It's 5:30, so we'll call this meeting to order. The International Falls City Council, please join us as we recite the pledge. I pledge allegiance 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, all members of the council are present this evening. Before we get to approving the
agenda, I'd like to note that going forward at the meetings, um, we've had some situations where discussion has ensued amongst the council. Um, so I would ask under Robert's rules of orders that before we engage with anyone that
please ask me for the floor and I will grant you the floor. Thank you. That being said, the first item tonight is to approve tonight's agenda. I am not aware of any additions or deletions. Were there any? Uh,
Betty, there is not any additional. Thank you. With that, I would entertain a motion to approve this evening's agenda. I'll move to approve. Motion by councelor Buller. Second. Second by councelor Holden.
Discussion. All those in favor say I. I. I. I. I. Any opposed. Agenda is approved unanimously. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is approval of minutes.
First minutes are of the Monday, April 7th regular city council meeting. The second set of minutes to be approved is the Monday, April 14th committee of the whole meeting.
I would move. We have a motion second to approve by councelor Kaylor, second by councelor Wgner. Discussion, question. I I I I'll vote yes. Minutes are approved. Thank
you. Next on the agenda is payments of claims and approval for payment of accounts payable. First, we will go through our transfers of 95,833.33. Next, accounts payable and claims. City of International Falls
claims $641,682.11. International Falls Public Library Board claims $6,299.75. Airport Commission claims $44,10062. Total accounts payable and claims $692,8248. Would entertain a motion to
approve these transfers and payments. I'll move. Motion by councelor Wagner. Is there a second? Close. Second by councelor Buller. Discussion on payments and claims. Question.
I I I I'll vote yes. The bills are paid. Payments and claims and transfers 50. Thank you. At this time, we will accept public comment. If anyone would like to come forward, name and address for the record
limited to five minutes. Thank you. Good evening, Sharon Ball, 120 Cedar Road. I just like to address the council tonight. Upon looking at of as of March 4th, 2025, looks like
we're in the hole for1,138.7 $750.54. As a taxpayer voter, I see $25,000 worth of uh projects that you're planning on going forward on and I don't
know how you're going to pay for it. Um I've been doing my own research. Apparently, nobody else has done this research. Met with the county on numerous times. What I what I am having a hard time with is paying $26,000. I'm a county taxpayer
and a city taxpayer for a new jail which got a sundown notice and needed to do that work federally. Um and now you're asking us to pay for another building and you're tell we haven't heard you have not made it clear. It's very
convoluted on what we're spending. Um it's up in the air. Nobody's communicating with anybody. So, my suggestion would be, and I don't like to say this, but I'm going to say it. I
believe I am pro law enforcement all the way, but right now, if we were to deputize the 13 officers that we have working for the city, and it couldn't have been that bad because when they moved over to Bakus, three full-time officers went over the sheriff and one
part-time officer. We are paying 2019 to 2020 we upped the budget to 10,000 by $10,556. 2021 we increased it by
$45,61. 2022 we upped it by $158,131. 2023 we upped it by 98,000. 78. 2024 we upped their budget to two by an extra 231,175. 2025 we've upped their budget
by 2,300 or 2,34,373. We can't afford that. So if they if we have a chief that wants his own identity, maybe he needs to go to a bigger metropolitan area. At this time, if we were to go deputies, and I
did meet with the county, we would take every officer here at $114,000 per year. and that would come to about $1,500,000. With the budget that we have
right now, we would be saving approximately $634,000 a year over a 10-year term. That would be at least 6.5 million. That doesn't include the maintenance that we're going to have to pay for this other building. That doesn't include
everything else we're going to have to pay. So, I would think I would like to see them move back in the building they were in for 41 years. They're getting 600 square ft downstairs. They're getting their own area right now. They have to bring their their detainees over
there if they're arresting them to the they have to bring the sheriff's department. I'm assuming that they would have to pull their search and seizure vehicles apart and they would have to use the county build garages to do that. Right now, if they move back over there,
they'd have all four of those garages. They would be their own separate entity because there is a split and we would be paying at this other building for maintenance. All it's it's un it's it's unreal. So, that's what I'm going to say to you right now.
I'm putting that in your ear and I'm just going to tell you I think you're all incompetent. All of you. And as a taxpayer, I am livid with all of you. So if you don't have I'm going to
finish. So if you don't have the integrity to step down, then you need to start doing your jobs. We elected this mayor for a reason so he could bring the county and city back together. And I am tired of seeing a bunch of
primadonas and that's all. But I'll be back again next week. Good evening. Good evening. Tyler Beer, 121 Second Avenue East. Um, just had a couple questions actually for Betty, if you wouldn't mind. I'm just kind of
curious when it comes down to petitions and people filling out petitions, where would one find the information that they would need to cover to make sure that they have the petition filled out correctly? Mayor, this is addressed in my report.
Um, would you like me to answer the question here now or I have you reviewed the agenda for tonight? I did see that the petitions were going to be brought up. Um I know that Betty is going to address it
because it's on the agenda. Okay. Um so with that I would I can I can wait until the end. Hope that and then ask my question as well. We could do it then. Um so I'll move on to my other subject. Um I guess this would be more towards
with uh our city prosecutor. Um, from my understanding it's Anderson Law Firm that's the city prosecutor and you're appointed through them. Correct. Not appoint. Well, you're representing them for the city, correct? Anderson Law
Office is is the prosecuting entity and I'm an attorney with Anderson Law Office. Okay. Um, so I I have a question. On March 19th this year, there was actually a jury trial for blight. Um, we sent Steven and Casey Anderson,
two lawyers. Not exactly sure where they're from, if they're from Roso or War Road area. Steve Anderson is my boss. Yeah. Casey is his son. Yep. I know that. Who's second chaired? Yeah. He's the assistant, I guess, city prosecutor. Correct.
So, yeah. I mean, what we've basically been doing lately is I handle most of the civil stuff and then Casey does the criminal prosecution and then I've helped him learn that process. Okay. So, but Stephen, in case he came up for a blight ticket, wouldn't that be more of a civil, not a criminal? No, it was a
criminal prosecution. It was a city ordinance. Yep. Criminal. Okay. Well, I guess my question would be is how much did uh we receive because we won that case. Do you know approximately how much we won on that case? Sentencing isn't done until April 30th. We did um reach a
tenative sentencing agreement with that individual. Um, and basically what we're going to do is we're going to break the cleanup process into pieces because it is a large blight file. I mean, it's from vehicles to scrap pieces to just kind of not necessarily garbage. He
would be very upset if I referred to it as garbage, but those items. Um, so we're going to break it into pieces. Um, as far as fines and that sort of thing, that has not been decided. Most likely it's going to be minimal, if at all. Okay. Because I guess what I was getting at is so we we had two lawyers from
Anderson Law Firm come up here which I imagine the city probably paid for their time for travel and then plus for both of them to prosecute on that case. Not for travel and only Steve build you. So you Casey didn't get paid for coming up here. No. Well, I mean he's Yeah, he's
getting paid from He didn't build the city for Casey being here. Okay. It was just for Steve being here. Casey went along for experience basically. Okay. Um, I guess what I was confused is why you couldn't cover that. Um, it was a gentleman that was doing it. He was
representing himself with no law degree whatsoever. You have a law degree. I understand that your main practice is is more family stuff like divorce, parenting time, wills, and estates. So, I was just wondering with a person without a degree in law representing himself, would it have been more
beneficial for the city if you would have prosecuted against him? um it would have cost the same. And basically our internal decision to do that is is Steve is Casey's dad and Steve has been doing jury trials for forever. Um he's very experienced and it
was an opportunity that Casey could observe and learn with his dad. I certainly could have taken it, but I would have charged the same amount. Well, because so when I went back and looked at the past payments that we've paid to Anderson Law Office, there's
some months that are huge flux in different prices. Um, so like the last one that came out March 3rd of 2025, which I think is for actually February, it was $9,715. Then February, which would have been probably for January,
$12,990. Then January 6, which would probably cover December, 9,550. The one that I'm kind of confused on would be December 2nd, 2024. Actually, we paid $19,120.96. Um, so I'm just kind of confused why there's so much difference
in the prices if we're only paying one person versus multiple people. Like, so we're paying Stephen, but also were we paying you that day for things on March 19th? Yes. Um, excuse me. There's uh the five
minutes is up. Okay. I if you'd like to answer that, you're more than willing. But before you do, just for the public to know, you have every right to be up here. So, this is not a don't come up, don't talk. But in terms of the element, some of these detailed questions and
whatnot. Um, please reach out to the counselors and to me today I had meetings on some details because these things in the course of business are in the air right now. I don't and we don't have
everything at our fingertips. But Chelsea, if you were going to respond, please. Yeah. So, they differ because it's not a set flat fee. Um, we charge hourly 140 per hour. Um, so there is days where Casey is working on something
and he will bill. So attorney billable hours are different. It's your active time on the case. So every time I'm here at a city council meeting, whether it's 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hours, I build for that whole time, even if I'm not talking, doing a lot because I have to be here. Um, so it's 140 an hour. That's
why it differentiates. I'm not sure. I'd have to go back and look at those billings. It sounds like one of one or two of them you may just be looking at the criminal. So, we build two separate invoices. We have a criminal invoice we send and a civil invoice we send. Okay. I don't know how it shows up. I guess
I'd have to on the website there on the city's website. It just shows Anderson Law Firm PA bill. Yeah. And if um the 19 at the end of the year, I'd certainly look into it for you and I can explain what those I would definitely appreciate that. Um, I would anticipate the we get
a 1,000 a month stipend for office fees and we occasionally miss them. So, I think there might be two in there, maybe more. Um, but I would definitely I can pull that for you. Yeah, I'd appreciate that. Yep. Thank you, Chelsea. Thank you.
