It's 5:30. I will call this City of International Falls regular city council meeting to order. Please rise and we'll say the pledge. I >> aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which
it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. For the record this evening, we have all members of the council present. We will move on to
our agenda. Is there any additions or deletions from council at this time? Seeing none, I'd ask for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. So move. >> Thank you, councelor Buller. >> Second. >> Thank you, councelor Wagner. Is there discussion? Call the question.
>> I >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the agenda is approved unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to approval of minutes. First minutes of the Monday, March 2nd, 2026 regular city council meeting. And
second, minutes of the Monday, March 9th, 2026 committee of the whole meeting. ask for a motion at this time to approve both of them. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> I'll second.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Is there discussion or questions on any language in the minutes? >> Seeing none, I'd ask the question. >> I I >> I vote yes. And both sets of minutes are approved unanimously.
Moving to payments of claims and transfers. Accounts payable and claims. City of International Falls claims $224,34723. Library Board claims $4,450.99. Airport commission claims $26,7764.
Total accounts payable in claims $254,87586. There any questions on payments and claims or transfers? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Councelor Wgner. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Discussion
on this topic. Seeing none, I'd ask the question. >> I I >> I. >> I'll vote yes. and these transfers and payments and claim are approved unanimously. Again, thank you. Next on our agenda this evening is uh a time
where anyone seated here in the audience can come forward and address the council if you choose to do so. Name a ne record, excuse me, name and address for the record. Please come forward. Good evening.
>> Good evening. Good evening to everybody. My name is Anne Daly. I live I have the house. It's uh 10252nd Street uh down by the baseball fields. Uh recently, uh kind of in the process
of moving to International Falls full-time. Uh right now it's about 10 months out of the year. Um my question is to the council in general and that is given the occurrences of the last week
and two weeks. I was curious to know is there any screening for potential employees to the city for um domestic violence or child abuse history for people that want to work for the city?
And kind of a followup to that is, is there a city policy if someone is convicted of domestic violence or child abuse, is there a way for that person um to have that issue addressed?
>> Thank you for the question. >> You're welcome. I'll take my answer back at the seat. >> Okay. Um, so I'm going to actually defer that to our human resources to Mrs. Sherry Stenland and our police chief
Scott Worley and our city attorney Chelsea Nelson. Um, and how our hiring process goes, background checks, how that's vetted and such. Um I
unless somebody else on the council um knows differently when we do that hiring process and how that's followed that is brought to us with terms and conditions. Um I'll give an instance like to get a
commercial driver's license. Um I believe you have to have a is it a drug test? >> Yes, that's part of it. Um, I could speak for myself. Um, in my own department, in the police department, that would be a disqualifying factor in
a and a police officer could not be hired if there is a domestic violence conviction on there. And the post board, which is the licensing agency of the state, has really gotten stringent over the years based upon moral, ethical
behavior and such. So there is very thorough backgrounds for my own department. Um and I also know that the city has a policy as far as workplace violence and
you know certain things like sexual harassment and such. So I believe that is addressed as well in city policy. >> Thank you. And mayor that would be citywide. Is that correct? >> Yes. The city policy handbook is is for
all employees of the of the city. >> Thank you. >> You bet. Thank you. At this time, we will move on. There will be another opportunity um towards the end of this council meeting to come forward if you choose.
We will move to new business next. Um, first is to consider approval or denial of the cost of the special assessment of improvement for batuminous paving of 6th Avenue West between 17th Street and 19th
Street. We had a public hearing um today at 5:00 um on this topic and gave a presentation um on how it would work to get those improvements done for the homeowner. It was brought to us uh by petition of the
property owners. Is there any discuss >> motion to approve? >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion um on the topic? Please. Uh Jason,
>> one question. If you guys do approve this, we will have to bring a resolution forward ordering the plans and spec be developed. >> So, I know Betty had one developed, but we didn't want to necessarily put on the agenda at this time, but so we'll have to get on the next council meeting agenda.
