It's 5:30. I will call this regular International Falls City Council meeting to order. Please rise. We'll say the pledge. >> I pledge algiance 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. All members of the council are present this evening for the record.
Moving on to the agenda. I had handed out three additions. There's actually two as one will take place in January. The two being a proclamation for National Rural Health Day as
November 20th, 2025 asked for by Ashley Hall, Rainy Lake Medical Center. The second to discuss and request a letter of support for ISD 361. Are there any other additions or
deletions to this evening's agenda? Is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented with the additions? >> So move. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. >> Second. >> Second by councelor Wgner. Is there discussion?
>> Call the question. >> I I >> I. >> I'll vote yes. Agenda is approved unanimously with additions. Thank you. Next, approval of minutes from previous meetings. First, minutes of the Monday, October 6th, 2025 regular city council
meeting. Second, minutes of the Monday, October 13th, 2025 committee of the whole meeting. I would entertain a motion at this time to approve the minutes of items one and two. If there's a motion to do so, >> I'll move.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. >> Second. and councelor Wagner. Is there discussions on the minutes from previous meetings? Seeing none, question. >> I I >> I vote yes. Minutes are approved unanimously. Thank you.
Next, payment of claims and approval of accounts payable. First, transfers. City of International Falls Transfers to fund number 401 permanent improvement $66,666.
$33,333.33 is each from water and sewer to fund that. Next to fund 403 reserve for capital outlay $29,1667. There was $16,6667 from fund number 601 water and $12,500
from number 603 sewer for total transfers of $95,833.33. Moving on to accounts payable. City of International Falls claims 380,146.3. International Falls Public Library Board
claims $6,949.68 for total accounts payable and claims $387,95.71. If there's no discussion, I would entertain a motion to pay the bills and approve the transfers. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you, councelor Holden.
>> Second. Thank you, Councelor Wagner. Is there disc any more discussion? Seeing none, question. I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And payments and claims and transfers are approved unanimously.
Thank you. At this time, we can begin the open forum portion of our audience. Um, if we have members of the community or
here that are to speak, um, you're welcome to come forward at this time. >> Hello, council. >> Good evening. Austin Sha, 432 Shorewood Drive, International Falls, Minnesota.
>> Before you begin, Mr. Shoff, um it has come to my attention that during this open period that you're going to present as well as another um provider. So, I would ask the council at this time for up to 10 minutes for the presentation
instead of five. See, council amendable. Thank you. Please continue. >> Perfect. Thank you. My name is Austin Sha with 3S Design LLC. We're a 20-year IT firm based in Apple Valley and as part owner, I'm now expanding our services here to
International Falls where I live full-time. We support organizations across the United States, including C2CAL, a midsize company with more than 50 employees, which has given us extensive experiences managing larger and more complex environments. Our core
focus is managed IT services, cyber security, and cloud modernization. For the past two years, I've also provided IT support for the Borderland Humane Society, and I'm now uh working to bring that same level of reliability and responsiveness to the city of
International Falls. Before I go into the plan, I'd like to make one point clear. I would be hiring a full-time IT employee who would work here on site at the city every day directly supporting your staff. I would be I would manage and support that
person and they would have the full resources of our entire IT team behind them. This gives the city the best of both worlds. a dedicated local technician backed by a professional IT department with deep expertise
and also I would be open to doing any consulting if any if you do decide to hire someone internally. I would help out with that too if you guys needed. So now here's why this model matters. Cities today face growing cyber security threats and increasing compliance
requirements especially in areas like law enforcement. Instead of relying on a single individual to handle everything, a managed IT approach provides a full team with broader experience, stronger security, and consistent coverage. It
turns it into a proactive, stable system instead of a constant reactive troubleshooting. In short, it reduces risk, reduces downtime, and creates lasting reliable reliability for every department. Regarding Todd, the
smoothest transitions happen when the outgoing provider is involved. Todd knows your system and with this cooperation, we can ensure clean, well doumented handoff with no disruption to staff or services. So regardless of who you choose, I would highly recommend
involving Todd in that in that transition. Um, I've been a part of quite a few of these very similar types of transitions and when the old IT person is involved, it goes well. And when the old p IT person isn't involved,
it does not go well. So, what I'd like to present is a 12-month modernization plan. In the first uh 1 to two months, we document your system, verify backups, secure administrative accounts, and
begin 247 monitoring. In months 3 to four, we would create a Microsoft 365 government tenant, deploy SharePoint for internal communication, and strengthen identity and email security across the city. From months 5
through 8, we would onboard departments and phases starting with non-critical users and then moving to the police department, finance, and leadership. Once everything is tested and stable, in months nine to 10, we would perform internal security checks and create a
roadmap for year two. In months 11 and 12, we would provide cyber security training, finalize backup and alerting policies, and transition the city into a steady, fully managed support model. We've already proven ourselves locally. The Borderland Humane Society has
trusted us for two years and they've described us as responsive, reliable, and quick to act even during our potential security incident. That that is the exact standard we'd bring to the city. And the Humane Society, I've just been doing it as a a volunteer type
position. In closing, this proposal is about giving the city a secure, modern, and dependable technology foundation that will serve the staff and residents for years to come. I strongly believe the city will be best served by opening this to external bids rather than hiring
internally. I'm going to pass out a detailed 12-month modernization plan. And I'd encourage the city to follow this road map no matter who you select if it's, you know, internal or external because it provide or prioritizes security,
stability, and accountability. Thank you for your time and I'd be happy to answer any questions. I'll pass this on now. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks. Thank you. If you aren't bombarded with questions this evening, I'm sure you will be in the future. Um, as we would first of all, thank you for
presenting. But this would most likely um as the council moves forward with making its determinations go to our committee of the whole where we would spend um a considerable amount of time um discussing it on all the options and
I because we already have discussed it um internal versus external um we've been having these discussions of how we're going to move forward. >> Perfect. And like I say, if you if you need any help with that, feel free to
reach out anytime. Um, you all have my email, my phone. Um, so if there's any questions with that, feel free. You know, I live here and thank you very much. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Hello. I was going to pull your chair
out for you. Be a gentleman. And now uh for starters, my name is Ted Saxton. I live at 622th Avenue in the Falls. And I am the co-owner with Jim Yunt of Smalltown Tech. and that's what we're coming here to talk to today. So, you need anything else before we start?