Hi, Eric Strand 1831 4th A East. Um, I'm just not done visiting about this Coutasa building. Um, and I do right right from the get-go when I was here in October.
Uh it's in a bad location and bad bad planning. Uh the location, the residential area. Councelor Holden, we've talked by phone about the definition of a residential area.
Um you know, right from the vote to proceed uh in February of 23, the goal was for a police, fire, and ambulance complex. And that was noted in the city council meeting, was noted in a letter
to the county commissioner. This proposed project doesn't it doesn't do that. Um there's no room for other than the PD and you have no commitments to purchase land around it. You're you're landlocked 200 by 433 feet. Period.
public was misled when Mayor Droba explained about modern policing relying on less square footage needs because on a on a January 25th memo outlining the 10,000 square foot space requirement of nine offices, evidence room, arms room,
training room, property room, hard and soft interview rooms, emergency response team training, IFPD drug task force training and equipment areas, secure stall for evidence and several storage, several garage stalls, for maintenance and
storage. That doesn't sound like modern policing. That sounds like a wish list. Um, and that wish list was given to the county and they responded and they responded timely and it still wasn't still wasn't good enough. Initial Cross Anderson report
listed the building as in poor condition. Then comes phase two. So phase two on the scope very first item phase two demo existing for a
suggestion. So that's a little more than a little more involved than um putting in a couple of garage doors as was mentioned back in October after the uh um after the review by city
officials. Um so demo of the west half scope to be determined. Um Wayne Fuller brought in uh really good estimates for ongoing costs, operational costs. Uh those were really
dis uh dis disregarded. So you came down to 1.6 million really to quiet the crowd. All it does is justify starting the project and forcing an unknown amount of money. We started it. Now we have to complete it. It's a half a mile from the
Coutasa driveway to Highway 53 by either 19th Street or by Memorial Drive. You know, we've got other properties probably that that Arison's block and the half a block to the north that Bush's own. Um I still go back to
between 18th and 19th Street, three blocks deep, three full blocks deep. There would have to be some some purchases uh to to make that happen. Um, it's an awful lot of money to spend just for police department
identity. No mention of the training facilities, better security, just identity. They're in a residential neighborhood. Back in that meeting, do we need clean water or do we want more buildings? Even Chief Koschic had said
it's his recommendation that we have a joint facility with fire and ambulance to allow better connection with the community. Our population's declining, no increases in sight, skyrocketing budgets. Consolidation does need to be an option or at least sharing the
building. Consolidation is part of rural survival. Cities, eyefalls and South Falls, 1989. Schools, industry. Um, you know, here's a quick list of 10 other uh 10 other locations,
three of which they share a building. St. James, Redwood Falls, Lichfield, more pop uh about the same population. Seven others contract with sheriff's department. Newport, Zimmerman, Steuartville, Waterton, Leverne, Farbull, Wright County, they service
two, four, six, they service eight cities. Wright County does it can it can be done and it really needs to be talked talked about. 10 seconds left. Thank you. And that's it. I'll finish early. Thank you.
Ted, do you need more time? Ted, do you need more time? You can have my five minutes. I'll stand up and give you my five minutes. Reynold Calder, 1901 6th Avenue East. I want to welcome you all back after
Easter vacation. I hope everyone had a good time, but uh we got some serious issues here and so I'm going to start my stopwatch and get going. My concerns today are number one, the health of our
community. Number two, the financial situation of our city government. Our community's needs are many. Some of our streets are in shambles as you know in Center Ward. The ambulance service is costly. The water
treatment plant redo will be very expensive. The cost of the police department has gone from something that should have been a non-issue to a situation that now divides our
city. When we look at how to manage our city budget, it appears we have few options. The ambulance service is crucial. There's no option there but to make it whole. The water treatment facility is
an absolute necessity. We need to maintain it and repair it for the health of our community. Our streets are being upgraded as funds become available. The situation of the police department is up in the
air. What to do? This is our dilemma. As a community, we cannot add additional debt to our strapped financial situation. It's unrealistic. The public supports our
police department. We know how vital they are for our safety. The issue that started as a location problem turned into a political nightmare. It's a self-inflicted
wound. As a community, nobody wants to refuse the police department an adequate facility. Unfortunately, this issue has created concern over whether or not we can afford two separate law enforcement
agencies. City residents are paying for a city police department and a sheriff's department. Our tax base is declining. The tax burden on some people is causing financial pain and
hardship. In testimony before this council, we have witnessed the mental and emotional anguish this situation has created. We need to make some difficult choices. None of this is
easy. I didn't look back, but I hope the chief is here. My question for the chief is, would you make a statement on this issue? What location would work for you? An answer from you may help us see more
clearly how we can become or how we can come to a satisfactory resolution until we have a better perspective. I'm making a request. My request is we look at the
budget of the police department. So, I'm requesting from the city administrator, would you provide me with the complete budget expenses for the police department for the year
2024? I'm making this as a f uh formal request. Um, and I have this for you if you need it in writing. Oh, thank you. Okay. Thank you. One last item. Is the chief here? I'm sorry, Chief. I asked Chief Kick why the police
department has so many ghost or tactical paint jobs on on the patrol vehicles. I provided him with a text of the state statute. He responded, he checked on it that it was not a violation of the state
statute. I have with me a printout of that state statute. Would you re review it for me? I have it here. I'll give it to you now. Mhm. Uh would you explain that statute to
me? How many patrol cars are we allowed to have with these tactical paint jobs? And I have that here with me. Mr. Calder, I would ask that you pass that on to our administrator. And
uh the time is up. Thank you. I got 4 seconds left. Actually, I have uh printed one out, I think, for Oh, two. I She had two. I'll take this one.
I got one, too. We will get that for you. Okay. Thank you. Our comment is open. Um, I would like to read a letter I received. I'm going to extend mayoral courtesy to a previous counselor and mayor who sent me
this and uh through a sequence of events could not be here this evening. Dear Mayor Dill and council members, as a former city elected official, I understand collaboration with the county can sometimes serve the best interests of the community.
