Jenell
Feller
A motion by the International Falls City Council to send a letter to the state’s Public Utilities Commission opposing inclusion of Borderland in a plan that would increase electric rates on most customers following a rate cut to large industry users failed on a 2-2 vote Monday.
The motion was supported by a petition containing more than 100 signatures. The deadline for input into the rate plan is Dec. 30.
Councilors Pete Kalar and Cynthia Jaksa voted in favor of sending the letter about the Minnesota Power plan, but with Councilor Harley Droba’s absence from the meeting, the motion failed in the tie.
Resident Jenell Feller told the council she saw no benefit to the community and wondered why the council would support something that won’t help industry or residents of the community, reported city Administrator Ken Anderson.
In September, a spokesperson for the only large industry in the area said the Minnesota Power rate cut will make a negligible difference in its operations.
In contrast, Feller said roads need repair and structures need attention. And, she noted that the local electric cooperative’s rates are higher than Minnesota Power. Why, she wondered, when the community is pushing hard for economic development, would we want to equalize the two rates.
Briggs asked Feller if she had discussed the issue with Minnesota Rep. Rob Ecklund and Sen. Tom Bakk, who supported the industry rate cut. Briggs said he wanted to know why they supported the bill, and if opposing it would have consequences not known by the council now. He suggested the two lawmakers knew about the potential for a rate increase for residents and small business.
Jaksa reiterated her opposition to the plan, suggesting the additional money will go to company officials. She noted the Ranier City Council has supported sending a letter to PUC asking for it to be left out of the rate hike plan.
Speaking as a citizen, Steve Shermoen noted the list of citizens who signed the petition and asked the council to give the petition the appropriate consideration.
Mayor Anderson noted that Koochiching County benefits from the “taconite tax” that is paid by industries for doing business in the northeastern part of state and wondered how PUC would carve Ranier and International Falls out of implementation of the plan.
But Feller wondered if the rate hike to residents would outweigh the amount of money that comes into the county from the tax.
Kalar agreed that the local paper mill will see little benefit from the rate cut to industry, but local residents and businesses are struggling. He said nothing would be harmed by suggesting the area be cut out of the rate hike plan.
Earlier in the meeting Jaksa voted against approving the city’s claims, after questioning a monthly $300 payment to Rainy Lake Medical Center for a health officer.
The claims were adopted on a 3-1 vote.
The concern has been referred to the city’s charter commission.
Jaksa said there have been no health committee meetings and questioned why the council is blindly following the city’s charter when no services have been provided by the officer.
Anderson said the charter calls for the city to have a health officer, and for some years the city without an officer. However, he said the officer could assist in city issues, such as health-related blight concerns. In addition, he noted RLMC assists in the cost, which he could be five times what the city is now paying without that assistance.
Shermoen suggested the commission consider the need for the health officer.
Jaksa also asserted that Briggs and Anderson have a conflict of interest in approving the claims, as they serve on the RLMC Board. However, the two councilors pointed out they have no financial gain in approving the claims and so there is no conflict.
In other business, the council approved on a 3-1 vote, with Jaksa voting no, a general obligation bond agreement for the construction of a new airport passenger terminal, phase 1.
Jaksa asked if change orders had caused the project costs to increase. While Anderson said there have been some change orders, he didn’t know if it had increased the costs.
Jaksa asked that financial information on the airport be included in council packets so she may determine what portion of the fund balance is for operation and maintenance and what portion is for the terminal project.
The council also approved a 2.25 percent increase in wages for nonunion, salaried employees for 2017, equal to the increase provided to the three local bargaining units for non union staff.
The Good Samaritan Society - International Falls performed a concert Monday at Falls Elementary School. Students who had relatives living or working at GSS were invited to have a front-row seat for the short Christmas program.
Nova Gorden sits on Arlene Juliene’s lap for Monday’s Christmas concert.
Evelyn St. Peter dressed as Mrs. Claus for Monday’s concert.
At left, Henry Novak rattles a tambourine for the concert.
Steve Vance conducts the medley of Christmas carols.
The Good Samaritan Society — International Falls delivered some holiday cheer to local elementary students Monday.
Donning holiday hats and jingling bells, residents and staff performed a concert for Falls Elementary students and staff.
Popular Christmas carols were sung by both the Good Samaritan visitors and students.
Kevin
Grover
The International Falls School Board went against administration recommendation Monday by splitting a second-semester geometry class into two sections.
Falls Superintendent Kevin Grover said while he didn't recommend the class of 35 students be split, he didn't disagree with the board's 5-0 vote. Member Toni Korpi was absent from the meeting.
“It's not that we don't support smaller class sizes,” Grover told The Journal Tuesday of the recommendation. “But how do we justify not splitting other challenging courses with higher numbers.”
The superintendent said there is a geography class with 37 students in it and listed a handful of other courses with 35-36 students enrolled.
“We would love to have all our classes at 30, but we just aren't there,” he said.
Grover said board members expressed concern over geometry being among the tougher courses, which Grover stressed he didn't disagree, but couldn't justify the split.
“Financially, we can't split everything above 35 kids,” he said. “The district cannot afford that.”
