Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Newly elected Mayor Sheldon Anderson and Council Members Allen Juneau and Thomas LaBarre were sworn in Monday at the first Wyoming meeting of 2005. City Administrator Jill Teetzel officiated.

In a rapidly paced session, the meeting was shifted to the community room for future meetings to provide space for more visitors. In addition, the regular meeting days were changed to the first and third Tuesdays of the month to avoid conflict with the fire department which regularly has training meetings on the second, third, and fourth Mondays in the same space. The changes were unanimously adopted by resolution.

Stars & Strikes

Nancy Immel and Betsy Rud, developers of the proposed Stars and Strikes entertainment facility regularly attend council meetings.

Immel spoke first, asking that discussion and possible negotiation of the water and sewer connect fees for their project be placed on the meeting agenda. Efforts to reach an agreement have been ongoing as both requested concessions from the city for what they believe are high fees. Only the city council can negotiate fees or recommend variation from set fees.

Immel has spoken and written about the dilemma, estimating about $50,000 a year in tax revenue to the city when the complex opens. She named other Minnesota cities which have made reductions for larger businesses in the water and sewer connect charges. She believes the city set precedent in paying the WAC and SAC charges for the new library.

The women requested consideration or adjustment in unit charges, similar to those for the Ebenezer complex, Meadows on Fairview. Immel said they have searched for other sources of funds to help them meet the $320,000 needed for the WAC and SAC fees.

She asked council not to act in an arbitrary and capricious manner, otherwise the site is likely to remain raw land for several years.

At the last council meeting of 2004, it was suggested that Stars and Strikes proposals be presented to the new council.

Rud said they asked to be placed on the agenda for the meeting. But she was more concerned that in written communication with CM Ted Phillips, they were being reprimanded for seeking outside assistance or trying to negotiate the fees.

She wanted to know why he would say they were ìout of line to try to get assistance from the Department of Economic Development.î

Although apparently prepared to do so, Rud and Immel said it inappropriate to submit a monetary offer to an informal meeting of a not-yet-sworn-in council. LaBarre said that they had been looking for a proposal.

Phillips was opposed to adding discussion to the meeting and proposed it be tabled until Jan. 18. He wanted any proposals to go to staff first for their recommendation.

Teetzel agreed with Phillips saying since the city had not received a written proposal it could not be placed on the agenda. There has appeared to be a lag between when complete information is requested and when it is supplied.

While council might not consider reducing the amount of the WAC and SAC fees, they thought a payment plan might be arranged or that only charges for the water connection might be made.

Faced by the impasse, Rud was angry when she concluded her presentation saying, ìwe will no longer waste our time with the city of Wyoming.î

Official newspaper

Council Monday voted to change the cityís official newspaper to the Forest Lake Press of White Bear Lake for 2005.

The Press bid shows $6.25 per column inch, in 7-point type with nine lines per inch. The other bid was from the Forest Lake Times at $7.95 per column inch, with 8-point type and eight lines per inch.

Teetzel said both are weekly papers with delivery in Wyoming, with the cost for the Press lower. Due to the change in meeting day there will be a time lag for either paper to publish meeting information.

There was no mention of circulation in the Press bid or specific zip codes where it is delivered. The current Times circulation is 13,250.

There is some overlap in delivery areas, but there are likely to be changes for those who regularly receive official city legal notices. The Forest Lake Times has served as Wyomingís legal newspaper since the early 1970s.

By resolution, council designated the First State Bank of Wyoming as the official depository for the city. This action continues the long relationship the city has had with the local bank.

Special election

By resolution council adopted and ratified an ordinance identifying circumstances under which a special election may be held, other than regular city elections.

Official notice must still be filed two weeks before the filing period opens, 10-day filing period is still in effect, election is still scheduled between 14 and 45 days after the filing period, and polling hours remain 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Council scheduled a special election for Thursday, Feb. 17, for purposes of electing a permanent city council member.

Bob Hittner was appointed to fill a council position vacated by the resignation of Martin English in November. The filing period is Jan. 19-28, during regular city hall hours. The filing fee is $2.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605