All right. So, um we also do managed services. Um I do want to uh just differentiate a couple things. We will talk about um our customers. However, we we only uh talk about our customers who are on public record. for example, other
cities that we manage technology for like the city of Raineer or the city of um Little Fork, other government entities that we already manage. However, we don't generally talk about um uh commercial businesses. However, I
mean, there's people sitting behind us that are customers. I'm not going to point them out. Um so, uh we we manage um over 500 endpoints in town. Um, and I don't even I guess I could look up how many network devices, but we also manage
tons of networks, including um the public library, which we've collaborated with uh Todd in the past on. So, we um we started off about 10 years ago in town um and kind of grown, you know, exponentially ever since and transformed in from a we'll fix anything type of
shop to a managed services provider, uh which is basically what was just described. And um so we won't rehash that but uh essentially um we believe that uh well first off the pitch is that we don't know your technology. Um
certainly would love to work with Todd to discover it. It'd be a formal process. Uh what we're what we're willing to offer is to do that process the initialization of um creating this sample report of like your needs, your
wants, all that type of stuff. We're willing to do that for free in the hopes that you would use that to use to create an actual RFP. So then you could use that to actually decide between two managed service providers or three or four because there's we're not the only ones in this area. There's some um
bigger ones from Duth that manage some people up here too. So um so then you create an official RFP um based on your real needs and then we'll know what we're bidding on. for example, um I don't want to do anything that doesn't make business sense. I don't like it you
guys that much. Um so like it's not going to be a charity thing. It's either going to make sense financially or it's not going to make sense financially for you guys to do in-house or out of house. Um you might find out that um because we know how the evolution of this position has happened
over the years um that you might not even have what you need now uh based on um based on what you need. I know that you've outsourced some of the stuff to uh with like your EDR and different things. Um endpoint detection response and stuff like that. So what we would
also look at is like your vendor list. Um we work with many of them already. Uh things like that. Anything you want to add on so far? >> Uh no, not really. That's pretty good. You know, we established our business uh 2017 because we just saw just an extreme need for local professional tech
management. And as T was saying, every year we've kind of upped our game and evolved to, you know, the modern best practices of uh being a full managed service provider and kind of looking at everything comprehensively. Um getting to know our customers well, getting to know what they feel their needs are,
giving some feedback on what those needs, how those needs might be reimagined and uh kind of even expanding beyond uh the organization's own vision for what could be done even better. Uh kind of brainstorming together and playing well with other service providers. um to kind of deliver a
comprehensive package. And >> so I I would um how it would look like also if you're going with a managed service provider like us um we have people we would not have somebody here um permanently unless that's what you
know what the um what we find out but uh through the that investigation or reports or whatnot. Um, but we would have a service level agreement with guaranteed response times based on specific incidents. We'd love to have uh your legal team review it cuz my legal
team is AI and um and so you would have a certain level of service that you would just expect otherwise we'd be penalized also. Um I'm liability is also very important to me and um so we do like even today when I was working on
some incidents response it was important to document um the communication with the client that way it's like we covered our butt you know and um and told them the right way to do it. So it's one of those things where we believe we can lead a horse to water and but sometimes
can't make him drink. Luckily with cities um you guys have the obligation to do like what's legal and right. So you have to if you know something if you know better you have to do better or else you're liable yourselves. And so um having this very technical report
covering about like what you guys um what you would be liable for, what we'd be liable for, all that what our vendors would be liable for would be included in that. >> Thank you. Yeah. Um I I didn't come up with a
presentation or anything like that. So, um does anybody want to hear a joke? >> All right. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me. >> Audience open forum uh is open at this time.
Should anyone want to come forward, there's also an opportunity towards the end of the meeting. Seeing none, we will move on to our consent agenda this evening.
Um to approve the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust liability coverage waiver form to not wave limits on municipal tort liability and authorize signatures to do so.
>> I'll move. Thank you, councelor. Second. Thank you, councelor Buller. There is no discussion. I will call the question. >> I >> I >> I. >> And I'll vote yes. Consent agenda. The only item is approved unanimously.
Thank you. Next, new business. Item one, consider an appointment of Cynthia Adams to the library board of trustees. Library board has had an unexpected opening. And this would be to complete the open
term of Michelle Mner, which is until December 2027. Discussion at this time or motion to consider the appointment as recommended by our library director. >> So move. >> Thank you, Councelor Wgner.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Discussion question I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and Cynthia Adams is now appointed unanimously. Thank you. Two,
new business. Approve change order number one for the water treatment plant facility improvements extending the completion date 5 months. As many in the community are following, the water treatment plant that the city owns is undergoing what appears to be a
multi-year rehabilitation. Um, our engineer, Jason Fischer, is here. Is this something you'd like to explain? >> If you guys have questions, I'm willing to answer. >> Um, just background info if you would or I can provide just to get the word out
as this project goes on. Thank you. Um yeah, the water treatment plant is a Seymar project and in working with um the project manager, the filters and equipment have a longer lead time than
we initially anticipated. So um they've requested a fivemonth extension on the contract. This will not increase cost of the project. It just shifts everything back five months. So just so that we'll get the equipment we
need um when we need it. So thank you Jason. Is there a motion to approve this change order at this time? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. Councelor Holden. >> Second. >> Councelor Wagner seconds. Discussion. Question. >> I
>> I >> I'll vote yes. Change order is approved unanimously. Thank you, Jason. New business three. Adopt resolution approving application and permit for a 1-day to 4-day temporary onsale liquor
license for Falls Memorial Hospital doing business as Rainy Lake Medical Center for a Christmas party at Beckis Community Center on January 17th, 2026. >> So move. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. >> I'll second.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Discussion question I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. Number three is approved unanimously. Thank you. Number four, new business from public works committee.
Item A to consider replacement options for the vector garage overhead door. Is this something that we councelor Kaylor that we have clarity on? I believe we've received two bids. >> Yes.
>> Um is this something you would like Mike Wallace or Jason or Steve to come forward to discuss? >> I think just for the same so people can hear and understand what going on with
it. the bids, whoever um >> which one of them feels. So, the reason that this is being discussed is, and don't quote me on the date, but I'll go back to this summer, the city attempted to bond for
improvements to the Vactor garage in which ultimately were petitioned um for a vote or referendum, whatever that terminology specifically would be, that the bonding was denied by the public.
During all of this process, the city has purchased a new vector truck which does not fit inside any building that we have or that is feasible for us to store it in.
So, being that the new Vector garage will not fit the Vector, the next most logical step is to put a new door in the Vector garage so that the Vector truck maintains warm and dry for the winter, Lord willing.
And we have received two estimates, one from UPN North Builders for $16,545. And we have also received an estimate from Meyers Glass for a biffold door for
$33,718.84. Councelor Kaylor, do you have information to add or subtract? >> No, just I'd just like to add that we we did know when we we got the new vac truck cuz there was issues with the other one with its loaded weight and
stuff on the roads that we found out that when it was purchased, I don't know, 10 years ago that it was over the limits or for the tires or something. So, we had to buy had to get a new one because we need a vac in town here and for the area. And when we did purchase
it, we're also aware that we're going to have to do some remodeling of some type to the garage there to store it and that's how we got where we were. But other than that, I don't really have any other info that you haven't shared.
Being that winter uh appears to be on its way, is there a specific bid that you would like to move forward with? >> I don't I know which one that I am going to be choosing, but if
>> Yeah. No, I I the money wasn't explained to us why. Um, the one was more expensive, the size of the door and stuff, but u I >> our understanding go ahead.
>> Our understanding was that UPN North Builders has proposed basically a garage door like many of us have in our homes uh that tends to wear more over time. And um Meyers Glass has
proposed an aircraft hanger biffold >> type door that has more longevity likely but also costs >> twice as much for the sake of the conversation. >> Um we definitely have a big asset that we
need to protect. >> Both of those doors are insulated. Yep. Okay. I believe the consensus from public works was excuse me to move forward with the lowest bid on the project.
>> Um >> okay. >> So thank you councelor Buller. >> Second. >> Thank you councelor Holden. More discussion. >> Have we looked in any place that we can lease or rent to store the truck? Um,
Steve Crosby was reaching out to MANCO. Uh, Mr. Wallace, has there do you know has there any update on areas that it could be stored?
