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International Falls council approves Rotary liquor permit, solicits road quotes, sets street-vacation hearing and accepts police resignation
Summary
Council unanimously approved a temporary on-sale liquor permit for the Rotary Club’s Fourth of July celebration, authorized solicitation of quotes for a 6th Avenue West improvement (engineer’s estimate ~low-$130,000s), set a June 15 public hearing to consider vacating streets in Franson’s Third Division, and accepted a patrol officer’s resignation while Chief Worley described staffing and public-safety activity.
The International Falls City Council unanimously approved a set of routine permits, local improvement steps and personnel actions at its meeting.
Events and permits: The council approved a resolution authorizing a 1–4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Rotary Club for July 3–4 at Smoky Bear Park after a request from Carol Grim, who represented the Rotary Club. Grim thanked the council for approving the permit so the club can raise funds for community projects.
Road project: The council authorized plans and specifications and directed staff to solicit quotes for the 6th Avenue West improvement between the south line of 19th Street and the north line of 17th Street. Jason (city staff) said the engineer’s estimate is roughly in the low-$130,000s, which allows the city to request local quotes instead of conducting a full formal bid process. The resolution passed 5–0.
Street vacation hearing: Administrator Bergstrom explained a petition from the county and an associated purchaser to correct parcel boundaries that cross a roadway in Franson’s Third Division (identified in the record as Third Avenue East). The council moved to call a public hearing on the proposed vacation for June 15 at 5:00 p.m.; the hearing date was set unanimously.
Public safety and personnel: Chief Worley reported the retirement of Deputy Gary Jensen and said the sheriff’s office selected a local patrol officer, identified in the meeting record as Shane Trramer, to fill the open deputy position. Worley said the city is now one full-time officer short and will present staffing options to the council. He also reported sale of two surplus squad cars generated just over $23,000 and noted department participation in a Special Olympics fundraiser that raised nearly $1,000. The council then moved to accept a letter of resignation from patrol officer Trimemer (name as recorded); the motion carried unanimously and council members thanked the officer for their service.
Why it matters: the actions set procurement steps for a local street improvement, authorize event permitting for a community fundraiser, schedule public input on a land-parcel correction that will affect property conveyance, and update the council on police staffing changes that affect local public safety coverage.
Next steps: staff will solicit quotes for the 6th Avenue West project, the public hearing on the street-vacation petition will be held June 15 at 5:00 p.m., and public-safety staffing options will be brought back to the council for consideration.
