Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

About 30 residents attended the Wyoming City Council meeting on Aug. 2 seeking more information about proposed rezoning of land west of the freeway along Kettle River Blvd. The area being considered is west of I-35, between the freeway and Kettle River Blvd. The project was discussed at the planning commission meeting Aug. 1.

Many are opposed to the possibility of Roosters, Inc. MX locating in a residential area and the heavy traffic they believe it will bring to Kettle River Blvd.

Originally the ATV recreational facility was proposed for the Wyoming Business Park on the north end of the city, between the freeway and Forest Blvd. The EDA will review the matter this week.

Others attending the meeting were residents from Shoreline Court in Chisago City. The pipe-laying project for the regional sewer system has meant some streets have been torn up.

In particular, residents were concerned about the condition of CR-19 and CR-77. Work on the project was stopped for a while until correction of the soils problem could be approved.

According to Engineer Lee Elfering, CR-77 was neglected during a wet period, July 23-24. Elfering said the soil is clay and to dry out the area it has to be dug up and spread out to dry, then the process repeated. Elfering ended up calling the contractor and stopping work on the project until the street/ditch/drainage problems were corrected so the roads would be passable.

Mail has not been delivered on several days because delivery cars cannot get through. In addition, street signs are to be placed temporarily, so residents know from which direction to approach homes. There have been many very long detours that have been tough on cars as a result of no signs being posted.

Council members were sympathetic to the requests. Mayor Sheldon Anderson assured Chisago City residents the city will ìstay on top of it.î

Fire truck bonds

Council passed a resolution authorizing the sale of general obligations bonds for a new fire truck. The truck price is $290,000.

Three bids were obtained. The best terms were offered by Lino Lakes State Bank; nine years at three-percent. Total interest is estimated at just under $59,200. Approval for the purchase has already been made by the council. Council approval for the bonds was unanimous.

Water extension

Elfering presented a cost estimate for extending another city water main across the freeway. The reason for the planned extension is to maintain a good water supply and adequate water pressure.

Elfering estimated the cost for the expansion at $200,000, with the crossing site at near the west end of 260th street. This location is near a 10-inch diameter water main and near a water tower and city well.

The project would require negotiations to secure adequate right-of-way for the work. As proposed, it would cross under the freeway to a spot near the north end of the proposed Roosters, Inc. MX site.

Wyoming Township resident Mark Utecht asked council to pay close attention to annexation requests and zoning, especially rezoning requests. While Utecht is on the merger negotiations committee, he spoke in a private capacity.

Utecht asked council to ìproceed with cautionî and to consider merger plans. The township is trying to do the same thing to avoid ìspot zoningî with no long-term plan, he said.

He was speaking positively, but anticipating city and township consolidation. He said he wanted to be certain neither governing body makes quick decisions that might adversely affect a newly consolidated government unit.

Dave Jape asked council to have agenda information for the Tuesday regular meetings ready sooner than 3 p.m. the Friday before the council meetings. Those who wish to speak for or against an issue need time to plan to attend meetings, he said.

Police Chief Tony Pangal announced that Polaris has donated a 4-wheel Ranger ATV to the Wyoming Police department. The machine will be used for search and rescue, mutual aid situations, and in ATV safety programs.

Pangal said it is another safety tool for community.

Other matters

In other business, the council:

ïLearned from CM Tom LaBarre that playground equipment for Goodview Park has been delivered. Assembly is planned for Aug. 19-20 at the park. Interested volunteers can get information from the city by calling 651-462-0575.

ïAnswered a question from Stars and Strikes that the proposed location of the business is not inside the TIF district.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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