Walt Fehst says Columbia Heights reminds him of his hometown of Joliet, Ill. “It’s a working-class town with a lot of diversity. Fortunately, the Heights is not influenced by Chicago politics.”
Fehst retires Dec. 31 after serving 22 years as Columbia Heights’ city manager. Like any job, it’s had its ups and downs. Asked about his worst day on the job, he said, “My six-month review. I found out I wasn’t doing as well as I thought I was. It was an early wake-up.”
He must have gotten something right.
He said his best day on the job was the day in 2016 Columbia Heights was chosen as an All-American City. “There were no population categories. We were competing with big cities like San Antonio, New Orleans and Sacramento.” Fehst said the city won because of its efforts to resolve issues. “We worked with our young people and our minorities, our council, police and management group. Everybody pulled together in a very short period of time to make this award possible.”
The award recognizes communities that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation to successfully address local issues. Columbia Heights is one of 500 cities across the U.S. that have received the award from the National Civic League since the competition began in 1949. Other Twin Cities metro area cities that have won the award include Bloomington and South St. Paul. Coincidentally, Joliet won the same award back in 1958.
“It’s a huge deal for the city,” said Fehst. “It’s worth $250,000-300,000 in good will for the community.”
Fehst began his city administrator career in Joliet after a stint with the United States Army Air Defense Artillery, where he served as a first lieutenant with command over 100-200 troops. After Joliet, he managed the cities of Robbinsdale, Minn., and Mountlake Terrace, Wash. But Columbia Heights captured his heart.
“I really love Columbia Heights’ connection with Northeast,” he said. “So many churches and ethnic varieties. It’s a good location, just five minutes from downtown Minneapolis.” He celebrates the suburb’s diversity: “It used to be Poles and Germans,” he said. “Now we have people from all over the world.” He also loves its “hangouts” – Hangar 45, Tasty Pizza and the Flameburger. “Everybody knows these places. If they grew up here, they have an affinity for them.”
He also had high praise for the school district; his sons Nick and Zach both attended Columbia Heights schools. “They did a good job of educating our kids.”
Fehst said the job of city manager accounts for 95 percent of the administrative activities of the city. The exception is the police department, which falls under the mayor’s purview. He said the recent rejection of the charter amendment to put the police department under the city manager did not surprise him. “I personally think it should be there, but I wouldn’t fall on a sword to make it happen,” he said. “The job of the police chief can be more political when it’s under the mayor. But the system here is not broken; it will continue to work.”
When he took the city manager’s job, Fehst said that Heights had the reputation of being “a little musty. But we’ve turned that around. Our staff is very responsive to new businesses and to our residents. They work hard to make sure we’re not just a drive-thru to Blaine. We have a lot to offer.”
When he read his “long-awaited” resignation to the City Council on Dec. 3, Fehst stressed the contributions of his staff. “I couldn’t have done it without them. It helps when you hire the right people and get out of their way so they can do their jobs.”
His plans for the near future include “cocooning” with a stack of books this winter and perhaps a few road trips with his wife Linda this summer.
One thing he’s certain of: “Columbia Heights won’t be stodgy. It will be dynamic. The future is very bright for our community.”
Below: Walt Fehst (Photo provided by Ben Sandell, City of Columbia Heights)