As mayor of any city there are numerous ways to open communication with one's constituents. The theme that state Senator Michael Kreun used several weeks ago (“How reaching out to your legislator makes a difference,” Times Opinion, Feb. 5, 2025) hint on what can happen if you voice your issue. No matter what form of elected government you may be elected to, connecting with the people is an ongoing process.

In late December while attending the monthly Lions pancake breakfast at the Columbus Community Center council member Janet Hegland and I ran into a couple who brought up a concern regarding safety at Crossways Lake Drive and Lake Drive. The issue was visibility at the intersection, as the lighting and the downward slope of Crossways Lake Drive made it hard to see for both lanes of traffic on Lake Drive.

This discussion led to a future council workshop discussion and onto the city council agenda which we unanimously voted to approve a streetlight, pending a discussion with the neighbors at that intersection.

I could go on with other issues brought up by our citizens, but the theme is communication and talking with your elected officials.

Other happenings at the city include discussions with the Park Board on dugouts for the softball fields in the city park. This came about at a softball tournament put on by FLAFA (Forest Lake Athletic Fast Pitch Association). Several parents at the tournament brought up the idea, but it appears to have been around for some years. As everyone knows government is slow but in late January of 2024 this idea was brought to the Park Board for discussion. We are currently discussing the idea with FLAFA as they are the main users of the fields. Though there is a consensus that it would be an improvement, searching for funding is always an issue. Hopefully this will be resolved.

As you have probably heard on the news or observed on your own property the emerald ash borer kills all species of ash trees, it has infested our park also. You will notice a dramatic change in the park as we have had 35 of these dead trees removed.

For those that travel past the city hall and park, you more than likely observed the holiday lights this past season. The city would like more citizens input on this. More or less - let our park board know your feelings.

As I noted earlier, connecting with people is an ongoing process and one way to open a conversation with the constituents is to provide additional access to elected officials. I am going to open the door for Columbus residents to stop in and discuss their thoughts, ideas, issues or concerns with myself or another council members on the third Sunday of the month at the Lions Pancake Breakfast at Columbus Community Center. The Lions open the doors at 8 am to noon and I plan to open up the council chambers at 10 am to noon. After enjoying a delicious breakfast in the Community Center stop by on your way out to meet who you elected. 

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Mayor Ron Hanegraaf

As I sat down to write my last column of the year for the Forest Lake Times, my calendar made me realize how fast a year flies by in Columbus.

I would like to take this opportunity to recap some of the progress and other notable items that have taken place in our City this year.

We have extended high-speed Internet services to large areas of the City (just under 200 households) that have historically been underserved or not served at all — a special thank you to Council Member Janet Hegland and City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko for the hours of meetings and negotiations that were necessary to make this happen so that citizens were not bearing the cost of this necessary infrastructure. More negotiations for more Internet upgrades and additions are currently underway.

In the business corridor, our new Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store (pictured right) has proven to be a great addition to our City and to any traveler who needs to top off their tank. For anyone who has questioned the placement of a world-class Travel Plaza at this intersection, they should be re-assured by the low fuel prices, high-volume of customers, smooth flowing traffic and the substantial tax revenue to the City of Columbus. Purportedly, Love's has also increased sales for the Holiday station by double digits. Columbus has gotten the reputation as the “best fuel prices in the Metro area."

Columbus’ first Fall Fest (pictured below) since the COVID pandemic was a rousing success thanks to good weather, our outstanding support from the business community, City staff participation, the Columbus Lions and the extraordinary efforts of the Fall Fest leadership team which included Lynn Carver-Quinn, Karen Fleming and Janet Hegland. It was a great weekend of fun family activities including a drive-in movie and Columbus Race Night on Friday evening hosted by Running Aces, a myriad of exciting activities and business displays at Columbus Park on Saturday and a wonderful Columbus Lions Pancake Breakfast on Sunday.

The Columbus EDA was pleased to host two ColumBiz events this year. We were pleased by the attendance of the business leaders who took time from their busy schedules to interact with their City, county and state officials (Senator Michael Kreun, Rep. Nolan West, County Commissioner Jeff Reinert and Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nannette LaNasa), as well as with other staff member from Anoka County and Columbus.

More good news! According to the Anoka County proposed 2024 property tax statement received by everyone in the past week or so, Columbus was the only taxing entity that had a flat or negative proposed property tax levy for 2024. Twenty-one cities, Linwood Township and nine school districts including the Forest Lake School District have raised their proposed levies by up to 24.36 percent while the City of Columbus was able to lower its levy by a remarkable 0.02 percent. This is a result of an intentional focus on economic development in Columbus over the past 5 years coupled with a conservative fiscal approach to budgeting — again thanks to the City Administrator, the EDA and the City Council for looking out for the taxpayers of Columbus.

