The City of Columbia Heights is governed by a five member Council, consisting of a mayor and four council members elected at large on a non-partisan basis. The mayor serves a two year term with council members serving staggered, four year terms. Elections are held in November of even number years.

The City of Columbia Heights is a Charter City and as such has a City Charter that determines the procedures of city government in accordance with state statutes and the Minnesota State Constitution . Under this charter, the city has adopted the Council-Manager form of government.

The City Manager is the chief administrative officer for the City and is appointed by the City Council. The City Manager is responsible for the daily administration of the City, which includes appointing department heads, enforcing City ordinances and Council directives, preparing the annual budget for Council review, and supervising all City departments except the police department which is currently under the mayor, as determined by the City Charter.

The City Manager is Walter R. Fehst. Please, call his secretary at (763)706-3606 to leave a message or schedule an appointment.

Council meetings are schedule for the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month and begin at 7:00 pm.

Meetings are open to the public and are broadcast live on Government Access cable channel 16 in Columbia Heights