RANIER — The Ranier City Council Monday night approved new wording to a joint resolution and annexation agreement that serves to clear up confusion about the purpose of a hearing by an administrative law judge.
At the same time, the council also rescinded the original annexation resolution that the council approved during a special meeting on June 22 which would serve to annex the unincorporated Jameson and French additions as well as other nearby county residents. However, Ranier mayor Ed Oerichbauer said legal counsel confirmed that a new public notice was not necessary to change the wording.
An administrative law judge will hear the case should the Koochiching County Board also adopt the annexation documents.
During meetings with both the Ranier City Council and the Koochiching County Board, questions about the purpose of the hearing with the judge were presented. The new language says that the judge will set a time and place for a public hearing and, “shall make an order and set forth the factors which are the basis for the chief administrative law judge’s order.”
The resolution accepted Monday says that the city and county agree that the hearing is “necessary and desirable and in the best interest of the city and the county.”
In a related matter, Ranier resident Andy Hedlund presented a proposal calling for the council to rescind the annexation agreement entirely and requested a vote of the people on the issue in November 2010.
In his proposal he said that: International Falls has made no motion to annex the Jameson and French additions, which was one reason set forth by the county residents who filed a 2007 petition for annexation; there have been few water line breaks in recent history that would serve to make the water line jurisdiction issue either “imminent” or “catastrophic;” and more than tripling the population of Ranier would change the city.
His proposal was brought to motion by Councilor Fred Woods, but died for lack of a second by the rest of the council.
During a public comment section of the meeting, Ranier resident Mary Ann Kasich said that the annexation proposal, “hasn’t come from the heart (of the councilors) and is not in the best interest of Ranier residents.”
Several residents questioned the public nature of the annexation proposal, citing lack of mention of annexation in previous meetings to March, and asked the council to bring the proposal to the residents in the form of a vote.
In other business, the council tabled a motion to act on requests from Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., an engineering firm, for funds to prepare a preliminary engineering report and environmental review for water system improvements in Ranier.
Councilors said they needed more time to dissect the proposal and consider additional funds that were requested for mapping and surveying the lines ahead of schedule.
Jeff Legin and Denny Reagen of SEH presented the proposal to the council and answered questions. Funds requested include $14,000 for the engineering report, environmental review and mapping, and an additional $6,000 to locate utility line piping. A Rural Development grant could defer the cost of the work.
The council also:
• Waived the rental fee for the Ranier Community Building for the Rainy Lake Community Orchestra. Marcia Bringedahl said the orchestra is to use the building from Aug. 16-21 for rehearsal and performance and that members are, “grateful for the small town/tourist atmosphere that we experience in Ranier.” The group has used the building and performed in Ranier for a number of years.
• Approved $500 for Ranier maintenance personnel Teddy Pearson to fix the Ranier dock and install a ladder from the water to the dock.
• Approved $350 to add three loads of sand to the Ranier beach.
• Approved purchase of a 20-foot by 30-foot tent in the amount of $268.
• Approved a $250 sponsorship of the Ranier softball team.
• Approved the transfer of $8,000 from the Ranier Municipal Liquor Store fund to the city’s general fund.
• Approved a building permit for a deck on the home of Ed and Naomi Woods.
• Approved writing a letter that said the city of Ranier has not had issue with Bowman Construction’s nearby rock quarry.
