When the first settlers arrived here, Native Americans had already been making their home in the area where Reshanau, Baldwin, Rice and Marshan Lakes cluster. The Dakota Indians found this to be a land of plenty with wild rice and an abundance of small game Today, several Indian burial grounds are still located in the area
White hunters and trappers began coming to this area from both Canada and the eastern states around 1850 Those who settled on the west side of the lake had names like Ramsden, Speiser and Wenzel. The east side of the lake was settled by families including the Cardinals, LaMottes, Houles and Dupres Many of their descendants still live in the area today
The first unit of local government in the area was the township of Centerville It was organized 11 August, 1857 and encompassed an area of 36 square miles The population was less than 300 persons and organized into three loosely knit communities known as the "German settlement" west of the lakes, the "Swede settlement" south of the lakes, and th "French settlement" east of the lakes
In the 1950s neighboring villages started annexing land away from Centerville Township To protect the boundaries and allow for the financing of public improvements, the residents of the township voted to incorporate into a village
Several names were suggested for the new village, and most contained the word "lakes Although the origin of the word "lino" is unknown, a Lino post office operated for about 10 years in the late 1800s The town board decided to name the new village "Lino Lakes".
On 11 May 1955, the new Village of Lino Lakes was incorporated The village covered the original Centerville Township, with the exception of the Village of Centerville At incorporation, the new village was comprised of 21,000 acres of land, and 1,800 citizens In 1972, the State Legislature passed a law changing all Minnesota villages to cities, hence Lino Lakes' current status
The City of Lino Lakes is governed by an elected mayor and four city council members. They are responsible for establishing city regulations and ordinances, approving budgets, maintaining public facilities and planning the city's future. The City Council is also assisted in its decision-making process by several advisory boards and committees.
Meetings: Regular Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers, and are televised live on Channel 16. Council work sessions are held at 6:00 PM on the first and fourth Mondays of each month.
Terms: The mayor serves a two-year term; council members serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered, with elections taking place every two years.
