June 5, 2023 City Council Public Hearing Meeting Minutes – 22nd Street Project

A Public Hearing Meeting of the City Council of the City of International Falls, Minnesota, was held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the 5th day of June, 2023 at the hour of 5:00 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Mayor Droba, and Councilors Buller, Holden, Kalar and Wegner

MEMBERS ABSENT:         None

STAFF PRESENT:              Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator

                                                Ted Brokaw, Director of Public Works

                                                Lisa Riggs, Deputy City Administrator

OTHERS PRESENT:          Jason Fisher, City Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc

                                                Paul Nevanen, KEDA

                                                Ricky Roche, property owner

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

1. Introductory comments and explanation of purpose for public hearing
   1. Mayor Droba
   2. Jason Fisher, City Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc
   3. Ted Brokaw, Director of Public Works
2. City Council questions/comments.
3. Public input/questions/comments.
4. Close the public hearing.

 

Introductory comments and explanation of purpose for public hearing, Mayor Droba	Mayor Droba explained the public hearing was being held to act upon the proposed assessment of the cost of improvements for the 22nd street project.
Jason Fisher, City Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc	Jason Fisher, City Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc stated the feasibility study was completed, proposed assessment was published in the newspaper, and the public hearing is the final step in the process.
Ted Brokaw, Public Works Director	Ted Brokaw, Public Works Director explained that a BDPI grant was obtained with assistance from KEDA to help offset property owners’ assessments.  Brokaw thanked Jason Fisher for the work done on the project.
City Council comments	Mayor Droba noted the special assessments on the property owned by KEDA will be paid for by the City of International Falls and Koochiching County.
Public input/questions/comments	Ricky Roche, property owner confirmed he has the option to pay the assessment early to avoid interest fees.  City Administrator Betty Bergstrom confirmed it can be paid early, noting the interest fee is 2%.
ADJOURNMENT	Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:07 P.M.

Harley M. Droba, Mayor

ATTEST:

Betty Bergstrom, City Administrator