New mayor, councilors, promise more transparency

The Cloquet City Council opened its new year with a much more diverse membership than it did following the last election. Instead of an all-male council, the new council includes two female and four male councilors along with Mayor Roger Maki. At age 29, Ward 3 Councilor Dakota Koski brings a more youthful voice to the council while Ward 2 Councilor Sheila Lamb may be the first Native American city councilor, as Lamb claims both Cherokee and Ojibway heritage.

But it's all about unity, not differences, said Lamb after the meeting.

Her fellow councilors and the audience members - who spilled out of the crowded council chambers into the hallway beyond - seemed to agree.

The formal council meeting was short and filled mostly with regular items such as appointing an acting mayor - Ward 4 Councilor Kerry Kolodge - to take over when the mayor is absent, designating fees and making commission appointments. It was the council and mayoral comments at the end of the meeting that drew the most response.

At-large councilor Lara Wilkinson thanked the close to 70 audience members for coming, and encouraged them to continue coming and communicating with the council.

"In the spirit of inclusion, I'd like to ask that the film placed over the windows (of the Council Chamber doors) for the last couple years be removed," Wilkinson said when it was time for council comments, a request that was greeted with a large round of applause from the audience.

"Can we ask the county if that's OK," responded city administrator Aaron Reeves, referring to the fact that Carlton County has agreed to purchase the City Hall building and will create new office spaces there after the city moves down the street to the current Members Cooperative Credit Union Building.

Wilkinson said yes, stressing that she would like to see the opaque coating gone from the windows as soon as possible.

Lamb spoke next, and encouraged her fellow councilors to follow her lead and set up monthly or at least quarterly meetings with their constituents.

"People want approachable council members," she said, noting that she plans to start with monthly meetings. "They want a nice relaxed atmosphere to discuss their thoughts and issues."

Resident Brian Smith voiced his agreement, and the crowd broke into applause again.

Mayor Roger Maki told the crowd and fellow councilors that he has asked for a little spot in the new building where he can hold regular office hours and meet with citizens. He then invited audience members to join him, his family members from Chicago and the Twin Cities, and other councilors at the Warming House following the meeting.

"I'm not buying," he joked. "Just to be clear."

Then his comments took on a more serious note.

"In the last 22 months we have been through a rough patch as far as city government is concerned," Maki said. "I'm glad so many people came out to vote in the primary as well as the general election. I think it was unprecedented in Cloquet - because of the at-large seat special election, we had five different positions open at once. Obviously a great turnover has occurred. The message was obvious: people want change.

"I, myself, pledge to operate honestly, ethically and be as transparent as I can be," he added, qualifying his statement by referring to personnel issues as an example of a time when councilors can't talk openly about an issue. "When those things happen we will work through the process. I think we will have a more welcoming atmosphere here."

In an email response to Pine Knot questions before the meeting, Maki said he hopes to work with the new council to address issues such as what to do about CAT-7, to examine police department operations and budgetary concerns, to find a permanent solution to the problem of animal control, to improve relations with the Fond du Lac Band and Tribal Council, to provide more activities for youth and to be fiscally responsible.

Koski also noted that he hopes to work alongside his fellow councilors "to make positive decisions for the City of Cloquet and its residents."

"Over the past few months, what I continue to hear from constituents is they want me to be open and honest with them," Koski said. "Many felt there have been transparency issues and are wanting that restored."

Maki is optimistic.

"We have a lot of work to do," Maki said. "All of our problems cannot be fixed in a short time period, but we can start by having the council heading in the right direction."