Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area ReporterWyomingís lawn watering regulations were amended by city council June 7. Residents using city water to water their lawns must adhere to the odd-even watering schedule.
Those with odd-numbered addresses can water only on odd days of the month; even-numbered addresses can water on even-numbered days, with no sprinkling allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Those with new sod or newly seeded lawns can obtain a permit from the city to water for 30 consecutive days with city water, provided there is no declared water emergency. Hand-watering of shrubs, bushes and trees is allowed at any time if there is no water emergency.
Residents who pump water from a lake or have their own shallow well must have their alternate water source inspected by the building inspector for an annual fee of $25.50. The city permit must be displayed on the public right-of-way.
The alternate source may be used for only one residence. With this permit, residents have no restrictions on lawn watering. Information and required forms are available at the city offices.
The vote was unanimous 4-0. CM Martin English was present for discussion and decisions during the early part of the meeting and needed to return home before the vote.
Council also passed a resolution for an ordinance addressing city action when water shortages might exist in the city. A committee consisting of the city administrator, engineer, maintenance supervisor, and police chief will determine when a water emergency situation exists to such an extent that it could prohibit lawn sprinkling.
The vote was 4-0 in favor of the ordinance.
Scooter talk
Discussion about operation of motorized scooters has been ongoing since at least two council members reported nearly hitting very young riders. With passage of the ordinance regulating operation, these vehicles, most with less than 50 CC motors, are banned from sidewalks and public property, except in areas specifically designated by the city.
Riders must have written permission of property owner or tenant to ride on private property. They cannot be ridden in careless or reckless manner. Speeds on the streets must be below 18 mph and operation is between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
CM Ted Phillips said the responsibility for these vehicles lies in the hands of parents. CM Sandy Standridge commented that about five residents attended the meetings about these vehicles.
Most council members agreed supervision of young riders is the responsibility of parents; however the big concern is young riders who have no experience with driving, street rules or control of speed.
State patrol has left regulation of these vehicles up to the cities. Police Chief Anthony Pangal explained they can go fast enough, but they are not regulated, and are legal only on private property. Legal advisers commented that the ìscooter issue is so chaotic,î the League of Minnesota Cities has no guidelines.
Pangalís said the ordinance is a compromise, ìbecause so many communities are banning them completely.î
The vote was 3-1 in favor of accepting the ordinance. Phillips cast the dissenting vote.
Other topics
On the recommendation of the Engineer Lee Elfering, council passed a resolution to extend a 16-inch diameter city water main to the northeast corner of the city. This will provide water service to the Polaris site.
Approval authorizes Elfering to advertise for bids to get the work started. Approval includes plans and specifications for the pipe. Approval was 4-0.
A park dedication fee was not included in the development agreement between Polaris Industries, Inc. and the city. However, after an appeal by former park board member Kevin Teel, the company offered a contribution of $10,000 to the cityís park fund as a gesture of good will. Council applauded the contribution.
The new council business included a moratorium on variances on the issuance of conditional use permits in the industrial park for a period of six months. Permitted uses of the land in the area are still allowed.
Several visitors thought the moratorium meant no conditional use permits of any kind would be issued, but the moratorium is specific to variances in the zoning ordinance as it now exists. As part of its work, the planning commission is beginning a review of permitted uses in the area to make the zoning clearer and coherent.
Administrator Jill Teetzel reported on the pipeline expansion for the regional sewer system. The joint sewer commission is recommending larger pipes now, rather than replacing pipes later when more transfer capacity is needed. City residential growth is limited to 1.5 percent annually or about 18 homes a year.
Chisago County is about to sell bonds in the amount of $6.5 million for the three East Central Branch Library building projects.
The police department is seeking candidates for new officers. About 80-100 applications have been mailed and of those, 30 have been returned. Application has been made for a federal grant in the amount of $130,000 that if awarded to the city would make it possible to hire two new officers.
Car dealership
Only recently, by a split 3-2 vote, council approved the location of Good Used Cars in the industrial park. While council said the business is appropriate for the area, the zoning ordinance currently prohibits retail sales in the area.
CM Lynn Koalska wanted clarification that her opposition to the location Good Used Cars in the industrial park, reports about the May 17 meeting, had more to do with not overriding planning commission recommendations than opposition to the business itself. Planning does not want to see a lot of variances issued for the area.
She believes the business is a good fit for the area, but opposes in principal, overriding the recommendation of either advisory group, Planning or EDA.
Other business
In other business, council:
ïLearned ground breaking for Polaris Industries, Inc. is scheduled 9 a.m. June 17.
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