Posted: 1/29/03

City OKís fees for licenses

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council passed a resolution last week adopting 2003 fees for licenses and services in the city. According to City Administrator Dennis Coryell, fees reflect a five percent increase that corresponds to increased costs of providing services.

Coryell reported the water and sewer rates are exactly as recommended two years ago. Council has adopted a policy of smaller increases in water costs rather than infrequent large increases. The completed water study is the source of the fees. Council will consider a separate commercial water rate.

User fees are set to cover city costs of supplying water and treating waste water, and also build a reserve to maintain, replace, and improve the infrastructure. Conservation is an important part of the approach to providing clean water.

Fairview Regional Medical Center recently installed a shallow well to provide water for irrigation and the building cooling system. The Economic Development Authority may encourage the extension of this to all new businesses.

In his report, Coryell told council the EDA is recommending the city grant Sunrise Fiberglass a one year extension on its loan agreement. The last two quarters the company has shown a profit.

While making progress in developing jobs, the slow economy has affected hiring. An extension was granted to Regal Machine for much the same reason late in 2002. A public hearing is required and proposed for the meeting on Feb. 17.

Coryell also reported Fairview is requesting the city issue tax-exempt bonds, in the amount of $7 million, for a specialty clinic to be built on the Fairview campus. Funds would be primarily for equipment for special imaging and radiology equipment.

Issuing the bonds would not affect the cityÇs finances. A public hearing and resolution are required for any action.

Having attended the League of Minnesota Cities government day, Coryell said ìnobody thinks local government aid wonít be cutî in 2003. A possibility is to allow cities to levy to replace some of the money.

Disaster plans

Sarah Mortenson attended the meeting, to provide information to the council for establishing disaster mitigation plans for the city. Grant money is available from the Regional Development Commission to help the city.

Mortenson said most cities join with their respective counties in plan development. This aspect of emergency planning could be added to the disaster plan developed locally during spring 2001, including the Wyoming Thunder Scenario.

A resolution is to be considered at the meeting Feb. 3.

Police conference

Council members gave approval for Officers Scott Dexter and Brian Rodd to attend a regional police conference on Feb. 14. One important part of the conference is re-certification for officers teaching in the DARE program.

The DARE curriculum has changed from an 18-week program to a 10-week one. This is the last time re-certification is offered in Minnesota, because regions have been restructured.

With all officers certified, they are able to step in for each other in an emergency. In addition, Dexter acknowledged that even with the training, the instruction is demanding.

Funds for registration and housing for the three-day event, about $520, will come from the DARE budget.

Council members are supportive of the program, as are teachers at Wyoming Elementary School. Council member Lynn Koalska said she would not want to cut DARE from the city budget unless another source of funds could be found for it.

Council encouraged officers Dexter and Rodd to propose a draft change for the police departmentís ride-along policy, particularly as it applies to minors.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïLearned Coryell and Council member Martin English attended a county HRA business retention and expansion program Jan. 24.

ïLearned Bill Thibault is making progress on the land use study.

ïLearned former Council member Ed Andler is recovering at home from surgery.

ïLearned City Well 3 was operational on Jan. 24.

ïChose not to contribute funds at this time to pay for drawings of the new library building, because there are greater budget needs.

ïDirected Coryell to draft a resolution of appreciation for Dave Bergeron.

ïApproved the appointment of Daniel Jon Bergin as a probationary member of the Wyoming Fire Department.

ïLearned the preliminary plat for the Ebenezer residence on the Fairview campus is to be submitted again

ïLearned the fire relief training for the fire department has been completed.

ïApproved, with corrections, minutes of the Jan. 6 regular council meeting.

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