Brian Larsen
The International Falls City Council weighed through a lot of topics in just under one hour on July 8, with four members meeting in person.
One item that will be revisited was a request to approve a letter of agreement between the City of International Falls and the International Union Operating Engineers Local 49, Public Works & Administrative Staff. At-Large Councilmember Mike Holden asked that the matter be referred to human resources for more discussion.
Daniel Manick, IUOE Local Business Agent, came before the council to address this Local 49 matter which is between two public works employees and the city. Neither worker’s name was disclosed, nor was their situation that is causing disagreement between them and the city management.
That said, Manick expressed alarm that one employee was given the option of taking a job and signed a letter agreeing to take the position that paid 33 percent less than they were making. And, said Manick, there was no end date to that job. Moreover, the other employee hasn’t signed any agreements with the city, he said.
Manick added, “These are hard-working employees.” He said the employees admitted fault but, “We have to have some compassion for them.”
Council agreed to have Manick and a city council member meet with city management further to discuss the situation between the employees and the city.
Council passed a motion authorizing the Police Department to use Smokey Bear Park for National Night Out activities from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
A sewer Easement Agreement with Crescent Drive Mobile Village LLC was presented by Steve Sherman, City Attorney. An agreement was reached to allow a trailer to be placed over a sewer line with the caveat that if the city needed to work on that line, the owner would move the trailer, or the city would have the right to move it if the owner didn’t respond in a timely fashion.
Council passed a resolution supporting Governmental Intervention in the Sale of the International Bridge. Mayor Harley Droba said in 2006, an engineering study concluded that one span would need repair or replacing in the next 15-20 years at an estimated cost of $8 million.
The mayor of Fort Francis also expressed concern about the private sale of the bridge and the ability to have it properly maintained. Both the state (MnDOT), U.S., and provincial and federal Canadian governments will weigh in on this sale and determine its legality.
A few questions were asked about the potential license transfer from Holiday Station stores #380 to Holiday Station stores #509 located at 1501 2nd Avenue West for a 3.2 off-sale license, cigarette license, gasoline license (12 pumps), and restaurant license August 19, 2021. When it was determined the transfer of licenses was legal council voted unanimously to allow the exchange.
Council passed a resolution for a 2021 license for Dairyland Operations, LLC dba Baskin Robbins for a restaurant license that became effective July 7, 2021.
Council approved unanimously a resolution to rescind Resolution No. 28-29 Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 Health Pandemic. Therefore, from now on, the council can meet in person.
An Audit of Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, as prepared by Schlenner Wenner & Co., was approved unanimously. The city has an excellent financial rating, the highest you can get, said the mayor, with only a loss shown in the ambulance fund.