Perhaps the only issue that is not a positive to share is that our City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko has announced she will be leaving her position in Columbus early next year. Administrator Mursko has served Columbus for more than 24 years.

It has been my privilege to have worked with Elizabeth professionally during her lengthy tenure in Columbus—as business owner, Planning Commissioner and Mayor. Columbus became a City in 2006 and has grown and progressed with her at the helm. On behalf of Columbus residents, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly say thank you for doing so much for our City and best wishes in the next chapter of your life.  Stay tuned, there will be a public gathering to allow all to express their best wishes to Administrator Mursko after the holiday season.

Lastly, we are currently searching for a new City Administrator to take over her multitudinous responsibilities that are involved with running the City of Columbus. The Personal Committee is working diligently to ensure a smooth transition which will take place over the next 6 months and includes hiring an experienced Interim City Administrator to bridge the gap until a search is conducted and a permanent replacement hired.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jesse Preiner, Mayor of Columbus

Message from Mayor Jesse Preiner

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Columbus City Council met for our first meeting of the year. Our first order of business was an Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting from 5-6 p.m. Karen Flemming was welcomed as a new at-large member, Sue Wagamon was appointed as Vice President and Rob Busch was appointed as Treasurer.

Our new EDA mission statement is: “To facilitate responsible economic growth and re-development that contributes significantly to Columbus’ tax base with a goal of maintaining an affordable rural lifestyle for our residents.”

The EDA is planning to reinstate our Columbus Breakfast event at Running Aces in March. The event will be similar to the past (pre-Covid) ColumBiz Breakfast and is dedicated to bringing Columbus businesses together to share ideas with each other and with the City Council in order to continue fostering a successful business climate in Columbus. Business owners should stay tuned for more information as details become finalized.

At the City Council meeting that followed, the 2023 Committee assignments were distributed to Council members:
      •     Janet Hegland: Deputy Mayor, Personnel Committee, Rice Creek Watershed Liaison, Sunrise Watershed Liaison and Park Board Liaison
      •     Rob Busch: Joint Fire Board
      •     Sue Wagamon: Personnel Committee and Forest Lake Cable Commission
      •     Ron Hanegraaf: Anoka County Sheriff’s Liaison

I would like to thank each Council member in taking on these responsibilities to serve on the various committees and boards.

After approving the organizational appointments, the Citywide recycling calendar was approved for 2023. Be sure to check our website for dates and times of the upcoming recycling events.

Our City Engineer, Kevin Bittner, reported that first-phase work on West Freeway Drive North has been completed. The next phase will resume in early spring. The project should be completed, including curbs and paving, by mid-summer. This is the final segment of the Columbus I-35/CSAH 23 Bridge Project.

Projects are lining up for another busy year in Columbus: StreetSmart, located in the Waldoch Addition, is planning for a February 9 ribbon cutting event; Blaine Brothers is planning to break ground on Hornsby Street this spring; and the Brown Beagle Industrial Park Project on West Freeway Drive is in the planning phase of development with intent to break ground later this year.

The City is looking for volunteers to help plan and participate in City events in the upcoming year. I would like to urge anyone who would be willing to share their time and talents to please check out our website, or contact a Council Member to receive more information and/or to share your ideas with us. Now is the time to plan for the upcoming year.

We're off to the races in Columbus as winter finally loosens its grip and the building season gets underway.

Finishing touches and signage are being added to the new EcoFun MotorSports building located next to the new Viking Industrial building on Lake Drive. Viking Industrial will be hosting a celebratory open house on Thursday, May 12 and the Norton family will be welcoming guests to their new facility from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Councilmember Janet Hegland and City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko have been working with our lobbyists and their staffs at both the state and federal legislatures trying to obtain additional funds that will enable Columbus to continue to expand broadband access to additional Columbus residents. The need for broadband expansion is great and we are making slow, but steady progress as we explain our needs to our state and federal representatives.

Community engagement is vital to every City. And, there are great opportunities for anyone who would like to share their time and be involved in Columbus. There are currently opportunities to serve on the Park Board, the Planning Commission and a position is available to serve on the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Check out all the opportunities on the Columbus website.

At the last City Council meeting, Park Board member Kris King gave a thorough and detailed report regarding our tree planting project forwarded by the Park Board to the Council. Her in-depth research and analysis resulted in a savings to taxpayers and we will all be able to enjoy an additional row of maple trees along our walking path for years to come.

