Council accepts $13.88 million MPFA offer and gets water-treatment project update

The City of International Falls council unanimously adopted a resolution accepting the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority’s (MPFA) offer to purchase a $13,876,914 general obligation water revenue note of 2026 and authorized the bond purchase and project loan agreement that will consolidate long-term financing for the water-treatment plant rehabilitation.

Mayor and staff framed the financing action as the final step to wrap up project moving parts into a single long-term note. Jason and Administrator Betty Bergstrom had no additional comments beyond technical assurances; the motion to accept the MPFA offer carried without opposition.

Luke, a project representative from Bolton & Menk, provided a progress update to the council. He said the water-operations laboratory has undergone demolition and interior prep work, a new server area is being built to house updated electronics, and the old soda-ash feed curb in the garage has been removed to make way for a new feed system. Nelson Roofing has begun installing roof safety rails and is expected to complete rooftop work over roughly three weeks, and painting, HVAC rough‑in and electrical work continue inside the plant. Luke said Rice Lake (contractor) will keep providing updated schedules and that the project’s substantial-completion and final dates remain unchanged.

The council also authorized bidding and advertising related to other capital work: staff noted an MnDOT active-transportation grant will cover up to $587,000 for the Highway 1171 trail construction and the council authorized advertising that bid package.

Councilors said the financing package and project updates should help move the water-treatment rehabilitation to completion and provide the city a stable repayment structure.