Posted: 8/11/04

Council hears request to delay community center vote

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

At minimum, a vote will be postponed. In the best of situations, the city wonít ask residents for a dime.

Alan Bakke, co-chairman of the Forest Lake Regional Community Center Executive Board, came before the Forest Lake City Council Monday night asking for a postponement of a bond referendum vote.

Earlier this summer, the council approved a ballot question asking the residents of Forest Lake for $15.6 million to fund the proposed Forest Lake community center.

With a visit today (Thursday) by representatives of the Kroc Foundation and other grants being sought by planners, Bakke said it would be better to wait on a referendum.

ìWeíre working on a number of grant applications,î Bakke said.

ìWe'd rather not present the cityís voters with a $15.6 million bond question if we donít know if weíll need all that or any at all.î

Bakke said 15 to 18 individuals representing the Kroc Foundation and Salvation Army will visit the site of the proposed community today.

However, the city will not know if it is a recipient of foundation funds until later in the fall.

ìThis could be huge,î Bakke said. ìWe could end up getting $30 million. We could get nothing.î

Stop sign

Residents asked for signage and got it at Mondayís council meeting.

Citing safety issues and speeding in the neighborhood, residents asked the council for a three way stop at the intersection of SW 2nd Ave. and SW 8th St.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said he supported the issue. The council, with the exception of Councilwoman Susan Young, approved the request.

ìThey (stop signs) need to be placed in a thoughtful manner,î she said.

ìMy concern is putting up stop signs wherever we want.î

Other business

In other business, the Forest Lake City Council:

ï Issued a gambling permit, outdoor entertainment permit and temporary on-sale liquor license for St. Peterís Catholic Church. The church is planning its annual fall festival Sept. 17-19 on church grounds.

ï Approved an outdoor permit for Forest Hills United Methodist Church for a festival Sunday, Aug. 15.

ï Approved an outdoor entertainment permit and water surface permit for the Forest Laker. The Laker is planning a pontoon tie-up event Aug. 28.

ï Scheduled budget workshop dates for 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16 and 6 p.m. Aug. 19, 24, and Sept. 9.

Meetings

Forest Lake City Council regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Forest Lake City Council Chambers. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 23.

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