>> Yeah, man. Uh, I talked to him again today. They did not uh he did not get back to me. didn't feel comfortable uh giving me a price due to the fact that his business partner doesn't return until tomorrow. Uh the uh the sewer
district said we could store it there for free right now. Uh although we should have no longer than end of November um beginning of December a new door on so they were willing to store it for free >> temporarily.
>> Temporary. And I would I would add with the motion to purchase the door and installation from UPN North Builders that if we have a lot of water and sewer problems any time of year that the vac truck is
in and out constantly. So, um I don't think it's a long-term solution um to put it somewhere on a you know on a handshake. We're thankful that the sewer district will allow it as we get
in order. Um, but we do need a home for it. >> More discussion question. >> I I >> No. I >> I'll vote yes. Motion carries 41. Thank
you. New business item five. Budget and finance recommendations. A to approve Cassell multiple module add-on proposal for the accounts payable and payroll module.
We received a presentation from our finance officer, Emma Rudd, and our committee of the whole or excuse me, our budget and finance committee. Um, this will be in budgeted funds for 2026.
There's a monthly fee and a one-time investment. And to condense this information, this would be uh the what is needed essentially for the city to carry out its payroll functions much like if we
owned businesses and had a QuickBooks subscription or some way to do things like file W2s and issue them. Um do you have any comments at this time, Miss Redd? >> Clarification or commentary? >> We will let you know. Thank you.
Discussion from council or motions. >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, councelor Wgner. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. Discussion reopens. >> Question. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. 5A to approve the module
for accounts payable is approved unanimously. Thank you. New business. 5B to approve weekly special budget and finance committee meetings beginning Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
at 1 p.m. And this would be um until further notice weekly beginning October 28th. Is there a motion to approve scheduling these meetings?
Hopefully there is. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there support for councelor Buller's motion? >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Is there discussion? I would just like to point out that um Tuesday, November 11th is a city
holiday. Um so I would just ask that it be noted that that meeting not be held that day. And in place of that, we would just hold the the meeting for that week um the day before on Monday when we would normally have our normal budget finance meeting.
>> You amendable to that suggestion. Councilors Buller and Kaylor. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Then also just said that and subject to we don't think we're going to have any
info for a meeting the next t Tuesday. You know that there may not be one that we may cancel it or whatever. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Meetings as needed, my guess is how I'm right. >> Yeah, that's a good way to put it. >> Yeah, good good clarity for that. Thank
you. >> Question. I >> I >> I >> I >> all vote yes. Meetings are approved unanimously to be scheduled. >> Thank you. Item six, many of
recommendations coming forth from committee of the whole. Item A, approve moving forward with the design of the band shell and author, excuse me, authorize soliciting bids for consideration
by early December. This is something I would like to delegate to the band shell committee andor Betty to discuss where we're at in the process with it and what we're attempting to do here. >> Okay. So, we're uh councelor Kaylor and
I and Betty are on the banjo committee and we have a we have a picture now or a drawing and what uh Phil is ready for is to put out bids or uh solicit see if
anybody wants to do the work. And in order for us to move forward, we have to approve this is going to be the design and the bids going forward to rebuild it. Thank you, Councelor Wgner. Part of the
discussion in committee of the whole is at this point it's basically been decided what direction is being proceeded upon and this step is to figure out a cost and proposal >> to do the project and to move forward.
So it's really is it fair to say it's unknown where that's even going to come in at at this point in time? >> Yeah, relatively. I mean they're they're aware of our parameters but at this point we're going to get the bids and
then depending on it work from there >> what we can do with what we have available. So, you know, if it comes back, you know, $2 million, well, you know, we'll shave some stuff off and see what we can do with what we have available from the insurance.
>> That's just so that have an idea and I think there might be a couple versions even. >> Yeah. >> But this way we can get started and try and keep it on schedule. >> Thank you. >> Would the band shell committee consider motions to approve?
>> I will move. >> Second. Thank you. First councelor Kaylor and second councelor Wagner. Is there discussion on moving forward with solit solicitation of bids? >> I just want to thank Bob Dross and Renee
Wetbeck for uh citizen involvement and Jim Lucachic too was also part of the discussion. >> Thank you to those folks involved. >> Question. I >> I >> I vote yes. This is approved unanimously
to move forward with bids for the band shell. Thank you. Uh 6B to approve interlocal contract for cooperative purchasing from Houston Galveastston area council.
This is a piece presented by Chief Fire Chief Manassa. This is a contract for purchasing um for the fire department similar to that of municipalities using a state bid
list um to be able to purchase equipment at municipal rates. Is that correct, Betty? In the description, >> not just equipment for um fire and ambulance, it's other equipment as similar to other state bids. There's
numerous items on on the in their um realm of um providing cooperative agreements with other municipalities. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Is there a motion to approve this contract? >> I'll move second.
>> Thank you, councilors Kaylor and Wagner. Is there discussion? >> And just that there's no cost to this contract. >> No cost to this membership thing. Yeah. >> Thank you for clarifying. question. >> I >> I
vote yes. B is approved unanimously. Thank you. 6 C. Approve 2026 group Medicare Advantage Plus plan effective January 1st,
2026. Again, these are committee of the whole recommendations. This was presented by human resources director Sheri Stenland. And for clarification, as understood, this is for
13 employees, but eight city for their bene their retirement benefits and their payown. Um, meaning that the cost that they have to cover as part of the package. >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, councelor Wgner.
>> Second. Thank you, Councelor Buller. I would like to thank um Sherry for her work on this and pointing it out because we will be um there is a cost savings with this plan. >> Question. >> I I >> I
>> I vote yes. Item C is approved unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to item D. Approve 2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan 635
effective January 1st, 2026. This is a renewal which includes a $1,000 annual health savings account. This plan provides coverage for the full-time non-exempt library employees
of the city. So, this is simply a renewal of the policy that we've already had as um we move towards 2026. If there's not questions, I'd entertain a motion to approve. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Councelor
Kaylor, would you support that? I'll second. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Discussion or clarification on this health plan. Seeing none, call the question. I I >> I >> I'll vote yes and that plan is approved
unanimously. Item D. Thank you. >> E to approve Minnesota paid leave policy. >> I'll move >> second. Thank you, councilors Kaylor and
Wgner. Um, this is a policy that we're updating based on state law. Is that correct, Sherry?
>> That is correct. >> I don't think you need to come forward, but I just want to make it clear that this is probably what's considered an unfunded mandate um that a portion of increases the costs uh for the city to operate. Um so just wanted to point that
out. >> Please council >> is are is are all the labor groups on board known with this? >> Not yet. >> Okay. >> We are still working on the last um the last group. Uh we will meet next week
and that will be handled through a memorandum of understanding and that is included in the policy. Yep. referring them to their memorandum of understanding with regards to that. >> Okay. Thank you.
More discussion. Is there a motion to approve this policy? >> We had a motion. >> We have >> I did. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Is there any discussion? >> Question. I >> I >> I >> I
>> I'll vote yes and we have approved this policy unanimously. >> Thank you. Next under committee of the whole recommendations item F to accept a safety grant
from Min OSHA workplace safety and authorized matching funds for security equipment. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh, Councelor Wgner first,
followed by Councelor Holden. For clarification, the grant has been approved for $4,13612, which covers 1/ half of the total
project cost. The remaining $4,13612 would need to be covered by the city. Is there any anticipation of additional expense? >> No.
