WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=dME4bsoW8pw

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: dME4bsoW8pw):
- 00:00:01: Call to Order, Pledge, Roll Call, and Agenda Approval
- 00:01:22: Approval of Minutes and Payments, Claims, and Transfers
- 00:03:32: Special Announcement: Open Forum Period Introduction
- 00:04:08: Public Comment: Lobbyist Rob Ecklund on Bonding Bill
- 00:10:44: Introduction of Jason Fiser: Active Transportation Grant
- 00:12:55: Resolutions: Exempt Permit, Flood Hazard Revision
- 00:14:53: Licenses, CDL Training Grant Acknowledgement, Job Posting
- 00:18:54: Revised Job Descriptions: Fire Marshal and Inspector
- 00:25:02: Fire Marshall Training Approval and Discussion
- 00:27:48: Board/Committee Reports: Ambulance District Progress
- 00:30:04: Second Audience Open Forum and Adjournment


Part: 1

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It's 5:30. I will call this regular city council meeting to order. >> Please rise and we will say the pledge. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All members of the council are present this evening for the record. We'll move to the agenda

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for a motion to approve. If there are no additions or deletions brought forth, >> I'll move. >> Thank you. Councelor Kaylor. >> Second. and councelor Wgner. Is there discussion? Seeing none, I'd ask the question. >> I >> I

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>> I I >> I'll vote yes. And the agenda is approved. 50. Thank you. Approval of minutes from previous meetings, beginning first with minutes of the Monday, May 4th, 2026 regular

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city council meeting. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. Councelor Holden >> second. >> Thank you. Councelor Wgner. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, ask a question. >> I >> I >> I >> I

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>> I'll vote yes. And the minutes for item one are approved. Now to number two. Minutes of the Monday, May 11th, 2026 committee of the whole meeting. >> Move to approve the minutes. >> Thank you. Councelor Buller.

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>> I'll second. and councelor Kaylor. Is there discussion? Seeing none, I'd ask the question again. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the minutes are approved unanimously for both items one

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and two under minutes. We can move at this time to payments, claims, and transfers. for transfers. City of International Falls transfer fund number 101 general fund or excuse

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me to fund 101 general fund from fund number 812 lodging tax fund. Total transfer $69.51. Accounts payable and other claims. City of International Falls claims $471,23216.

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International Falls Public Library Board claims $10,000 $74.74 for total accounts payable in claims of $481,936.90. Any questions on payments and transfers? >> Motion to approve.

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>> Thank you, Councelor Wgner with your motion. Second >> and councelor Holden with a second. A close one. Is there any discussion on the motions at hand? Seeing none, I would ask the question. >> I I >> I

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>> I'll vote yes. And the bills uh for this meeting are paid unanimously. Thank you. There is a special announcement this meeting and We're going to enter our audience open form period where anyone can come

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forward with anything to discuss with the council. We would like your name and address for the record and it will be limited to five minutes. As we begin, I would like to invite up Rob Ecklund um

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who is currently contracted as our city lobbyist. And there is some very exciting news as of last night. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor and counselors. Yes, last night the uh Minnesota

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legislature passed a bonding bill and International Falls was in it for $4.8 million for the water plant. So, that's good news for the city. Um >> I would like to say that the city council's been awesome to work with.

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When we've needed somebody down there, we've got them down there. when we've asked for phone calls, asked for emails, they went out and it's been uh a pleasure working with you on this project. I think it's good news for the city of International Falls. Steps forward. Um I told Betty before this

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meeting, uh after the bill is signed, it'll actually be go into effect probably July 1, but I don't I don't know the effective date on it, but maybe July 30th. But after the bill's signed, then management and budget waits until the best buy to buy best time to buy

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bonds and they buy them in series because not everybody's ready like the city of International Falls is. I mean, you're already already re redoing the plant anyway. So, um, so I would assume that they would be in there, but nothing's not nothing is always easy

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with state government. So, we'll see what happens there. B, but Betty and Emma have been in contact with PFA uh quite frequently, so they know the folks there, and I assume that's where the where the bonds will be issued through his public finance authority. Um,

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going forward, uh, there's some other two other good things, not necessarily directly affecting the city of International Falls that that happened. But, uh, um, obviously we got the Homestead Credit exclusion for one year coming up next year, I believe. And then

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the school districts, there was a a thing passed in the tax bill, uh, seasonal recreational property. Right now, the taxes go to the general fund. Back in 2002, the property owners had a fight about that. They didn't want to

