Posted: 6/19/02

City Centre project is a go, council told

Alice Pickering

Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council was assured Monday that developer James Kellison is committed to moving forward with the Wyoming City Centre development, just north of Viking Blvd. and west of Sunrise Prairie Trail.

They thanked EDA consultant Kirsten Barsness for her clear explanation of tax increment financing as it applies to this proposed project in the business district.

Typically taxes collected for a county, city, and school district in a TIF district go into a dedicated fund used to reduce debt or pay other obligations associated with commercial development, which might not otherwise be possible without the financial assistance.

Even with about 30 percent reduction, because of the recent elimination of the school tax rate, in the amount of tax money going into a dedicated fund for this project, Barsness said a TIF district will help defray the cost of constructing utilities for this project and planned infrastructure improvements on CR-22.

Creation of the TIF district means that costs of commercial development are to be borne by the developer and no general fund money is to be spent for improvements. TIF districts can be created to last about 25 years, but it is more likely that the one related to the Wyoming City Centre will last about eight to 10 years.

Kellison is likely to begin land acquisition by the end of the summer. These costs are estimated to be about $4 million.

The project is anticipated to take four years to complete and will include seven buildings. A hotel and restaurant are to be built right away. The restaurant is to include meeting space and banquet facilities.

Roads, with utilities underneath, will be built by the development group to city specifications. When completed, these are to be turned over to the city.

City Attorney Tom Miller was directed to begin drafting a development agreement for the proposed project.

Other topics

Council also approved the second to last payment for the third city well at the meeting. All that remains is for the well house to be constructed to house the chlorinator.

Chlorine detectors are to be installed at all three well houses as a safety precaution.

At the meeting June 3, on the recommendation of Engineer Kathryn Jones, council authorized the installation of chlorine detectors at all city well houses. A chlorine detector had been included in the work order for the new well house. Council authorization allows retrofitting the other two wells with this equipment as a safety measure.

Engineer Paul Kauppi reported paving is complete in Thurnbeck Ponds. A turnaround at the end of Freeport remains to be completed as part of the the development agreement.

In attempts to deal with a property with junk in the yard, council authorized Miller to find out who actually owns the land and determine if it is homestead property.

City Administrator Dennis Coryell has met with Congressman Oberstarís staff to plan a meeting with Oberstar, city staff, and representatives of nearby cities & towns to try to secure federal funds for the proposed joint sewer system.

Other business

In other business June 3, council:

ïLearned business owners are meeting with city officials to discuss business licensing and commercial water rates.

ïLearned from Council member Lynn Koalska that park board Chair Mat Engstrsom has given members specific assignments. A tour of parks is yet to be scheduled. New park maintenance hire, Jerry Headley has delivered an excellent report.

ïLearned from Council member Ed Andler the police department is selling the confiscated Thunderbird, which has been used as an unmarked squad and for investigations. Mayor Vern Haag said the city is seeking a confiscated snowmobile for patrols next winter.

ïDirected Coryell to send a letter to Dennis Larson of the Forest Lake Comfort Lake Watershed District saying the city will comply with the request to report any and all projects that might affect district water quality and quantity.

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