Page 58 Area Community Guide • March 2026
PO Box 910, 6408 Elm St. North Branch, MN 55056 651-674-8113 Email: tkostuch @ northbranchmn. gov www. northbranchmn. gov City Hall hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a. m.-4:30 p. m.
With its earliest beginnings as a small railroad station on the banks of the Sunrise River in Chisago County, North Branch grew steadily under the influence of the Twin Cities, busy railroads, new highways and the strength of its residents.
Today it has a population of 11,858 people.
North Branch welcomes business growth with a 300- acre industrial park that has development shovel-ready sites. People may access the city easily from I-35 and Highway 95.
The North Branch Economic Development Authority works to attract and retain commercial business, which helps build local tax base, create jobs and invigorate downtown areas.
CITY COUNCIL
A five-member City Council governs the city and includes the mayor. It meets 6 p. m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at City Hall. North Branch city departments include administration, finance, engineering, planning and zoning, police, fire, and economic development. City Council Members and their term-expiration dates: Jim Ibinger, 2026; Mayor Kevin Schieber, 2026; Patrick Meacham 2026; Jeff Goulet, 2028; Robert Canada, 2028.
Polling Places for general elections
Precinct A- Access Church, 4359 392nd St.; Precinct B- Main Street Church, 6500 Main St.; and Precinct C- Firehall, 37917 Forest Blvd.
Police Department
PUBLIC SAFETY
The North Branch Police Department( 6408 Elm Street) consists of 15 sworn officers including a chief, two sergeants, investigator and a school resource officer. Police provide continuous patrol services to all citizens of North Branch. The department ' s non-emergency number is 651-674-8848. City Council Members and their term-expiration dates: Jim Ibinger, 2026; Mayor Kevin Schieber, 2026; Patrick Meacham 2026; Jeff Goulet, 2028; Robert Canada, 2028.
Fire Department
CITY OF NORTH BRANCH
The North Branch Fire Department( 37917 Forest Boulevard) has a history dating back 130 years and a current strength of 24 volunteer members who provide both firefighting and fire-prevention services. While sirens used to call them to an emergency, each firefighter now carries a special beeper, and the department responded to about 240 calls last year. The non-emergency number is 612-562-2249.
CIVIL DEFENSE SIRENS
People are warned of potentially dangerous weather through eight civil defense sirens within the community: Near 7th Ave. and Elm St.; Ash St. and Ash Ct.; Falcon Ave. and 382nd St.; Harder Ave. and 380th St.; Flink Ave. and 412th St.; Hemingway Ave. and 410th St.; 399th St. and Fawn Ave.; 372nd St. and Forest Blvd. The sirens emit a steady, two-minute tone. Citizens hear the monthly siren test at 1 p. m. the first Wednesday of each month.
MUNICIPAL PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks are open 7 a. m. to 10 p. m.
Central- 6250 Main St., offers a picnic shelter, playground area and basketball court, as well as such annual events as the Midsummer Days carnival, Fall Harvest Festival, Winter Fest and Concerts in the Park.
Harder- 39260 Harder Pkwy., includes 40 acres and four ball fields, a picnic shelter, playground equipment and a discgolf course.
Main Street Ice Rink- 6773 Elm St., has a warming house.
North Branch Oaks- 5035 366th St., offers playground equipment.
Northwoods- 39581 Cherokee Ave., features pickleball courts, tennis courts, cornhole court, a picnic shelter, walking trails, playground equipment, and basketball court.
Riverwalk- 39181 Forest Blvd., includes scenic walking trails along the Sunrise River, band shell, and a picnic shelter.
Roger Johnson Memorial- 6547 410th St., has a baseball field, two soccer fields, and a picnic shelter and playground equipment.
Skateboard & Hockey Rink- 38175 Grand Ave., is a skateboard facility, and a warming house located at the high school.
Tower Fields- 6211 Cougar Tr., features two ball fields and playground equipment.
CITY OF NORTH BRANCH see page 59