Many call the bustling seat of Isanti County – Cambridge – “ Minnesota ’ s Opportunity Community .”
According to the most recent information from the MN State Demographer ’ s Office 10,511 people live in the city and contribute to its thriving commerce and strong sense of neighborhood .
That profile includes a diverse number of businesses , organizations , clubs , the public library , activities throughout the year , and all the unique people who live in Cambridge , as well as the Rum River .
Swedish people settled the community in 1866 , giving it a New England name and nurturing it into a strong commercial hub of east-central Minnesota .
A five-member City Council governs Cambridge and includes the Mayor . It meets at 6 p . m . on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall . City departments include administration , finance , community development , public works , utilities , municipal liquor , police , and fire .
Council members are elected at large every four years on a staggered schedule so that elections are held during even-numbered years . The city holds non-partisan elections , so candidate names are placed on a ballot without listing party designation .
Cambridge is divided into two voting precincts : Precinct 1 includes all property north of Hwy . 95 and properties south of Hwy . 95 and west of the railroad tracks ; people currently vote at City Center Mall , 140 Buchanan St . N . Suite 178 . This is subject to change if the city rents out the space . Precinct 2 includes properties south of Hwy . 95 and east of the railroad tracks ; people vote in City Hall Council Chambers .
Cambridge also employs a non-elected city administrator to handle many functions , and several boards and commissions contribute to city decision-making and operations . The council is responsible for adopting local ordinances , managing financial operations and appointing administrative personnel and commission members .
The City Council serves as Cambridge ’ s Economic Development Authority . In that capacity , it markets local development opportunities , administers housing policies for Bridge Park Apartments , manages all leases at the City Center Mall , and works to strengthen
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CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
CITY HALL 300 3rd Ave NE Cambridge , MN 55008 Contact : 763-689-3211
CAMBRIDGE POLICE 763-689-9567 Open Monday - Friday 8 a . m . to 4:30 p . m .
ISANTI COUNTY POLICE / FIRE DISPATCH 763-689-2141 EMERGENCY Dial 911
CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
763-689-1800 • Open Monday - Friday 7:30 a . m . to 4:00 p . m .
the city ’ s economy .
For example , the EDA might market sites in the industrial parks to companies around the world .
Cambridge operates and maintains a municipal airport , 3129 Airport Parkway S ., which sells aviation fuel , has space available for private hangars and includes commercial sites ready for development .
Public Safety
The Cambridge Police Department employs up to 17 full-time police officers including the chief of police , deputy chief of police , two patrol sergeants , ten patrol officers , one detective , and two school resource officers . The department also has two records personnel and two casual part-time police officers .
The patrol division ensures the public ’ s safety and the protection of their property , through aggressive and highly visible patrolling of residential , commercial , industrial , and recreational areas . The support services division is responsible for criminal investigations into matters like deaths , burglaries , drug offenses , assaults , and property crimes .
The school resource officers strive to reduce crime in the schools and establish healthy relations among students , educators , and the police .
The reserve unit is made up of seven dedicated non-licensed volunteers who provide support services during community events and extra preventative patrols throughout the community .
“ Keeping a community safe requires proactive policing and vigilant citizens calling in to report suspicious activity .
The fundamentals to a safe community are neighbors watching out for their neighbors and officers keeping a watchful eye while patrolling and investigating crimes ,” said Police Chief Todd Schuster . “ We are committed to keeping Cambridge a safe place to live and work .”
The Cambridge Fire Department has 30 paid , on-call members as well as one full-time deputy chief . For equipment , the department has three engines / pumpers , two grass trucks , one ladder truck , two water tenders , three quick-response command vehicles , water rescue craft , and a technical rescue trailer . The department ’ s state-certified firefighters proudly serve the community providing fire suppression , technical rescue , high-angle rope rescue , confined-space rescue , first responders , search and rescue , auto extrication , hazmat operations , and decontamination . CFD ’ s 1,000-square-foot emergency operations center offers cutting-edge technology with dedicated voice and data , interactive electronic boards , and multi-station computers .
Public Library
Patrons will find the Cambridge Public Library at 111 Dellwood Street North and can reach it by calling 763-689-7390 . Library hours are Monday through Thurdays 9 a . m . until 6 p . m . Friday 9 a . m . until 6 p . m . and Saturday 9 a . m . till 4 p . m .
The library also offers express curbside pickup . Popular services include public computers with Web access , wireless Internet throughout the library , preschool story times , a summer reading program with incentives , public meeting rooms , group study areas and the use of common office machines such as a copier and fax .
The library offers homebound services for residents who cannot visit it in person . Patrons may also have items delivered to Cambridge from other library locations in the region and state .
Senior Activity Center City Center Mall , 140 Buchanan St . N ., Cambridge , MN 55008 , ( 763 ) 689- 6555 . The facility is a place where seniors can gather , dine , visit with peers and get services . Whether people knit , play cards or listen to a guest speaker , the goal of the senior-activity center is to create a
CAMBRIDGE see page 15 Isanti County Community Guide • March 2024