Laurel Beager

Pete Kalar, a member of the International Falls Hockey Day Minnesota Committee met with the board Tuesday, when commissioners said hosting the event would bring attention to the community and boost economic development.The board agreed to consider a letter of support and financial pledge at a later date.Kalar said International Falls’ long history with hockey would be featured during the weekend event that would draw region wide news coverage and attendees from around the state.The host community must show more than $100,000 in local support, to host the event, estimated to cost about $1.5 million, Kalar said.Kalar said Nikki Skifstad, committee member, attended the recent event in Warroad to better understand what’s involved and how to provide such an event.Kalar, who made clear he was not represent International Falls as a councilor in the presentation, said the city pledged support from its economic development funds.Golf courseLater Tuesday, no action was taken after the board met in closed session with county Attorney Jeff Naglosky to discuss the lease/purchase of The River Golf Course.The state law cited allows the meeting to be closed to “to develop or consider offers or counter offers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property.”In closing the meeting, county officials noted it is recorded and “materials must be made available to the public once sale/lease is final or is abandoned.”Any approval of sale or lease must be done at a public meeting, the board briefs said.Meanwhile, Jordan Pearson, owner of The River Golf Course as online, but made no comment.Naglosky told the RLG that he, county Administration Director Adam Coe, and the entire county board were present during the closed session.“There was a call for public comment.