International Falls council approves contracts, transfers and community events; residents raise road condition concerns

At its regular meeting, the City of International Falls council approved a range of consent and new-business items including a managed IT agreement, fund transfers, facility improvements and community event support.

Contracts and transfers: Council approved a managed information-technology services agreement with 3S Design LLC and adopted two inter-fund transfers: one moving $17,345.26 from fund 2550 (sales and use tax) to fund 4550 (sales-tax construction accounts) and another transferring funds from 2550 to fund 421 for the Stenberg Capital Project Fund to finish prior-year stabilizing work. Council indicated plans to use local sourcing and city staff where appropriate for facility projects.

Facilities and equipment: Council approved Lem’s Electric to replace six radiant tube heaters at Kerry Park Arena with the International Falls Recreational Hockey Association pledging $8,500 toward the cost. The council also approved Ule’s quote for FOB access at city hall and authorized purchase and installation of three replacement doors (approximately $1,300 per door) by city staff to support the FOB system.

Licenses, staffing and leases: The council approved a 2026 restaurant license for Ronings, Inc., authorized advertising to hire 10 seasonal public-works employees (two for water shop, six for street garage, two for building and grounds), and approved hiring Kayla Towner as a volunteer emergency medical technician on the recommendation of Human Resources Sherry Stenland and Chief Manassa. Council also renewed a month-to-month lease with Bakus Community Center for the police department effective April 1, 2026 while the county reviews options.

Memorial: Council approved working with VFW Peter Graham Post 2948 on design and placement of a memorial and renaming Holler Softball Fields to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas J. Valentine; the post pledged financial and logistical support in a letter read into the record.

Public comment and roads: During the second public-comment period, resident Nancy Imhof asked whether the Highway 1171 corridor project will address a badly deteriorated block adjacent to the Smokey the Bear business and whether the city could perform temporary repairs before the multi-year corridor project. Staff said the corridor work is at least two to three years out and that state maintenance agreements guide repairs on that stretch; staff said crews will address potholes when weather permits. Speakers noted heavy semitrailer traffic on Main Street and suggested ongoing discussion with industrial haulers about routing.

Most items passed on unanimous votes; several items (notably the deer-feeding ordinance first reading) were more contested and are covered in a separate item.