Posted: 5/14/03

Council amends subsidy policies

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

By a vote of 5-0 on May 5, Wyoming City Council passed a resolution amending the city business subsidy policy. State law requires periodic amendments to the cityís business subsidy policies. The action basically applies to tax abatement programs.

Among the requirements is one that the business benefiting from the tax abatement program, generate jobs with a base pay at least 105 percent of the state minimum wage.

A recent written complaint to Chris Eng of the Chisago County HRA was that Bruceís IGA that has a tax abatement agreement with the city, did not meet its goal of generating the required number of new jobs.

Authorized by the county board to respond, Eng reported that the grocery store had generated 35 jobs, two more than the required 33.

Kirsten Barsness, EDA consultant, monitors the program for the city. The particular agreement with the IGA market is for 10 years, about two-thirds of the allowable term, and at 75 percent of maximum allowable dollars.

Funds are reserved to help pay for utilities related to the store construction. This is consistent with the county approach to attracting business to the area. The purpose is to increase the commercial tax base, to retain jobs in the area.

Building code

Council members unanimously passed a resolution to amend the Wyoming code ordinance, chapter two, by adopting the current state building code. Minnesota has recently adopted the International Building Code, International Residential Code and an updated fire code.

City Administrator Dennis Coryell explained there are some differences in the way sprinkler systems are installed in buildings and differences in the loadings of roof and foundations. Construction begun under the UBC in effect now, shall continue to be inspected in adherence to those criteria.

Library update

Bringing the council up-to-date on the progress of the library fund raising activity, County Commissioner Ben Montzka told council that Lindstrom and Chisago City are considering subordinate funding system to help raise money toward construction of the building.

Within the city, other fund-raisers are planned, including a Community garage sale planned for 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.

More topics

Council initiated $25-per-meeting compensation for members who participate in union negotiations.

The vote was 3-0-2, with Martin English and Lynn Koalska abstaining. Koalska had asked for some compensation for the numerous, lengthy meetings.

Last year this amounted to 20 meetings, beyond other expected council responsibilities, some lasting as long as four hours. All others at the negotiating table are getting paid for their time, while council negotiators are taking unpaid time away from work.

Past negotiator Ed Andler is to be contacted about his last yearís work as a negotiator.

In cost-saving efforts, city departments have been asked to shop for the best deal on gas prices. Council member Ted Phillips said about $2,800 has been donated to the city over three years, from Citgo gas profits.

In addition, police vehicles get a discount on car washes, and assist with paperwork to help the city qualify for the federal tax rebate. Phillips said that gas at all stations is not the same quality. Taking the quality of gasoline into consideration, Koalska still urged shopping for the best price.

Residents west of the freeway are seeking help with mosquito control. Some forms of control work only if surrounding areas use the same control method and there is a cooperative effort. No decision was made.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïLearned Wyoming police officers are to participate in a color guard on National Law Enforcement Memorial Day on May 15.

ïAsked engineer Lee Elfering to check grading work in the industrial park to be certain the drainage plans for the area are not altered.

ïTabled a decision about authorizing a fire department gambling operation until the next meeting.

ïLearned two Park board members have resigned because of a change of jobs.

ïLearned the maintenance department has completed signs for the city parks.

ïMayor Vern Haag reported on the property tax board of review and alerted residents to the impact of the increase in property valuation. In the last year residential property values in Chisago County have risen on average 13 percent, with farmland increasing on average 17 percent. During the same period, commercial property values have increased about 20 percent, 10 percent due to increased land valuation. The direct impact of increased property valuation is an increase in property taxes.

Top of Page