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Gaylord’s City Council, on Wednesday, established a committee to negotiate an agreement which would extend the boundary of the City’s orderly annexation area.

The current orderly annexation agreement, adopted in 1977 by City, County and Township officials, includes approximately a half-mile boundary outside city limits.

According to City Administrator Lonny Johnson, the orderly annexation area gives the City authority to determine what is developed near its outer core. It protects the City from undesirable development or it is used to promote and control wanted development, Johnson explained.

City officials researched the orderly annexation area at the request of the trail committee. This committee is attempting to complete a trail system throughout Gaylord and the surrounding area, according to Johnson.

Jim Swanson, a member of the trail committee and the Lake Titloe committee, asked council members to consider amending the agreement for the orderly annexation area. Swanson would like to see the boundary extended to approximately two miles.

According to Swanson, an amended agreement would give the City more control. “This would allow the City to have a voice in developing the area around the City limits,” Swanson said.

Swanson proposed a larger orderly annexation area to the City Council and Gaylord’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

To expand the orderly annexation area, the City must reach an agreement with Transit, Sibley and Dryden Township officials and affected property owners.

Council members agreed to set up a committee to negotiate a new agreement. That committee will include Johnson, council member Carl Wetzel and Gaylord’s public works coordinator Avery Grochow. City Attorney Doug Nesvig will also be involved in negotiations, according to Johnson.