However, I know firsthand there are also moments when it is both more strategic and beneficial for the city to move forward independently. Additionally, we must acknowledge there are times when difficult decisions are occasionally necessary even when they may not be
widely popular. In my view, the current approach to the police department project does not fall into either of the latter two categories. I offer the following concerns for your consideration. The overall city's financial condition
is troubling. The council has a fiduciary responsibility to address these challenges, involve the public meaningfully, and seek collaborative solutions. The ambulance service is financially unstable. Ensuring this critical service is solvent and
sustainable should be a top priority. There are other pressing public works projects that require attention. These deserve a transparent and comprehensive review. Put everything on the planning table, including the police department project and any other
prospective projects that have not yet been publicly discussed. Lay out cost estimates, timelines, and financing strategies. Demographic and financial trends are concerning. If we were to chart the past decade, we would see a
declining population alongside rising government costs and property taxes, an unsustainable trajectory. So, how do we move forward? Pause the police department project. It is not too late. Doing so
would require courage and leadership, but it is a responsible course of action. If the project is a good idea, it will stand the test of time and survive a brief pause. pursue a collaborative agreement with the county board for rent-free use of
the law enforcement center. This would give the council a financial reprieve and the time needed to more thoroughly organize a strategic plan, prioritize all projects, and address the city's financial status and means of funding projects. If the county board does not
agree to granting rent- free space for a specified period of time, the police department should remain at the backis location until a comprehensive financial and infrastructure plan is in place. I have debated for months whether to share these thoughts. I have been hesitant as
I fear speaking out may lead to personal or political repercussions. If someone with experience as mayor and confidence in public speaking feels this way, I can only imagine how many other citizens and business owners are staying silent for
similar reasons. Please know I have immense respect for our city's police department and law enforcement agencies at every level. I come from a family of public safety professionals, so my appreciation for all that have served and those currently serving runs deep.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective respectively. Shawn Mason, 1019 2nd Street. I felt the obligation to extend to her to read that letter. Please know that what was written in the letter do not reflect my
views or the councils, but rather hers. Is there anyone else to come forward? We have a public hearing coming up. Mayor, council. Um, I Steve Blair, 13017th Avenue. Um, I just wanted to ask
if you have all seen the Star Tribune article from April 17th regarding this issue. Um it kind of spells out the whole um situation as far as the finances and and what happened here at the council and
how some of the public was treated. Um my I haven't been to all the meetings since the early part of these, but um the motion that the council made to approve a contractor from beginning to
end to house the police in the Coutasa building without any dollar amount, without anything should have gone to the city attorney. I mean, that's ridiculous to give a motion for a contractor open-ended. I'm just It just makes me
sick. I'm sorry. Thank you. There will be ample opportunity if there's additional public comment at the end of the meeting, particularly in consideration that Betty will be discussing
uh an issue that there seems to be significant amount of interest in. We do have a public hearing coming up. I believe I'm going to follow the right procedure that I would ask at this time for a motion to recess this council
meeting and to open our public hearing. I'll move. I have a motion by councelor Kaylor. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Buller. Discussion question. I I
I vote yes. City Council meeting is recessed. Our public hearing now open. All members are present. It's 6:03 p.m. and invited forward, Mr. George Eertson
from Northland Securities and our public works director, Ted Brokoff. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, mayor and councel. Thank you, me uh mayor and council and George Eertson uh Northland
Securities. Um just a little recap, May or I'm sorry, March 7th, you considered and approved a resolution calling for this public hearing to take place and then notice was placed in the paper uh for this public hearing. And and so,
mayor and council, the public hearing relates to um a capital improvement plan. Uh the capital improvement plan is very very directed at just the projects that are uh referenced in the plan. And that's
that's solely the uh two public works projects. And and so the plan is a five-year plan. It follows Minnesota state statutes. Uh the requirement is that you put together uh the plan uh talking about the the need for the
project uh the project costs the financing for the project etc. And so a plan was put together. Um, Northern Securities along with city staff put that plan together and it speaks to the
renovation of the public works equipment garage and the sewer vector garage. And I'm I'm with a gentleman here that uh can speak much more eloquently about the need for the project. So maybe Ted if you want to give a little overview of of
the existing facilities and the need and then uh we can address any questions. Thank you. Thank you may sorry mayor if I was over not at all. So this is a project that we've talked about for the last two years. Um, it is a
refurbishment of the current equipment garage, which is over 50 years old, as well as the old triangle bus garage that I'm not quite sure how old that is. I believe it's right around the same era. Um, we have some serious plumbing
issues, um, health safety issues. Um, also, um, the outsides of the building are deteriorating terribly. and uh you know with the age and the condition of the facilities we need to put some money into them. Um this kind of follows the suit
of the facility study what we did with BKV that the city council directed me to look at refurbishing our current buildings rather than looking at rebuilding new ones. So thank you
Ted just uh to follow that up and thank you Ted for that overview. the So, we're not actually expanding the footprint here. We're renovating what what we have. And so, the plan is a five-year plan from the years 2025, current year
through 2029. Please continue. And so, mayor and council, just uh again to restate the uh the plan itself covers everything that Ted talked about and that I'm talking about in relation to the cost and the need. And then there's
a uh a sample financing schedule in the back. uh what we are are proposing and and certainly debt is not being considered this evening, but there is other infrastructure projects. The Ninth Street project that the city is
undertaking this year along with a uh a sewer vector equipment uh piece of equipment that will be uh financed in June. And so this financing or the financing of the capital improvement plan projects, the public works building
projects would be considered along with those others for efficiencies. The package. Yep. Correct. I can address any questions the mayor or council may have. Just to get it on the record, amount being borrowed, repayment terms, just
basic things that So it's here should it need to be Yeah, thank you for that, mayor. Um, in the plan and in the resolution that will be considered following the public hearing, there's a not to exceed dollar amount identified
in the plan and the resolution of 2,755 2,755,000 and working with uh your city staff on identifying a financing structure. It's it's look, we're
targeting or or structuring debt around um actually Ted, this might be a good time for you to talk about how do we pay back the debt? Uh we're targeting a certain dollar amount that you're already budgeting for and uh so we're looking at a 15 or 16-year financing
council. So at a 15-year repayment, it would be about $244,000 a year. Um currently we budget approximately 525,000 in street cap outlay and we budget 150,000 in sanitary
sewer cap outlay. Uh my recommendation is that we lower the 525 or with the 525 we use 184,000 of that to make the bond payment for the street cap outlay and a
$60,000 um which will add up to 244,000. So, it's it's money that's currently budgeted that we save for projects that we've we've stretched out capital equipment purchases so that we can lower what our
um what our our budgeted amount that we would spend on, you know, we may save it for two, three, four years um to be able to make a purchase. whereas this year we will just not have that much available because um a good chunk of it will be
the 184,000 will be going towards debt service. Thank you. Any questions from council to either Ted or George? Okay, thank you. Um the bill no and
mayor that that's exactly what statute says we we need to cover in the public hearing is just what you know those points that were covered. So yes so thank you. Thank you. We will have because it is a public
hearing we have to offer comment on this item. So if there is any comment now would be the opportunity. There's only one opportunity to do so. So the so
the 2,755 Mr. Nagel, if you'd like to speak, you need to come forward. Thank you. N 601 Street. Um so that so the 2,755,000 is for the to fix the garage,
fix the other garage. And what are we going to do with them garages? We're going to use them the way they are right now. where you can store equipment in them. So, where's our equipment stored right now? In them. In them. Mhm. So, where's the the load or the the cat?
Where's that at? Cat. The big cat you bought recently for 350,000 or whatever. Where's that stored at? Big cat. I bought You got a D8 cat, right? Or a D10 cat. No, you don't. We've got a dozer, but we bought that. That was before my
time. Okay. So, where's that store at? that is stored in cold storage going in the back. So it is inside. Well, it's undercover. What? It's undercover. Okay. I wouldn't say it's in a heated space.