>> Thank you. Call the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I vote yes. This carries unanimously. 50. Thank you. G. To consider a temporary wage adjustment
for the assistant director of public works to act as the interim director of public works until a replacement plan is established for the director of public works position.
This is an adjustment being proposed for Mr. Wallace. This was brought originally on the city council agenda, then brought back to committee of the whole for more clarification and discussion.
With the former public works director no longer being with the city, that has left Mr. Wallace covering his job as the assistant and now as the public works
director. The salary adjustment, if if I didn't already say this, is $5,000 to Mr. Wallace's annual salary and would be retroactive to September 2nd, 2025. Is there discussion
on the topic or a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. I'll second. >> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. Is there more discussion question? >> I I
>> I >> I'll vote yes. That is approved unanimously. Thank you. H to approve hiring to parks facilities seasonal employees. >> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Wgner. And to add additional information, typically public works would hire three part-time seasonal staff.
This year's plan would be to proceed with two as your motions indicate. There's been contingent offers upon council approval extended. For clarification, I believe this is for
parks and recreation and Kerry Park. >> Is that correct? >> Yes, that is correct. >> Thank you. >> Question. >> I I >> I'll vote yes. That is approved unanimously. Thank you.
Number six committee the whole recommendations letter I to approve Derek Hell for the internal posting of the maintenance worker one equipment operator plow truck position.
This post this excuse me position was posted externally on September 2nd. It was approved then to be posted internally. Three employees signed the posting and public works has extended a contingent
offer to Derek Hell in which I believe he would be leaving the water department. Is there a motion? Um, actually before we do that, I would like to add that this was brought back to committee to discuss what the succession plan would
ultimately be or how that would occur uh if we were to approve this internal transfer. With that, I would ask for a motion or discussion. So move. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. >> Second. >> And councelor Wagner, is there
discussion on this internal transfer? >> Question. I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. >> That is approved unanimously. Thank you. >> Item J to approve internally posting for
the heavy equipment operator meaning excavator and sweeper position. This is to approve an internal posting for the position that Mr. Hell uh will be
vacating as he moves to maintenance worker one. Is there a motion or discussion? >> I would move to uh table this or move it back to public works committee to see if we actually need it for the moment of
time we actually use the excavator. Do we need one position for it? And along with the sweeper, if and I'm not all up on all the union rules and stuff. If we if some other somebody else couldn't
operate one of the heavy equipment operators couldn't operate the excavator or the street sweep or what needed if they weren't like running a loader or something. But I think it's an opportunity to take a look at
>> further if it's a positions needed. >> So you've offered a motion to refer this back to public works committee for a more in-depth detailed >> second discussion. Thank you. Uh councelor Kaylor then councelor Wagner discussion.
Is there any clarification needing on the change in motion? Question. >> I I >> I vote yes. Item J is referred back to the next public works committee meeting unanimously. Thank you. K.
Approve advertising for replacement of information systems administrator. Um we've already had some presentations. Um but the city does
need to move ahead formally um with the process whether that becomes internal or external and what solution will work the best for the city ultimately. Is there a
motion to approve advertising um for the replacement? >> So moved. >> Thank you councelor. Thank you, Councelor Holden. And to clarify, in the packet, I believe that it also states that it
would be internal external, meaning um RFPs for those who may want to serve the city, but not as an employee. Is that correct? >> Okay. If I may, >> it's okay. >> Well, I guess we need to understand.
Yeah, >> you know, we had the presentations from the local as they indicated. There's others in the community. Um, are we looking to hire an individual on staff, you know, full-time as our employee or are we looking to do an RFP for
professional services? Um, that is what you folks need to, you know, give us that guidance on doing. um the the gentlemen um the two gentlemen that spoke today, three excuse me, you know, that's more of a professional services. So that would be a request for proposals
process versus advertising to hire an individual to serve as the IT systems administrator. >> Thank you, administrator. I I would hope at this juncture that we could weigh all of the options, what the costs are, um
whether service is scalable uh in the future and what those needs may be. >> Mayor, >> please councelor Wagner. Yeah, I think I think both Betty I think we get RFPs and
and I think you advertise maybe maybe there I don't know if you can find somebody or not but I'll see you know I think we have to have all options available to whichever way we go. This is the second time this evening I believe there were motions made by
councelor Holden and you councelor Wgner. >> Yes. >> Okay. I haven't lost my mind yet. Thank you. Um more well more discussion please. >> Question. >> I >> I
>> I vote yes. That is approved as proposed by councilors Holden and Wagner unanimously. Thank you. Next is item L to an to approve an agreement with Todd Ogula to
provide IT services on a temporary basis to the city. We have received a resignation from Mr. Ogdula. would like to thank him for his service and would also like to thank him for
keep offering to keep us running as the search ensues for a new provider whichever is decided by the council. >> So, I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, councelor Holden. Yep.
>> Thank you, councelor Wagner. Uh councelor Kaylor, floor is open. I have an author. >> I was just seconded. >> Yeah, >> understand. Yeah. >> Thanks, Todd. I think >> Thank you, Todd.
>> Thank you. >> Question. >> I >> I >> I >> I vote yes. Contract is approved unanimously. Thank you. Item M and the last from committee of
the whole to approve Minnesota security consortium professional services agreement to provide VCISO services from October 21st,
2025 until December 31st, 2025. Five is Mr. Oil, is this something you would like to explain to us? Um, so we have an
understanding of what a complete understanding certainly. >> Thank you, council. Mayor, >> yeah, I'm happy to to discuss it. Um, I see that uh Demetrius Hilton is in the
Zoom meeting also, but he's already been very helpful in helping us with the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension audit, which you know, once the police department was off on its own, um, you know, we were subject to just because
we're subject then to FBI level sides, uh, standards, you know, it's, you know, for a criminal justice information and, you know, it takes a lot of expertise with somebody who's dealt with such audits in the past successfully and Demetrios has been you know very
instrumental in helping us with that um and just providing general guidance on securing our information and data for the police department and also for the you know for the city in general. So, um, yeah, I think it's a very good a
good fit for the city and very much needed at this time, espe you know, even if I weren't leaving, I would I would say that he's his services have been instrumental, but you know, now even more so. >> Thank you. And this the reason I wanted to have you come forward was this is an
integral uh piece of the police department and some of the things we have to do to keep that department running. That is correct. Is >> there discussion or questions for Mr. Ojula? >> Just that I concurred with Todd once being the
lassel as I call it with uh FBI and the siege of stuff from my previous job. I like this. I always keep getting to visit every now and then my past here. But yes, very and he is correct. It's little in debt especially this part. I
didn't do that part that was but uh yeah the firewalls and all that stuff. So yeah, very important. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> I'll move.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor and Holden. Is there any discussion >> on this professional services agreement? Seeing none, question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. Approved unanimously.
Thank you, >> Mayor. Thank you very much. I look forward to working with you in your city. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move on to item seven, review and discuss charter amendment process
and determine next steps. I see that there is a memorandum dated October 16th from you Chelsea um which I'll hand over the floor for you to um explain. Thank you.
