time. Um, unless the council has
questions. Um, basically there were some monies in funds from as far back as 20 years ago. Um, in no way is this spending them. Uh, but they are being moved. And if you look in our council packet and see all the different fund
balances, they will move to a new place and it is uh, spelled out in great detail on this resolution. Questions from the council? >> I'll make the motion. Thank you. Councilors Wagner and Buller. >> Discussion.
>> Ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and the resolution is approved. Thank you. Unanimously. Item 12
from committee of the whole. Item A, to consider approval of updated public works director job description and authorize advertising to fill the vacant public works director
position. There are, I believe, two changes that were necessary to this given the circumstances with the resignation we received by our previous uh in-house building code,
zoning and wetlands official. Uh the changes are number 10 to attend planning commission board of appeals adjustment meetings and hearings in an exeicial capacity
and to have basic knowledge of zoning and land use issues. Other than that, I'm not aware of any changes uh to that job description. Is that correct, Betty? >> That is correct, Mayor. >> Thank you. Questions from councel.
Is there a motion uh to approve it as presented? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Any more discussion? Would ask the question. >> I I >> I >> I
>> I'll vote yes. And the job posting is approved. 50. Thank you. We were having technical difficulties to start the meeting. So, it is now online. >> Yeah. >> 12B of new business to consider approval
of sending a letter of intent to Cooching County to enter into a lease agreement for law enforcement center space. Um, Chelsea, thank you for uh drafting this letter and
I did have the opportunity um in passing to speak with a couple commissioners and they are working to get the building inspected as quickly as they can. Um, seeing that that would be uh one of the
contingencies in our uh letter to them. >> Motion to approve the letter. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Discussion. >> Seeing none, I would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I.
>> I'll vote yes. And the letter is approved to send out 50. Thank you. 12 C. Consider approval of first reading of an ordinance regulating electrical assisted
bicycles. I would like to hand this to our city attorney, Chelsea Nelson, and the members of the public safety committee. I can answer any questions on it, but I I basically just copied
um mostly from the Hastings um step or ordinance that was provided. There were a couple changes noted in the email that's included. Um I know it was kind of contemplated 15 to 18 must wear a helmet, so I put that in there. It doesn't have to be in there. We can take that back out. Um, and then the other
piece that I took out of um, the Hastings one and didn't include in ours was an insurance section. Um, and typically I wouldn't put insurance sections in there because Minnesota statute, they change their insurance statutes constantly. Um, and to have something that's potentially going to
contradict it that we have to change later. I just figured not, but we definitely can if you'd like. >> Thank you for the update. Um, just to add, the city council has discussed the ebikes and we have received a lot of v
local feedback on the issue um, in the business district here uh, and as well on our as in our streets, our alleyways um, and such. And one question that I have is uh the state may come in with a
state law this legislative session and that could alter our ordinance. >> Yes. >> If it is enacted over the top of it. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> That's correct. >> That contradicts state statute is null in our ordinance. The other pieces can
remain effective though. >> Understood. Thank you. Questions from the council. just a comment if we can. But, uh, ours is pretty close to the state one if you see what they have right now, but >> again, we don't know if anything's going
to come through. So, we need something to start with any. >> Yes. And thank you uh for your time on this and all that work done. Ordinances are are u tend to be difficult by nature
um at times. Please, Council, >> I think by passing this ordinance, too, it'll give the chief a chance to uh uh put this forward on this uh bike rodeo coming up now, too. So, he'll be able to have some documentation, some paper that
this is what we have for an ordinance. >> Thank you, Chief. Do you have any thoughts? >> I don't. It's I think long overdue. There's many ebikes that are out there now. problems only getting worse. We want the
safety of all citizens to be the priority of of this ordinance. So, I think it'll be a good thing and we will work with the citizens to educate them um for a period of time so that we're not
just handing out tickets to people. So, there'll be education along with this ordinance. Thank you, Chief Lily. Is being this is the first reading of
the ordinance. Is there a motion to approve? >> Oh, go ahead. >> I think >> you you'll get first motion. I I heard your voice first. Councelor Buller. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> That's how bad we needed one. >> Councelor, >> is there discussion further, please?
Councelor Wagner, >> just to add what what else is going to come with this um as some things we have to look at, we're sending to public works committee and just get out there is some more bike racks in order to move
this flow away from Main Street downtown. We've identified a few positions, but um how we get them or if we have some somewhere that we don't want to move any of the existing ones, we want to add some. Uh there has been a call for that and then some signage to
go with this. >> Yeah. >> And also we discussed like um crazy days fourth of July tournament downtown sidewalks will be posted uh police action. No bicycles of any kind on them.
