Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

The city of Forest Lake welcomed two new faces to the city council during Monday night's meeting.

Newcomers Mayor Stev Stegner, and council member Bo Bogotty, along with returning members Greg Ochs and Susan Young, took their Oath of Office prior to the start of Monday evening's council meeting.

Stegner defeated incumbent Terry Smith for the position of mayor and Bogotty took over for Rick Ashbach who did not run for his council seat.

Both Ochs and Young were reelected to their positions.

Memorial Hospital

Recently the old District Memorial Hospital dissolved and the city of Forest Lake received just over $17,300 of the remaining funds.

Finance Director Ellen Paulseth stated in her staff report that the "remaining funds were primarily the result of tax revenue raised for the purpose of delivery of healthcare within the district."

Therefore, the district gave Forest Lake, Lino Lakes, Hugo, Centerville and Columbus a specific dollar amount from the remaining funds.

The hospital board encouraged each city to use the funds for health care related situations.

Paulseth stated that when the check was delivered a the hospital representative suggested ideas for ways to spend the funds including a "defibrillator for the city hall" and "medical equipment for the squad cars."

City Administrator Chip Robinson delivered the report Paulseth created and the council discussed different ways the monies could be spent including a new rescue sled for the fire department and a program called Fitness Minnesota.

The council then accepted the funds and the recommendation to use the funds for healthcare related situations.

2007 Consultants

At the start of each year the city reviews its consultants for different jobs like an auditor, attorneys, engineers and official newspapers.

In 2007 they chose the following for their consultants:

Assessor-Washington County

Auditor-Kern, DeWenter, Viere

Bond Council- Briggs & Morgan

Civil Attorney- David Hebert

Prosecuting Attorney-Mike Welch

Depositories-Main Street Bank, Pershing, LLC, UBS and Wells Fargo

Engineers-Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates

Fiscal Agent-Northland Securities

Fiscal Agent (Tax increment financing)- Dan Wilson, Wilson Development Services

Land Acquisition Specialist- Dan Wilson, Wilson Development Services

Official Newspaper- ECM Publishers the Forest Lake Times

Although the city agreed to these consultants, they are not under a binding, legal contract.

Robinson stated that the city can change consultants at any point during the year.

The council approved the 2007 consultants 5-0.

Other business

In the administrator's report Robinson discussed the process for selecting a new city logo. He proposed the city create a committee to help decide what type of attributes the logo should include and then possibly decide the winning logo.

However, not all council members were in agreement to create a new city logo.

Young said she didn't see the need for a logo.

Stegner then questioned if she had noticed that the water tower was taken down.

"This [logo] is more of a city letter head," Young said. "Sports teams need logos."

Young continued saying she was "not sure..." but trailed off and said "I will hold my judgement."

The council then voted 4-0, with Young abstaining, to create a committee to help with the process of finding a new city logo.

The city is also looking to reevaluate the process for city boards and commissions.

Council members stated areas in which they would like to see improvement concerning how the boards and commissions operate.

Stegner said after looking at the city web site some committees could be condensed into one group.

Ochs once again brought up the idea that each of the commission and board chairs should be required to approach the council and give monthly updates on what the specific group is accomplishing.

He went on to discuss his wish to keep the residents up to date with what the council is accomplishing. He suggested using the local newspapers to publish information to accompany the city's quarterly newsletter.

Ochs also updated the council on the progress of the Castlewood Golf Course.

"The course barely had 20 annual members and now it is up to 47," Ochs said, "and they are looking to hit possibly 75 to 80."

He said that there has also been talk of bringing back some tournaments that were lost in the last couple years.

In the Mayor's report Stegner reaffirmed his commitment to the city of Forest Lake.

"I want to thank the citizens for having faith in me," Stegner said. "We're really going to be focused on having an open door and we will continue to earn your support and trust."

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