Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

No question about it, local residents wanted information about the consolidation/merger decisions of city of Wyoming and what remains of Wyoming Township.

City and township officials approved the merger at separate meetings on Dec. 6 and Wednesday, Dec. 28 was a night for residents to hear first hand what the deal will create.

Overwhelmingly, those attending the public hearing last week, 130 of the 150 were township residents. Besides those in the audience, were the township and city officials, who worked on the consolidation proposal.

The majority of those attending were basically supportive of the concept of merger for the two entities and the documents which describe the process by which this can be accomplished.

One point of contention in the eyes of some city and town residents was the format for the new city council.

Roger Elmore, chairman of the Wyoming Town Board, said the public hearing was called after the vote to merger by both city and township officials to avoid a contested case annexation that is feared from Chisago City. Its purpose was to address misinformation and myths.

Elmore, Supervisor Mark Utecht, Mayor Sheldon Anderson and CM Tom LaBarre have been partners in the discussions along with Attorney Tim Sime of Rinke-Noonan, and Dave Callister and Rebecca Kurtz of Ehlers & Associates.

Tax outlook

During all the planning, officialsí concerns were about how to deal with taxes when/if the city and township are merged, so that no one takes a big tax hit. The goal is to hold the line on taxes, particularly for those not receiving municipal services. Officials are also intent on keeping taxes from rising in the city as the township comes into the city.

ìWe think weíve done a good job,î Elmore said.

Summaries of the effect on taxes, land use, and municipal services were provided. Graphs supported statements about tax impact of the consolidation.

Copies of the merger documents were also available so residents could look at specific sections. There were large maps showing the areas to be joined.

Primarily responsible for putting together the legal documents, Attorney Sime said the merger is a way for the city and township to control their destinies. Planners considered taxes, land use, municipal services. They tried to make this as ìseamless as possible,î he said.

Sime said the merger is unique in the state. Here are two groups agreeing to merge and two council members willing to give up council seats so two township supervisors can take their respective places on the city council for the expanded city.

Other details

Under the merger plan, planning commissions for the city and township will continue to function until a comprehensive land-use plan for the new city can be developed.

Concerns voiced by residents were practical and covered four basic things: property valuation, land use, utilities, and make-up of the new council.

Among the questions answered and information provided were:

ïThe merger will have no effect on property valuation.

ïSchool district boundaries will be unaffected.

ïLand use and zoning will remain the same under the merger, until a new comprehensive plan can be developed. A new land use plan will likely consider historic and traditional uses for land in rural township areas, as farming and hunting.

ïTownship residents will be allowed to use wells and septic systems to benefit from their investment.

ïA time table will likely be established for hook-up to municipal sewer and water, once these utilities are available.

ïMunicipal services will be first extended down Goodview in anticipation of commercial growth, from there likely toward Comfort Lake. However, extension will be need driven.

ïFire protection will change little, since the Wyoming Fire Department provides most of the fire protection in the township now.

ïThe Wyoming Police Department, with the addition of two officers and squad car can provide protection for the newly annexed township area.

ïAdministrative staff and township employees will be merged with city staff.

ïElmore and other supervisors will be asked to help with the selection of the new city administrator.

A key concern

The only real dispute about the annexation came from some city and township residents regarding the proposed make-up of the city council.

City resident Linda Yeager, asked which council members will resign. Council seats (four-year terms) held by Ted Phillips and Joe Zerwas are up for election this year. Mayoral election (two-year term) is also to be held in 2006.

Yeager supported election of an entirely new council. Then, ìwe all have a say in a brand new council,î she said.

Several residents expressed similar opinions.

Nancy Immel, township resident but Wyoming business owner, spoke for a complete election of officials. Once the two entities are combined, she would like to see an election of all officials. Even if some step down, it is possible that none of those on the council are those she voted for.

Sime said the expanded city would also need people familiar with its operation. Yeager observed that the new council purged everyone.

It is possible that in the election in November residents might be asked to vote on whether or not they want a five- or seven-member city council.

Don Taylor, a former Wyoming Township resident, now a Chisago City resident and council member, said he ìapplauds the actionî of the city and township and opposed the hostile annexation action taken by Chisago City.

Pat Rich, also a former township resident who now lives in Chisago City, alerted township residents of a Chisago City meeting, posted at the Chisago City post office and city hall of a special meeting scheduled for 6:30 Tuesday, Jan. 3, related to contesting the annexation. He urged township residents to show up and ask questions.

Sean Wagner, township resident, said the new city could provide services not available in the past. He was pleased officials have ìaddressed all of our concerns,î particularly high taxes with no city services. He believes it will be possible to work out details with the new council, as it was with the town board in the past. ìWyoming City will listen. Chisago City still has the same mayor,î he said.

Buck Schott, a member of the township planning commission, urged residents to support officials in the merger. Contested annexation is planned for Jan. 4, 2006.

Jerry Owens, township resident, commented that what officials have developed is a ìgood agreement, not perfect, but good.î He urged everyone to work for what is best for the city.

Sime concluded that details must be worked out but that city and township officials have set up a framework for the new city.

The annexation is not final until the agreement is approved by the State of Minnesota. The hearing about the matter is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2006. The meeting began at 7 p.m. and was adjourned around 8:40 p.m.

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