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Votes at a glance: International Falls City Council approves rates, projects, event permits and personnel actions
Summary
The council voted on multiple ordinances, resolutions, budget items, facility projects and event permits; key outcomes, vote tallies and motions are summarized.
The International Falls City Council recorded multiple formal actions during its meeting. The most consequential votes included adoption of water and sewer rates for 2025, approval to proceed with a public-works garage rehabilitation financed by bonding and budgeted funds, and a package of event permits and operational personnel actions. Below are the motions, outcomes and vote tallies as recorded on the meeting minutes.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance, second and final reading: 2025 water and sewer rates. Motion made and seconded; approved 5–0. The council and staff noted the rates increase by 4 percent as discussed in the meeting.
- Approve transfers/payments and claims (total accounts payable and claims $1,427,417.38). Motion made by Councilor Kaler; second by Councilor Wagner; approved 5–0.
- Approve minutes for four January meetings. Motion carried 5–0.
- Public Works: consider DSGW architecture report for rehabilitation of the vector/equipment garage to be financed with budgeted street and sanitary funds and bonding. Motion by Councilor Wagner; second by Councilor Buller; outcome: approved 3–2 (motion carried) to proceed with the Public Works project. (Council recorded three yes, two no votes.)
- Approve travel and continuing-education expenses for Public Works staff. Motion approved 5–0.
- Consent: license renewal for Smoke and Fire doing business as Dairy Queen. Approved 5–0.
- Appointments: Craig Bernath to Fire Civil Service Commission (two-year term) and other committee assignments. Approved 5–0.
- Personnel: approve separation of employment for a part-time patrol officer. Approved 5–0.
- Event permits: approve use of Smokey Bear Park for the International Falls Bass Championship (Aug. 21–23, 2025), temporary on-sale liquor license and raffle-ticket sales for the tournament. All motions carried 5–0.
- Cary Park: council approved waiving the lease fee for the Old Timers hockey tournament for this year and authorized the organizers to direct proceeds toward Cary Park maintenance; motion carried 5–0.
- Guns & Hoses: council approved allowing law-enforcement and fire hockey practices twice weekly at Cary Park under the existing open-hockey umbrella (insurance/fee arrangements to follow); motion carried 5–0.
- Rotary Club: resolution to allow sale of liquor at Cary Park Arena, March 14–16; approved 5–0.
- Finance: approve CD maturity renewal for six months at 4% interest; approved 5–0.
- Approve purchase of a new ambulance; approved 5–0.
- Approve advertising and filling a vacant casual paramedic position; approved 5–0.
- Committee of the Whole: approve advertising and hiring of 11 summer employees; approve 2025–2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); approve renewal of South Falls Post Office lease (five-year term beginning Dec. 1, 2026). All carried 5–0.
What this means: The council approved a modest rate increase for utilities, advanced a capital rehabilitation project that the council decided to bond and budget for, and cleared a series of event and personnel items. The Public Works garage project passed on a 3–2 vote, indicating some council division over timing and financial exposure. Several permits and staffing actions passed unanimously.
