Posted: 3/26/03

Council extends Regal Machine loan

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council on March 17 unanimously passed a resolution granting an extension of the term of a Minnesota Investment Fund loan to Regal Machine, Inc. The purpose of the loan extension is to allow more time for the company to generate the number of jobs promised in the original contract.

Kirsten Barsness, financial consultant for the city, spoke in favor of granting the extension based upon the companyís performance. According to Barsness, the business is a good anchor for the Wyoming Business Park.

The loan program is state funded to assist companies with startup costs. Barsness said Regal Machine is making new hires, expanding its product line, and developing new products.

One of the conditions of the loan was the creation of about 12 new jobs. With the recent economic downturn in business, jobs at the company dropped from 40 to 26, but have since climbed back to 32.

In answer to questions, owner Greg Evgen said the companyís gross income has gone from about $4 million down to about $2.6 million in 2001, and climbed back to over $3 million in 2002. This year Evgen anticipates the business will gross about $3.6 million.

In the body of the resolution, extension would grant Regal ìadditional time to meet its job creation requirement as stipulated in the loan agreement.î The one-year extension was approved after a public hearing.

Library update

Sheree Vincent, chair of the Wyoming Area Library Society, told council that architect Jack Anderson is eager to work with the community, specifically library society members and the council, to develop an architectural rendering of the proposed building.

The architectural drawing would become the property of the society and could be used on stationery and other printed material, thus advertising the project.

Andersonís estimate of the cost of this work is about $2100, and would not obligate the city or the society to employ him as the architect for the project. Vincent believes $3000 is a more reasonable estimate and asked the city to provide half the support, since plans are to build multipurpose rooms in the facility to be shared by the branch library and city hall.

Council voted unanimously to fund half the cost of the project, up to $1500, with the funds to come from funds the city receives from charitable gambling. The fund balance is about $11,200 now.

Vincent also brought the council up-to-date on the status of proposed library fund raising for the Wyoming Area Branch Library.

The most immediate is partnering with Pinehaven Farm for an Easter egg hunt, scheduled for Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19. Various ìhuntsî will be scheduled throughout the day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Admission for the event is $5.25 for kids and $3.25 for adults, with small additional fees for special activities.

The hunts are planned for the Christmas tree fields, with a Kritter Korral with 15 animals, including some with young animals. The Easter Bunny plans to make an appearance to greet children and pose for pictures. Face painting will be available.

The East Central Library bookmobile will be onsite both days so people can check out books and sign up for library cards. A story hour is scheduled 11:30 a.m. to noon each day.

Members of the library society will be present to answer questions. Gift cards will be available for purchase.

In a quote from the press release, Sue Hastings of Pinehaven Farm said, ìWeíre very excited to be partnering with the library society, this gives us the opportunity to give back to the community we love so much!î

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library building fund. For more information contact John or Sue Hastings at 651-462-1704 or check their website www.pinehavenfarm.com.

Other reports

Council member Lynn Koalska said the park board also has some community plans for that day. She urged communication between groups to coordinate events.

Among other upcoming fund-raisers is a Community garage sale planned May 31, with participants in the city and Stacy, as well as township residents of Lent, Linwood, and Wyoming, able to take advantage of coordinated, planned publicity.

The Library society will man ìcommand centralî at the bank parking lot, with a used book sale, and lists of addresses for all participating garage sales.

Oct. 11, 2003 is shaping up as the date for a Run, Bike, and Walk for books on the Sunrise Prairie Bike Trail. Word has it Congressman James Oberstar will participate in the event.

In the fall of 2004 a gala event is being planned. There are ongoing candy bar sales at businesses around Wyoming, with all profits going to the building fund.

Vincent said raffle ideas are sought. Council member Sandy Standridge suggested an appraisal forum, similar to Antiques Road Show.

Finally, Vincent invited interested residents to Library Society meetings. The group meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Fairview Medical Center.

More reports

At the last meeting, Kevin Teel provided information from the DNR about using the snowmobile registration number to assign responsibility for violations. The police department has only ticketed violators if they could also be visually identified.

Koalska said she has received e-mail from other residents complaining about riders on lawns, and concluded, ìKevin is not alone in his complaint.î If the riders continue to run on the rights-of-way and the parks, one possible solution is to ban riding altogether inside the city limits.

Attorney Tom Miller is to check with Chisago County to determine how the county wishes to proceed regarding prosecution of riders who violate snowmobile ordinances. He suggested the city ordinance may need to be reviewed.

Four bids have been received from consultants to evaluate the relationship between the city and the police department. Before making a selection, the city has to be certain all four understand what is wanted in the evaluation.

Not all bids are for the same work. Administrator Dennis Coryell emphasized all are qualified but are ìall over the place on whatís needed.î

Maintenance department personnel are putting finishing touches on heavy duty signs for each of the city parks. Standridge said they are being made of heavy lumber, with park names routed out.

Koalska was impressed by the tour of the fire station and learning about the amount of training for volunteers. Many of the calls the department gets are medical emergencies.

She urged a resolution of appreciation for the entire force, with special recognition for the experience and leadership demonstrated by Fire Chief Dennis Berry.

Council member Martin English and Chris Eng, Chisago HRA, have interviewed several businesses in the city to find out about planned expansions. They are trying to find out how the city can help businesses.

Finally, council heard a proposal from Arlyn Jensen about the possibility of building a recreational facility in the northern end of the Wyoming Business Park. He wants to develop a business to rent bicycles, offer mini-golf, and possibly other activities.

His proposal is in keeping with the zoning in the area. Miller said the first step is getting a survey of the area he is proposing to purchase to get a legal description.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïApproved $1100 for the purchase of new printer for water and sewer bills, with half the money to come from the water and sewer fund and half from the gambling fund. This is not a budgeted purchase.

ïAfter requesting the department get at least three bids, approved the purchase of a new photo copy machine for the police department, with money to come from the departmental supplemental fund.

ïApproved a contribution of $500 to Wyoming Elementary School to help with the costs of publishing the Wyoming calendar. Funds are to come from the gambling fund.

ïMet in closed session to discuss union negotiations.

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