COHASSET — The Cohasset City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday, May 11, pledging to continue flying the old Minnesota state flag, joining a small number of cities that have recently made the move.
The resolution states the flag is an “official historical commemorative emblem” of the community, and the move is to commemorate Minnesota Statehood Day on May 11 and America’s 250th anniversary.
There was no discussion among the Council members before they made the move. Requests for comment from the mayor and two councilors were not returned as of Wednesday afternoon.
Cohasset Financial Controller Barb Baird said in an interview that she brought the resolution to the Council because other cities were passing similar measures.
In the three years since Minnesota adopted the new flag, some local governments — including Crosslake and Babbitt — voted to continue to fly the former flag. Several cities have more recently made the move, like Wadena. Most in the recent wave have been in the Twin Cities suburbs and exurbs.
Itasca County is also considering flying the previous flag. Board Chair Cory Smith has said the Board will make a decision May 19.
The new Minnesota flag officially began flying three years ago on Minnesota Statehood Day.
The change was driven by concerns with how the previous flag depicted Native Americans and a desire for a simpler design.
The flag quickly became a cultural issue, with opposing viewpoints largely falling along party lines.
The state flag in the Council chambers was changed to the new one in March 2025, but switched back to the previous flag in February, according to recordings of Council meetings from ICTV.
Baird said the Council passed the resolution to reaffirm its decision. She said outstate Minnesota didn’t have a voice when the new flag was chosen.
“Now we do have that voice, and we’ve made it vocal," she said.
Baird pointed to what she described as a Walz-appointed commission making the decision, but she said the city's decision wasn't a political statement.
"It's a choice," she said.
A state commission spent four months working toward selecting a new flag and state seal. The state Legislature determined the makeup of the commission; three members were appointed by Walz.
The final design was adapted from a submission from 24-year-old Andrew Prekker of Luverne.
The city only flies the American flag outside. Baird says she does not know if the city will start flying the old Minnesota state flag there as well.
Minnesota statute about the flag only directs it to be flown over the Capitol between sunrise and sunset.
