[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085966,"mediaKeyId","2900618-7d5619669ddcb3a6c926d69ac593e99a","parentId",2900618,"title","Council authorizes bids for Ninth Street reconstruction and lead‑service‑line work; project described as large, multi‑component effort","audioSeconds",1115,"startMs",1439000,"endMs",2554000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900618-7d5619669ddcb3a6c926d69ac593e99a&start=1439&end=2554","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900618-7d5619669ddcb3a6c926d69ac593e99a/thumbnail_1439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085966/International-Falls-City/Koochiching/Minnesota/Council-authorizes-bids-for-Ninth-Street-reconstruction-and-leadserviceline-work-project-described-as-large-multicomponent-effort","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085966-21498bab0e262c516ca1cd248362f0bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165040&Signature=kLEU0xBBVVwLFn-4UwX8rWFYF7Dn~QdnOO2R81fCP4bqV2Htbf6KM-X9zZeVcZpkDirs6GcDR5~Wro9mKSCyw0E55L02tAdkycMCJEuuToIzpq8R2SmFV1tQD3EAqzJrwhM7LbhylT7qeAkiH8NG4Je0RlvjpNJfv7gXKnp17hk4pu9T0QPziYCGRJxm1qGeWF7uSdKT7UD3h4DhchnYZ-wYHZh5cMlTH5UFvHel1~gZNo3EuIpSB2EuaJN4fVaNHZguLEHXlghmvtqfILSGIQOuT0YGfhN8ibXENExhFuwkFnubVFbqqjtdLIUkhyBpz-PBAEKlVvh2p5uE529lMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of International Falls, MN","date","2025-04-08T21:01:08.117Z","article","The International Falls City Council on April 7 authorized advertising for bids for a full reconstruction of Ninth Street from Third Avenue to Eleventh Avenue, combining major water and sewer work, lead service line replacement and a multi‑use bike/pedestrian trail. The motion to advertise bids passed 5‑0.

Why it matters: Council and public‑works staff said the project is a full reconstruction, not a mill‑and‑overlay, and will replace aging utilities, upgrade a 4‑inch cast‑iron water main to a minimum 6‑inch main and address lead service lines on Fifth and Sixth streets where grant funding is available. Combining utility replacement with street work makes the project eligible for additional state grant funding and reduces long‑term repair costs.

Project scope and funding

Public‑works director Ted Broca described the scope: \"It's complete reconstruction, water and sewer enforcement, street lighting. Complete reconstruction.\" He told councilors the planned corridor will include curb and gutter, a boulevard, two‑way traffic and \"a multi‑use bituminous trail on the north side\" that functions like a sidewalk but is paved in bituminous (blacktop). Broca said part of the design choice — an 8‑foot bituminous trail on one side instead of sidewalks on both sides — was driven by cost and by criteria necessary to secure a $1.5 million local roads improvement grant.

Councilors and staff later characterized the project in the meeting as a roughly $9,000,000 undertaking, with about $2,000,000 proposed from the city’s 1% sales tax fund to support the reconstruction. Broca said full reconstruction with new utilities in past projects has cost about $875,000 per block, while smaller mill‑and‑overlay work can run $25,000–$30,000 per block. Officials said combining watermain upsizing and lead service replacement improves the city’s chance of grant funding that covers work from the water main to the curb and, in some programs, into the home for the homeowner’s portion of the service line.

Connectivity and long‑term plans

Councilor Betty (referred to by first name in the meeting) and Public Works staff noted the Ninth Street trail will connect to the existing Batumanas Trail and, ultimately, to future trail work planned for state route reconstruction in 2029. The connectivity goal is to join trail and sidewalk networks across town and to improve access between the high school and downtown.

What remains: The council authorized advertising for bids; bids will be evaluated when received and the council retains the option to reject unfavorable bids. Staff noted parts of the local and state funding mix are budgeted but that final construction contracts will depend on bid results and grant awards.

