Regular City Council Meeting 06/18/12

June 18

2012

5:30 P.M.

A regular meeting of the City Council of International Falls, Minnesota was held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the 18th day of June 2012 at the hour of 5:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Councilors Eklund, Jaksa, McBride, Rognerud and Mayor Mason

MEMBERS ABSENT:  none

    Motion by Councilor Jaksa to approve minutes of the regular city council meeting of June 4, 2012.  Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

     Motion by Councilor Eklund to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for administrative costs to General fund 101 in the amount of $8,436.00.  Motion seconded by Councilor Rognerud and carried unanimously.  

     Motion by Councilor Jaksa to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for sewer permanent improvements to Permanent Improvement fund 401 in the amount of $20,414.50.  Motion seconded by Councilor Rognerud and carried unanimously.

    Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve transfer from Water and Sewer fund 601 for capital outlay projects to Reserve for Capital Outlay fund 403 in the amount of $14,613.66.  Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

    Motion by Councilor Eklund to approve payment of the claims from various funds of the city including checks 45747-45862 in the amount of $346,422..11.  Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.

    Checks 96927-96944 were issued under blanket authorization in the amount of $90,648.12.

    Motion by Councilor Rognerud to approve first reading of contract ordinance #948 awarding contract to Bowman Asphalt products, Inc. as low bidder in the amount of $702,326 for the Industrial Avenue/Sixth Avenue West project.  Motion seconded by Councilor McBride and carried unanimously.

    Motion by Councilor Eklund to approve second reading of Ordinance No. 7 5th Series modifying section 6-44.  Motion seconded by Councilor Jaksa and carried unanimously.

    Building Official Meyers reported on the issuance of 53 door tags in the fight on blight.  He noted that 5 buildings have been demolished so far this year.

    Motion by Councilor McBride to approve the consent agenda as follows:

    • Accept the contribution from VFW Post 2948 in the amount of $400 and expend $400 in support of the July 4th Celebration

Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

    Nancy Lee with Koochiching County Public Health reported on the efforts of the local Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).  She described the importance of reviewing policies, systems, and environmental challenges to better health.  She described efforts of the local SHIP task force to increase opportunities for walking and biking.

    Joe Schwartz, Recreation Commission Chair, addressed the council.  He thanked Councilors Eklund, Rognerud, and Jaksa as members of the Commission and also Stacy Fredrickson with ISD #361 for helping to revise and update the joint powers agreement between ISD #361 and the City of International Falls under which the Recreation Commission operates.  He recommended approval of the revised agreement.  Motion by Councilor Jaksa to approve revised agreement.  Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

    Councilor McBride as President of the Economic Development Authority described the process the Economic Development Authority used for determining recommended finalists for the Director of Economic and Community Development position.  Motion by Councilor McBride to approve Paul Nevanen and Shawn Mason as recommended finalists for the position.  Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously with Mayor Mason abstaining.

    Mayor Mason reported that a groundbreaking for the Department of Employment and Economic Development TED grant has been scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on July 2, 2012.

    Councilor McBride described the efforts of the joint city/county working group to develop a new animal shelter.  He asked for council approval to endorse the city/county partnership and to expend $5000 to match county funding to obtain architectural drawings and cost estimates.  Motion by Councilor Jaksa to approve expenditure of up to $5000 for the effort and to endorse a city/county partnership to pursue a new shelter.  Motion seconded by Councilor Rognerud and carried unanimously.

    Motion by Councilor Jaksa to approve Investment Policy.  Motion seconded by Councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

    City Administrator Otterness noted that the July 2 council meeting conflicts with the International Tug-of-War and recommended rescheduling the meeting to June 29 at 9:00 a.m.  Motion by Councilor Jaksa to reschedule the July 2 regular council meeting to 9:00 a.m. on June 29, 2012.  Motion seconded by councilor Eklund and carried unanimously.

                __________________________________

ATTEST:            Shawn Mason, Mayor

__________________________________                    Rodney Otterness, City Administrator

The Journal

July 14, 2012