The International Falls City Council is expected to hear about a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling regarding Minnesota Highway 332.
The Falls council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the council chambers of the Falls Municipal Building.
The council is expected to hear an update on the Highway 332 issue from its Finance and Legislation Committee tonight.
Falls Attorney Joe Boyle reported last month that the Court of Appeals ruled that the Minnesota commissioner of transportation could withdraw his order approving realignment of Minnesota Highway 332 as proposed by Koochiching County. Further, the court ruled that the city could again ask the court for relief if the commissioner did not change his earlier order and rule in the city’s favor, according to Boyle.
Jay T. Squires, who is representing Koochiching County in the case, said that the court dismissed the city’s appeal based on procedural grounds.
When Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel withdrew his order allowing Koochiching County to designate without city approval a new county state aid high within the city limits, there was no need to appeal the order.
Meanwhile, Squires told The Journal this morning that the city may proceed with a new appeal should a new order be issued by commissioner that does not support the city’s claims.
City Administrator Rod Otterness stated in a letter to the council, “Obviously, the Court of Appeals recognizes that the Minnesota commissioner of transportation had tried to recall his faulty order. We are hopeful that the commissioner will soon issue a new order which will vindicate the city’s position that the Dispute Resolution Board was prematurely called and that the city retains its clear legal rights to approve designation of county state-aid highways in the city and to approve construction plans for such highways.”
The League of Minnesota Cities made it clear in its brief to the court that this case is not only important to the people of International Falls, its downtown and Highway 53 corridor businesses and Boise, but also has significant statewide impact, Boyle stated in a letter to the council. “The city of International Falls renews its request to the commissioner of transportation to work with the city and Koochiching County to get the right road built to help Boise, help small business owners and to help attract new business to the foreign trade zone. The City believes that the right road can be built without anyone being hurt.”
In other business, the council is expected to hear a report of Economic Development Committee and to set truth-in-taxation hearing dates.
The council is also scheduled to discuss subordination of a city loan and a labor agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.
County offers an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of each regular meeting and concludes with reports by administration, department heads and members of the council.