>> Thank you. Further discussion? I would ask the question at this time. I'll I'll abstain my uh sister and brother-in-law uh rent from one of the parties involved. So, >> thank you, councelor. >> I I
>> I'll vote yes. And that motion is approved unanimously. Thank you. With councelor Kaylor abstaining for the record. Moving to item number two, new business authorizing use of Kerry Park Arena and
support of public works staff for a community bike rodeo to be held on Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Chief, um, you had the request, so if you'd like to >> I did, uh, received an email from Amy
Mortonson, uh, who is with Coutasa, and she partnered with us last year to do the the first annual bike rodeo. I don't know if they've done that in previous years prior to, you know, me being here,
but it was a good event, well attended by the kids in the community. And um we always want to support kids coming and and uh interacting with law enforcement, EMS, other service, you know, other
service providers in the community and putting on a a fun event that goes, you know, and teaches safety to the the youngsters too in the community. So that's uh on Saturday, April 25th
from 11 to 1:00 p.m. We're hoping to get 150 to 200 kids in the community to to be up there at Kerry Park. So we are requesting the use of Kerry Park Arena that day. >> Thank you, Chief. Questions or a motion to approve?
>> I'll move. >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, councilors Kaylor and uh Holden. And now discussion, please. Councelor Wagner. >> Uh, will you be giving lessons on electric bikes? >> That is a good question. I don't know
the answer to um I can find out for you, but >> think it would be a good idea to run some >> Yes. >> guidelines through with electric bikes as >> true >> popular as they are now. >> Yes, I agree. Um I know that the sport shop's going to be there to look at bikes and see that they're in proper
working condition. So, um, they're addressing all rules of the road, things like that. How to, you know, operate a bike with the hand signals. I know that was used to be taught way back when I was a kid in in schools and things. And,
uh, we just want to ensure that people understand that riding bikes is has comes along with the same rules of the road as drivers do. >> Did you have a question? No, I just do my hand signals. Okay. But I I will I
can speak on ha behalf of coupas. I don't think being on the board going to be any issues if you guys want to explain ebike stuff too. So >> I will bring that up. >> Thank you. >> Y >> thank you chief.
Any more discussion would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> Well, yes. And this event is authorized unanimously. Thank you, chief. >> Thank you. >> Item three, new business to approve
managed information technology services agreement between the city of International Falls and 3S Design LLC. At a previous city council meeting, I had brought forward that our committee
um had recommended this group for our IT needs of the city and we had approved um bringing back a contract to the meeting
for later approval. And this is it. questions um from the council at this time. >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. Is there
discussion? I'll ask the question. >> I I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the IT agreement is approved. 5 Z. Thank you. Item four for new business to adopt a
resolution approving transfer of funds from fund 2550 sales and use tax fund to fund 4550 sales tax construction accounts. This transfer looks like it amounts to $17,345
26. >> So move. Thank you, Councelor Buller. Second. Thank you, Councelor Wagner. Is there discussions? Would ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. That transfer or resolution, excuse me, is approved.
50-0. Thank you. Moving on to item five of new business. Adopting another resolution approving transfer of FR funds from fund 2550 sales and use tax to fund 421 for
the Stenberg Capital Project Fund. >> I'll move. >> Thank you. Councilors Kaylor and Buller. Is there discussion? >> Just to be clear on I don't know this is for the work that went on there. less is
this for last year, last summer. Correct. And then to finish the stabilizing and stuff from there. >> Yeah. >> Some of it we weren't able to complete with the timing.
>> We had to move it down. >> Okay. Um if there's no further discussion, I'll ask the question on this resolution. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. Resolution carries unanimously. Thank you. Item six, new business. Very exciting.
Approve hiring Kayla Towner as a volunteer emergency medical technician on the recommendation of uh Sher Sten, human resources, and Chief Manassa. Move for the higher
>> second. Thank you, Councelor Buller and Wagner. Um, and this would be a volunteer position, so to that point by hiring it's when we need them, it's part-time, paid on call.
>> Any discussion? I would just like to add that uh EMTs, paramedics, all of these services are in short supply. >> Yes. >> Across the state. Um, so if anyone has an interest in uh becoming an EMT, uh,
please reach out. It's very there's a lot of need for that. With that, I'd ask a question. >> I I >> I'll vote yes. And that is approved unanimously. Thank you. Item seven.
to acknowledge and accept a letter of rec resignation from Robert Heinland, maintenance worker one effective April 3rd, 2026. >> I'll move. >> Thank you, councelor Kaylor. >> Second.
