Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council on June 7 authorized the scheduling of a public hearing to consider the question of annexation to the city of property owned by Myron and Beatrice Zaruba and took action approving other annexation matters.

After a public hearing with only a few comments, council passed a resolution 4-0 approving the annexation of property owned by the Bauer family in Wyoming Township.

Council voted 4-0 to approve the annexation of property owned by Advanced Property Development, LLC, located near 258th and Kettle River Blvd., west of I-35, into the city. Property was formerly owned by Marilyn and Glenn Mauritz.

Property owned by Fegowi Development, Inc. located in the township, just south of the city boundary, was also annexed by a 4-0 council vote.

Answering questions from the audience, Miller said all the annexations were approved on the condition there will be no development until utilities are available to the land.

Police reserves

Police Chief Tony Pangal introduced the three new Wyoming Police Department reservists. The trio recently completed an 18-week training course with Washington County.

Officer Lance Beardsley is the city training officer for Tony Mickelson, Matthew Mitchell and Chad Wiener. They will be available to assist officers at events/situations where crowd control is necessary, vacation checks, and providing transports to jail and detox in Hastings.

Approval for the reservist program came Jan. 3 and four candidates were announced Feb. 2. Wyoming is the first city in Chisago County to establish a police reserve program.

Although unbudgeted, the $500 to finance the program is to come from money designated for snowmobile patrol postponed last winter. Reservists assume the cost of providing their own uniforms.

Council questions

CM Tom LaBarre had questions about the bill for 16 hours of work submitted by Barsness Consulting. Kirsten Barsness serves as a financial consultant to the city. He thought there appeared to be duplicated work with some items Ehlers has done as well.

Miller said she has been a consultant for EDA/TIF for about three or four years. Mayor Sheldon Anderson asked staff to find the contract, agreement, or related notes about the services she provides to the city.

Miller and staff are to check notes and files to find documentation of the agreement with Barsness. Based on the hours, Anderson said he thinks there are double charges. Approval was tabled until the June 21st meeting by a vote of 4-0.

There were questions about the repairs of the one-ton truck used jointly by the maintenance, and the water and sewer departments. Referring to maintenance log on the vehicle, Supervisor Bill Eisenmenger said the warranty expired in 1996 and repair costs since then have totaled just under $9000. Normal maintenance was not included in his figure. The 1993 vehicle has been used as a plow truck and the front-end is worn. Eisenmenger estimated it would cost $2000-$3000 to get the truck ready for winter plowing.

CM Ted Phillips asked about budgeted costs for a new truck. Eisenmenger said $8000 has been set for a replacement, with half coming from each department. He reminded council cuts from capital improvements have postponed a purchase. Usually the city tries to buy a demonstration truck at a savings of about $10,000 and purchase in a lease/buy arrangement.

Engineer Lee Elfering reported the newest lift-station was turned over to the sewer commission because it is directly connected to the force main. He was asked about savings for the city to contract with the regional system for maintenance.

The city is paying for part of the cost of the truck that maintains the regional system. For specific city maintenance the city would be charged the cost of the equipment and commission employees to do any city work.

Council requested a breakdown of costs for city maintenance workers to provide routine maintenance for lift stations versus regional sewer commission providing some of this service.

LaBarre asked about the cost of the police telephone service. Bill from Frontier for service alone was just over $580 for the past month. The service is for eight lines. With 40-60 calls daily Police Chief Pangal said the need for individual lines and voice messaging for officers. But, he was surprised at the cost, thinking some was for equipment. Staff is to check on this service and hope to make an adjustment in costs.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïLearned from Anderson no further merger meetings are scheduled for the time being.

ïLearned from Phillips Lino Lakes State Bank may be locating a branch in Wyoming.

ïLearned Pangal will be in Vermont June 10-24, completing requirements for a masters in justice administration from Norwich University, Northfield.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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