A request for a cross walk and two additional stop signs near Falls Elementary School was referred to committee Tuesday by the International Falls City Council.
Shirley Burns, who lives on 14th Avenue, urged the council to consider her proposal in an effort to slow vehicle traffic and make crossing to and from the school more safe for students and others.
The council agreed that speeding traffic would be slowed by the addition of the signs. The council is expected to meet in committee at 4 p.m. Monday to discuss the matter further. School officials and the city’s Public Works Director Gary Skallman are also expected to take part in the discussion.
Falls Police Chief Mike Musich supported Burns’ proposal, adding that crosswalks without stops signs are just paint on pavement. He also said congestion in the area because of parking is making it difficult for drivers to see people, especially small children, walking between parked vehicles and out into the street.
“It’s a dangerous situation,” he said. “Something needs to be done. This needs to be looked at further.”
Burns urged other members of the public offer their suggestions to the council on how safety in the school area could be improved.
Councilor Cynthia Jaksa agreed that improvements in the area are needed.
“Sooner or later, someone is going to get hurt or killed (without changes),” she said Tuesday.
In other business, the council accepted the recommendation of Jaksa to name the following to the city’s Rental Licensing Task Force: landlords John Vinar, Pauline Glennie, Bob Discenza; tenants Sarah Morin, Sarah Valentine, and Jennifer Ysen.
Jaksa will also be a member of the task force.
Also Tuesday, the council approved a letter seeking members for the city’s Economic Development Authority Advisory Board.
The letter states that the non-political, non-partisan advisory board will be responsible for advising the EDA on strategic planning, project development, and business recruitment, expansion and retention.
The board will be made up of seven members: the EDA Board president, a position now held by Councilor Gail Rognerud; one citizen at large; and five members who are successful in the areas of business, development, finance and/or real estate.
Letters of interest should be mailed to Rognerud at 600 Fourth St., International Falls, MN 56649; email to gailr@ci.international-falls.mn.us
The deadline to apply for membership to the board is 5 p.m. Sept. 21.
The council heard that a meeting with representatives of Essentia Health and the Rainy Lake Medical Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in the council chambers. The regular council meeting will begin at 5 p.m.
