Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Is a four-year mayoral term in the works for the city of Forest Lake?

Itís a topic the current mayor, Terry Smith, has asked city council to consider. The matter came to light Monday during City Administrator Chip Robinsonís report during councilís regular meeting.

Forest Lake is among a shrinking number of cities that maintains a two-year term for mayor. Under current city law, the mayor and two of the four city council members are elected every two years.

Smith, who asked Robinson to prepare a report on the topic, said as Forest Lake continues to grow, it becomes more difficult for the mayor to lead initiatives for the city. Campaigning for reelection also becomes more of a burden, Smith said.

The subject came as a surprise to council members Susan Young and Judy Bull.

Councilman Rick Ashbach said he was receptive to reviewing the topic, but said he wanted to hear the opinions of city residents before taking any action.

Forest Lake is now the fifth largest city in Washington County in terms of population. Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Oakdale and Stillwater are all larger and all now elect the mayor to a four-year term.

Mahtomedi, St. Paul Park and Grant, all smaller than Forest Lake, also have four-year terms for mayor. Other smaller cities, such as Hugo, maintain the two-year term for mayor.

Outside the county, communities such as White Bear Lake, Hastings, Maplewood and Roseville, all use the four-year term for mayor. Lino Lakes, Anoka, Mounds View and Shoreview still use the two-year term.

In his report, Robinson said under current state law, a council may, by ordinance, establish a four-year term for the office commencing with the ensuing term.

In Forest Lakeís case, for example, if an ordinance was passed in 2006, the new format would not become effective until January of 2007.

In November of 2006 city voters will elect two council members and the mayor.

Robinson said the city can not offer a public referendum to decide the question.

No action was taken by the council Monday night and the matter will come back for review next year.

Open Forum

How much public participation that is allowed at council meetings was another topic raised Monday.

During his reports, Robinson asked council members to consider a modified open forum format for the new year. Under the current council rules, citizens can use the open forum segment at the start of regular meetings to address the council on any of the agenda items.

After observing the process, Robinson said he believes there are times when the process sets a negative tone and atmosphere for the balance of the meeting. He asked the council to review a format that would move the open forum segment to 30 minutes prior to the regular meeting. Two members of council would meet with citizens on a rotating basis. Council members would report back any concerns to the full council.

The idea of a plan that might restrict public discussion did not sit well with members Young and Dick Tschida. Smith, Ashbach and Councilwoman Judy Bull said they were receptive to the idea.

The open forum concept was put in place several years ago to streamline business meetings. Council members said Monday the time for public comment often comes during public hearings before other bodies, such as the planning commission.

ìEvery agenda item doesnít go out to the public for comment,î Ashbach said.

Young reminded her fellow council members that the council was doing the publicís business and the process needs to be open.

Tschida said the open forum segment was often the publicís only chance to speak on items before the council. He expressed a willingness to continue the process of letting people speak.

ìI can sit through almost anything they say,î he said of the public.

The plan will come back to the council on Monday, Jan. 9 when organizational tasks are completed.

The plan proposed by Robinson is based in part on the system now used by the ISD 831 School Board. The local school board welcomes citizens for listening sessions prior to each board meeting, but also offers citizens an opportunity to address the board for brief three-minute reports during the regular meeting.

Levy, budget set

Council votes Monday night also set the 2006 operating budget for the city and the 2005 tax levy for local property taxes to be collected in 2006.

Council action certified the operating levy, which includes debt service, at $5,436,7743. The levy is an increase of 11.4 percent from the $4,630,536 levy in place this year.

The 2006 proposed amount of total operating expenses in the general fund is $7,591,087, an increase of 14.20 percent from 2005.

The approvals came with advice from Young who asked city staff to evaluate the cityís performance and the value taxpayers are getting for their investment.

Other items

In other actions Monday night, the council:

ïSet a special meeting for 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4 to meet with Fire Chief Gary Sigfrinius and discuss the Bonestroo study team report on potential sites for a new fire station in Forest Lake.

ïLearned from City Engineer Phil Gravel that after much delay signal lights on TH-97 and Fenway Ave. could be installed next week. Any further delays, Gravel said, could push the project to completion in early 2006.

ïHeard a report from Robinson that the consolidation agreement for orderly annexation between the city of Wyoming and Wyoming Township has been filed and that the city of Forest Lake would need to file a contested annexation petition prior to an administrative law judgeís approval of the agreement.

ïApproved a preliminary design agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for US-61 intersection improvements at N. 195th St. at the community center and county government site south of the local airport.

ïHeard from Young that the bills submitted Monday for approval contained a legal bill in the amount of $2104.65 for expenses involved with the challenge of the Columbus Township incorporation petition and city attempts to annex land from Columbus that is east of I-35 in the TH-97 business park. The cost of the annexation is beginning, Young said.

ïAgreed to further study a plan for city crews to remove snow from main sidewalks in Forest Lake. Additional reports detailing costs for the expanded public service will be made to the council.

ïApproved a resolution supporting efforts at Gateway Greens west of I-35 and south of Menards to seek grant funding for the construction of a 52-unit senior community building and assisted living facility. The Traditions of Forest Lake would be built by Winkelman Building Corporation and owned and managed by Traditions of Minnesota, LLC.

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