So I understand that we did invest in the garage already with new electrical. Did our electrical guy did did work in the garage? No, he didn't do any work. Not our did. All right. So all right. So
then so what's the um what's the sewer vector part of that of this two? So it's we do we have new sewer vector coming. So what's that? It's a sewer cleaner. It's the sewer truck that cleans the sewer links. Right. So we're required to clean our sanitary sewer. That's part of
this 2,755,000 which says it's for the garages for the sewer vector that I saw. This is for the garages. Great good question sir. the so um the actual piece
of equipment, the sewer vector um and Ted can speak to what that is and what it does more so, but um the bond itself would only be for the renovation of the garages and and so the the public hearing tonight is just for that. Um so
why did we bring up the sewer back? Mayor, please Mr. Eertson. Okay, this is why we have you folks here. Thank you for the question, sir. The there are other qu there are other projects. We
talked about nights being done this this summer and so certain types of projects have different uh Minnesota state statute steps that you have to follow before you can issue debt. Um the
renovation of the two public works buildings is a certain kind of bond that requires this public hearing. um the sewer vector piece of equipment and like the other infrastructure uh improvements that will be done on
Ninth Street are not issued under the same statute. So they're not part of this public hearing. I hope that addresses your question. It doesn't that's more confusing now because you brought it up. Okay. and and so we brought it up, but under the
communication that you guys get sent out, it's only for two garages. It doesn't say anything about the sewer, the ninth street at that. Do you understand what I'm saying? There's not a lot of transparency. There is what I'm getting at. You're not telling all the
facts when you bring the stuff up. Thanks, Mr. Broka. Do you Yes, I would. Please, please, please come forward. Thank you, mayor and councel. The replacement of the sewer vac was approved last year because it was an
18month build on it. So, the council approved that. They approved the equipment bonds for that. But part of that was if we are going to order this Vector that we need to do something with the Vector garage because for the last
40 years we've had a Vector that has been specialmade to fit in a garage door that's too low. Okay, I'm sorry. Please continue. So to get a standard vac, we needed a taller overhead door. Part of the thing
was with I'm going to call it the bus garage. I brought it to council and recommended that we raise the overhead door so we can buy a standard vac costs us less money and they're easier to get and we actually have a decent garage for
it. So as part of in May of last year I got permission from the city council to go to design and engineering for the rehab of the two equipment buildings. Okay, this is part of the process. We worked on it all summer long to come up to build the package of the design and
engineering, come up with the engineers estimate which I brought to the city council in December to go whether we wanted to put that project out for bids or not. In January, it was decided that we would put the city council would put
it out for bids. This is part of the process that we have to follow before I put it out for bids to make sure that we can finance the project. Thank you. And I think if if I may, the package of the
bonds is other projects together that aren't because of the way the statutes are and that's why this is occurring. The hearing You want to take that one? Well, we're required to do the public hearing based on that bond, right? There is a
financial benefit to us to do the funding for all of our projects at once rather than doing a bond sale here, a bond sale there. Right? And that's where I lean on George is if we're going to do Ninth Street, if we're going to do
Right. We we have one bond sale. There's three different bond sales per se, but if we do it all at once, there's a financial benefit. Yes, that was my understanding. And
also, what if for some reason not all of the bonds can be issued in the package? Does that affect anything? Uh thank you mayor and councel for the question and and just to reiterate what Ted said that the public works garages
um because they're it's a it's a particular financing mechanism called capital improvement plan bonds um very commonly issued by Minnesota municipalities for buildings and and so
that statute requires the public hearing and and the steps that we're going through here. Um the other phases of the overall financing and and thank you for the questions from the public and certainly from from the
council that and Ted is right thinking that we've got under one umbrella of a financing we've got three different types of projects. We've got this project to finance the buildings. We've got another state statute that financed
the sewer vector vehicle and then there's another or a third type of financing that finances water and sewer improvements uh as well. So um from an efficiency standpoint you know the interest to save the city on costs of
issuing debt uh as well as having one financing versus multiple financings. It's going to save the city money that way. And so that's from the efficiency standpoint that was our recommendation. Right. Thank you. I just have one question to so what but
we'll be coming back for let's say we decide to proceed with Nin Street. Will we come back and be doing the same thing for for the bonds for those bonds? Uh, mayor and council, actually, we we'll we'll very likely have we won't need a
public hearing like this uh for the sewer vector equipment as well as the water and sewer um projects. Okay? You're if you're replacing infrastructure, you're redoing Ninth and you're you're replacing the pipes, for example. You don't need the public
hearing based upon the way that the city is financing. and you answer me, but I guess my main question was this isn't t I just make clear this isn't approving anything for all the other this is just for these two things right here. That's correct,
Mr. Bro. And that's what I was say is the equipment garage rehab is not going to affect Ninth Street. Mhm. Right. That's there's a benefit to doing them all at the same time if so. Absolutely. And I'm stepping into the danger zone,
but we have two experts here that have do this and research this. The bonds in the package that are water or sewer related, they're not subject to a public hearing. Correct. Uh mayor, members of the council, that
is correct. That's why we're having the hearing because these bonds we have to have a hearing on and they can be subject to referendum. Okay. That's Yep. Thank you. We do have a citizen that would like to
come forward. Thank you. Susan Watigga, 107 Park Avenue. Um, is there a place where the refurbishment um, what's going to take place in that like what it includes where we can see that somewhere or is that something that you could explain
now? E either way just so that we could actually see what what that is. Well, I can share with anybody you want to see and I've got a plan and set up. Okay. And and I mean it just might be nice for everyone to hear about it or know if it was listed somewhere or something.
Thank you. Hello. Good evening. Evening. My name is Joe Caner. I live at 16073th Avenue West. And uh with this with these bonds, there's
like three bonds here. And it's not really clear to me how much is it. How I mean 200. What is it again that we got to pay? The city will pay some of the money and then we got these bonds coming. The
debt service on these two projects, the bond payment will be approximately $244,000 a year for 15 years. Okay. And you know, um, we got the water treatment plant coming up and it's it's, you know, we need to put a lot of work into it and
it's going to be one of one of the most expensive projects in in our city and we have to come up with 12 million. Now, 12 million versus $266,000 a year for us and you take a
$12 million project that's got to be done soon. Where do we got the money for all this? It's what I can't understand, Ted. I can't understand. You know, we're financially in the red or or soon are
going to be if we don't we're paying our taxes now and their evaluations on our house. We go with Glenn Peterson and that's all he tells us. Uh, you know, your evaluation on your house is so much money, you got to pay taxes on that. But
he says, "I don't do taxes. I just do evaluations. Whatever your house is, that that's that's the end of it at the at the courthouse. So, um I believe that we should hold this off a little bit. Hold off the police station a little bit.
Let's just go ahead and and take the time to do the research on this water treatment plant, which is the most important thing in our city. You know what you think? Absolutely. I agree. And I mean I'm I'm not Mr. I'm not being
trying to be disrespectful to anybody and uh Mr. Ktor is that it? Okay. No, you we haven't I was wanted to share some information with you. Okay. That just to avoid mixups
that water and sewer are their own funds that are self- sustaining by the rate structure. Okay. And that debt is if there is debt incurred that would be germanine to those funds. Um, and those
Okay. And then the budgets, they're they're explaining they have money for from other budgets that they were supposed to use for different things in International Falls or or are these budgets separate
from other projects that we have in our city that are coming forward this year too? I think for is what I would ask you to do if you'd be willing to is I'd like to meet you at city hall sometime and I
will this is a long drawn out process and conversation. Yeah. and I'd like to make sure that all of your questions are answered and we can bring in people involved with the project and city staff to address some of these things because
in no instance um is the city going to have a lump sum $12 million payment unless the legislature wants to give us that money. Yeah. Right. At least I'm fairly confident. Okay. Well, that sounds good. Yeah. Maybe we have to work
on it that way cuz there is a lot I want to talk about and I don't it would take me a half hour to explain it all but I just ain't you got we don't have the time for it today. So but thank you and uh I'm just list trying to figure this all out. There's a lot there. We're here
to help. Okay. Is there any more comment at this time? 13017th Avenue. Joe just touched on the budget and as far as what I heard from Ted is they budget $500 some,000 a year for street repairs and he's going to use
a portion of that for the renovation. No, no, we budget that money is for capital improvement that is for equipment and buildings. the 500,000. Okay. There's another separate amount
that is that is budgeted for street. Yep. Oh, right. Okay. I missed that. I would I wouldn't advise that at all. Thank you. Any more comment at this time? Seeing no further comment, is there any
other business to transact during this hearing? Mr. Erson, Mr. Broka, thank you for the presentation. We will now adjourn our public hearing. And I'm going to be very
straightforward. I don't believe I need a motion to reopen the meeting. Uh, you should. I should. Okay. Well, thank you. That's why I asked. At this time, I would entertain a motion to reconvene our regularly scheduled
city council meeting that was recessed. I'll make that motion. Motion by councelor Holden. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Wgner. All those in favor say I. I. I. I.
Our meeting is open. We do not have bids, old business, or a consent agenda this evening. We will move to new business. First item, new business to adopt a resolution giving preliminary
approval for the issuance of general obligation capital improvement plan bonds in an amount not to exceed 2.755 million. and adopting the city of international falls capital improvement
plan courtesy of George Erson Northland Securities and Ted Broka, director of public works. This would be a council action. We've just conducted the hearing on the bond issuance. With that, I would entertain
discussion or a motion. I'll make the motion. Motion by councelor Buller. I'll second it. Second by councelor Holden. Is there any discussion? I would like to add uh for
myself as mayor that I think that this project is very necessary. We have discussed it in public works committee. Um, and because of some issues facing the
city's city right now, I'm going to vote no. But with that being said, I think that this is a worthwhile project um and I really appreciate the testimony um on on the
project from all involved with that. Any discussion? Call the question. I I I I vote no. Motion carries 41. Thank you. Item two, new business. Consider request to co-sponsor the Cooching Labor
Assembly Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 1st, 2025. Approval to request closure of Third Street from Mandot and use of Smoky Bear Park. would entertain a motion to approve this request. I'll make that motion. Motion by councelor
Holden. Second. Second by councelor Wagner. All for a good cause. Mayor, if I may, Mr. Thorp is in the audience. Um he is the one who requested to put this on there if um he may want to say a few words. That's he wants to. Thank you.
