A revised amendment to an ordinance governing rental units in International Falls had its first reading Monday.
The amendment was revised after local landlords brought concerns to the International Falls City Council in May, prompting councilors to clarify language in the ordinance and modify an amendment calling for removal of garbage from the rental units. A second reading of the amendment must be approved by the council, it must be published as a legal notice, and then takes effect.
The ordinance does not include license and inspection fees.
Attorney Steven Shermoen described the changes in the ordinance for the council Monday. Language in Section D of the ordinance was changed to make clear that landlords may make incidental and cosmetic changes without city approval or use of a contractor. Section E calls for a local agent should the owner of the rental property reside out of the area.
Section G calls for the owner of any rental unit to remove accumulated garbage and rubbish from the property on at least a weekly basis. An earlier proposal required landlords to use an approved contractor to remove the garbage. Landlords in May told the council that use of a contracted garbage service is unnecessary provided the garbage is removed from the premises.
The revised amendment notes that if the owner fails to remove the garbage after one prior written warning, the owner shall be required to contract with an approved garbage service contractor.
Shermoen said meetings with landlords on the issue helped the council to make appropriate changes to the ordinance.
“I think the owners, particularly the ones who have been to committee and council meetings, are very happy with the final ordinance,” he said.
Councilor Tim “Chopper” McBride, and other councilors, credited the council and staff for “progressive thinking” on the issue, and noted that many other communities have similar requirements.
“Congratulations to the council and staff for having the guts to do this,” he said.
McBride announces
The council heard from McBride that he will not seek reelection to the councilor-at-large position that he has held since 2005.
“I say this with a heavy heart and huge relief,” he read from a letter to the council.
McBride said many reasons played into the decision not to seek reelection, including advice from his doctors and more demands associated with his job as executive director of the North Koochiching Area Sanitary District.
“I will not stop serving my community in other ways and I would also advise future councils to stay the course of aggressive economic development and community enhancement and also keep delivering great service to all the constituents of this wonderfully unique community,” he read.
To residents who may seek the position, he urged “listen, learn and serve, do not have any agendas other than real ideas for economic growth and strive to continue delivering services to your citizens. You demand responsibilities from them in the form of taxes and fees, so give them their money’s worth.”
He later cautioned that he would “be on (the council) like a duck on a June bug” if he believed it had turned a wrong direction.
Councilors told McBride they appreciated his service and understood his reasons for not seeking reelection.
Mayor Shawn Mason, who earlier announced that she would not seek election to a third term on the council, said citizens of International Falls have a lot of power because the council has invited participation and encouraged transparency in city actions.
In other business, the council approved a draft labor contract with the Operating Engineers Local 49.
Councilor Paul Eklund, chairman of the city’s negotiating committee, called the contract a landmark and said it is a result of hard work with the bargaining unit.
“Everyone was very amicable,” Eklund said. “Nobody took anything to heart.”
The 3-year contract includes a 2-percent wage increase for members retroactive to Jan. 1, and 1.5 percent wage increases in 2013 and 2014.
Administrator Rod Otterness noted that the members had been in a wage freeze prior the contract, and said he appreciated the efforts of the employees in a “long, but not unproductive negotiation.”
Eklund said the contract eliminates about half of the 28 job titles and provides for a graduated scale for hiring based on qualifications and experience.
In addition, he said the city capped medical coverage, with the city paying up to $1,093 per month per employee in health premiums or through a health reimbursement account.
Mason credited Eklund’s leadership in the negotiations and reminded councilors that one of his goals when he was elected was to instill a mutual respect of the council for people who work for the city.
“It’s difficult to be the chair and reach toward that goal,” she said. “You found a way in the middle.”
And, she noted it’s important that insurance be capped to guarantee the city won’t be paying extraordinary costs in the future.