>> Sure. Thank you. Um so following the last charter commission meeting um a motion by member Droa um and passed unanimously excuse me asked me to um review the 2024 procedural requirements and that
satisfaction for the 2024 um charter amendment. So I went back through and worked with um Cammy Kosik over at the paper. I worked with um Betty and a little bit with Lisa um to to kind of make sure all of those steps were
provided. Um it wasn't a unique way that this um charter was trying to be passed. It was just one of the the ways that you can. So the thought process to pass this charter amendment was by ordinance um which is controlled by sub 7 of 410. Um and what that requires is you have your
first reading and then within a month you have to have the public hearing and then you have to have um your second reading along with publishing it in the paper. This one was super long so it was just a summary. Typically you have to publish the whole thing. Um and then after that so for the city we did the 20
July 5th um 15th was the second reading July 1st was the first reading. There was never a public hearing on the matter. Um but publication did get completed on July 26th. So out of the four steps, one was missed. Um the process of passing by ordinance is
it's voted on. You do the readings, whatever. Then you have to wait 60 days to see if a referendum is proposed by um citizens via petition. If no referendum, then 90 days after the ordinance goes into effect changing the charter. Anyway, um so the other part that I was askked
to look into is what happens if we missed that step. Um and those steps are created to to perfect charter amendments. Um is basically the the terminology used. So by missing one of those steps, it wasn't followed appropriately. It wasn't perfected. So
what happens is where it gets confusing is technically we function under the old charter. um and we should have been functioning under the old charter um because it wasn't per perfected. So, we have a few options to kind of
figure out where we go from here. From a legal standpoint, just to calm everyone down, um I'm not concerned about any sort of litigation for following the new charter. It was all good faith that there was good faith reliance on it. That's an exception to being sued. Um so, I do think we're okay at least on
that front. Um, essentially you have four kind of options. Um, I'm going to do the option that I don't recommend first, which is to do nothing. Um, at the very least, I think the city needs to acknowledge it on some basis and take some forward action because otherwise
we're just kind of in limbo. Um, and it's confusing for citizens. It it's confusing for you. It's confusing for me. So, I do think something at least should be done. Um so options you can do is you can cure and reenact the ordinance which means we go through the same steps again. Um you would do your
first reading, second reading, public hearing that would we'd actually get done and then the publication and then we'd wait 60 days for the referendum. If there's no referendum then reenact in 90 days. Um that's option one. Um the
second option is we can kind of just proceed and push it to a vote. um and just immediately put it to the vote. If it passes, great. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Um we can um seek some sort of declaratory
clarification from the courts. I don't recommend that one either. Um that's more just supplemental and you'll um you'd still have to do either the option to cure or to submit to the voters anyway. So, that one isn't really necessary. And then the last one that's
kind of just by itself is you can just maintain under the old charter and and essentially do nothing but not really do nothing because I would recommend you have some sort of resolution that says we acknowledge the imperfection of the prior attempted charter amendment.
Um but we are not going to cure it start it over. we are going to leave it as is with a specific recognition that we're following that prior charter 2024 amendment never happened. So, it's still kind of doing nothing, but it's on paper. We're recognizing what what's
controlling here. >> Thank you for putting this together and presenting um to the council. I know that this is technical at any level and even harder
for many of us to understand. Um, if I understood you right, because it was good faith, unless the city was sued, you don't foresee any um challenges to how we did business,
>> right? Okay. Correct. Up until this point, but that's why I don't recommend do nothing now because now we know about it. doing nothing, we run into some hairy situations because we're no longer acting in good faith under the 2024 amendment. >> Um, to begin with,
would you be looking for the council to take any action at in terms of acknowledging that we should be following the old charter at this point? At yes, at the very least, um even if it's in the interim and you want to think about it longer, at least something in the interim acknowledging
the 2024 amendment was not perfected appropriately. So therefore, we're under um the prior charter. Not saying you have to decide whether you want to go forward and and push the change through again or not. But um at the very at the very very least in the interim acknowledge that we're functioning under the old charter
>> and that's something we could do tonight. >> Yes. And that would also um because of this um the the paper shuffle I think on our website I haven't looked at it recently the the 2024 charter is on
there and there will be a time frame and this will take time to acknowledge that is what I'm trying to convey. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um well before we proceed is there a motion to acknowledge
um op that we should be operating under the prior charter per Chelsea's evidence this evening >> and that Chelsea that was your recommendation right? >> Yeah and add to that motion that's the charter then from this point forward
we're going to operate under the old charter is if you can add that ending language >> until changed. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, is there a motion to do such by the council? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden.
Is there support for that motion? >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Wgner. Um, more discussion um at this time. Question. >> I I >> I >> I
>> I'll vote yes. That motion passes unanimously that we have acknowledged that per Chelsea's advice the city will be operating under the old charter pre2024.
Thank you. Um, in terms of if the council is the council at any risk operating under the old charter now, um, meaning we don't have to rush forward tomorrow.
>> No. >> Okay, that's Thank you. >> No, you have time. >> Okay. So, this is something that we could put on the agenda for committee of the whole orb. >> Um, >> that would probably be a good way to go
>> and and discuss. Give us some time to what we want to do. Obviously, you know, I have no problem just doing it by ordinance again being on the other. That's how we did it before and we missed the one step. But also going under the old charter, it isn't really
going to change any way how we do business. I mean, it's they're basically the same except for some wording and a few things. And the major things that were changed, the bonding and the civil service commission were already done.
We're already amended earlier in the process. So, this will give us time to decide how we want to go about this. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. And then this we have another agenda item, but it's going to be about the charter
>> um in case the two are blended together. And this is something that the charter commission um could be added to that agenda as well which Mrs. Lundine who is here this evening is the chair person of
moving on to item eight. Unless was there any other information regarding that specific item to be discussed? >> Not for me. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Do we need a motion to move it to that committee of the whole? >> Oh, yeah. If that's what you want to do.
>> That was Sure. I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Is there discussion? >> Question. >> I I >> I >> I'll vote yes. It's approved unanimously. to have a discussion at the
committee of the whole in regards to the future of the charter. Item eight, acknowledge certificate of sus sufficiency memo for the petition to modify
charter to limit levy to 3% and discuss next step. I'm anticipating a significant amount of discussion on this topic at this time.
At this time, I would invite uh Lois Lundine, our chairperson of the charter commission forward and as well, you're already up here, Chelsea. And welcome, Lois. >> Thank you.