I'd like to see him say a word. I'm sorry about that. I would like you to come forward too if that's your wish. I bet you We have our motions. We will have discussion. Mr. Thorp, thank you. Thank you for letting me speak here. Uh once again, uh
this is our proposed 14th year. And each year, as you know, this is a very popular event with everybody in the county. And uh in fact, we had so many people who were serving last year, we couldn't keep up with cooking. We actually bought a second griddle for this event. So, I would really
appreciate your helping us support this. Thank you. I I believe you will have it. My hope is that it's unanimous and I hope that you put counselor Holden to work. Will you do?
Yeah. Thanks, Mark. It's uh it's been great. Great. Y Okay. Question. I I I I I'll vote yes. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. New business. Item three, mayoral
proclamation proclaiming April 21st through 28th, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week in International Falls. I would like to have one second to explain this that um
this is an effort now between multiple countries and communities and there will be a little gathering tomorrow with u members of the county board different mayors and tribes uh to celebrate. So would appreciate your support on this.
With that I would entertain a motion. I'll move second. Motions by councelor Kaylor and Wagner. Discussion. Question. I I I I I'll vote
yes. This is approved. 5-0. Thank you. New business number four, letter of support for a Coutasa grant application to address public transit and areas of that that are underserved
in our community um as well as outside of it. With that, I would entertain a motion to approve this letter of support. I'll make that motion. We have a motion by councelor Buller. I'll second. Second by councelor Kaylor.
Discussion. Question. I I I I I'll vote yes. This is letter is approved. 50. Thank you for the support. New business. Item five. Adopt a resolution approving 2025 wages
for part-time, volunteer, and paid on call employees. Is there a motion to approve or discuss? I'll move. A motion by councelor Kaylor on the floor. I'll second.
Second by councelor Buller. Floor is open. Any discussion? Question. I I I'll vote yes. Wages are approved unanimously.
Thank you. New business. Item six, adopt resolution approving 2025 wages and benefits for non-union salaried employees. I'll move. Motion by councelor Kaylor.
Second. Second by councelor Wgner. floor is open for discussion. Before the question, I would just like to thank all of our employees who work for the city. And this is budgeted money that was budgeted last year. And with that, I will call the
question. I I I I'll vote yes. Motion carries unanimously. 5. Thank you. Number seven, new business. Approve internal
promotion for the lead equipment operator position. Mrs. Stenland, is this something that you would normally present? You do not have to. I I can if you have questions. Absolutely. Does the council have any
questions? Okay. You call for a motion? Sure. Okay. I'll make that motion. We have a motion by councelor Holden. Second. Second by councelor Wgner. I would like it noted. I have a
direct conflict with this position. So, I will be abstaining. It's my brother-in-law. Um, with that being said, I would call the question. I I I I I'll
abstain. Position is offered 4 with my abstension. Thank you. New business item number eight. Approve internal posting of vacant position created by the internal promotion for the lead equipment
operator position. So this is the ad I believe. Well, it's not the ad. It's just the replacement of the internal move. Understood. A move. Motion by councelor Buller. Second. Second by councelor Holden.
Discussion. And that this is for because uh the new leads coming from the water plant. So this will be out at the water plant. Correct. All right. That's my understanding.
Question. I I I I I'll vote yes. Motion carries 50 to post a position. New business item nine, public works recommendations. I would like to thank
Ted and Mike and our engineer Jason Fiser because this was brought forth by a community member at a council meeting about a month, month and a half ago. There's been direct action on it and
there will be improvement and progress regarding the Hardies intersection. So, thank you to all involved. This is to approve signage change on Shorewood Drive and authorize city engineer to work with mind on additional signage at
the intersection of Highway 11 and Shorewood Drive. Is there a motion to approve this? So, move second. Motion by councilors Buller and Holden. discussion on the topic. Question I I I I'll vote yes.
5 Z. Thank you. New business. Item 10, approve renewal agreement with hometown billing for ambulance accounts receivable effective May 18 with new billing rates effective June 1st. Mayor would
entertain a motion to approve this. I will move. Motion by councelor Kaylor. Second. Second by councelor Wagner. Discussion. Question. I I I. I'll vote yes.
Agreement passes 50 or unanimously. Thank you. New business. Item 11. Adopt resolution authorizing execution of updated Minnesota Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Grant excluding land acquisition.
Is there a motion to approve? I'll make that motion. Motion by councelor Holden. Second. Second by councel Wagner. Discussion. Question. I I I. I'll
abstain. Motion carries 4 with my abstension. Thank you. New business. Item 12. Acknowledge the certificate of clinical excellence presented to the International Falls
Ambulance Service by Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services. Chief Manassa, is this anything that you would like to acknowledge? Thank you, mayor. Uh, first and foremost, biggest thing I'd like to say
is this is just a a sign of dedication and from for our employees that are dedicated to our service and do quality work every day. Uh, we just had a call this morning from, let me back up. This certificate is from the office of EMS, the newly
formed office EMS that replaced EMSRB. We were fortunate enough to have the same designation last year for uh what's called a STEMI, which is an ST elevated myioardial inffection. So, how we treat those in route in the
field in an ambulance. We were fortunate enough to receive a phone call this morning from St. Mary's on their STEMI program too and got kudos on a run that happened on Thursday. So, our paramedics, our EMTs, all of our staff are very well trained in this and
this just shows uh what they do with that. So, really this is for them and expressing how well of a job they do day in and day out. Thank you, Chief. Thank you. And I would just like to piggy back how fortunate we
are to have the ambulance service that we do um with our wonderful paramedics and the EMTs and everyone else that makes that service click, yourself included. Thank you. Because obviously there's many other communities that
haven't been able to provide what we can provide. Thank you. Thank I have one question if I please. Um and you know a big part of this success along with our EMTs and paramedics is our par paramedics ability to um administer some
different drugs or whatnot while they're on the scene doing it so they don't have to wait. Absolutely. So so there's some Yep. There's two sides of that. So the level of care of being an ALS provider. So the drugs they can administer and then the information they can interpret
from the machines as well. So obviously technology has helped us a lot uh where we're at uh in this state of the game with technology and what we can transmit for information but uh their ability in the field to recognize that data that they're seeing is integral in that care.
Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. With that, I would entertain a motion to acknowledge this certificate. So move second motions by councelor Buller and Wagner. Discussion question.
I I I although yes acknowledgement is complete 50. Thank you. Is there any other business to be conducted under new business this evening? Seeing I'm sorry, Councelor Wagner. Uh yeah, I have one uh being the letter
that you read about the uh from a former mayor, I've also heard from some other uh former residents of would we need to see if there's a willingness that the county wants to discuss this again and negotiate? Um I'm just putting it out
there. I'm willing to make a motion if we want to put a small group together and I think it needs to be a small group to do this discussion uh to get it started otherwise it a it's not going to work just what we've seen. Uh just my thoughts I'm in agreement with you
counselor and thank you. I we can get down to the specific motion here because we will discuss. Um I want to offer my support to the IF um
PD. We've heard some different scenarios this evening from many different people. And to me at this point, they do wonderful work in the community. They always have. I can think of just a couple incidences that have happened in
the last week or two. So the discussion at hand would be the location in which the police department had to work out of and conduct their department's work out of. And so I just want to be upfront about
that because I read a letter that wasn't mine and I've heard some different things. And so that's where I'm at on this and it sounds like you may be as well, Councelor Wagner. Well, I I think we need to explore it. Obviously, if we come back with the same offer, we're the same place we were. But I I think there
was some really good information in that letter that spelled out the direction we need to go. And it seems like they may be willing to negotiate. Although the letter they gave us did not give us that impression. U we all got the same letter
and it didn't say that. But um uh it's just thought. Is there other thoughts, concerns, discussion amongst the council? Well, I would recommend then that we
need another letter because the last one we had, if I'm right, I'd like to see a new letter. to re-engage. That would that would be my uh Yes.