Everyone who loves the great pancakes and French toast served up by the Lions in the Columbus Community/Senior Center can mark their calendars for the return of our pancake breakfast later this year. It's been two years since the pandemic made large gatherings impossible and we are all looking forward to supporting our Lions once again. Pancakes will be on the grill again once a month September through May. Come and support our Lions who support our community by serving up great food and community fun.

Live racing returns to Columbus on Sunday, May 15 at Running Aces Harness Park. Horses have been arriving daily in preparation of the 2022 racing season with both seasoned veterans and optimistic newcomers ready to race for the Winner's Circle.

It looks like it's going to be another busy season in Columbus. Enjoy the summer season.

Mayor Jesse Preiner

Spring 2022

March has finally arrived. In Columbus it feels that Spring is finally on its way—as maple syrup people prepare to tap their trees and turn maple sap into delicious golden maple syrup.

 

As the Covid positivity rates continue to decline, the Council and staff are eagerly looking forward to the return of our famous Columbus Lions Pancake Breakfast in the Community Center. What a delight it will be to gather once again in the refurbished Community Center to enjoy pancakes—and maple syrup—amongst friends and neighbors.

 

Progress has continued on several projects in Columbus throughout the winter. The EcoFun MotorSports building is an attractive addition on Lake Drive. And, the crews have worked throughout the winter on Loves Travel Plaza located on Hornsby Avenue South. Both new businesses anticipate opening this Spring to the public. The St. Clair project — a new single-family housing development — on Howard Lake also anticipates beginning construction early this Spring.

 

City Staff and Council have been vigorously pursuing all avenues that will improve broadband access to unserved and underserved Columbus residents. We have recently met with Anoka County EDA Director Samantha Markum as well as with Rep. Tom Emmer’s staff in pursuit of funding streams available to local cities. The Columbus City Council understands the needs of our residents and we are cautiously optimistic that progress is being made. Residents can look forward to increased connectivity this year and in 2023.

 

On behalf of all Columbus residents I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Rep. Bob Dettmer who has announced his retirement from the MN House of Representatives in 2023. Rep. Dettmer has represented Columbus residents prior to the previous redistricting and has been an incredible advocate for us. Rep. Dettmer was a key player in helping Columbus and Forest Lake find and obtain the funding to rebuild the Hwy. 97 Bridge and intersection between Columbus and Forest Lake. As a result we now have a beautiful intersection that will last 50+ years and that will help make the traffic flow smoothly between our two cities. Again, thank you Bob, we appreciate everything that you have accomplished for us.

 

In closing, we are looking forward to warmer weather, a busy building season, and life [hopefully] getting back to normal.

 

Jesse Preiner

Mayor of Columbus

2022 Kick Off

As the New Year begins, it’s great to look forward to the progress that we are anticipating in Columbus. Along with the usual wrapping up of City business in November and December, our City staff has been extra busy working with property owners and developers on building and zoning permits so they are able to begin their projects in the 2022 building season.

 

Our City is very excited about the progress on Lake Drive with the completion of the Waldoch Addition commercial subdivision that will include new road construction starting in early spring. We are looking forward to hearing from HyVee as to when they are expecting to begin their buildout of the new HyVee Fast’n Fresh!  The City just approved the site plan for a Caribou Coffee Cabin on Hornsby Street North. When you drive by, notice the progress being made on the Love’s Travel Plaza. The construction crews are working throughout the winter in order to be ready for a grand opening early this spring. Construction at Ecofun Motorsports is also continuing through the winter and their new building is going to be an attractive addition on Lake Drive located next to Viking Industrial. The City has issued a final plat for 21 new detached townhomes to be built at St. Clair Lakes beginning in 2022 that will be served by our City sanitary sewer and water system. I would like to thank our staff and for all the expertise, patience, and hours of effort that they have expended while processing the mountains of documents that are necessary for these upcoming projects.

 

The Council is making progress on several concerns raised by residents over the past year. Commissioner Hegland and Administrator Mursko have been leading the charge, working non-stop on the very complicated and expensive project of expanding Internet services to the underserved and to households with no current access. The City and the County are weighing options for addressing safety concerns at the Camp 3 and Kettle River intersection. We hope to have a recommendation for a potential solution by mid-summer. We have completed the upgrades in the Council chambers and we are able to safely hold our Council meetings every other Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Note this new time: Previously meetings have started at 7 p.m.). The public is always welcomed to attend.

 

Lastly, we have had six plowable snowfalls this season and our Public Works crew have been giving our plow trucks a good workout. I would like to give a tip of the cap and a sincere thank you to the Public Works Department who under the supervision of Jim Windingstad have kept our roads in safe driving condition.

 

I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe, and successful 2022.

 

Jesse Preiner

Mayor of Columbus