And the idea is to explain where we're excuse me currently at um in the process. The city received a citizens petition seeking a charter amendment here a few weeks ago for lack of better
terms. um in which was found petition or excuse me sufficient by our administrator and if you'd like to give an update on the process or where we're at today that would be fantastic. >> I can do that. Um I'll give everyone
just for the benefit of everyone who is listening. Um, the petition was received by me from Ed Bates on September 19, uh, forwarded over to Betty Bergstrom on September 20 for her review the
following Monday. Um, this the charter commission met and we reviewed all of the criteria that was outlined in statute 410.12. There are five key points that they needed to that we all needed to review to make sure that um all of the
requirements for the amendment were were present and that it was sufficient. After the charter commission reviewed each of those bullet points one by one, we took a we had a vote. There were nine people there of the 10 and it was a
unanimous vote that everything was sufficient from our standpoint um for the amendment and we forwarded it on then to administrator Bergstrom so that the next part of the validation could happen and that was the review of the actual petition to make sure that the
signatures were all uh from registered voters and that they were all eligible and valid and that part of the petition was also found sufficient. U we did receive some notification from the city attorney that there were
questions about the um the amendment uh proposal itself the 3% um whether or not that would there was state law that would support that or not. Uh those questions were discussed thoroughly at
our last um charter meeting that we just had. Um there was lengthy discussion and a lot of it. Um and where we landed that night um was that Oh no, we did not talk about it
that night. We did not. We have talked about it since. Um where the charter commission is today is that we have reached out to an independent attorney to review the evidence or the information that was presented by our
city attorney. um as opposed to what we had deemed and um to advise us and make a recommendation as to next steps whether this is whether this 3% levy with the um provisions for some
flexibility for the city council is something that legally can go on the ballot. The provisions in the um that were noted that are in the petition are that yes there is a 3% but then there is flexibility for the city council to ask
the voters uh for approval or not if you want to go higher than 3% for specific reasons or if there is an emergency. So those were the criteria that we reviewed uh when we looked at at the 3% at this amendment.
That's where we are. >> Thank you. That was a very detailed um presentation. Chelsea, do you have anything to add? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. You're >> um so she's correct on all her dates. Um when Betty was reviewing, she also sent
it over to me. We reached out to the League of Minnesota Cities um who also advised us this is not a legal ballot question. Um so it's not just coming from myself, it's also coming from the League of Minnesota Cities. Um the question about limiting the tax levy to
3% even with the options to put it to a vote to do more or to um do more than 3% for emergency situations. That authority is strictly um reserved for the legislature. Even the city can't do it. It is a state legislature that can enact
that. And they've actually done it in the past. They've done it 2008 to 2014. The legislature enacted certain levy limits during that time. the city does not have that authority. Um I understand certainly entitled to a second opinion. Um a simple Google search comes up with
this answer. I have cited case law in my memorandum. I have no doubt they went through every section of to 410.12. Um 410.07 which is under the same chapter says that such charter shall be consistent with the subject to the constitution and
laws of this state. And as your city attorney, even if you get the suffici sufficiency petition from the charter commission and Miss Bergstrom, the city administrator, I am still advising you this is not a legal question for the ballot. You can send it to the ballot
and if it goes to vote and it passes, the attorney general will reverse it and turn it down. I've also cited a article from the attorney general from 1982. This is not a new concept. Cities do not limit their own levies and certainly the
citizens cannot do so either. The example I provide is cities um have certain legal obligations that they have to pay for and sometimes a 3% levy will not satisfy those legal obligations. And even if we did say yes, we can put it to
a vote to cover those legal obligations and have a higher levy percentage. There's no guarantee the citizens will approve that. that authority cannot sit with citizens by vote. It can't even sit with you. It sits with the state legislature. So certainly um your
timelines are done. They were done as of today. We had the 10 the 10. I turned it back to um the charter commission um to offer them another 10 to change their opinion. There's no requirement that they change their opinion. That was out of courtesy um to see if they'd like to get on the same page. Um certainly can
wait for a second opinion. If you want to put it to the ballot, go ahead. We'll deal with the attorney general next year. That's my opinion and you can accept it, you can leave it, you can get a second opinion, but when the attorney general, if this passes, we have to turn it over to the League of Minnesota
Cities and we will have to pay. My legal opinion is this is an illegal ballot question. It cannot be placed on the ballot. >> I want to thank you, Chelsea, for all the work you've done. I'm very I am well informed that the attorneys they have
for the League of Cities are excellent. I've known that for a long time. And what they say is what goes. And so, um, I can't vote for anything that that's illegal. That's where I'm at.
I know I know the fine attorney people that are at that business. So just for clarification, it um Chelsea when she responded to Miss London said, "Yeah, if feel free to get
a second opinion and Lois reached out for somebody representing the charter commission, not necessarily everybody on the charter commission cuz we didn't meet or have a vote on it. I don't have a problem with it, but I just want to
make sure that people know that it wasn't everybody from the charter commissioner that we didn't vote on, but I'm fine with going and looking for a second opinion, but I do agree with Mike then with Chelsea. >> Thank you. And would your league
correspondence on the matter be available to the council? >> My what? the correspondence with the attorneys at the League of Minnesota Cities regarding >> Yes, it's in Betty's email. >> Okay, thank you. Um, as councelor Kaylor pointed out,
Chairwoman Lendine has reached out for a second opinion which was suggested uh by attorney Nelson. And um is there an update you'd like to give on that? I did hear from I submitted a letter with information to
this attorney to have her review all of the documentation to date. Asked for her objective look um said we simply want to serve the public and the community and make sure that our charter is um that that any amendments are that it's kosher to put them there. Um she was
unavailable last Thursday and Friday. I sent it on Thursday. I received communication from her yesterday and I expect to hear from her in the next couple of days. Thank you. >> And was there something specifically that you were looking for for us to
acknowledge the suffic excuse me the sufficiency of petition? >> Your timelines are up today. So you have to determine if it's sufficient and setting it on the ballot or not. And what are the ramifications of falling outside, excuse me, falling outside of
the 10 days? >> I would have to research that, but I'm fairly certain the people that submitted it would have a huge issue and we'd have to deal with that. >> Okay, that's I mean what I wanted to discuss because I like you I don't know
the answer to that immediately. Is there a motion to acknowledge the certificate of sufficiency memo for the petition to modify the charter to limit levy to 3%
and I would assume that means not call an election as well. Chelsea, >> phrase that again. >> I'm asking if a motion would be appropriate for the council to acknowledge if offered the certificate of sufficiency memo
for the correspondence that the petition was sufficient, but you don't think it's constitutional to place the question on a ballot and thus not hold an election. >> I didn't say it's not constitutional. >> Okay. It's contradictory to the constitution and state law. Okay. Which
410.07 says it cannot be. >> Thank you. >> Is there any discussion? >> So your recommendation Chelsea is not to not call an election or uh for the question.
>> Correct. >> Okay. and in evidence that a second opinion is received. And whether it is or not, that isn't my prerogative here. We know where you stand and thank you.
if we were to receive a contra if the charter commission was to receive a contradictory opinion. Um, my point in it is I'm not necessarily saying that you're wrong. You represent us and we've gone through
this. I think you have provided us with much information, but I don't want if we do receive an opinion back that is more favorable, I want to do everything I can to know that the citizens in our community who have
citizen-led initiatives are able to do so in a manner that won't be obstructed. It needs to be lawful, of course. Um, so that's my position on it. I I would just like that. I don't think we're being obstructive
here. We're just trying to make sure it's legal and it's right and it's the thing to do. I would move say we're still kind of acting if we table this until we find out the other opinion if that's what you're
looking for. If we're allowed to do that, would that still qualify us meeting all the timelines? you'd be outside the timelines, but I did kind of just a quick search. The petition doesn't expire. Um potentially
you're looking at failure to um complete your duty within 10 days. Um I haven't had time to look at case law to see what that looks like if it's some sort of lawsuit for I don't know some sort of damages for waiting two days. I'd imagine it's very minimal if anything.