Okay. And to see if they're they may not be open to re-engage. I don't know. Yeah. But that letter would say it. The the last one we got did not say that. That's exactly right. Um uh I think there might be something there. I don't know.
I think we're going to try anyways. I I agree. I think that um the the hearsay that that can happen that we if we're going to approach this as a council, we need to do that as a unit
um when we engage them with a letter. So, um, with that being said, I would recommend or if you would like to make the formal motion for the record. I I
can make the motion to uh reach out to the county to discuss negotiations of the old LEC. I don't Do you need more than that like that general drift of it?
Well, we would have administration draft it. Yeah. Subject to review and we could even approve it at the next meeting or um do we have all of that for the record? I I like if are we going to add
the drift of it in there? No, we'll keep that up. All right. I wasn't sure how I like that. The drift. we wanted it narrow or if we want it Yeah. Well, it definitely has got to be a different letter. Yes. Am I right?
Yeah. Councelor Wgner has offered a motion and I haven't heard Betty or at least question the verbiage of it. We'll wing it. Is there a support for that motion?
Yeah, I'll give him support. Councelor Holden has offered a second to support for that motion. Discussion can either continue. We're talking discussion in a different letter.
Correct. Correct. Question. I I I vote yes. 5. Is there any other business under new business that was not on the agenda to
be conducted? I don't believe there is. We will move on to reports of all boards, committees, and department heads with administrator Bergstrom first giving a recall petition
update. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, as per the guidelines laid out of a recall petition, um I am to update the council at the next regular city council meeting. So what I have put together is just some highlights um an outline of a process and where the the petition
currently sits as as of today. Um International Falls is a home rule charter city. So the city has limited authority over recall elections of the city's elected officials as per statute 410- or 20. The Minnesota Constitution,
Article 8, Section Six, and state court decisions have further restricted the recall of elected city officials to cases of serious male fees or nonfeence during the term of office in the performance of the duties of the
office. On May 7th, excuse me, on Monday, April 7th, Mr. Ed Bates turned in a 911 page document that consisted of three separate recall petitions. one petition for the center ward counselor, one petition for the west ward counselor, and one petition for the east
ward counselor. Upon receipt of the petitions, the city administrator has 10 working days to examine the petition as to its sufficiency. If the petition is shown to be insufficient, it is returned to the submitter and the submitter will have 10 working days to amend the
petition. The petition is currently in that window of time that allows the submitter of the petition 10 working days to amend the pos petition as the petition was returned to Mr. Bates as insufficient on Monday, April 14th for
the following reasons. The petition wasn't returned until the Tuesday the 15th. There will be ample time for comment. Mrs. Ergster, please. The first reason was failure to allege, prove malfeascence and or nonfecence. The
petition did not meet the necessary constitutional or statutory requirements to allege and prove malfeence or nonfeence as outlined in Minnesota constitution article 8 section 6 and Minnesota statute section
211C. Number two was failure to meet statutory form requirements. The petition did not meet other necessary statutory or procedural requirements as outlined in Minnesota statute 211c.03 and Minnesota rules of civil
procedure 8205.10 specifically stating that birth year for each individual signature and consecutive numbering of the signatures are required. So the petition is currently back with the submitter.
Thank you for that report. I want to ask one question. Um it's not loaded. It's actually community oriented about
petitions in general. Um it's my understanding that and there could be many things in the charter subject to referendums or petitions that these are things that typically
um at times don't always come back in the correct form that's acceptable. So I I think this has happened at least twice that I've been made aware of prior to this. The last one being the chicken
petition. Um so my recommendation um unless Betty or Chelsea feel differently is that if there is an issue um it could be putting the sale of minnows or god knows who what on a petition that
it maybe we should consider approving these things ahead of time for sufficiency. Um, I see that they have done that in other communities, but I can't speak directly to our charter because I'm not an attorney. So, I guess mayor, can you
clarify that? I'm not I'm don't follow. You're asking us to approve the the petition before. I'm sorry. No, I I'm not. It is. What I'm saying is that it seems that when there's petitions presented similar to this that
there are technicalities and they're not acceptable and because there's a multitude a myriad of things other than recalls that can be petitioned for like the chickens. I hope it's something that we
can work with our citizens on. And I don't know if that's typically been offered or not. The reason I'm going there is because I believe Mayor Droboa may have helped with the chicken petition that it wasn't acceptable at first. And if I'm wrong, I'll stand
corrected. No, I believe you're correct, mayor. Um the I don't believe that one was and then he took it upon himself and totally redid the process. um any citizen is available to contact myself or the city attorney prior to
engaging in any you know type of activity like this to verify what they have is sufficient and meets all requirements. Further, the Secretary of State's office um is available for citizens to phone and and get appropriate information as well. Thank
you. That was the context of it. So, thank you. Okay. Any other reports? I I would just like to Is it our time yet, Mayor? For boards
and commissioners. I would afford you the opportunity. I just want to update people real quick on our visitor today at Kea. Yes, please do. Uh Felix um I I can't say his last name so I
apolog uh she is from Liberia and she's in the logistics business but they came to he came to show her what the idea is and the plan and some of the things we have in the works
for the logistics with the multimold eventual warehouse and I think they went to look at a temporary warehouse to use till things can get on the ground just to start just to see if should be interested and like to carry on with
this and and we're thinking maybe hopefully with the tero one good thing if there is any is it might uh having a tax-free area might be a benefit if I have Mr. Is that about right? What
happened today? That's that's exactly what's right. And um I don't have my napkin with my notes written on it today either. And we've obviously had that zone for a long time. And it would be ironic that for such a reason as what's
going on now that we have a project. I just thought it was very encouraging. There was another person interested in investing if possible into the project. It's just example. It takes some time,
but thank you, Mr. Broka. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council, uh, I was notified towards the end of last week that we received a $532,000 grant from the USDA. Um, it is for a new generator and two
valves on our intake and our recycle line at the water plant. Um, so we need to finalize some some signatures this week, but I'm happy to say that the valves were part of the water plant project. The generator was kind of a
wishlist item, but it met it. So, it it's technically not part of the rehab project. Um it was kind of something that we put on a wish list and we added it to our list for the USDA. So um we'll be getting a new generator and both of
those valves. Fantastic. Thank you for that update. At this point in the meeting, unless there's more, we do offer public comment. Again, limited to 5 minutes. That is now open.
