When Forest Lake lost its two top city officials -- its administrator and police chief -- on the same day last month, the City Council responded quickly.

On June 27, the council appointed Sgt. Rick Peterson -- a 10-year veteran of the department and a city native -- as interim police chief. And on Monday, Melinda Coleman, city administrator in North Oaks, was offered the same position in Forest Lake after a 3-2 council vote.

"It actually went pretty smoothly," said Mayor Chris Johnson, despite the unexpectedness of the departures. "We acted pretty quickly, and were able to make sure the ship stayed upright."

City Administrator Dan Coughlin avoided dismissal by resigning June 15. On the same day, Police Chief Clark Quiring announced his retirement in an unrelated decision.

Coughlin replaced the veteran Chip Robinson, who held that job for 33 years. Coughlin, hired in November, lasted about six months.

"I have become increasingly cognizant of a variety of organizational and cultural dynamics that has caused me to wonder if Forest Lake is truly a proper fit for me and vice versa," Coughlin wrote to Johnson.

A termination agreement will pay Coughlin six months' salary. He was hired at $99,073 annually.

Peterson will be among those considered as Quiring's replacement, Johnson said. Quiring had been chief for nearly eight years.

It's uncertain when a new chief will be named.

Forest Lake is one of five cities in Washington County that has its own police force. With a $21 million budget this year, the city has more than 50 employees, including 28 police officers.

Kevin Giles • 651-735-3342 Staff writer Jim Anderson contributed to this report.