So you can certainly um it appears this way it doesn't expire or go away. So, you could table it um for a couple days if you'd like >> until there's more. Please, Councelor Wagner, >> I'll make a motion to acknowledge the amendment, deny or acknowledge the
petition and deny the amendment for a vote. >> Okay, we have a motion by councelor Wagner to acknowledge the petition. I'll second
>> deny putting the amendment to the vote >> first by councelor Wagner then councelor Kaylor and discussion >> so it won't go to the vote
>> it won't go to the vote my if if approved if that motion's approved my question is if it's not approved and we receive a different legal opinion which I think more at this time is about covering the bases of the charter
commission that was Chelsea's recommendation as well then that may be something that should be reconsidered I suppose at the will of the council there more discussion
so I want to do what our attorney recommended I want to stay out of this and I I won't vote for anything that's illegal. And so I want to mention that again. So the way this is Tim, the way
you've got it set up is there won't be a vote. All right. >> More discussion, >> if I may, >> please. >> I'm confident my in my position and I'm not sure what's happened since I've
gained employment here. I'm not willing just to upset the citizens of I falls or to get a certain point made. I'm not willing to commit legal malpractice. >> Yeah. >> Which if I was wrong and I'm pushing this so hard and you rely on my actions and something bad happens, that's why I
have malpractice insurance. There is no one I dislike enough here or in the entire city that I would risk committing legal malpractice and losing my license for. This is just what I do. I have a legal obligation to provide you the most accurate information I possibly can.
>> I appreciate that. >> Thank you, Chelsea. >> More discussion and and that's why I following her advice like Mike. So, we it's all part of us trying to make it's
not it's not that I'm against it or for it. It's it's e we don't we're getting advice that it isn't even a legal petition and there's good chance if it went anyhow if we went put it on the ballot anyhow
and it passed that the um attorney general get involved and would say the same thing. So I'm just thinking it's probably the most prudent thing to do is stop it before it gets that far. >> Thank you. Councelor Kaylor.
>> Mr. Mayor, if I may please. Please. >> Is it an appropriate request to ask to wait until the second opinion comes before action is taken? Could it be table? >> Mr. Mayor, call a question. I call a question. >> Um, I believe to do that, you would need
a motion to do so. In which then I will call a question. >> You need a motion. >> Would you second? >> Yeah. >> Um, I will call the question at this time. I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote no. Motion carries 41 and has
passed. >> Thank you. Number nine, discuss International Falls Ambulance Service. There is a Thank you, Mrs. Lundine.
Um, there is a roundt that will be held at Bakis Community Center, I believe, at 1 or 1:30 p.m. I don't have my calendar in front of me. 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, which is the 22nd.
We've spent a lot of time um discussing what is going on with the service, what the city, what its options are, what ultimately the council may be seeking, and the parties that will be involved that have been invited,
excuse me, to the round table. uh city staff that's applicable um councelor Holden and myself uh members of the county board members of the Reineer City Council and um representatives from the portion of St.
Louis County that falls inside of our primary service area. Is there any other info uh from the council on the ambulance service at this time? Um, >> so we got a meeting coming the 28th. Is
that >> on Wednesday that this coming Wednesday? >> This coming Wednesday. >> Yep. >> Dr. Make a quick >> um and given um we we understand.
>> Okay. So >> is there any more discussion on the ambulance that just got >> I believe members of the hospital Rainy Lake Medical Center were also invited. >> Yep. >> For for reference. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um
then we had two additions to the agenda. The first was from Rainey Lake Medical Center, a request for proclamation National Rural Health Day on November 20th, 2025.
I would be happy to read the request if the council would like. Um, I see a headshake from councelor Kaylor. You could >> you be willing to make a >> I I'd make a motion that we're all for rural health day here
>> and understand. >> Is there support for councelor Kaylor's motion? >> Second. >> Thank you. Councelor Wagner discussion. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. I didn't call it, but I
think uh that would suffice unanimously. Thank you. And last of the additions, there were two that we approved, not the original three. We have received a request from Lana Imhof representing
Independent School District 361 um requesting a letter of support in a grant application they are making to the Rotary Club in the amount of $60,000. The funding would help bring to life the
Early Education Outdoor Center, an accessible, inclusive outdoor learning and play space designed to serve children of all abilities. Is there discussion on this or a motion
to write them a letter of support with their application? >> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion? >> Question. >> I I
>> I'll vote yes. That letter of support is passed unanimously. Thank you. At this time, we can move on to the audience open forum. Please, if you
come forward, name and address for the record and limit your comments to five minutes. >> We didn't add it. >> Good evening. >> Thank you, council. My name is Lois Lundine. I live at 2222 3rd Avenue East. I have um two questions I'd like to
clarify about items that were discussed earlier in the in the meeting. The first um Jason Fischer, I'm wondering if you can confirm for me please. We talked about the water treatment change is there and you said that there would be
um no additional costs for the for the project. Correct. Is there a cost for the change order? >> What do you mean? >> Um >> like the engineering cost or >> correct >> they're probably minor. It's just part
of the project management package. So >> typically change orders come with a charge. That's why I'm asking the question if there were >> it would have been noted there if there was a charge. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you. >> Can excuse me. Um and one of the things I'd like to point out because I think
you asked a valid question is that the construction manager at risk that was chosen. >> Um that the the price is a guaranteed maximum price by the the Seymar in that whole package for the waterfront. Please. Very good. Um the reason that I
asked is that when we did um when we installed new boiler, we installed new electrical and things, if we had change orders, there was an affiliated cost. So I just I was curious about that whether there was or not. Um the second one, the second question that I have is regarding the security cameras. And when I looked
through the packet, I saw the total charge that is listed here for both the city and for the that will come from the grant is each is $4,13612 and it matches up to the equipment that you're going to order. So, Mr. Mayor, when you asked if there were additional
costs, I'm curious to know if there will be costs for installation and for um software and and things of that nature. I don't I didn't see any of that listed here. >> We will be managing that internally. So, that's something we've discussed and
it's um installed internally. It's it's what she used on their side and he said we can go ahead and >> Okay. But we we don't know yet what any of that cost will be to install or for the software any >> that's included that the camera costs
and all of that are included in that um in that overall price. What you're asking is what will the installation cost be? >> Installation software annual. >> We use our internal employees to get that. So, >> okay. >> Do you want to know those specific
costs? I I don't have that yet. >> No, I just I was very curious if there were going to be additional costs because what what this is is what's going to come in the box. Correct. >> That is equipment and that is the service fees for the cameras. >> Okay. Very good. That was my question. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. There any additional comments this evening to come before the council? Seeing none. >> Hi, >> can you hear me? This is Michael with ESX Technology
Solutions. Sorry, I missed the first part when people were talking, but I just wanted to introduce myself um and let you know what we're doing right now with for you guys. We work with Todd. Obviously, he's now just part-time with you guys. Um but
we do your managed endpoint detection. We do your managed firewall. Um and then we also helped Todd with a project at the water plant getting your networking set up. I did give Tatada a statement of services where we kind of proposed
what we could do is we could take on managing your networking. Um so then the talent pool that you guys have you don't have to get a tier 2 level person. Um, you could just get a tier one or Todd has mentioned that he would be able to
with his job he's moving to uh be able to still help out where we can then manage your networking, make sure that all the everything's good to go for you guys, help out with everything obviously, but you would just have a tier one that you're looking for.