>> Thank you, councelor Wagner. I would like to thank Mr. Henland for his service in the street department. Is there any discussion? Ask a question. I >> I >> I >> I
>> and I'll vote yes. And that resignation is acknowledged. Thank you again. Item eight. >> Question. >> Oh, please. >> Is there any discussion on what we're going to do with that position that normally it's either we post it or we set it uh and it doesn't go if posting
isn't signed then we go outside to hire. Is there anything? >> Yes. >> Discussion on that? Um it's not on the agenda today. >> Um but there has been discussion between
uh internally and with Sherry. Um obviously we're um we need workers in that department. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So yes, >> I haven't heard anything. So I just wanted to ask that question.
Thanks. >> Absolutely. And Lisa, did you get that that carried unanimously? >> Yes, I did. >> Thank you very much. >> We'll move to item eight of new business
to approve a 2026 restaurant license for Ronings, Inc. >> So move. >> Thank you. Councelor Buller. Second. >> Councelor Wagner seconds. Is there discussion? Would ask the question.
I >> I I >> I'll vote yes. License is approved. 5 to zero. Thank you. >> Number nine, um public works committee recommendations from last week. Item A, authorize
myself, human resource director and city administrator to review public works director job description and explore the process of filling the vacant position. >> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. Any further discussion? asked a question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and 9A is approved. 5.
Thank you. Item B, consider Lem's electric quote for replacement of six radiant tube heaters for Kerry Park Arena. again from public works. Um local business would be uh doing that
improvement. Not all of the heaters are currently working at Kerry Park. And the rec International Falls Recreational Hockey player, excuse me, recreational hockey association has pledged $8,500 as reimbursement
um for the project. >> I'll make a motion. Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion? >> Please, Councelor Wagner. >> Just looking at some of the some of the
other quotes seem to be less. So, what are we missing here? I mean, didn't this go back to public works because of some late quotes or different quotes or something? >> That is um correct.
We have received three quotes. Um, two of which are local. Uh, one which happened to be the low bid from Northome uh by approximately $3,000.
Um, it was discussed about long-term maintenance of the heaters. um businesses that invest in the community um etc. and some of the benefits we may get down the road um for having someone
on our doorstep to do that work. So that's why that decision was made and um not to put Chelsea on the spot. I believe that the purchasing requirement for the city under $25,000 is simple terms.
>> What do you mean by simple terms? the it's not a formal bid process, >> right? Yes. >> That's correct. >> So, we're I don't think we're bound uh to take a certain quote, but uh councelor K, >> I I would agree for the reasons you
said. Um we know it's where he's local. You'll be able to get here, I think, on a pastor basis and he was our supporting Kerry Park himself this weekend. So another reason for the local guy that
had a lot to do with being local. More discussion I would ask the question. >> I I >> I >> I'll vote yes and the heaters are approved unanimously. Thank you.
Item C to consider Ule's quote for FOB access at city hall. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you. Councelor Buller. >> Second.
>> Thank you. Councelor Wagner. Is there discussion on this topic? Ask the question. >> I >> I >> I. >> I'll vote yes. And that is approved. uh unanimously. Thank you.
Item D, to consider quote to replace doors at city hall in conjunction with the FOB access project. >> Mayor and Council, I can comment on that, >> please. >> Um you did not have a quote in your packet. We did not have it at the time
of printing. Um the building official, Kelly Meyers, um is working with uh someone locally and we did get a quote of approximately $1,300 per door. We would need three doors. So that would be what the cost is. Um and we would need to replace those doors in order to um
fulfill the um fob access and that was not budgeted for, but the um the U project fob that we did budget for. So >> correct. Thank you. And that was um from public works. We were going to use um
>> city employees to install those correct doors and source the doors locally. >> It's just the cost of the doors only. >> I think that some of the I know my door I don't think that there's a key for. Not that I need one, but it somebody may want one someday.
>> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor. Um, Holden and Wagner. Is there any more discussion? Ask the question. >> I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes. And the doors are
approved unanimously. Thank you. Item E to consider an additional handicap sign at Holy Trinity Church. Um, Eric Strand is not able to make the meeting or his
backup, I believe. Um, with that being said, we did discuss it discuss it in committee. Is there any uh input? I believe our building codes official is here and Jason Fiser. Um, pretty
simple change. Any discussion from the council? questions, please. >> Uh, Chief Worley, look into it, too. See what traffic flows and that it's going to be okay with all that. >> I was not aware of it, so I can
>> I think uh I think that's important. I agree with you. Um, we can either move it back to committee to discuss um or we can approve it with the contingency for Chief Wley to um look at
it with Jason and and Kelly. >> I move to approve it with with the with them looking at it first. >> Thank you. >> If they feel it's okay, then >> is Mr. Strand. Is he the the contact person for that then? Okay.
>> Yeah, I can reach out to him. Take a look. >> And I excuse me. I believe where they want it is just north of where it is now on the side of the road there, but you'll see where the one is. It's so there's already a cut out there. >> Okay.
>> North of that, I believe. >> Is there support for your motion, Councelor Buller? >> Yeah. A second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Second. Councelor Holden. >> Um, excuse me. >> Asked a question. >> I >> I
>> I >> And I'll vote yes. And that motion is made unanimously. Thank you. We will move on to item 10 from committee of the whole.
Item A to approve advertising for and hiring 10 summer seasonal employees for the public works department. Uh two of for water shop, six to street garage, and two for building and grounds.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> A second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Is there discussion? I'd ask a question. I >> I >> I >> I'll vote yes and we can post those as
it's approved. 5-0. Thank you. 10B approve first reading of a deer feeding prohibited ordinance. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller.
Is there um support for councelor Buller's motion? >> Second. Thank you, Councelor Holden. Is there discussion on the topic from the council?
>> Just the comments I get that isn't overwhelming either way. Um any difference and I I have a I think our police officers have enough to do with all policing, the deer feeding, but
that's just my opinion. Not the chiefs or anybody. I didn't talk to them. >> Chelsea, do you have any um comments on the ordinance? >> Um just briefly, um we did take um your comments into consideration, clean that
up. It's just police that are going to be police and any other law enforcement that are going to be able to enforce it. We're not having anyone internally from the city that's able to do it. Um, and then not to beat a dead horse, but just for the public again, if you strongly disagree with this or you strongly
believe the wording should be different, there's um the petition and referendum avenues you can go through. Um, and if you have questions for that, I'm available um most of the time and um can help you do that if if that's something that's wanting to be done. >> Thank you.
And we uh while discussion is still open, this does require a second reading of the ordinance at another city council meeting should it pass um this evening. >> Asked a question.
>> No. I >> No. I >> I'll vote yes. in the ordinance first reading passes 32 with councilors Holden and Wgner. Uh, nay. Thank you. >> No, >> no. >> Kaylor.
>> Oh, I'm excuse me. Thank you, counselors. >> Kaylor's moving on to the next. >> I'll make sure that Lisa >> Thank you. >> That's why she's here. >> That's right. Mhm.
>> Number 10, item C, to approve renewal of the monthto-month lease agreement as presented with Bakus Community Center for the International Falls Police Department effective April 1st, 2026.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Councelor Holden. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councelor Wagner. discussion on the topic, Chief? >> Um, no, we haven't heard back anything from back from the county yet. So, still
in limbo. So, we'll continue where we're at until um we have more updated information. And thank you, Lois, for allowing us to be there and supporting us. It's >> a pleasure to have you there. >> Thank you.
>> Yes. And I would add that I did speak to a commissioner today that promised an expedient letter back. Um >> I think they meet the 24th. >> Yeah, that's what >> So hopefully later part of next week.
What's the date? Yeah, later part of >> it would be Tuesday. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, we can tune in if we wish. >> Um until then, I'd ask the question to approve this monthto-month lease. I >> I >> I >> I
>> I'll vote yes. And that monthto-month lease is approved unanimously. Thank you. Item D to authorize working with the VFW Peter
Graham Post 2948 on the design and placement of a memorial structure to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas J. Valentine.
>> I'll move. >> Thank you, Councelor Kaylor. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Councelor Buller. Um, I would like there's a a letter um
in the packet from Commander Schmidt Bower of the VFW. I would like to read it um for the record. Dear council, as commander and representative of the comrades of the United States Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Peter Graham, Post 2948, I would like to give our full support to the request and petition before you to rename the Holler Softball Fields to the Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas J. Valentine softball and athletic fields.