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pay into the school districts, and they thought they were going to get a cut in their taxes. Well, they didn't. They just had to pay into the general fund. They just didn't go to the school district anymore. So now, if a school district passes an operating referendum, there's a formula where a percentage of that will be taken off out of the

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general fund depending on how many seasonal recreational properties are in that school district. So it it could be a it's tough for school districts to pass operating referendums or levies because it's tough to do a tax increase. So that'll be a something a tool they

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can have if if a local school district wants to do that. So that's that's uh exciting. So I think we got some good they got some good things done down at the legislature. U one thing for the city council to think about things that didn't get done in the tax bill. There's

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a lot of communities that had heard bills on their local option sales tax. Those were not included in the tax bill. Um I suspect that they probably will be next year when it's that when they have have to redo the the new budget. But if

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if the city is looking for some kind of special project to do and has is looking and I don't know if they are. I just know that was one of the things that went on in the tax bill. So, I'm just giving you get heads up to think about it as far as there's always next year. There's always something that that you need to work on. So, anyway, any

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questions? >> Well, thank you. Um, and to the council, to Betty, to Emma, to anyone who's participated on the phone, on the email, made trips uh down south. Um, this is a

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heavy lift for our city to get this done. Um, and I would if you want to fill in the low spots, Rob, I believe that Senate District Three received more bonding dollars than was it any other district in the

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state on a local project basis? >> Um, they did very well. I haven't I haven't seen the exact breakdown, but yeah, when when you look at the list, Santa District 3 did did very well. So, >> and our competing uh cities, Elely,

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Grand Marray, uh big projects. Grand Marray had a a legacy sewer plant project. Elely was water or sewer. Um we received far more than uh any of the cities that were competing with us for

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bonding dollars. So, um, I hope that the members of our community and council and staff will take the time, uh, to thank both Representative Scruba and, uh, Senator Hoschild. This, uh,

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this was a big one and, uh, thankful that it it worked out. And probably the last thing I'd suggest, I don't know when the project will be done, but I would suggest having uh Senator Hostile and Representative Scrab up for ribbon cutting and a a social social event

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because it it is a big lift and and uh when I texted uh Grant last night, I I or this morning, I waited till this morning because I was tired at 12:00 when it all got done. But anyway, when I texted him this morning, I I he said, "Yeah, this has been a stressful

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session, but it's a you know, we got a lot of good things done." And so both both him and represent Scrace uh deserve recognition for that. So >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I just like with all this the bonding bill and everything else, it was

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nice to see that the House and the Senate actually got some stuff done this year. Even though everybody didn't get what all they wanted, you know, we got something. >> You know, it's counselor. It's interesting because on several of the committees that I had to watch this

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year, I I served with all of them. And the the committees that had chairpersons that could get along and talk got things done. The ones that didn't didn't get anything done. It was as simple as that. So, I mean, that's and that's human

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nature. That's how things are. You got to we got to be able to talk and, you know, whether we agree or disagree, we still got to try to get things done. So, >> anyway. So, >> well, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. go home, get an early night's sleep tonight. SO, >> would anyone else like to come forward

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at this time? There will also be an opportunity uh towards the end of the meeting. Seeing none, uh we have no other agenda items until new business. And um at this time I'd like to invite

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Jason Fiser forward, our city engineer um because we have a resolution in front of us uh over a active transportation grant. And Jason, if you could enlighten us, that would be wonderful. Thank you. >> Sure. Um, we were awarded this act

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active transportation grant for the trail that goes along Highway 1171 um from 14th Avenue to 11th Street and um we needed to wait until we had our bid results in order to get the grant

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amount in there. So, this is the agreement that we have to sign with MINDOT. um basically spelling out how we are handling this grant and we have to have this signed before we can spend any of the money towards this project. So

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>> fabulous and good news. >> Questions from council on move with move to approve the resolution. >> Thank you councelor Buller. >> Second. >> Thank you councelor Wgner. >> Any questions or discussion while Jason is up?