>> Yeah. >> Just some thoughts. >> Sidewalks are busy. >> Bass tournament. uh you know in Fourth of July those sidewalks are crowded and by putting signs up and telling them they can't be
on there that'll help definitely. >> Yeah. >> Thank you counselors. There isn't additional I would ask the question at this time. >> I I vote yes. And the first reading of the
ordinance has a 50 vote. Thank you. Item 13 to approve removal of an emergency medical technician from the active roster of the International Falls Ambulance Service >> due to activity >> 12
>> D. Oh, I I checked the wrong box. Okay, thank you. Always good for a couple of these a meeting. Excuse me. Um item 12D to consider approval of a first reading
of an ordinance amending section 10-51 prevention reduction and elimination of blighting factors. this um came before us because of mail delay
issues that when we serve paperwork uh via via the USPS, many of you may have noticed just on thank you cards, letters, etc. that it's not getting to its intended destination
in that time period. Um so Chief Manassa in um Fire Marshall Baldwin's absence that was from 7 to 10 days. >> Correct. >> Correct. Thank you. Do you have anything to add at this time? >> Uh the the only uh addition to that is
that the expense of certified letters and service through law enforcement is cost prohibitive. So this is the best alternative to lengthen that by standard mail. by standard mail >> without the 789 $10 correct
>> to do the registered. >> Thank you, Chief. Questions from council? >> No, I just like to add this is a good time. I mentioned it at committee of the whole, but we will not be having no mo
this year. So to help keep on top of the grass, but if people need their gr look like their grass needs a cut, it'd be all right to wait a day or two to give the pollinators a chance. But there will be no no more me this year.
>> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. Is there >> motion to approve the change? >> Thank you, councelor Wagner. >> Second. >> And councelor Buller with the second. Any further discussion? I would ask the question at this time.
>> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And first reading is approved 5. Thank you. Okay. I believe I'm still on track. So we have number 13 of new business
which is to approve removal of an emergency medical technician from the active roster of the International Falls Ambulance Service due to inactivity. Chief, would you like to add anything?
>> Uh this is just something that happens from time to time. uh again in my uh cover letter that not due to character of the person or anything like that just uh life changes and as we're putting on new EMPs it's uh trying to make a
vacancy. So uh that person that is named is still a firefighter on our department and still serves the city well. So >> thank you. Thank you, Chief, and please thank him for his service over the years. >> He needs time to drop some offensive
plays, I think, is the deal. >> And councelor Kaylor, would you be willing to turn that into a motion? >> I will. Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Is there further discussion? >> I would ask the question. >> I >> I
>> I >> I'll vote yes. And that removal is approved unanimously. Thank you. Item 14 of new business to approve Valerie Schwarz for the 2026 City Beach
campost position on beautiful City Beach. >> Yes. >> Not as much uh interest in this position as one may have thought, but thankful to see. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Second, >> councelor Wgner with a second. Is there discussion?
>> Please, >> mayor, I would just like to add um we did receive Valerie's um application. Um and we are looking for a camp host, but today we also did receive another call of someone that's interested um that was our camp host about 10 years ago. I did
reach back out to her because she had left a message over the weekend um to, you know, get back to me and fill out an application, but I did not hear back from her. So, I just wanted you to all be aware I did receive another person of interest today. So,
>> um well, thank you. We do have um motions. Not that we can't change them, but please uh depending on our vote. Uh this has not been easy to fill the campost position for many, many, many
years. Um, and if we uh choose not to fill this position this evening, we're going to get into May and um more meetings and such. And uh City Beach will be open without a host. Um so
thankful for the applications and for anyone in attendance or abroad please uh next uh February or March put uh fill out an application and get it to city hall. More discussion at this time
I would ask the question. >> I I >> I >> I'll vote yes and we have a campost at city beach for this year on a 50 vote. Thank you. Is there any other business at this time
from council or our administrator? Thank you. There are reports uh for review of the council uh in your packet this evening. At this time uh there is another opportunity if you'd like to come
forward to address the council. have a reminder. The next regular city council meeting is Monday, May 4th at 2026 this year, 5:30 p.m. >> Mr. Mayor, if I could real quick, the uh
councelor Buller already mentioned, but the bike rodeo is this Saturday from 11 to 1. So, kids could come down, get a bike. There's going to be helmets for them that need them to hand out and some other things and food and learn some
rules of the road. So, if you got a little one or nothing says adults can't come either, so come on down. >> Where? Uh, oh, I'm sorry, Kerry Park. >> Thanks, Jim. And, uh, and, uh, on June
3, the Veteran Service Office in the Cushing County Warrior Initiative is sponsoring our annual fishing trip out of Thunderbird. And if you know of a veteran or you're a veteran, uh, and would like to go free of charge, uh, go
out fishing, I think from 9 to noon, then go back to the lodge for lunch and, uh, call the veteran service offices to get signed up or if you see me running around somewhere, let me know and I'll get the word to him. >> Thank you. >> Yes,
>> counselor. So, the bike rodeo this weekend, >> um, a city council meeting on May 4th, >> and then another event with the veterans on June 3rd. >> Yes. >> Correct. Thank you for the update.
>> There's no further comment or updates at this time. I'll adjourn the meeting.