We feel this action is most appropriate giving that senior chief Valentine was an international falls resident who served this country with honor and distinction both in combat and peace time. Please referenced the attached
military bio and made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this country in the line of duty. Furthermore, our post will commit to support and/or fund the design, manufacture, and installation of
an appropriate memorial and signage at the location to identify and honor this local hero. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Any more discussion? Would ask the question. I
>> I >> I I >> I'll vote yes. And that is approved unanimously. Thank you. Item 11. Is there any other business? We do have reports um in our packets for
review. And at this time I would like to move back to uh audience open form. If anyone would like to come forward to address the council, please do. >> Good evening.
>> Hello. Nancy Imhof, 3393rd Street. I have a question. Um, I haven't been to the meetings where they're discussing the Highway 1171 corridor project, so I'm not familiar with that. But I guess
my one question would be, does that how long that runs? Does it run like straight up to Main Street uptown by Smokeoky the Bear? My concern is the road, specifically the block of the Smokeoky the Bear, all the potholes and
everything. So, I don't know if that project will include fixing that, but I don't imagine it's going to have be done this summer. And I'm wondering if the city I know it's a state highway, but does the
city have any plans to at least temporarily fix that road, whether it's just filling the potholes or whatever? Cuz it is so bad right now, you can't even hardly drive down the middle. I see people all the time driving on the sides
cuz it's just beat up. And it probably isn't too good the block before, the block after either, but um the block in front of Smokey the Bear is I don't I just can't seem imagine going through the summer with tourism and stuff and
leaving it the way that it is. So, I was wondering if there's any plans to at like for a temporary fix if if that if the main project is including that at some point, but can we do something with
it before that or am I wrong about it? Does the corridor project, how far does that go down? >> So, the the corridor project is a bit of a moving target, but we're having regular meetings on it. that's at least
two or three years out. Um but until that point, um as anyone who has driven right now, uh it's in very >> bad >> poor shape. I was surprised this weekend now that snow is melted again. Um I'm
sure they will be out there fixing it when weather permits and it's conducive cuz they're there every year out there. the state that does it. >> It'll be the city crew. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I mean, hopefully we could you guys
could get to that fairly promptly once it warms up because it's just such a main area, you know, of town. And um with that in mind, I think part of the reason it's like that is because of
the heavy traffic of semitrs that just don't want to use the truck route for whatever reason. And if there's a solution to that, it would be um it'd be great to to figure it out because I've
never seen such truck traffic on our main street as it's been in the last year to two probably. So, I mean, if we want all our roads, main roads to look like that, I guess they can keep I I don't know
what your options are, but definitely should be discussed. >> In one of the meetings two or three months ago, um I did ask that question. I believe the meeting jogging my memory.
>> Yeah, it was last fall when we're there. And the the engineer had pointed out that because it's a state highway, >> I know >> that I know that's not the answer that many of us want to hear. Um the other
thing is I I would have to ask Jason that I believe we get do we get municipal state aid on that stretch? >> Uh we don't but we have a state aid a state agreement maintenance agreement with the state. Right.
>> So, um, Mr. Wallace is here and he oversees much of that as does Jason and >> Okay. >> We would like to see that taken care of when the weather permits. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Yeah. I mean, I'm
seeing fully loaded pulp trucks go back and forth in front of my store. That never used to happen. And I know you addressed it once with PCA. It seemed like it got better for about two weeks and then you know I don't know what I
remember years ago there was a little sign on this corner with an arrow that said truck traffic. Well I mean basically that's it was just referring it to fourth street instead of third street. But, um, you know, I guess if
there just has to be ongoing discussion with PCA or whoever, they're probably not all PCA trucks either, but I don't know if there's any signage about using truck route or whatever that that would be helpful, but
I feel it's probably contributing to the condition of of the roads. So, whatever you can do, but yeah, as long as that gets this gets fixed a little bit because it's I don't think it leaves a really good
impression right now. And honestly, I'm I understand it's a weather thing. You know, I'm sure they will get at it. Um I think a lot of us didn't notice it right away while there was snow still on the highway and stuff, but people are definitely noticing it now. So, so
whatever you can do that would be great. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thanks. We do have a reminder that we'll be having another regularly scheduled city council meeting on
Monday, April 6th at 5:30 p.m. Until then, the meeting is adjourned.