The International Falls City Council is scheduled to hear a report on issues involving private development and wetlands when it meets tonight.
The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Municipal Building.
The council is scheduled to hear from its Technical Evaluation Panel, which is made up of the council and three resource officials knowledgeable in wetland issues. The panel met last week to discuss action taken in the past and how it relates to recent actions.
An appeal of a Wetland Conservation Act Restoration and Replacement Order, filed by Thor Thompson, owner of Rainy Lake Marine, Highway 53, has been upheld and the order rescinded earlier this month, according to Jim Haertel, water management specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.
The report is also scheduled to include information about wetland issues that may impact construction of a new Falls Memorial Hospital on Keenan Drive, as well as development of a business park in the city.
Also tonight, the agenda includes a report on the status of the proposed Voyageurs Heritage Center and National Park Headquarters. The city sought $6.5 million in state bonding for the project, but the funding has not been included in either the Senate for House bonding bill.
Mayor Shawn Mason has indicated the city is considering a plan that will phase in the project.
The council is scheduled to hear from Jenny Dougherty of the Small Business Development Center. Dougherty is expected to give the council up update about the center activities, including a recent move of the office to the Koochiching Economic Development Authority office at 405 Third Street, the number and types of clients she is working with and the goals she has sent for the office for this year.
In other business, the council is scheduled to discuss a contractors seminar and hear from its Finance and Legislation Committee about a recommendation to co-sponsor a “stand down” for vets Aug. 21 at Kerry Park Arena.