Monday's action mimics one the board made in September when it agreed to split Will Awe's geometry class for the first semester. The class of ninth- and 10th-grade students had 37 students enrolled. Alex Ringhofer picked up the second section for both semesters.
Also Monday, the board directed Grover to begin putting together a package seeking quotes for transportation services for the district.
Brian Reinke, co-owner of Reinke Bus Company and Voyageur Charter, in November asked the board to consider using his company for all the district’s transportation needs.
The proposal would put the company in charge of hiring and training drivers, purchasing and maintaining buses and assuming the liability of transporting students.
“Using our company will benefit School District 361,” Reinke said in November. “We will save you money.”
Based on expense reports provided by the district’s business office, Reinke said he predicts he could save the district $40,000 to $100,000 annually.
“We will operate a fleet that is no older than 5 years old with the exception of spare buses,” he said. “This will generate an instant revenue for the district.”
Reinke said his focus is to provide effective, efficient service while maintaining the highest level of safety.
“We feel if we can take care of transportation needs, this gives you the ability to redirect both energies and resources to concentrate on your primary function, which is education,” he said.
Grover said he has met with Reinke twice since last month's meeting to gather more information on the proposal.
Grover said by putting together a quotation available for any company providing transportation services, would allow for negotiations before discussing price tags.
Grover said exploring the option doesn't mean the district's employees don't provide quality transportation.
“We are happy with the way our transportation is going,” he said. “But it's hard not to look at something like this.”
Once quotes are gathered, Grover said they will be compared with current district transportation costs to determine if a savings is available.
In other business, Grover reported the district has 26 more students enrolled than this time last year and its revenue is up from what was projected.
“We are looking at a projected deficit of about $123,00,” he said.
Of course, the projections are tentative and some students will likely leave the district before the end of the school year, but for now, it's good news.
“It's a step in the right direction,” he said. “I threw out the caution that there is a chance to lose kids before the end of the year, but it's good right now.”
Following the meeting, the board held its truth in taxation hearing to levy more than $1.9 million – the maximum state funding for education. That number, Grover said, is down 5 percent compared to last year.
The board also Monday:
- Hired Tracy Tilander as a paraprofessional, effective. Dec. 1.
- Accepted the resignation due to retirement of Kitty Hall, head cook, effective. Jan. 26.
- Accepted the resignation of Brook Carlson, LPN, effective Dec. 22.
- Hired Shelley Koenig as an hourly elementary teacher for the period of Jan. 24 through June 2.
- Approved an increase of FTE for Alex Ringhofer.
- Approved an increase of FTE for Lela Renberg.
Kevin
Grover
According to our calendars, it is now officially winter.
With that has come below-freezing temperatures and consistent snowfall, making everything from local streets and driveways to major highways difficult to navigate.
However, this week and next are expected to include a sweep of above-average temperatures, sitting in the 20 degree range – or more importantly, above freezing.
Local rinks in borderland are also open, but that doesn’t mean all areas of ice are safe. With the warm-up, it’s important to take advantage of outside activity but with caution.
“At this time, we are urging people to use extreme caution if they plan to go out on the ice,” said Perryn Hedlund, Koochiching County Sheriff. “As far as I am aware, there are no open ice roads on Rainy Lake as of yet and while the recent cold snap helped create some ice on Rainy Lake, the ice thickness varies greatly from location to location.”
Local snowmobilers are also urged to use caution.
“Our operators are still working hard packing trails and cleaning up blow downs,” said Jim Bigler, International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club president. “They are also checking ice thickness on the Rat Root and old beaver dams which we have to cross.”
People coming in contact with new clear ice that is two inches or less thick should stay off, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Four inches is enough for ice fishing or other activities on foot, five inches is enough for snowmobiles or ATVs, eight to 12 inches can withstand a car or small pickup and 12 to 15 inches is enough to hold a medium truck.
However, factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe. White ice or “snow ice” is only about half as strong as new clear ice. The listed thicknesses above should be doubled when traveling on white ice.
With more snow possibly on the horizon, travelers should be wary of the forecast and pay close attention to it, urges the National Weather Service. It is already expected that one to four inches of snowfall will be on its way Wednesday with the potential for more to come, with the highest amounts along a line from Big Falls to Duluth to Hayward.
“This will be a great time to get out and do some skating at the outdoor rinks and go sledding on the fresh snow,” said Hedlund. “We would encourage everyone to bundle up and get out and enjoy all the natural beauty that our area has to offer.”
“Everything is looking good and hopefully we’ll get the snow that was forecast this fall,” said Bigler. “Again, if you’re out riding, be careful and watch your speed. Remember, if it’s not a trail or you don’t have permission, keep off people’s property.”
Leading into the end of the week will include lows around 12 to 17 degrees and highs around 19 to 27. While the sun may make an appearance, skies will be mainly cloudy most of Friday and Saturday.
There is also the possibility of a winter storm arriving in time for the holiday on Christmas Sunday. Although there is uncertainty of where it will affect and when it will occur, the upper Midwest is expected to see significant snowfall. While snow is likely, rain and sleet are possible as well.
Due to the shift in temperatures, travelers should be aware of their surroundings and give themselves enough time to get to their holiday gatherings.
For more information on ice thickness, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thinkness.html.
