Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area ReporterProgress continues on plans for Polaris Industries planned move to a new site in Wyoming, officials reported at a special meeting Monday in Wyoming.
City Engineer Lee Elfering reported on the wastewater abandonment plan. Details must be negotiated with Chisago City and Polaris Industries. Other key factors are timing the cityís hook-up with the regional sewer system and closing the wastewater treatment site for Polaris plant construction.
Polaris representatives, attorneys, engineers, county and city officials met for a workshop/information exchange on Monday. Mayor Vern Haag and Lynn Koalska attended the information session on behalf of council.
Attorney Tom Miller identified the main issue as the decommissioning of the wastewater treatment site and the timetable associated with completion. Miller told the group that ìby December 2006 everything has to be doneî and the city be hooked up to an operational wastewater treatment plant, because ìthere is no Plan B.î
Elfering outlined the four phases of the plan as he sees them. All parts are somewhat flexible and negotiable; with input from the city, county, possibly the township, and Polaris.
Phase I is the closing date of June 15, 2004. Spray irrigation stops in Zones 1 and 4 in the north parcel. All above-ground pipes are to be removed and underground pipes are to be cleared of sludge, inspected, and capped at both ends. More irrigation is to be shifted to the south parcel. Some underground pipe may be removed.
In Phase 2, from the closing date until about Oct. 2005, the city will operate under a modified spraying system. Polaris will begin construction of a test track on the north parcel.
Phase 3 when irrigation can be completely stopped on the north parcel, removing irrigators in Zones 2 and 3 on the north parcel. Miller wants the contractor involved from the beginning. Koalska wants to be certain the sewage plant can operate until the city hooks up with the regional system.
Phase 4 depends upon when the pipeline can be hooked up. As soon as this is done, sludge removal can begin. This can only be done in early spring, before planting, and late fall, after harvest, so there are fields that can take the sludge.
This will likely take a year. Time to complete sludge removal is dependent upon the volume of sludge. The police shooting range at the west end of the property will be closed by the fall of 2005.
Ultimately, the entire decommissioning of the wastewater treatment site is dependent upon the completion of the Chisago Sewer Project and the city being able to hook up to the system.
All those present seemed ready to cooperate and make adjustments to complete the project. Haag and Koalska said they want to be certain the city can treat wastewater safely and meet PCA requirements during the transition to the regional system. Officials will meet Jan.16 to further discuss costs of the regional system and financing.
Appointments
Appointments for all committees, with the exception of the Rush Line representative, park board members and the EDA chairman, were approved by Wyoming City Council on Jan. 5.
Most council members are retaining liaison assignments. One issue discussed is the importance of council liaisons keeping other council members updated about the meetings they attend and reports they receive.
Another related concern is having effective city committees. While valuing volunteer time, council members seek volunteers who want to make a contribution to the city, doing more than attending meetings. Because they believe volunteers are sincere in their efforts, Council members Martin English and Ted Phillips said they would be reluctant to ask a volunteer to step-down from a committee.
Council member Lynn Koalska agreed with English and Phillips but said she has attended at least one meeting where differences of opinion made it difficult to conduct business. Everyone agreed committees should be working as teams. Differences of opinion are important, but they should be working differences, not just unexplained opposition without alternative suggestions, she said.
Chip Yeager, chair of the planning commission, wants consistency for committee membership. He believes if alternates are selected for committees, the practice should be the same for all committees. Alternates would help keep committees operating at effective strength in case a member is unable to participate for several meetings.
Also openings were announced on the park board and the planning commission. Residents interested in serving on either of these committees are invited and encouraged to contact city hall for more information 651-462-0575. Information is available online at: www.wyomingmn.org.
Other decisions
Council unanimously approved the contract with Jack Kramer, city building inspector. One addition to the contract is the requirement that copies of floor plans of inspected buildings be given to the fire department.
While no decision was made at the meeting, council discussed a request from Fire Chief Dennis Berry that the city re-establish annual inspection of businesses in the city. Of particular importance are up-to-date floor plans so firefighters have maps of building interiors in the event of a fire. This is to be discussed at a future meeting.
Kramerís upcoming work for the city includes review of plans related to the Polaris plant and Fairview projects. He will be busy with this work. Some firefighters are being trained to do fire inspections, with training expected to be completed in April.
City residents were reminded that the speed limit for snowmobiles on residential streets is 10 mph. In addition, snowmobiles are not allowed on boulevards.
There have been complaints about snowmobiles on yards and across park areas. Those with complaints need only to get the registration number for the police department to contact the machine owner.
Rick Vangen, a resident living near Ashton Lake asked if there were prohibitions against snowmobiles on the lake.
Property lines for homes around the lake extend into the lake itself, in pie-like pieces, and meet roughly in the middle. While the homeowners own the lake bottom, they do not own the water, officials said.
Snowmobiles may operate on Ashton if they get permission from property owner(s) to cross private property to get there. Public easements are for installation of utilities and not considered public access to the lakes. Koalska noted a regulation that prohibits the operation of snowmobiles within 100 feet of an ice rink.
The city is seeking initial independent legal advice about its choices related to Chisago Cityís proposed annexation of more than half of Wyoming Township.
Council is trying to determine how much money should be spent on a problem the city did not create. Options are to join with Chisago City, actively oppose the annexation, or do nothing.
Koalska asked if plans for a garage for the public safety department could be included in the city building upgrades and plans for re-facing the existing building. She said it makes sense to do the planning now, rather than piece-meal. This would include prices for options.
English reported the state mediator met again with the union negotiating team and the union.
Other business
In other business, council:
ïLearned that Jill Teetzel, recently hired as city administrator, begins work with the city Jan. 26. She will be leaving a position in city of Coon Rapids where she managed police department support staff.
ïTabled setting the 2004 city fee schedule until the Jan. 20 meeting.
ïLearned from Sgt. Scott Dexter the Police Supplemental Fund has a balance of about $15,000.
ïLearned that when contracts are signed, retroactive pay is only for 2003 and checks are to be audited before being issued.
ïLearned the police department pays $300 annually to join the police training association in Chisago County.
ïApproved the renewal of the Cornerstone liquor license for 2004.
ïTabled a decision about increases in council pay. Any changes made would not go into effect until after the next elections.
ïLearned the union has responded to the cityís contract offers.
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