In a brief meeting Monday, the International Falls City Council agreed to establish a fire escrow fund, which will allow the city to recover the costs of fire fighting and demolition from a claim on property in the city damaged by fire or explosion.

The proceeds received by the city could also be used as security to ensure that the damaged property is repaired, replaced, removed or demolished and brought into compliance with city codes.

Attorney Steve Shermoen told the council that he sees only positive things for the city by the action.

Also on Monday, the council agreed to send a letter to the area’s congressional representatives opposing a bill now in the U.S. Senate that would expand the powers of the Department of Homeland Security by waiving compliance with 36 environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, and expand the agency’s jurisdiction to within a 100-mile buffer along borders and coastlines.

The council agreed to contract in 2012 with Federal Advocates Inc. for lobbying on behalf of the Highway 53 Improvement Task Force. The action will cost the city $5,000.

The Koochiching County Board recently approved contracting with the business at a cost of $4,000.

Councilors agreed the services would be needed to secure the necessary funding to add turning and passing lanes between Cook and International Falls, following the addition of nine miles of four-lanes, a contract for which is set to be awarded in December.

However, they noted that because the city has hired its own lobbying firm, it may not contract with Federal Advocates in 2013.

The council heard from Kelly Meyers, building inspector, that the fight on blight has resulted in the demolition this season of nine garages, two houses with garages, and four houses. An additional two houses may be demolished under the city’s program provided that applications are completed by the owners of the property.

The council agreed also to purchase an ambulance at $139,000 and to hand over responsibility for a vacated landfill within the city to the Minnesota Pollution Control Board.