The City of Forest Lake
20,611 call Forest Lake home , according to the 2020 census , growing by 2,235 since 2010 . Located in Washington County , the city surrounds its namesake , 2,270-acre Forest Lake . From its founding in 1893 as a village , Forest Lake became a city during 1974 in accordance with a state law designed to encourage uniformity in municipal government . In 2001 , the city of Forest Lake merged with Forest Lake Township .
The city of Forest Lake employs more than 60 full-time employees working in one of several departments : administration , finance , community development , fire , police , parks , and public works .
A five-member City Council governs the city and includes the mayor and four council members . Council members-atlarge are elected during even-numbered years for staggered , four-year terms , with the mayor serving a two-year term . The mayor presides at meetings and represents the city during civic and community functions . Each elected member has equal voting power .
Mayor Blake Roberts took office in January , and was joined by elected council members Hannah Valento ( elected first in 2020 , and re-elected in 2024 ), Leif Erickson ( elected first in 2022 ), and Jeff Larson ( elected first in 2024 ). A fifth council member will be appointed for the remainder of Roberts ’ council seat term , and was still to be determined by the council by this publication ’ s press time .
The City Council meets at 7 p . m . the second and fourth Monday of each month
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at the Forest Lake City Center . City Council workshops are held the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p . m . in the community room in the City Center ; all workshops and regular meetings are open to the public . The council holds extra meetings in August to prepare the following year ’ s budget .
A seven-member Planning Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council , making recommendations on planning , zoning , and variance matters , including all commercial and residential development . The City Council appoints members to the Planning Commission for staggered three-year terms .
The council appoints citizens to serve on the various commissions that guide economic development , parks and recreation , and the airport .
The Forest Lake city staff is headed by newly hired city administrator Mark Statz , while department leads include city clerk Jolleen Chaika , Community Development Director Abbi Wittman , Public Works Director Dave Adams , and Park and Recreation coordinator Kyle Young .
The Forest Lake Police Department is located in the Forest Lake City Center complex , and Chief Rick Peterson serves as the director of public safety / police chief .
Police Department hours are 8 a . m . to 4:30 p . m . Monday through Friday . The phone numbers are 651-464-5877 during business hours and 651-439-9381 after hours . Dial 911 for emergencies .
The Forest Lake Fire Department receives more than 500 calls for service annually and responds out of two fire stations . FLFD ’ s staff is headed by Chief Al Newman and paid-on-call firefighters . In addition to fire response , firefighters attend weekly training and meetings in order to be ready for any emergency .
In local , state , and national elections , residents of the City of Forest Lake vote in one of the following five precincts depending upon where they live . Precinct boundaries can be found at pollfinder . sos . state . mn . us .
Precinct 1 – Forest Lake Senior Center : 767 4th Street Southwest
Precinct 2 – Forest Lake City Center : 1408 Lake Street South
Precinct 3 – Faith Lutheran Church : 886 North Shore Drive
Precinct 4 – Hosanna Lutheran Church : 9300 Scandia Trail North
Precinct 5 – Washington County North Government Center : 19955 Forest Road North
The city runs its own billing for city-metered water consumption . The city has year-round sprinkling restrictions for city-metered water : even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days , and odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days , all between the hours of 4 a . m . to 7 a . m ., and 8 p . m . to 11 p . m . For more information on utility billing or water quality reports , visit ci . forest-lake . mn . us / 155 / Water-Department .
Garbage and recycling are available only with Republic Services . Learn more by calling Republic Services at 952-941-5174 .
Forest Lake Community Guide • February , 2025