Ending

The council approved bid advertisement 5‑0 and directed staff to proceed with procurement steps and further grant coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting for April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The International Falls City Council on April 7 authorized advertising for bids for a full reconstruction of Ninth Street from Third Avenue to Eleventh Avenue, combining major water and sewer work, lead service line replacement and a multi‑use bike/pedestrian trail.","taxTitle","International Falls City, Koochiching, Minnesota","taxId",71436,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085971,"Council approves grants, bids, hires and a conditional‑use permit; several measures pass unanimously",393,1617000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900618-7d5619669ddcb3a6c926d69ac593e99a&start=1617&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900618-7d5619669ddcb3a6c926d69ac593e99a/thumbnail_1617000.jpg","/articles/6085971/International-Falls-City/Koochiching/Minnesota/Council-approves-grants-bids-hires-and-a-conditionaluse-permit-several-measures-pass-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085971-68e0fd77e4450f2613e7cefab12f3010/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165040&Signature=EwrxWow8wgo~oE~gAZsp6Arxfl0VL4mHuunCzQ1lro80QjetRV-~wdcrKwzIJSUdGI2tlSo5G9WsiwiOcUEwA2HqHv51I9n8PcPFo1iWR64rwGvHqhDJKnODNLfDkLhaBxHzmB1hlr4RQGm-J2HsLZLliJIdP8ww4zsQ7Q3eisT~XBW~~T9jPlCLR3hV9y27sfHie5gWGpfChHpSlKQWr7znhY5YiuBTo5inr0E9uSp9JWu1JibaUhCNtBClyOPGvBWxgpA4721YDA3RZjScD4PRaIQcKulTBbx18bQ0puKej-aAZVInbY3hukCcDoC44UKP18s5E0limESTiErRlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The International Falls City Council on Monday approved a slate of grants, construction bid advertisements, hiring requests and a conditional‑use permit, voting unanimously on most items and recording one abstention on an airport grant.

The measures were largely procedural and passed with little debate. Councilors approved payments and claims totaling $593,732.11, a Lodging Tax Fund transfer of $875.99 to the general fund and separate airport and airport capital claims. The council approved a proclamation recognizing April 8, 2025, as Voyagers National Park Day; adopted a state airport improvement grant agreement (state project A3601‑124) with a 4‑0 vote and one abstention; authorized advertising for bids on the Ninth Street reconstruction (including Fifth and Sixth Street lead service line work) and other capital projects; and approved a conditional use permit for Hasbargain Customs, LLC.

Why it matters: the approvals advance several capital projects and routine city operations, including a large street reconstruction effort that the council discussed in separate detail and which will require multi‑year funding. The airport agreement carries a recorded abstention; councilors did not detail the reason during the meeting.

Key actions and outcomes

- Agenda approval: Motion by Councilor Kaler, second by Councilor Buller; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Minutes (March 17, 2025): Motion by Councilor Wagner, second by Councilor Buller; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Payments and claims: Transfer from Lodging Tax Fund to general fund $875.99; total accounts payable and claims $593,732.11 (City of International Falls $526,369.35; airport commission and capital project claims listed in the packet). Motion by Councilor Holden, second by Councilor Wagner; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- Proclamation — Voyagers National Park Day (April 8, 2025): Motion by Councilor Holden, second by Councilor Buller; outcome: carries 5‑0.
- Use of Kerry Park Arena for community bike rodeo (May 17, 2025, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.): Motion by Councilor Buller, second by Councilor Kaler; outcome: approved (usage/fee recorded).
- Airport improvement grant agreement (state project A3601‑124): Motion by Councilor Bullard, second by Councilor Holden; outcome: approved (4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).
- Advertise for bids — Ninth Street reconstruction (includes Fifth & Sixth lead service line work): Motion by Councilor Kaler, second by Councilor Bullard; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- Advertise for bids — Millen overlay and city parking lots: Motion by Councilor Buller, second by Councilor Wagner; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- Hire 10 summer public works employees: Motion by Councilor Kaler, second by Councilor Boehler; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- Cooperative fire protection agreement (Minnesota DNR and International Falls Fire Department): Motion by Councilor Holden, second by Councilor Wagner; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- State of Minnesota federal subaward grant agreement (Commissioner of Natural Resources to International Falls Fire Department): Motion by Councilor Holden, second by Councilor Bullard; outcome: approved 5‑0.
- Conditional‑use permit — Hasbargain Customs, LLC (806 Eleventh Street): Motion by Councilor Buller, second by Councilor Holden; outcome: approved 5‑0.

Council procedure and context

Most votes were procedural and passed without extended debate. The airport grant recorded one abstention; the meeting record does not name who abstained. Councilors noted that bids for street projects can be rejected if results are unfavorable and that grant/local share expectations were budgeted for the airport work.

Ending

The council closed the business portion of the meeting after routine departmental reports and announcements; the next regular meeting was announced for April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
","At its April 7 meeting the International Falls City Council approved multiple grants and construction bid advertisements, hired seasonal workers, and granted a conditional‑use permit. The council also approved payments and a mayoral proclamation recognizing Voyagers National Park’s 50th anniversary.","actionData","errors"]

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Council authorizes bids for Ninth Street reconstruction and lead‑service‑line work; project described as large, multi‑component effort

Council approves grants, bids, hires and a conditional‑use permit; several measures pass unanimously