RANIER — Questions arose Monday at the Ranier City Council meeting regarding the dates for the consolidated annexation hearing between International Falls, Koochiching County and Ranier.
According to a letter dated May 19 from Administrative Law Judge Richard C. Luis, who will rule on the contested annexation petition, the hearing was rescheduled to July 6.
This letter was addressed to attorneys for International Falls, Ranier and Koochiching County.
Luis’ letter stated that he will complete a site visit July 6, and will hear public testimony from 4-5 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m., or until all who wish to speak are accommodated.
In addition, an informational meeting on International Falls’ petition to annex a foreign trade zone, also included in Ranier and the county’s joint annexation agreement, is tentatively scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 3 at the Falls City Council chambers in the Falls Municipal Building.
Previously collected evidence, including testimony made at the International Falls meeting June 3, will become part of the record for the July 6 hearing in front of Luis, of the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings. He is expected to make a ruling on both International Falls’ petition to annex the foreign trade zone and Ranier and the county’s agreement for Ranier to annex that area as well as French and Jameson additions and nearby unincorporated areas.
The topic came to discussion as members of the public who attended Ranier’s meeting Monday asked councilors about the next steps in the process. After conflicting hearing dates were presented based on council understanding and reports printed in The Journal and quoted by Ranier residents, Ranier Mayor Ed Oerichbauer said that as soon as the meeting date, time and place were finalized he would pass the information along to the residents.
The city council approved a related loan resolution for water system improvements in the amount of $1.241 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development department.
Fixing ailing water lines has been stated as one of the main reasons for the annexation of the nearby areas, which are where the water line repairs would be made.
Oerichbauer explained that annexing the unincorporated areas was one way to gain control of the water lines currently outside the Ranier city limits, as well as share the burden of loan repayment among those who will benefit from the water line project. Having jurisdiction over the water lines is a stipulation in securing the loan and a $296,000 grant for the same purpose, although annexation is not the only way to gain that access.
Other matters
The Ranier City council approved sanitary sewer system cleaning to cost between $9,450 and $10,500, plus mobilization. The cost was based on a quote from Infratech for 45-50 hours of work.
Councilor John Walls explained to the council that the sanitary sewer system had not been cleaned in 35 years and the city would receive information and images of the system, to see the state of the system after that time.
“I guess that’s not bad for 35 years,” said Walls, remarking on the cost.
The council also authorized $250 for the garden club to purchase planters for city beautification and $250 to remove an ailing ash tree in the city park.
The council also agreed to renew the Ranier Municipal Liquor Store membership with the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association in the amount of $50.
The council heard from Ranier resident Jay Dunbar, who requested a permit to build a garage of the same size to replace one that burned this year. The council approved the building permit application.
