Judge Richard Luis hears from witnesses brought forth by International Falls, Koochiching County and Ranier
Administrative Law Judge Richard C. Luis continued to hear testimony Wednesday and Thursday regarding two competing annexation petitions.
After Tuesday’s opening arguments and public comment session, legal counsel for the parties of International Falls, Koochiching County and Ranier called witnesses to make the case for each side’s annexation petitions.
Koochiching County and Ranier filed last July a joint agreement for annexation of several unincorporated areas near the port town, including French and Jameson additions and a foreign trade zone among other nearby areas.
International Falls is opposed to Ranier’s plan to include in its annexation about 500 acres of a foreign trade zone and the property around it where an access road could be built. Falls officials last September petitioned to annex the FTZ property and the land around it into the Falls city limits.
The FTZ is owned jointly by the Falls and Koochiching County and managed by the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.
International Falls Administrator Rod Otterness was the first to be called to the stand Tuesday. He was followed by county Engineer Doug Grindall, Ranier Clerk Kim Nuthak and county Auditor/Treasurer Bob Peterson, among other witnesses that were called throughout the week. The hearing is expected to continue until both sides are finished calling witnesses, with no definite timetable for completion stipulated.
Attorneys from both sides of the case, with Ranier and Koochiching County being joined in their petition, questioned the witnesses. Meeting minutes, dates and times of events, populations and numbers, as well as general community information was discussed. The judge, from the state Office of Administrative Hearings based in St. Paul, seemed to be getting a good dose of Borderland as well, as he became familiar with local jargon, locations, names and faces.
Several area residents and public officials returned each day to watch the case unfold. About two-dozen area citizens spoke Tuesday night during the pubic comment period, telling the judge their opinions on annexation and providing additional information for the judge to consider. The public was largely divided on its opinions on the issue, except for a gratitude for the chance to speak publicly before the court.
Luis provided the public with an address, email and fax number at which to supply him with additional testimony or evidence. All information must be electronically submitted by 4:30 p.m. July 16 or postmarked on or before that day to be considered timely.
The address is Richard C. Luis, c/o Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 N. Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55101. The fax number is (651) 361-7936. Luis’ email is richard.luis@state.mn.us.
Luis is expected to make his ruling by Oct. 11. His will be the final decision, unless an appeal is made.
