A proposal to make the alleys of International Falls safer and brighter will also save electrical and maintenance costs for one year.
The International Falls City Council Monday accepted a proposal by Minnesota Power to use the city’s alleys as a pilot project that would get the city-owned lighting into compliance with Minnesota Power standards.
Under the proposal, the city would sell Minnesota Power the 400 city owned lights, lighting circuit conductor and associated equipment in the North I-Falls zone for $1. Minnesota Power will provide for one year at no cost to the city 105 LED replacement street lighting fixtures this year. The remaining lights will be placed on Minnesota Power’s Option 1 street light rate. Minnesota Power will own the new LED fixtures.
“Since this is a pilot project, we expect to learn more about the fixtures’ performance and efficiency,” wrote Reed Rosandich, supervisor, distribution engineer, with Minnesota Power. “This project will help us develop a rate. If the test is successful, we may want to consider replacing the remaining 300 lights in the future. It is possible that a new LED rate will be substantially less than the current high pressure sodium rate.”
Mayor Tim “Chopper” McBride said the proposal “helps us, helps the city electrician, and meets the environmental issue of less obtrusive lighting to the stars.”
Councilor Paul Eklund said the plan will make the city’s alleys safer and brighter.
Other business
In other business, the council agreed to establish a crosswalk and street sign plan for 15th Avenue at the 14th Street and 15th Street intersections. The plan was proposed by local residents as a way to make for safer conditions for pedestrians in the Falls Elementary School area.
The council got a visit from Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Tower, who is seeking election to serve District 3. Bakk will be on the Nov. 6 ballot with Republican Jennifer Havlich for the position.
Bakk discussed a number of issues with the council, including the need for tax reform and stronger relationships between the state and local governments.
City Building Inspector Kelly Meyers gave a season-end report on blight issues, telling councilors that the No. 1 issue remains violations of the city’s ordinance on grass height.
He said 70 notices were sent out during the season for grass violations — down 12 percent from the 89 notices sent the previous season.
“There are still people who don’t get it,” he said of the requirements in the blight ordinances. “A lot are repeat offenders.”
Meyers reported that 10 structures have been razed through the city’s demolition program, and several structures may still be demolished depending on weather conditions.
McBride said the city’s blight program is successful and its streets and sidewalks are in good shape. He said other communities are reluctant to start a blight program, but International Falls looks better as a result of its program.
“We are second to none when it comes to public works and streets,” he said.
City Attorney Steve Shermoen said the city is aggressively pursuing people who do not comply with the ordinances. He said one violator is now being prosecuted criminally for not heeding the city’s requirements.
Meyer said several of the areas where structures were razed are likely to see new homes and structures constructed.
The council agreed to amend an ordinance dealing with the licensing of private patrol systems and private detectives and agreed to implement a fee structure.
The council, with a nay vote from Councilor Jerry Franzen, approved a revised benefits policy for salaried employees which caps at $1,093 the amount the city will pay for group health, accident and dental insurance for single for family insurance beginning Jan. 1. The cap is the same as applied to union bargaining units.