So that's what I think Todd did give it to you guys. I'm not 100% sure. Um, but if you need that, I'd be happy to send it over. Um, but that's what we proposed to Todd. Um, and I believe he brought it over to you guys.
And if we could get that information to add to committee of the whole um which the date is going to escape me, we would want to discuss those proposals as excuse me, we get the job internally
posted in an RFP out in which then we would resume discussion as a council on the topic. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any more comment this evening? >> Good evening. >> Good evening, Rhonda Benedict, 9096
Street. I don't have anything wrote down. I have lots of things flying in my head, so I'm just going to speak. All right. I just want to say one thing. I find a lot of things that happen up here very unprofessional.
I find Chelsea's attitude towards people unprofessional. I think she's very unprofessional. How snippy, snotty, snoody she becomes. How she chirps at people but then pretends she's the victim. I find that
sometimes I feel city council isn't really for the people. I find that our voices aren't being heard. I find that the reason that these seats are being filled lately is because the voices aren't being heard.
The reason that this petition came forward for the 3% is because the overspending has gotten so ridiculous and the taxes keep going up and up and up and people have just had enough. We
the people are pissed because the solution to the overspending and the city being in financial distress is to just keep raising your citizens taxes. That's your solution.
So, as ridiculous as the 3% is, which it is ridiculous. We all know that. That's a slap in the face to you people because it's the only thing that you stand up and listen to. It is ridiculous. 3% is ridiculous.
But we're saying it because you're not listening. People don't have more money, more money, more money. Just like you don't have more money to spend on a police station and a a a whole new garage for the Vector truck, which is the most ridiculous thing. Look at
$16,000 to put in a new garage door. Pretty simple. but less asks for 2.75 million to build a new garage. There's simple solutions out there. It's a ridiculous thing to ask for and we know that.
But there's a reason for it because you're listening. People keep telling me, "Thank you. Thank you for standing up." There's people in the county that can't vote that wish they could. I get stopped all the time. Thank you.
Thank you for going up there. Keep speaking. Keep speaking. Do you think we want to come here? Do you think we want to spend our time up here bitching at you? We don't. It's not fun. I have better things to do with my time. Everybody has better things to do with
their time. It's not fun. Do I want to begrudge all you? No, I don't. People can't afford their freaking taxes. What don't you get about that? I have people telling me all the time, I
have two people that are both teachers and one guides in the summertime. They're going to sell their house. They haven't even had their house that long. They're going to sell their damn house and go move in with his mom and take care of her till she passes away because they can't afford their
taxes and they both work. I have people telling me all the time that they're they have to sell their home that they're going to move. So, not only are you putting people through distress, you're actually depopulating
our town. And when the people can't afford it, guess what? Then they're going to need low-income housing. So then you're going to be stuck building more lowincome housing, which is going to cause more stress for the county. The countyy's going to have to pay for more low-income
people. So we don't want to be here. We don't want to be bitching at everybody. It's not fun. It's stress for us. It's stress for you. It's ridiculous. 3% is ridiculous. We know that.
But it's the only thing that makes you stand up and listen. It's ridiculous. We know that. But you're not listening. People can't keep affording for you to raise taxes every single year. Two $3,000 people are paying for their
taxes. You can't afford to fix your car. You can't afford to freaking fix anything on your home. Can't afford to hire a plumber. I'm glad you guys can. 90% of the freaking community can't.
You are very unprofessional. You can smile all you want. >> 5 minutes. >> Thank you. >> I don't care. There's been people up here way more than five minutes before and I'll go back through every single city council meeting and show you. >> Thank you, Miss Benedict.
>> Reme 6th Avenue East. Good evening. >> Hello. I want to second what you just said. The problems this city has incurred
fall on you. I can't believe all the expenses you have approved when we're when the city is in financial crisis. It makes no sense. I just think everything she said you
need to listen to. The letters I write to the paper. It's unbelievable how many people come up and slap me on the back and say, "Right on. You need to keep it up. Exactly.
>> I asked you at one point about state statute 169.98. Are you giving this city council the same advice you gave tonight to Lois
that you stand behind your opinion? And that opinion is that the the police department is fine with those colors. The same basis. It is not the same legal
basis. Would you give this city council advice to go ahead and keep the colors on our squad cars as they are knowing what it says in statute 169.98
>> on the squad vehicles? >> Yeah. >> Yes. I would say it's compliant. >> Could I ask you another question? >> Yes. How much is it for billable billable hours when you go to court for the city? >> Um, our billable hours, no matter what
type, are 140 an hour. My standard rate is 250 an hour. >> Well, if this goes to court, I'm not going to let this go. And a few people think
that black and gray are distinguishable colors compared to black and white. If I ask third graders the same question and show them two pictures, one of the squad cars in this town, one of the
squad cars of in Duth and ask third graders and explain to them what distinguishable means. I would ask those third graders which one of these pictures is a distinguishable color.
I think third graders wouldn't agree with you four guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Nancy Yhov, 3393rd Street. The way that you guys,
Mr. Wagner especially cut off the uh the commissioner um Lois inquiring about a second opinion m and the way that you all voted just uh thanks again for making it very clear that what the people want really doesn't
matter to you. It's not what the people want. you you know you could have given us that much to at least get a second opinion but um it it's just it's just really clear that what you guys want is has
nothing to do with what the citizens want and I agree with the spending. It's just we asked 3% because somehow we got to get through to you guys that there's a limit. There needs to be a limit. I
realize for eight years or so you haven't realized that because we are where we are right now but there has to be a limit and every meeting we come to you just keep approving expenditures and it's mindboggling to me it's there's
never a no vote on spending anything so but it but the main thing I'm taking away from this is that what the citizen want citizens want means nothing to you. >> Good evening, >> Mary Wil. Good evening, Mary Wilson,
1711 First Avenue East. Um, you approved to start the Smoky Bear the uh to replace the pavilion. Can and we see a picture of what you are voting on that
you've said you you've accepted. I I never saw a picture. >> It's in the packet. Is there packets? >> It is in the packet. >> I don't have a packet. They don't have enough packets for everybody. >> I we can get you one. >> Thank you. And I would add that during
the first community presentation um we an open house I don't remember if it was July and August we did present three different options. >> Um the band shell was I'm sorry excuse
me was um deemed to be the choice made by the community to be rebuilt. is that is what we had. I know the committee worked on it and with some
folks that have volunteered to help that councelor Kaylor mentioned. Um so >> so it it's the one that's the similar to what we originally had. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. I that's what I wanted
to know because I haven't seen any of this. >> You're you're welcome. And um I I would add to it that we had a lengthy discussion um on the band shell at the committee of
the whole meeting in regards to what's the cost going forward and we cannot answer that which is why we're soliciting bids for the project. Now, I believe I would I would have to ask Betty, but I think we have somewhere around 550,000, give or take, to to put
towards the project. And um if we don't have the money, uh it's been suggested that there be fundraising, I think originally by Mr. Lucachic. And um if we don't have the money to rebuild it, um I think it'll be up to
the council, but I there isn't extra money to go around right now. So until we have a price, we don't know. Maybe we can build it for half of 500,000, but that's where the process is. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Seeing no further comment at this time,
would like to add a reminder. The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. There's no further business to come before the council. The
meeting is adjourned.