Columbus Mayor Praises Departing Councilmember Janet Hegland for Years of Service

At the October 22 City Council meeting, Mayor Ron Hanegraaf took a moment to recognize Councilmember Janet Hegland, who has stepped down after seven years on the council. His comments highlighted just how much of an impact she’s had on the city.

According to the mayor, Hegland jumped into her role from day one. Back in 2018, she dug into an old agreement with Anoka County involving the senior center (now the community center) and helped the city save a significant amount of money. “It was a large sum,” Hanegraaf said, noting how her attention to detail paid off for residents.

He also credited her with bringing Fall Fest back to life in 2023 after the COVID pause, calling her efforts key to getting the community celebration going again.

Hegland was also known for her deep understanding of fiscal disparities. The mayor credited Hegland as “probably the smartest person around” on the topic and said she spent countless hours studying it and explaining Columbus’s situation to lawmakers.

One of her biggest achievements, he added, was pushing to bring broadband access to every resident in the city. Thanks in part to her persistence, the Midco project is expected to make high-speed internet available citywide by the end of the year or early spring.

She also represented Columbus on the Sunrise River and Rice Creek watershed districts, where she consistently stood up for the city on complicated environmental and regulatory issues.

“These are just a touch of what she’s done,” Mayor Hanegraaf said. “Janet has made a big difference here, and it won’t be forgotten.”

The council later voted to officially accept her resignation and will discuss how to fill the open seat at the November 4 workshop meeting.