Boyle hired as KEDA attorney, By LISA KACZKE, Staff Writer

The Koochiching Economic Development Authority Boar0d approved the hiring of an attorney after a lengthy discussion between International Falls and Koochiching County officials regarding the Highway 332 issue that involves both entities.
Attorney Joe Boyle was approved Wednesday in a 4-3 vote to provide legal representation for the KEDA after a motion to hire an attorney only as needed in the future failed in a 3-4 vote. The votes split with board members Mike Fairchild, Gail Rognerud, Tom Anzelc and Tim “Chopper” McBride voting for Boyle and against an as needed attorney and board members Allen Rasmussen, Wade Pavleck and Chuck Lepper voting on the opposite side.
Boyle and attorney Steve Shermoen applied for the job.
The discussion between the board members dissolved into disagreements regarding issues surrounding a proposed realignment of Minnesota Highway 332. Chairman McBride admitted at the end of the meeting he shouldn’t have let the discussion go as far as it did.
The city currently has a writ of certiorari, which McBride said was not a lawsuit, against the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the county’s proposed reconstruction of Minnesota Highway 332.
Pavleck said he wanted to make it clear to the board that the Koochiching County Board has rejected participating in organizations that are represented by “an attorney dragging the county into a legal dispute.”
Rognerud stated that Boyle represents the interests of the KEDA and not the city or the county when he provides legal services to the KEDA. She told the board that Highway 332 is a separate issue that has “nothing to do with the KEDA.”
“It does not belong on this table or at the airport commission,” Rognerud said.
Pavleck did not respond to Rognerud questioning if his statement means the county will dissolve the partnership. But Anzelc warned the board that it is “dangerous to even be hinting at a fracture here.”
Rasmussen said he attempted to reach a compromise by offering a motion to hire an attorney as needed. Boyle has done a good job of representing the board in the past, Rasmussen said.
“But this organization is a partnership. No organization exists if the partners don’t agree,” Rasmussen said.
Regardless of who is right about the Highway 332 issue, “that’s spilled over into this,” Rasmussen said. Before the vote to hire Boyle as the KEDA attorney, Rasmussen told the board that it should not force a vote that could potentially break the KEDA apart.
Several board members questioned Rasmussen’s motion, saying they wondered who the board chairman would call when an emergency arises.
Anzelc called the proposal to hire attorneys when needed “messy” and would result in the board revisiting the issue every time a legal matter arises in the organization. He requested Rasmussen withdraw his motion so the board could continue wrestling with the issue.
Anzelc said residents don’t understand the issue between the city and the county, nor do they understand the KEDA’s mission. An informed and supportive citizenry is important to economic development and the community needs to feel like it can depend on the KEDA, Anzelc said.
Board member Penny Strongman said it was “heart wrenching to hear this about Joe (Boyle).” She said she hopes the two entities can work together.
“We are the KEDA and not the county,” she said, with Fairchild chiming in, “and not the city.”
Anzelc also noted that when staff are replaced by a board, it is decided using data that is performance-related. Although this is the first time he has attended a KEDA meeting, he said he has not heard any criticism Boyle’s performance from board members.
In response, Pavleck asked Anzelc if he was invited to the meeting because the board’s legal representation was on the agenda. Anzelc said he has not been able to attend a meeting previously because the Legislature was in session or he had a scheduling conflict.
Before the final vote, Pavleck and Rognerud each reiterated their government’s position on the Highway 332 matter.
Pavleck told the board that the city is demanding the county build a road to the foreign trade zone “and hand the taxpayers the bill, which is not in the best interest of the taxpayers.”
Rognerud said the city has taken its stance after listening to the business owners along U.S. Highway 53 who do not want a bypass. “They are fearful,” Rognerud said. “We are their voice.”
Meanwhile, the KEDA plans to consider two firms for a county-wide branding effort. Part of the effort is expected to include research on how people — visitors and residents — view Borderland.
Billy Dougherty told the KEDA Board that it is not the “easiest place to market” as a business owner. The number of negative messages about the community is high, he said.
KEDA Board member Tom Anzelc said he understands the challenges faced by Borderland. He had several points regarding economic development including that the organization needs to refocus; catch tourists on their initial visit to the area; and focus on entrepreneurs who were born and raised in Koochiching County but have left. Anzelc said that both he and Sen. Tom Saxhaug are considering ways to bring more revenue into the area for economic development and that they are willing to promote and sell the area on behalf of the KEDA.
“This is difficult, but it’s difficult everywhere,” Anzelc said of economic development.