Posted: 4/16/03

Swedish Immigrant Trail plan in Wyoming is forming

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Laird Mork and Ed Olson brought Wyoming City Council up-to-date on the status of the Swedish Immigrant Trail during its meeting Monday, April 7.

Mork, who works for Chisago County parks, brought information about the western end of the trail, which will connect in Wyoming with the Sunrise Prairie Trail.

Planned as a trail for walking, biking, roller blading and cross-country skiing, the trail is being routed along the abandoned railroad right-of-way from Wyoming to Taylors Falls. Complete development is dependent upon acquisition of right-of-way and/or easements upon which to build the trail.

Mork praised the collaborative efforts being made to develop this recreational corridor. He also emphasized that the proposals for the trail in Wyoming, make the project a good stand alone project for the city, until the areas east of the city can be developed.

The trail project has been authorized to begin land purchases for parts of the corridor.

Olson distributed maps of the trail into the city, primarily following the route of the old railroad line.

Part of the proposed route would pass through the Cameron Strand property on the east end of Wyoming.

The trail would be separated from the road into the area. A temporary route was suggested, bringing the trail from the west end of Railroad Boulevard to connect with the Sunrise Prairie Trail.

The route offered was from Fenwick along, 268th just south of the post office.

Suggestions from council were to turn the trail north along Fenwick to 269th where there is a ready route and stop signs. There would be less traffic to contend with and crossing to Sunrise Prairie Trail would be relatively easy.

Preliminary engineering analysis needs to be completed.

MPCA honors

For the seventh consecutive year the city of Wyoming maintenance department has received a certificate of commendation from the MPCA complimenting its employees for their ìexemplary effortî in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

Maintenance supervisor Bill Eisenmenger told council on April 7 the commendation is the result of ìteam effort.î Contacted later, Eisenmenger said the plant was placed on-line in 1996 and has received the honor every year.

Planning items

Based on the recommendation of the planning commission, council approved a lot split for Bruce Lindholm. Although neighbors were contacted about the public hearing, none attended and there was no opposition to the lot split, according to Administrator Dennis Coryell.

Both lots created have the required 15,000 square feet and meet setback requirements. Lindholm plans to remove the existing garage on his lot and build a new one on the east side of his house. Approval was contingent on plans for the new garage being brought to city hall.

Council passed a resolution approving specific restrictive covenants on the Fairview campus. Any future property owners will have to abide by the covenants in their use of the land.

Jim Bermel, with the real estate department at Fairview, said covenants ìenhance zoning.î Any use of the land must be consistent with city ordinances.

According to Coryell, John Duffy is interested in developing the Vogel property. Council authorized him to arrange for a professional appraisal of the property.

Coryell also told council two land owners are considering land development south and east of Sunrise River Estates, about a 17-acre area. They made an informal proposal at the planning committee April 4.

Because much of the land is in a conservation zone, plans are for about seven lots, scattered in the area on land suitable for building. A drainage plan for the area must be approved.

Police fund

In checking about the reports of forfeiture funds being taken from the Wyoming police department, council member Lynn Koalska said that according to the state M.A.D.D. office, ìthe most interesting thing is that all the calls were anonymous.î

At a time when any savings in the budget are important, Koalska renewed her request for city departments to try for the lowest gas prices when refueling city vehicles.

Council member Martin English has worked closely with Koalska on budget matters, attending 11 meetings in March.

He told council he anticipates an up front fee from Ebenezer Society for conduit financing, of between one-half and one percent. This could amount to between $40,000 and $80,000 for the city. He estimates about three-quarters percent is the top range of what the fee could be.

Martin also reported Elite Manufacturing is seeking a larger building and may move back to Hugo. The company already owns some land there.

Other business

In other business, council:

ï Learned the Sunrise River District of the Indianhead Council of Boy Scouts of America has presented a certificate of appreciation to Koalska for serving as its webmaster.

ïLearned three candidates are in the running for the maintenance department position.

ïApproved an agreement with Regal Machine that acknowledges the cityís position as a subordinate on the refinanced mortgage.

ïLearned from Coryell the land-use study for the northwest quadrant of the city is nearly finished and will be presented to the council in early May.

ïDirected Attorney Tom Miller to check ordinances related to having multiple businesses at one address.

ïLearned from council member Ted Phillips a DNR grant is being sought to help pay for a summer recreation program.

ïVoted to maintain the two random annual inspections for massage therapy businesses.

ïOn the recommendation of the planning and zoning committee, approved Kristin Johnsonís request for giving swimming lessons in her private pool, with parking to be limited to only one side of the street. There is the understanding that if there are complaints, adjustments must be made.

ïLearned from Engineer Lee Elfering four items remain to be completed, including outside painting and seeding on Wellhouse No. 3.

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