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ICC News

Region III Welcomes International Code Council to Minneapolis

Chapter volunteers from ICC Upper Great Plains Region III and the City of Minneapolis spent countless hours of personal and work time planning for multiple events at the Code Council's Annual Conference in Minneapolis. Volunteers from the region coordinated everything from guest speakers to hospitality events, not to mention significant monetary contributions. As a prelude to the conference, the chapters from the region sponsored a hospitality event on September 13. The festivities were held at Peavy Plaza, a sunken outdoor garden with cascading fountains in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. Even though temperatures were chilly, numerous guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment, food, beverages and fellowship. In addition, a hospitality room was available to guests at the Millennium Hotel each night. Entertainment, food and beverages were provided to guests who enjoyed a spectacular view of the city skyline in the glass-domed room. Volunteers also coordinated the Bob Fowler Motorcycle Rides through scenic Minnesota and manned an Information Booth for conference attendees. The Code Council and its guests thank all the chapters who helped to make the conference such a success.

Members of the ICC Conference Planning Committee are: Chair Patrick Higgins (City of Minneapolis), Kathy Zierke (City of Minneapolis), Denise Sandberg (City of Minneapolis), Steve Nelson (City of Shoreview), Scott Hutchins (City of Minneapolis), James Price (Alder Engineering Corporation in Cumberland, WI), Mick Kaehler (City of Ramsey), Nick Carver (City of Minneapolis), Roger Axel (City of New Hope), Keith Wille (City of Forest Lake) and Larry Huff (City of Maple Grove).

Dishing up a wide variety of delicious cheeses from the Southwestern Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association, from left, is 1st Vice President Calvin King, Calvin’s sister Vickie, President Chris Luster and 2nd Vice President Mike Reuter.

Manning the grill, from left, is Roger Axel (Past President of Association of Minnesota Building Officials), Randy Kardell (City of Willmar, MN), Dave Swan (City of Maplewood, MN), Nick Carver (City of Maplewood, MN), Mick Kaehler (City of Ramsey, MN) and Mike Rice (Dayton, MN).

Patrick Higgins (left), 2008 Hospitality Committee Chair from the City of Minneapolis, and Larry Huff from the City of Maple Grove crunch numbers during the event.

Serving beverages, from left, is John Tilton (Vice President of Ten Thousand Lakes Chapter), Craig Hoium (Past President of Association of Minnesota Building Officials), Bruce Taralson (Vice President of North Dakota Building Officials Association) and Lenny Rutledge (City of Hutchinson, MN). Missing from the photo was Chris Rose, Past President of North Dakota Building Officials Association and Secretary/Treasurer of ICC Upper Great Plains Region III.

Rarely does one ever catch the photographer! But, Jon Sutherland (center) from City of Albertville, MN took time out from his camera to pose with Bruce Taralson (right) and Chris Rose (left). Not enough can be said about this passionate and dedicated chapter member who volunteers as the chapter’s photographer extraordinaire! Taking hundreds of candid photos, “Jonny” captures the great and the not-so-great moments of his fellow chapter members, as well as ICC staff and board, at work and at play. Jonny has spent countless hours reviewing, sorting and forwarding photos to his subjects so they can be enjoyed by everyone. In a nutshell, Jonny is considered by some as the “Paparazzi to the code officials.”