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International Falls council approves contracts, event permits and hires to shore up police staffing
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the International Falls City Council approved multiple contract proposals required by the EPA, granted event permits for the International Falls Bass Championship, authorized hiring two full-time patrol officers, and approved an employment agreement for Scott Worley as chief of police.
International Falls City Council on Feb. 17 approved a slate of routine and operational items, moved forward two EPA-required contracts for water-system planning, and granted event permits for the International Falls Bass Championship while authorizing steps to restore police staffing.
Council approved proposals from Bolton & Mink to update the city’s Emergency Response Plan and the required Risk and Resilience Assessment for the drinking-water system, actions the city said are required every five years by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Public works staff (Jason) told the council the work is required and that outside support is needed while staffing transitions continue. The council approved those proposals by voice vote.
The council also approved preliminary design and authorization to solicit bids for a replacement band shell and authorized changing police vehicle decals as units are rotated out of the fleet. Councilor Koehler described the band-shell action as a first step to get real bid prices before determining final scope and funding.
On personnel, the council approved an employment agreement for Scott Worley for the chief of police position and authorized signatures after a correction to the contract’s signature line. The council also authorized hiring two full-time patrol officers to address recent staffing losses; Chief Orley told the council there is an existing candidate roster and staff expects to move quickly to fill positions.
Event permits for the International Falls Bass Championship were approved: use of Smokey Bear Park (Aug. 25–30, 2026), a temporary 1–4 day on-sale liquor license for Aug. 27–29, 2026, and an exempt raffle permit for a drawing on Aug. 29, 2026. Nancy Peterson, representing the Bass Championship, asked the council for permission to close a short stretch of 2nd Street near Orton’s for post-weigh-in parking; she said she would submit the street-closure request in writing so police and public-works staff can review it.
Council also set a public hearing for a feasibility report on bituminous paving of 6th Avenue West (between 17th and 19th streets) for March 16 and approved declaring two police vehicles surplus and working with Enterprise to sell them and roll proceeds into the city’s account with Enterprise.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval — voice vote, carried. - Minutes (Feb. 2 and Feb. 9) — unanimous approval. - Pay bills (claims reported in packet) — voice vote, carried. - Bolton & Mink ERP and RRA proposals — voice votes, carried. - Band shell preliminary design and bidding authorization — voice vote, carried. - Employment agreement for Scott Worley (chief of police) — voice vote, carried. - Authorization to hire two full-time patrol officers — voice vote, carried. - Bass Championship park use, temporary liquor license and raffle permit — voice votes, carried. - Set public hearing for 6th Avenue West paving — voice vote, carried.
Council scheduled its next regular meeting for March 2, 2026. The meeting packet included a police monthly report and fire/rescue reports; staff said findings from recent sewer televising will be available within weeks for follow-up planning.
