International Falls City Council approves organizational appointments, payroll schedule, depositories and official newspaper

The International Falls City Council approved a slate of organizational appointments and routine administrative measures at its annual organizational meeting, voting unanimously on internal and external committee assignments, payroll dates, a resolution designating depositories of city funds and the designation of the Rainy Lake Gazette as the official newspaper for required city publications.

The council approved internal committee assignments — including President Pro Tem and chairs for budget and finance, legislation and land use, public safety, and public works and infrastructure — on a motion by Councilor Taylor with a second from Councilor Boehler. The motion carried 5-0.

In the same meeting, the council reappointed or assigned council members to outside boards and agencies, approving the other council committee appointments 5-0 on a motion by Councilor Wagner and a second by Councilor Buller. Appointments read into the record included: Councilor Wagner to the Forest Hill Cemetery Board (one-year term); Councilor Buller and Councilor Holden to the International Falls/Koochiching County Airport Commission (one-year terms); the mayor and Councilor Kaler to the Koochiching Economic Development Authority; reappointments to the North Koochiching Sanitary District and the Northeast Minnesota Regional Emergency Communication Board; Councilor Kaler to the Rainy River Zoning Board; and Councilor Holden and Councilor Wagner to the special police department fund, among others.

The council approved external committee appointments with a qualification: the motion by Councilor Kaler (seconded by a member identified as Walt) excluded two appointments pending verification of statutory residency requirements. The council directed staff to repost the vacancy or otherwise confirm eligibility rather than advancing appointments that might be ineligible; that motion carried 5-0.

On administrative procedures, the council approved biweekly payroll dates on Tuesdays, commencing Jan. 7, on a motion by Councilor Wagner and a second by Councilor Holden. The vote was 5-0. The council also approved a resolution designating city depositories for city monies on a motion by Councilor Holden with a second from Councilor Kaler; the resolution passed 5-0.

Finally, the council designated the Rainy Lake Gazette as the city’s official newspaper for required publications. The motion was made by Councilor Buller and seconded by Councilor Kaler; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Discussion during the meeting was brief and procedural. A substantive point raised related to eligibility: a councilor questioned whether members of the Fire Civil Service Commission must be residents of International Falls. A speaker citing Minnesota statute said the statute requires civil service commission members to be residents of the city; the council therefore excluded the two appointments potentially affected and agreed to repost the vacancy or verify residency before appointing. The council noted vacancies remain on the zoning board of appeals and that staff would post openings.

Votes at a glance - Approve internal council committee appointments as read — Mover: Councilor Taylor; Second: Councilor Boehler; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved. - Approve other council committee appointments (members to boards and commissions) — Mover: Councilor Wagner; Second: Councilor Buller; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved. - Approve external committee appointments, excluding appointments potentially ineligible due to residency; repost vacancies as needed — Mover: Councilor Kaler; Second: Walt; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved (with exceptions; vacancies to be reposted). - Approve payroll dates (biweekly Tuesdays, commencing Jan. 7) — Mover: Councilor Wagner; Second: Councilor Holden; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved. - Adopt resolution designating depositories of city monies — Mover: Councilor Holden; Second: Councilor Kaler; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved. - Designate Rainy Lake Gazette as official newspaper for required city publications — Mover: Councilor Buller; Second: Councilor Kaler; Tally: 5-0; Outcome: approved.

The council adjourned the organizational meeting and reconvened for its regular meeting later the same evening. The organizational meeting’s decisions set the council’s committee structure and procedural rules for the coming term and left in place a small number of vacancies that staff will post and bring back for appointment after residency or eligibility checks.