Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

Effective immediately, the city of Forest Lake is under water restrictions.

Concern over the recent drought conditions led City Administrator Chip Robinson to advise the council to impose water restrictions for the city of Forest Lake.

Robinson said the city has been pumping twice as much water in the recent weeks and they are having a hard time keeping up with the flow.

The three member council, of Mayor Terry Smith, Susan Young and Greg Ochs, voted unanimously to accept the water restrictions that allow citizens to water their yards at only certain hours of the day.

From 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. residents can water their yards. Failure to follow the restrictions will result in a misdemeanor citation.

Robinson stated the water restrictions would ensure the cityís clear well and water tower supply stay high.

Young agreed with the action saying ìWe have to protect the residents. Iím not going to tell someone sorry your home burned, someone had to have a green yard.î

Castlewood

The nine hole golf course was again in the open forum discussion at Monday nightís meeting.

As residents approached the council and asked about contracts with the city and management problems, the council expressed their own concerns.

Smith stated that at the time, of the Recreation committee meeting in June, the council was looking at different operations available for the golf course.

ìThe city had no idea at that time that the deeds do say that it must remain a public park or a golf course,î Smith said.

Carol Shakater, from the homeowners association, quoted a piece of information in the Pioneer Press that said the ìcityís loss rose to nearly $9,000 when the company paid the city a nominal fee of $1.î

Shakater demanded a reason why the city would contract with them for $1 when under their contract the city is to receive a $12,000 minimum.

Robinson responded to Shakaterís question by saying ìthe leasees came in and stated that they were not making a profit on the course, but the council agreed it could be done.î

Young said that ìthey would leaveî if the city did not agree with the contract.

Robinson followed by saying ìwe were half-way through the season when that happened.î

Ochs stated that it was he who brought up the golf course being worth millions.

ìMy daughter works for American Golf and I asked her what the going rate was for a nine hole golf course,î Ochs said. ìShe said it was around a half a million dollars a hole. That is where the whole number came from.î

When Shakater questioned how the city could lose money on the deal when a ìmenial townshipî could make $25,000, Young responded again.

ìWhen there werenít surrounding courses, it made more money,î Young said. ì...and as with every other business in the works, it needs to be a competitive entity. The way it is right now, it ainít.î

Later in the council meeting Smith asked Young and Ochs to head up the ìrequest for proposalî project for the golf course, to which both accepted.

ìI want to come back with a solid plan and make the course profitable,î Ochs said.

Other Business

Fire Chief Gary Sigfrinius said that while the state has not issued a fire ban, the level has been elevated to high.

In the Engineering Report Phil Gravel announced the city will hold a public hearing on August 14 to decide if the city should go through with the Jeffery Ave. N. project.

According to the cityís comprehensive plan the 3520 foot reconstruction project could cost $1.2 million.

The public hearing is only to decide if the city should follow through with the project.

Since both council members Rick Ashbach and Judy Bull were absent the council tabled several topics until the

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other members could be present.

Quotes for the water tower demolition, the Duffy Development agreement and the ordinance regarding parking in the municipal parking lot were all tabled until the next city council meeting.

On Monday, July 17 the council will meet for a workshop on the Johnson Property, on the actual site at *** from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Following the workshop the council will meet in a closed session to discuss the recent Columbus Township annexation and incorporation ruling.

On July 6, Administrative Law Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger denied Forest Lakeís request to annex neighboring Columbus Township.

The city has 30 days from July 6 to appeal the ruling.

After the closed meeting, the council will have a special meeting at 8 p.m. to discuss the Fenway Investments/Headwaters purchase agreement.

Further questions about the watering ban can be directed to Chip Robinson at 651-209-9750.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605