Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

Parade spot reservations on the Fourth of July are a thing of the past in Forest Lake.

The Forest Lake City Council passed an ordinance Monday that prohibits the public from reserving parade route spots on public property no earlier than sunrise on the day of the parade. The action stems from the 2007 celebration that saw area residents staking out parade route viewing points four and five days before July 4th.

The tarps, chairs, logs, or whatever is used to save a spot must also be removed by one hour following the parade or the patron will face a petty misdemeanor and an administrative fine of $50.

While all the council members voted in favor of the ordinance, council member Judy Bull thought the action was “tragic.”

“It’s tragic that we have to do all of this,” she said, “to spend our time and money. It’s just tragic.”

Police Chief Clark Quiring said that his officers will use “common sense” when giving out tickets.

“If we see them putting them out, we’ll talk to them,” he said. “It will be an educational process.”

He did state that if the police officers “tell them no” and they still reserve the spot after being told no, “then they’ll get fined.”

The council also voted 4-0 to approve fines for violation of the city’s sprinkling ordinance.

City Administrator Chip Robinson said the city has received phone calls from residents complaining about others who are violating the water restrictions.

Currently homes owners with even numbered addresses sprinkle their property on even numbered calendar days and home owners with odd numbered addresses sprinkle their property on odd numbered calendar days.

Lawn sprinkling can only occur between hours of 4 to 7 a.m. and 8 to 11 p.m.

Robinson said the first violation is a fine of $50, the second violation, in one calendar year is $100. If a person is cited for a third time in one calendar year the homeowner faces a fine of $200.

Robinson said the sprinkling restriction is saving the city between 750,000 and one million gallons of water a day.

“It’s making a huge impact,” he said.

No vote

City Attorney Dave Hebert delivered his legal opinion about council member Bo Bogotty being able to vote on the idea to extend bar closings from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Earlier this summer, the council voted 2-2, with Bogotty abstaining, to extend the bar hours in Forest Lake. The tie resulted in the motion failing.

Since that decision, Bogotty has further explored his voting capabilities as a council member. The council eventually asked Herbert to deliver his legal opinion on the matter.

In Hebert’s decision he said that Bogotty, who is listed as CEO of the Upper Deck as of a Dec. 12, 2006 liquor license renewal, has “been a proponent of extended hours both as a council person and prior to holding office.

“Extended hours can logically be expected to provide an economic benefit to him either as an owner, manager, employee or as a member of the immediate family of same.”

In his conclusion Hebert states, “Since council person Bogotty has a personal financial interest in the decision to be made; there are sufficient council members to make a decision without the vote of Council person Bogotty;

“...and, subject to review by the courts, the council is the decision maker; it is my opinion that under applicable state law and the city’s ethics policy council person Bogotty must abstain from voting on the matter of extended hours for the sale of intoxicating liquors.”

Following Hebert’s decision, Bogotty said that he did not vote on the extended bar hours earlier in the summer because he “wanted to do the right thing.”

He then addressed the LATV camera and said that if residents wish to have the bar hours extended, they should call the other council members.

Other news

Robinson reported that Washington County announced they were no longer going to use the monies slated for the US-61 and West Broadway roundabout and the project has been pushed to 2010.

The council approved the preliminary plat for the Broadway West Development just off of Everton Ave. on the west side of I-35.

The development will include several commercial businesses including Keys Cafe and the relocation of Taco John’s, among others.

The council will hold a workshop to discuss the outdoor entertainment ordinance 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 20. The next council meeting is 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 27.

Top of Page