Bill Valentine, 1504 5th Avenue East. Appreciate you guys revisiting this law enforcement idea. I think would be a good idea to have the chief involved in the discussions also because he's the more I
mean he's the point man and to seriously consider do you you need 10,000 square feet I mean you can if you keep submitting 10,000 square feet to the sheriff's department you're going to get an x amount a dollar amount that's huge maybe you can get by with
7,000 I don't have the exact figures in front of me but they quoted you a price per square foot that's less what you're paying at Bakus right now to move into the LEC. Just take a look at that. That's that's all I'm asking them. But I think
Chief should be part of your discussion panel or whatever you're going to call it, right? Yeah. He's right at the top. And yeah, you know, I've worked with him enough to know that it's really in his heart. It really is, you know, to have a good police department and a good
building and and all that. So yeah, to have him there for discussion. You bet. Yeah. And and like I say that that do we really need that many square footage? You know what I mean? So I'm just saying and we all support
the police department. Um and I appreciate you guys revisiting that. That's huge to our community. Huge. That's that's huge. Okay. But I and I recall in the meeting minutes from one of the last county meet commissioners meetings was they left the door open for
you guys. They according to and I think it was a committee the whole meeting they're not going to do anything with that until they hear back from you guys. And I tried to I don't have my glasses. I tried to get the meeting minutes up on my phone so I could read them to you but and they've expressed
sincere desire to work with you guys. And then my second question I guess is for Betty is did you hear anything on the bans show from the last council meeting that we were they were supposed to get back to us well two to three weeks. So I did not hear anything today and my calendar was quite full today. So I didn't get a chance to call Mr. Otto
but that's on my first thing in the morning. So yes we should hear very very soon. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, Tyler. We're 121 Second Avenue East. Um, so back to my original questions uh from earlier, Betty, um,
where is the best location for if a person's going to do a petition? Where can they find that information that they're going to want so that they know they can build the petition correctly? Well, they can start with the city administrator and the city attorney, okay? And then they would we would if we can't help and answer all of it. If we
don't if we believe we need more questions answered, we would turn to our League of Minnesota Cities attorneys in the Secretary of State's office. Cuz even just looking at you guys' charter, nowhere does it state that you need the year of date of birth. It doesn't state any Minnesota state statutes. Doesn't
state anything like that. Um, so when if a person goes out without asking you guys and they want to fill out a petition, I think that's where we're having our issues with like the chickens and then this recent petition and stuff is if you go based off the charter, it doesn't give you the full
information. I don't know if there's something that needs to be done to the charter where you guys can put Minnesota state statutes on there or a better way for people to follow the petition recalls a lot better than what they are currently on the charter. Is that even an
option? Because now this is the second time where petitions have had issues that I'm answer. It could go to the charter commission and they could rewrite that section of the charter. And that's the short answer. How would we bring that forward to the you'd bring it to the charter commission who are
meeting tomorrow? Yes. tomorrow at 5:30. 5:30 council ter and I have a I'm sure we'll be discussing it. Okay. My my other question would be for the
council. Um we did have citizens that filled out the petition. Um we turned it in. Uh I believe people that went off with the petition probably went off base off the charter. Um I I'm asking if you guys would allow the petition to go through. If uh you
guys respected the citizens of International Falls that actually came out, signed the petition, they have an issue, um you guys would set motion to allow the petitions to go through, you know, and when it comes down to it, there'll be a special election and if majority of people want you to stay in
your seats, then yeah, so be it. Mr. where I have to delegate that as a council to m Mrs. Nelson, our city attorney. Um, so essentially you're asking for a direction from the council
to the administrator to deem the recall petition sufficient. Correct. Okay. Um, in this particular circumstance, I would say that's not possible. The main reason being is the year of birth is a requirement by the Secretary of State. every recall petition that we get that
we say yes this is sufficient actually goes to them as well and that year of birth on there the secretary of state needs that because what they do is they verify that the person signing was eligible to vote at the time whoever was brought in. So basically what that means
is say I turn 18 in uh an example um like Mike she he was just voted in this year. So, if I turned 18 after he was voted in the first time, I can't sign that petition because I didn't vote in the first one. But once
again, it's not your charter. So, a person filling out the petitions without going to you guys first and asking about it cuz maybe they have issues with coming forward with that stuff going forward from based off the charter, it doesn't state any of that information whatsoever. That's why I'm hoping the
council would respect that base off the charter. Based off based off the charter, it's 100% completed. I know, but once we send it to the Secretary of State, they're going to kick it back to us is what I was getting at. Okay. And they have to verify every petition.
Thank you. Okay. So, I guess I'm not fully completed yet. Is my time up? You have 1 minute 1 second remaining. Okay. So, with that, if they have to approve of it, obviously they would see the person's address listed on there, their name and stuff. They'd be able to tell that
person was voting age of that time. Secretary of State. Yeah, potentially. But that's right. That's that's not something we get to push on them. Okay. I didn't hear the last statement. What did you say in the last 17 years? That's
not our position to tell the Secretary of State how to review petition submitted to them. We can't tell them, hey, accept this petition even though it doesn't meet your requirements. We can't tell them what to do.
Thank you, Miss Ball. Sharon Ball, um 120 Cedar Road. Since you're you're discussing this now and you're opening up about it, um as I said, I met with the county on several occasions and I would just like you to think about
something. Let's just say that this project costs 3.1 million. Okay? And I'm quite certain it will cost at least that. You would be What are you referring to, please? That that Coutasa building. Okay. Thank you. Okay. I just like you to think about this. If we took
out a If we had to get a bond loan for, let's say, 3.1 million, that would be I'm I'm get for 4% over 20 years. We'll just go with that. That would be a payment of $18,179 every month just to pay the
loan. the city or the county was offering you 13,400 with a lease of 10 years for four garages, 500 square feet downstairs, the whole area where they used to share with the sheriff. Okay, so
I think you need to look at that and go, okay, hope and I know they'll go down more than that because I've discussed it with them. But if you're paying 13,400, there's also some synergy there. Okay, they're already going to be using the gel. They've got their own garages
and I just would ask you to think about the totality of it. Okay, that's that's all $13,400 a month and hope you know hopefully they'll go down in that as opposed to $18,179 for a 3.1 bond loan over 20
years. You know, it's just a matter of and they and they have separated everything. So, the police would have their own entity and they'd already have those garages and it just it's I would like to see them working together. So, I just want you to consider that before you talk to the county and and I know
that they've made numerous attempts and I think if they're giving you a 10-year lease with that guarantee, it's a lot better than paying an 18,179. And we don't even that I honestly believe it'll go over that 3.1.
Let's you know so I just want you to think about that. Okay. Thank you for your time. Thank you. And just a note that we are revisiting that or starting that process uh per a motion made earlier. With that being said, uh is there any other
comment before we move on? Seeing no further comment. Um, I applaud the council for uh re going back to the table with the county. Um, I I was under the impression from
the uh county board that their one of their letters did have uh that the lease agreement was always negotiable. So, I don't know where you guys are saying it's not, but they said it was. So, anyways, whatever. I'm particular
interested in what's being spent. You look at the grocery store in Menard's wherever you go. I look for Canadian license plates and I'm not seeing them. So, and I'm sure you guys are too cuz what that does is that the lack of them
is going to affect our local businesses drastically. I don't know if they can get by till the tour season or what, but just when you go back to the county to rethink this lease agreement, think about, you know, what is happening in
our town as far as traffic. Thank you. Thank you. And I would like to give a small update. I think Pete's already heard this from the morning meeting, but last week I met with Mayor Helicus in Fort Francis, as we do meet fairly
often. Um both countries at least in our regionality here are deeply concerned about some of the effects that could happen. Specifically for us in international falls. Uh we will be um
issuing a joint statement of friendship between the two communities and Mayor Hakus assured me that he fully supports uh the flying of the American flag u in Fort Francis which was very
heartwarming. With that I would like to move on to reminders. Nancy Mhof, 3393rd Street. Okay. So, as to the petition, the petition with the chickens, did they need to have their birth date on
it? I would say no. I wasn't I wasn't even on the count. Well, maybe I was. I don't remember. I might have been on the council at that point, but I would say probably not, but I don't know. Okay. So, why is this one different? Um it's a
recall petition. So um there's different types of petitions that can um come before the council. So that type of petition was either to change an ordinance or add an ordinance. I don't remember which it was. Um and that one
it doesn't have to be specific wards or anything like that. It can be the entire town. Still 25%. Um it may have required the year if it had to go to the Secretary of State. I guess it would. I don't know the answer off the top of my head. I'm very sorry.
Maybe Pete does. I believe all petitions in the state of Minnesota require the date of birth. Okay. So, when um Mayor Droa helped with
that after the first filing of it or whatever. So, did he assist in that? Would that set a precedent if our mayor wanted to help us to refile or I mean so you're asking if Mayor Dill
could now decide to to assist in redoing the petitions. Absolutely. Um and that's not because Mayor previous Mayor Droba did that. It's just an opportunity that's available to anyone. Okay.
Um, also with those petitions and birth dates, you had to have voted in the previous election to be eligible to sign those petitions. So, you would have had to be a legal voter then by age.
So, yes. So, at the time that the ward person was um voted in, you would have had to be of legal age to vote, which is why the year of birth is needed. Are you saying that they only collected
signatures of people over 18? Is that what you're getting? They would have had to if they were legal voters when the election, previous election took place, they would have had to pen. And I wouldn't doubt that. I think it's very possible that every signature on there is over 18. Um I think that's very
probable. Unfortunately, that doesn't satisfy the Secretary of State and their requirement when they're reviewing petitions as well. Okay. And as to the charter then there's that needs to be revisited. If I mean that seems just so
up in the air as to procedural process for this there there should be you know it should be stated clearly what needs to be done for petition and if you're throwing it out based on that which is
one reason I would say that our 10 days should be extended did because that was not in the charter. So, you'd like a motion from
the council to have Betty allow more than 10 days? Well, I would think so. I I I don't know how people feel, but I mean, if we didn't have the right thing to look at in the first place to say
that that had to that those birth dates or whatever else wasn't available to us to get that information, I think that it should we should be able to start it over, but not
have missed however many days being as we were sufficiently informed in the beginning. So, I'm going to offer two answers. The first is needing to get all of those birth years. If you're going to do that, there's nothing saying that you can't also restart signatures.
