GRAND FORKS (AP) - City Council members have decided to start work on a resolution of support for a proposed Turtle Mountain tribal casino just south of the city, though the extent of that support is unclear.

Bill Johnson, who represents the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in its casino project, asked city officials Wednesday to take a stand after months of on-and-off discussions. The city's support, he said, is a key in working toward the project.

The casino plan has drawn opposition from other tribes, and questions about how it would affect charitable gambling in the Grand Forks area. Turtle Mountain officials need state and federal approval, which they acknowledge could take a long time.

Grand Forks City Council members said the idea needs more public discussion. They agreed to compromise on a resolution "supporting the idea of a casino in Grand Forks."

The Turtle Mountain tribe currently has a casino on its reservation in Belcourt, near the Canadian border. The site is far from any major highways, so the tribe is seeking a casino off the reservation. Johnson said the tribe cannot justify spending more money on the project without the city's support, however tentative.

"Are you interested in us coming to Grand Forks or not? It's as simple as that. It's to the point where we cannot spend any more resources (without city support)," he told council members.

The tribe is proposing to acquire about 40 acres of land from brothers Guy, Tim and Kevin Useldinger south of Grand Forks, which would be converted to federal trust land for a casino. A feasibility study is exploring a proposal for more than 700 slot machines and a cafe.

City Councilman Doug Christensen wanted to know how much money the tribe would pay the city and what it would cost the city to provide services for the casino.

"This is not a statement of 'Yes, we buy into this,'" Councilman Gerald Hamerlik said.

Council President Hal Gershman said the city still must hear from voters.

"For us to give a preliminary approval is a bit of a thumb in the eye of the citizenry," he said.

"I think there is a fear that once the 40 acres are there, we can do whatever we want," Johnson said. The city will have a huge voice later on, when the tribe puts together its environmental impact statement, he said.