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>> I see you got the stakes up there ready. Yeah, something ready to go. >> And then when this is done, we'll have a bike trail connected all the way out to the trail going up the lake. I was driving down Second Avenue today or

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yesterday and you look over there and that that part of the trails there from Seventh Street to Fourth Street. So, we'll have a nice trail. >> Side. >> Any further? I'd ask a question. I >> I

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>> I >> I'll vote yes and the resolution is approved unanimously. Thank you, Jason. >> Moving to item two to adopt a resolution for an exempt permit for the local

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woodworkers 33 to conduct a raffle on October 9th, 2026 at Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall, 5093rd Street. >> I'll move. >> Thank you. Councelor Kaylor >> second. >> And councelor Holden. Is there

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discussion? >> Seeing none, call the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the resolution is again approved unanimously. Thank you. Item three,

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to approve a memorandum authorizing Cooching County to publish the required notice regarding the proposed revision to FEMA flood hazard information on the city's behalf. Uh Matt Gwen had

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reached out to both uh myself and our administrator. Um, and this is essentially out of courtesy that we acknowledge it was my understanding. Is that correct, Betty? >> That is correct. We've been working with um the county and the other entities

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along with FEMA on re advice, excuse me, redoing and updating the the flood map and this is just, you know, part of the process. >> Fantastic. Thank you. Are there questions from council? Seeing none, I'd ask for a motion to

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approve this memorandum. >> So move. >> Okay. Motions from councilors Wagner and Buller. And if on a friendly basis, if we could change it to acknowledge, I

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think that would be more appropriate. >> Thank you, counselors. >> Yes. >> Is there discussion? I would ask the question. I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and that memorandum is acknowledged on a unanimous vote. Thank

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you. Item four to consider an application of OnX Companies, formerly Quarters AMO for 2026 gasoline and cigarette licenses. >> I'll move second.

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>> Thank you, councilors Kaylor and Buller. Um, was this recently sold at an auction? Okay. So, they are moving forward. >> Yes. Great. >> And not sold. I don't know if it was an auction. >> Yes.

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>> I think I believe the sale completed today per Mr. SE that um filled out the application. So, >> wonderful. >> Any questions or concerns? Seeing none, I'd ask the question. I >> I >> I

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>> I'll vote yes and the application is approved 5-0. Thank you. >> Item five, to acknowledge and accept, commercial driver's license training

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grant from Jet Talent Development Program in the amount of $10,000. I believe that our human resources director, Sherry Stenland, applied

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for this and that's exactly what it is at the moment is a grant that we could use towards future training. Is that correct? >> Yes, mayor. they have um two individuals that have uh the current CDLs. We're going to be increasing them to the A and

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this is a grant program that was available um and so that will go towards those uh uh those two to go through that training. Excuse me. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And that training will be done up here too. >> Yes. >> So that's a big benefit right there. So

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>> that is correct at the college. And I think it's set up too for that it's for people that are already employed with a company or with us or >> that is correct. >> Thank you. >> Is there a motion to acknowledge and

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accept? >> So move. >> Thank you. Councelor Buller. >> Second. >> And councelor Wagner. Is there further question or discussion? >> Seeing none, ask the question. >> I I >> I'll vote yes. and motion carries

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unanimously. Thank you. Being that Sherry Stenlin is out this evening, I'd like to hand item six to our administrator, Betty Bergstrom, with a consideration for request to hire for the posted equipment operator position.

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>> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Councel. um with the movement of um the different individuals over from public works within the public works department there was an opening for an equipment operator. They had taken application and they have uh listed currently a Delorean

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conant to be uh approved for the equipment operator position that is currently open. >> Thank you. >> Went through the backgrounding and everything has been approved. >> Thank you. I move to approve. Second. >> Thank you. Councelor Buller first.

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Councelor Holden second. More discussion on motion or the question. Seeing none, I'd ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the hire is approved.

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5. Thank you. Next item seven, new business to consider approval of revised job descriptions. Um enclosed in your packets are two

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draft job description that descriptions that Betty Sherry and I as appointed by the council have put together from the building official committee.

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Um the first is a set of duties for the fire marshal limited building inspector and the second is the fire marshall

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that person were to obtain state building license. I would uh ask at this time, Chelsea, do you have anything to add? >> I did um look over these and and I I spoke with

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>> Mr. Baldwin as well with um some questions concerning about the pay grade. Um and I did look into this um for for mayor and the fire marshall. You can approve the job description with a double check on the pay grade. Um

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Sherry is not here, so it may may be something that she can explain, but potentially my understanding is it all affects the pay equity, what the pay grade is, and to just double check that pay grade, the right number for both of those. Um,

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and I think that would put people's mind at ease moving forward with this Thank you, Chelsea. >> And I do believe at a previous council Oh, I'm sorry. Council, >> would it be better if we wait to approve this when we get everything all put

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together? >> I think the concern was also that um he has to undergo training of some sort and I think that training is next month. >> Okay. Um, and I don't know. I mean, certainly you could potentially just leave it as

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it is and then approve to go to the training, but I that's kind of like putting the cart before the horse. Does that make sense? >> No, I just didn't know if we wanted to pay grade before we approve this or we can just approve this now so we can go to school then with it. Is that right? Okay. Thank you.

