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International Falls council approves $1.04 million in claims, routine appointments, hires and proclamations
Summary
The City Council approved $1,038,807.30 in accounts payable, adopted two ordinances (electric bicycles second reading; blight notice extension), approved proclamations for Treatment Court Month and National Travel and Tourism Week, and voted on a series of personnel and administrative items including planning commission appointments, a Public Works hiring committee, equipment purchases and EMS roster changes.
The International Falls City Council on May 4 approved routine business that included more than $1.03 million in accounts payable, two ordinance readings and multiple personnel and administrative actions.
The clerk recited accounts payable totals before a voice vote: International Falls claims $901,726.72; Airport Commission $73,127.18; Airport major capital project $63,953.40; total accounts payable $1,038,807.30. The council adopted the resolution to approve payment of claims.
On ordinances, the council took a second reading on an electric-bicycles ordinance and carried the motion; members noted that pending state rules could require future amendments. The council also held a second and final reading to extend notice for blight-prevention actions from seven to ten days; that ordinance passed.
The council approved the consent agenda, which included authorizing Human Resources Safety Director Sherry Stenzland to attend a Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities employment law and compensation webinar series in June and approving a license for the Fun Food Factory.
Other votes and actions approved by voice vote or motion included:
- Proclamation recognizing National Treatment Court Month (moved by Councilor Holden, seconded by Councilor Boehler; approved).
- Proclamation recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week at the request of the International Falls Rainier and Rainy Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau (moved by Councilor Holden; approved).
- Public Works committee recommendation to solicit quotes for a demolition landfill perimeter fence after an original fencing alternate came in higher than expected; staff said the revised scope will seek a 5-foot woven-wire fence with barbed wire and a gated maintenance access (motion passed).
- Reappointments and new members to the Planning Commission: Bridal Uso (1-year), Joanne Doernhecker (3-year), Christine Anderson (2-year), and new member Jeffrey Olsen (3-year); council asked staff to continue recruitment to fill remaining seats.
- Establishment of a hiring committee for the Director of Public Works composed of the mayor, city administrator, human resources director and interim public works director; application review to begin May 6.
- Purchase of replacement fire helmets from budgeted Fire Department capital outlay funds (chief's request); council noted helmets were at end of life and replacements were budgeted.
- Hiring summer Public Works employees (staff reported approximately 10 applicants, including two who remained through winter); motion carried.
- Addition of two individuals to the active ambulance roster (an EMT and a casual paramedic) and acceptance of resignations: volunteer firefighter Jacob Harris and EMT Brenda Lushahan; council acknowledged resignations and approved roster additions.
Council members also received routine reports (city administrator, police, fire/EMS) in their meeting packets, discussed recent community events such as the White Rodeo and highlighted Officer Gomez as a nationally recognized school resource officer. The council set its next regular meeting for Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned.
Votes were recorded as carried by voice vote in the transcript; individual roll-call tallies by named councilor were not provided in the record.
