by April Scheinoha
Editor

The City of Thief River Falls will soon have an assistant fire chief. At its meeting Tuesday, May 20, the Thief River Falls City Council approved creating the position.

The Grade 7 position has a salary range of $36.71 to $46.57 per hour. It is a Teamsters #320 firefighters position.

Fire Chief Rick Beier noted he wasn’t asking the council to fill the position at this time. If the council moves forward with filling the position, the assistant fire chief would come from the current ranks of firefighters. Beier said the fire department wouldn’t add a firefighter.
Mayor Mike Lorenson said the creation of such a position aligns with the city’s goals and future succession planning.

The fire department operated under a co-fire chief structure until September 2022. Beier and Marty Semanko, who retired at that time, received a small stipend for their extra responsibilities. Since that time, the city has operated with a sole fire chief. Beier initially served as interim fire chief and was then appointed sole, full-time fire chief in January 2023.

City Council approved allowing up to three food trucks in the municipal parking lot at LaFave Park for the LaFave Beach Bash. In a separate motion, the council also approved a Beer in the Park Permit for the event

Hosted by the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce, the free community event will be held Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 9 p.m., at LaFave Park. Chamber Executive Director Carly Lunsetter said the event will feature live music, food trucks, a cornhole tournament, a free throw competition and more. Advance Thief River will continue its Welcoming Table event series at the Bash. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs, swimming gear and sporting goods to the event.

In separate motions, the council approved temporary intoxicating liquor licenses for the Pennington County Fair Board on Aug. 2 and 3 from 12 to 11 p.m. One of the licenses pertains to the Fairgrounds while the other pertains to a “band shelter” on the Fairgrounds. RiverFest will be held that weekend on the Fairgrounds. Council member Kelly Langness abstained from voting since he serves on the Fair Board.

City Council approved a contract with Community Voice Mobile Application. Council member Julie Bolduc voted in opposition. She gave no indication publicly during the meeting as to why she opposed the matter.

As part of the contract, the city will spend $10,000 as a start-up fee and then yearly maintenance fees of $3,500 annually. The app has been described as a one-stop shop for information about events, businesses and services in a community. Businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and others may post their events and news to the app.

In separate motions, the council approved updated social media policies for city employees and the city’s elected officials. Previously, there was one policy governing both. However, that policy has since been revised into two separate policies to more accurately reflect each group’s role. The policies noted the need to share accurate, consistent and timely messages in alignment with the city’s intended audience.

In part, the elected officials’ policy read, “For transparency and safety, elected officials are strongly encouraged to link their official social media accounts to the city’s archiving system, ArchiveSocial. Social media communications are considered public record and are to be preserved, including all posts and interactions. ArchiveSocial provides direct integration with social media platforms to ensure compliance with recordkeeping requirements, Elected officials may choose to opt out by signing a waiver. No elected official’s city social media account may be used to disclose private or confidential information. No social media website should be used to disclose sensitive information; if there is any question as to whether information is private, confidential or sensitive, contact the city administrator or city attorney. When using social media sites as representatives for the city, elected officials will act professionally.” Various examples were then provided.

The policy also discouraged elected officials from identifying themselves as city representatives when responding to or commenting on blogs with their personal opinions and views. If a council member chooses to note their identity as such online and then post a statement on city business, they are required to use a disclaimer similar to “The views expressed here are my personal opinions and do not reflect the positions of the City of Thief River Falls.”

City Council approved a change to council members’ per-diems. City Administrator Angie Philipp explained that council members will now be paid for approved conferences or trainings at a rate of $32.50 for any conference or training lasting an hour or less on a given day. If such conferences or trainings last more than an hour but no more four hours on a given day, they will be paid $75. If such conferences or trainings last longer than four hours on a given day, they will be paid $100. Previously, the amounts were $75 and $100.

The $32.50 amount has since been added for conferences or trainings under an hour. The per-diem rates have been in effect since March 2023.

The council appointed Jim Retka to the Planning Commission. Lorenson said he interviewed the six applicants on the phone and all were good candidates. The Administrative Services Committee reviewed the applications and agreed with Lorenson’s selection of Retka for the appointment, which was effectively immediately and continues through Jan. 31, 2028. Retka succeeds Merle Lorenson, who stepped down from the position. Merle Lorenson is the mayor’s father.

Mayor Mike Lorenson declared May as Bike Month in the city. The proclamation noted that BikeMn, Bike Thief River Falls and the League of American Bicyclists will promote bicycling during May. It further noted these groups are promoting bicycle tourism year-round to attract more visitors to the city. The proclamation also noted they are “promoting greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety education in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities, and improve health and safety for everyone on the road.”

Furthermore, the proclamation indicated “the city, county, Bike Thief River Falls, businesses and others continue to work together to make Thief River Falls and Pennington County more bike friendly, including over 20 miles of bike lanes and trails.” The proclamation further noted that the League of American Bicyclists recognized the city as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community in 2022.

Bolduc reminded the council and the public about the importance of Memorial Day. Noting its importance to her family, she encouraged them to remember fallen soldiers. In particular, she referred to Corey Rystad and Bryan McDonough, who died Dec. 2, 2006, in Fallujah, Iraq. They both served in the National Guard and were based in Crookston. Rystad was from Red Lake Falls, and McDonough was from Maplewood.

The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.