With the departure of International Falls City Administrator Rod Otterness to a new state and town, the Falls City Council Monday unanimously appointed Deputy Administrator Betty Bergstrom to the position with the interim tag until a permanent replacement is found.
Mayor Bob Anderson said the city will undergo an active search for a full-time replacement for Otterness, who recently left to take a city manager job in Union Gap, Wash., a city about the same size as International Falls. Otterness was hired in July 2004 and recently received kind words from the mayor and other officials when discussing his resignation. He told the council he thought it was just time for a change in scenery.
On the city’s website, under the city administrator, it already says “position is vacant.”
Anderson has said the city will try to fill the key post as soon as possible. Councilors also agreed to give Bergstrom some help by hiring a part-time staffer who previously worked in the office.
East Ward Councilor Paul Eklund said it will allow the city to continue to run with “business as usual” and thanked Bergstrom for agreeing to step up.
Also during the hour-long meeting Monday the council decided to tap the breaks a bit on one International Falls Economic Development Authority Commission initiative and move ahead with another. The EDA Commission consists of the entire council.
Anderson said he still has a few technical questions about exactly what infrastructure exists on one lot that’s part of the city’s heavily researched wetland management plan.
EDA President and Center Ward Councilor Gail Rognerud withdrew her motion to approve, agreeing with Anderson and West Ward Councilor Cynthia Jaksa that it’s for the best — for now — to first hear from Public Works Department Director Gary Skallman.
“I’d rather have all the questions asked and have our answers before we move ahead,” Rognerud said.
For a wetland management plan that’s been in the works for years, the question was relatively minor but would answer his final questions before moving ahead, the mayor said. The EDA Commission already recommended plan approval.
Anderson said he just wanted to know about a lot off a rail spur line and county Highway 332 near Bergstrom Wood Products Inc., which makes pallets.
But everyone seemed to agree there was no rush to vote when it’s easy enough to complete their understanding of all the parcels involved. The next council meeting is just a week away, and Skallman will be present to address any final details, a few councilors noted.
The idea behind the wetland management plan is to expedite the processes involved in development of those parcels within city limits while also mitigating harm to the wetlands.
Right now, without a plan in place, federal and state rules slow up the development process and must meet various other permit requirements.
So, the city has been working with the state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the project aimed to achieve greater local economic diversification and growth.
Councilors on Monday voted unanimously to make a previously discussed alteration to the city’s commercial loan program at the behest of the EDA Advisory Board.
Members, many of whom are in the private sector, recommended one new loan guideline be changed from a five-year balloon payment period with the possibility of renewal to a seven-year balloon period with no renewal except in extraordinary circumstances.
The current guidelines for the loans call for issuance at 3 percent interest with payments amortized over 30 years. The problem has been that many borrowers would not make the balloon payment and instead request that the loan be renewed.
Anderson noted that the change will be for future loans and not retroactive.
A state housing rehabilitation grant given to the city several years ago funds the program. The commercial loan repayments allow the city to recirculate the money and keep the program alive, proponents said.
Finally, since the Fire Department now has two paramedics who trade off with 12-hour night-to-morning shift, the council voted unanimously to give them the standard extra $1-per hour night differential pay.