Just because this one was found insufficient doesn't mean you can't try again first. Um, second, um, I just kind of want to explain there's there's tiers of law, right? So, you have federal law at the top and then you have state law. State law can't violate federal law. It
can't say something so different from federal law that then it becomes invalid. State law can only add to federal law. Similar to your breakdown to the charter, anything in our charter can't violate state statute. It also can't do anything less than state
statute. So when we look at the state statute saying, "Hey, this is our requirements." We could add to the charter and say, "Yes, so these are all the requirements plus some. We can add more requirements. we can't take them away from the charter. I understand. So, I just wanted to clarify that piece,
too. Um, but certainly the council could look at a motion to extend the 10 days. That is within the charter. So, it would be um a motion to go against the charter, which I do not advise. Um, but there's nothing saying when you're adding all of those years of birth, you
can start the signatures over again, too. Okay. And then one other question as to the other reason that it was denied the malf how do you say that word malfence non feasants malfence is that
you're saying that that did not meet that is that an opinion so um there's actually case law on this um and I will pull up the case so that you can I can quote it for you. It's Jacobs vers the city of Columbia Heights. The decision
just came out last year, February of 2024. Um, and basically what it explains is a couple things. First is city- elected officials are considered inferior officers, and I don't want you to be insulted by that, but that's a definition of state statute
says inferior officers. So, you count as inferior officers, which has that requirement to prove malfeasants non-feasence. And then it defines what malfeasants non-feasence is. And essentially what it comes down to is illegal activity. What was that last part? It comes down to malfeasants non-feasence is
essentially illegal activity. I'm not so sure that that's that's how the case essentially defines it. That particular case. Yeah. Yep. And so, but I'm not saying that the reason these recall petitions didn't
prove malfeasants or nonfeasants is when you are alleging malfeasants non-feasence. You have to have a specific incident that occurred and how that was malfeasants, nonfeasants, and then there's different elements that have to take place that are line outlined in this um case. Um, for example, they have to be acting as an
official. Um, they can't, I don't know, just be walking down the street and break a law just being normal people. Um and then there's other things that have to occur as well. Other things that such as um I will get
them for you. So it's essentially three elements. Um I did research that a bit off the top of my head. I can't remember. But it was more than just acting illegally. Yeah. So first the conduct must be such as affects the performance of official duties rather
than conduct which affects the officials personal character of I'm sorry is this better? Okay. Um the first is the conduct must be such as affects the performance of official duties rather than conduct which affects the officials personal character as a private
individual. Second, the conduct must relate to something of a substantial nature directly affecting the rights and interests of the public. There we go. And then and then third, while recognizing that malfeasance in an official capacity
is not susceptible of an exact definition, we defined the conduct as having reference to evil conduct or an illegal deed of doing the doing of which ought not to do the performance of an act by an officer in their official capacity that is wholly illegal and
wrongful. And what this case says is those are the three factors and all three have to be satisfied. It's not one or the other. It's all three. But that's that case. Yes. Why do we why are we bound by that one
particular case? This case is a Minnesota Supreme Court case which does set precedents if it were brought back into district court. Um the other piece is um it's actually directly on point. This case involves the factual pattern of an individual that was subject to a
recall petition um had sufficient signatures. Everything else the only thing that was not there was malfeasants non-feasence. Um the city administrator found that it wasn't there. Um and it was brought back into court. The court agreed that malfeasants non-feasence wasn't
presented because all three factors weren't proven. And the the factual situation of what the individual did was they made some racial slurs over the phone and said something else over the phone. I don't remember exactly, but I read that there's many other cases in
Minnesota too with petitions. So, not as of February 2024. This is our most recent presidential case. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Susan Watiga, 107 Park Avenue. Um, so
when I first heard about the recall not being um, okayed that there were things wrong with it, I was looking up state statute trying to figure stuff out and the one thing I did find in 211c.03, it talks about state officers.
And so then I was like, well, what is a state officer? Does that mean Secretary of State? Does that What does that mean? International Falls City Councilman. So I What is the definition for state officer in this context?
Because for year of birth that's needed for this recall, but are councilman considered state officers? This um 211C applies 27 211c.03 103 applies to all elected
officials within the state of Minnesota. So that's what state officer means. Yes. Okay. It's it's every individual elected. Okay. Because I was trying to figure out what that meant and if there because it talks about um
representative, senator, district judge in which the state officer serves um the district number. Um, so I just it doesn't say anything about council members or anything like that. So that's what I was wondering. Yes. For a better definition.
Yep. And it's essentially any elected. Okay. And where would you find that information? Case law. Okay. All right. Thanks. Mhm. Thank you. Me again, Bill Valentine, 1504th Avenue East.
Would the city be willing to add a uh legal recall form to their website that a concerned citizen could download and fill out so we don't run into this?
I don't know if there's one on the website, but I do know the city has one available if someone were to request it. I requested one. I looked all over the city website. There was nothing. I left voicemail. Never got a phone call back. months ago. It was Betty. Don't receive
a voice. Okay. I forgot I returned my phone. Okay. I did not receive a message. Okay. Okay. So, and then I'm going to just make one more statement and then I'll be done for today. Anyways, but you guys are all aware of the recall petitions that were
circulated, filled out by the citizens. You guys are supposed to re represent the citizens of our city, our ward as counselors, as administrator, as mayor. You guys represent this the the the the citizens. You saw the
signatures. You saw the number that came in. Okay. Some of us aren't feeling like we're being represented by our counselors. Several of us. You saw the signature. Once
again, to put this to bed, once you guys resign, you know how most the majority of us feel that we're not being served by our council members. Okay. And that's all I'm going
to say. Thank you for your time. Thank you. I'd like to Mr. Mr. Calder, were you like to come forward or I'm going to move on? I'd like to come forward, please. I had a prepared um statement for the
second part of this, but when Mr. Wagner did a breakthrough, I was very happy about that and I appreciate what you did. I commend you for that. Uh the only other question I have is for if you had time to look at that and
decide what that statute means. I I looked at the statute and I started pulling case law. I don't have a definitive answer yet. Um mainly because I I need to define specially marked police or sheriff vehicle and then I need to also meet with chief and find
out what vehicles also fall under that. Well, I can tell you that what the chief told me is we have I think 10 vehicles. They're all tactical paint jobs except for one. That one is not
used for patrol. It's used for uh administrative purposes. Okay. It says there on the statute what the markings are. The markings are a a shield on the right side of the vehicle. That's it.
Is the definition of a specially marked vehicle? Yes. Yes. Yep. I don't know. And this is my own ignorance. I don't know what all our vehicles look like. I don't Mr. Calder, are you alleging that the city is out of compliance or has a
violation? Yes. Okay. is what I would ask is that you formally request that from Chelsea and I think she will get you a response. Well, I thought basically that's what I did. No, you did. Can I have a little more time? I
that's what I'm we will work with you. You're the city attorney. If I could just have a little time and I absolutely will. And I didn't bring any of my cards, but if you hang around for two seconds, I will write down my email and phone number for you. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Okay, thank you. Uh,
one last thing. Do I have a minute left? You do. Uh, I noticed that the police report is uh coming up. Will the chief address the question I had earlier? That's my question for you.
The question specifically, the question was, would the chief weigh in on what he thinks the best spot for his department would be? And that's that's all. And
again, I ask uh commend Tim for the breakthrough that that was just I think something that probably should have happened months ago, but it happened now, so it's great. J. Thank you. Rhonda Benedict's 9096 Street
International Falls. I just want to say uh every time I've been up here, I've been a little angry uh with reason to be. And I just wanted to say thank you, mayor, for sticking up a couple times when I was up here, for letting me come back up to the
stand and talk and for not kicking me off the stand for the five minute rule. I appreciate that and I just wanted to say that that I appreciate that and thank you for sometimes sticking up for the citizens and being there for
us. Thank you for changing your mind today. Appreciate that. It's I'm glad you're starting to hear the citizens because we've only been screaming for a little while and it's pretty sad that we have to get this upset for you to hear
us. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. reminders. We have a small cities open book meeting on Wednesday, May 14th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the county assessor's office for informal
appeal for taxpayers to discuss their assessment evaluation. So I believe this would piggy back on the presentations that Len Peterson gave up here in these chambers last week about how he arrives
at the valuation of your property. So another opportunity to engage regarding property values. Also, the next regular city council meeting is Monday, May 5th of this year, 5:30
p.m. Seeing no further business to come before this council, this meeting is adjourned.