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And I would also add, I do believe that the council did approve him to work with Kelly Meyers, who we have contracted to do the virtual inspection process. But for this uh item um I would suggest

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that we approve um the motion as Chelsea suggested to approve the job descriptions uh with a pending double check on the pay grade um

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to um Sherry and she can work with our consultant on that as well. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, council. >> Second, >> Kaylor and Buller. Is there further

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discussion on the topic? >> Seeing none, I would ask the question. >> I >> I >> no. I >> I'll vote yes. And the motion approved 41. Thank you.

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New business. Num, >> please. Uh, you >> do you have a question? >> That was just the first one or both of them? >> Both. >> Okay, >> that was my understanding. >> Um, >> yes, >> that was my Yes, >> yours as well, Councelor Buller.

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>> Yes, it is. >> Okay, that was all I had. So, we have we've approved the job descriptions as written, but Jared, the fire marshall position is still a position as well. Correct.

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>> Correct. >> Okay. the the job descriptions that were approved. Um we do not we want to doublech check the pay grade for the position. The language is fine,

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the duties are fine. Um the question is on the pay grade and the the reason being that if it's wrong from the start, uh it will forever be wrong. Um so it would be best to double check that and

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go from there. >> That'll take a motion then to accept the pay grade when we find out what it's going to be. Correct. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Any further questions on item seven? Um Betty, I have we answered all of your

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questions? Um I I'm just concerned that currently we're we're just running under the fire marshall position right now. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And

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upon any um training or you've already approved working having the fire marshall work with the building official to acquire a limited. >> Is that correct? We've already done that or we have not.

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>> My understanding was that we've approved him to assist Kelly Meyers in the physical permit inspections. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's all I have. Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you.

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Item eight. Is there any other business to come before the council? >> We need a motion to get the training done next month or is it after another meeting?

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>> That's a very good question and I'm glad you asked. >> Okay. Um the next meeting is June 1st. All I know is that the classes in June.

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Um so if we >> do you know a date? >> I reached out today and I haven't heard back. They have a March, they have an early June and they have October. So I reached out to guide. There was not a lot of

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people signed up for it yet. So, they were waiting to determine which direction it was going to go, >> early June, like after June 1st. >> The one in March was March 1st. So, I just I guess it just depends because it's a fiveday class. It'll be Monday

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through Friday. So, >> if it's June 1st, then it would be too late. We're May I? We're going to be approving it either June 1st or now. We might as well approve it now. >> That way he can get registered and they know that there's another person. >> Would you like to make a motion? >> I'll make the motion we approve it now. Yes.

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>> Thank you, Councelor B. >> Second. >> And a second by councelor Holden. And that would be to approve training costs associated with getting the fire marshall uh to that course which will be in person or virtual

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sometime in June. Are you both are we in understanding on the motions? >> Thank you. And thank you Chelsea. Is there discussion on those motions at this time? >> I would just clarify on the motion. So the motion is for the current fire

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marshal to go to training, not the new job description. >> Correct. Got it. And that the the training is broad, but the training would be the the course to that you take before you become a take the test to become a limited building

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official. Further discussion, I would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and motion carries unanimously. Thank you.

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Is there any other business? Seeing none, let's move on to reports um of all boards, committees, and department heads. The administrator's report, Chief Worley, is out today and there is

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a fire department report in the packet. But let's move to um a report on the ambulance. Um I would be happy to give that if you're okay with that, Council Holden.

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>> Yeah. Um, we have been meeting with the members of Cuchqing County Board, not all of them, but some, uh, and their administrator, with uh, Councelor Holden and I, Chief Manassa and Administrator Bergstrom. Um we continue to make

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progress uh in our talks towards achieving um that district. And and as to not be misleading, I believe that the county has already has in place a subordinate taxing district for the

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ambulance service. So the next piece is who are they going to contract with under what price and terms? um which naturally is a negotiation. Um I would make the assumption that the city of

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International Falls would be selected being that we currently own and operate an ambulance. Um but the meetings are ongoing >> for the council, please. >> Yeah, we're set to go Thursday, right,

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Betty? This this Thursday we'll be in the talks again. Yeah. Any other reports from the council? Seeing none at this time, uh there is another opportunity for anyone here this evening in the audience to come forward

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and address the council with any joys or concerns. Seeing none, a reminder that the next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be right here,

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Monday, June 1st at 5:30 p.m. And with no further business on the agenda, I will adjourn the meeting.