Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area ReporterWyoming City Council came to no final conclusion Monday, but members said they are leaning against joining with Chisago City in its plans to annex a chunk of Wyoming Township.
With about 15 residents from Wyoming Township and Chisago City present, Wyoming council members discussed the option of joining Chisago City in its annexation plans that would consume the eastern half of the township.
The special meeting was scheduled an hour before the regularly scheduled council meeting.
Chris Hood, the attorney representing Chisago City in the contested annexation involving Wyoming Township, appealed to the council to partner with Chisago City in this move.
The reason Chisago City is taking such an approach is that ìwe canít get the township to the table,î Hood said. Speaking of attracting business to the area, Hood said Chisago City ìdoesnít have the same opportunities without annexing other land.î
He said there are compelling reasons for joint action mentioning common issues of providing adequate infrastructure for the projected growth in the area. Met Council projects one million people in this region in 20 years.
Hood outlined the timetable for the action with the initial hearing about 45 days out and an estimated 12-14 months from the beginning of the legal process to its completion.
At some point Hood said he believes Wyoming will need to annex additional land and it makes sense to share the cost of doing so now. It is estimated that the action will cost about $150,000, initially.
If Wyoming is to join with Chisago City, the time to do so is now or very soon, the attorney said.
Both cities are dealing with the same issues and it makes sense economically to share the cost of the contested annexation. He urged a look at the long term arrangements for creation of a rural taxing area to help provide for regional services and expansion of the city council.
Wyoming options
The city can take no action now; join with Chisago City to initiate the contested annexation, look at ways to support Chisago City about the common issues (including development of services and infrastructure, and imminent growth), or go with Wyoming Township in opposing annexation.
The city of Wyoming only recently concluded negotiations with the township to annex the 620-acre cityís wastewater treatment site along CR-84 east of Wyoming.
The annexed land is being sold to Polaris Industries, Inc. for purposes of constructing a new research facility.
A key part of the negotiated agreement was that the city would initiate no moves for further annexation of township land adjacent to the Polaris site for three years.
A decision either way would not affect the cityís deal with Polaris Industries, Inc, officials said.
While there has been some talk of annexation, this was the first time the council has heard specifically what Chisago City has in mind.
Council members were reluctant to violate the spirit of the agreement with the township.
Council member Sandy Standridge, looking at the sections of the township that are proposed for annexation, wondered why so much land was being considered for annexation by Chisago City.
Roughly 20 sections were identified as being considered for annexation. She said this would be like ìwiping out Wyoming Township.î She questioned the rush for action.
Basically in agreement with Standridge, Council member Martin English told Hood it is ìnot in keeping with (our) good faith negotiationsî with the township and ìviolates the spirit of agreementî of the negotiations. He said that while there are ìcompelling economic and efficiency reasons for annexation, there are elected officials of Wyoming Township who are not in favor of it.
More to the point, Council member Lynn Koalska said the city has enough on its plate now with the search for a new city administrator, the need to hire a new police chief, the Polaris negotiations and business associated with the regional wastewater system. If there were no other issues it would be easier to consider the request, she said.
Council member Ted Phillips echoed Koalskaís views by indicating the city would be ìbiting off a lot more that Wyoming can chew.î
Mayor Vern Haag said he wants to be certain the city has time to plan with regard to the Polaris project.
Other business
In other business, the council:
ïHas scheduled interviews with three final candidates for city administrator Saturday, Dec. 6 and plan to make the final decision that day.
ïAnnounced the Truth in Taxation meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8 at City Hall.
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