Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

In his report to the Wyoming City Council, Dec. 20, Attorney Tom Miller said the independent investigation about Police Chief Tony Pangal has been completed.

The report has been given to the personnel committee, which will make recommendations. Council is likely to address this issue at its Jan. 3 meeting.

The chief of police has been on paid administrative leave since October following a complaint that was filed against the city employee. The independent investigator was retained shortly after the leave was ordered by the city councill.

Sewer agreement

City council on Dec. 20 also passed a resolution approving the agreement between the cities of Stacy, Chisago City and Wyoming about cost allocation for construction of the jointly utilized sanitary sewer facilities.

CityEngineer Lee Elfering provided rationale for the various parts of the agreement.

Most are based upon flow in the pipes and origin. Costs are based upon proportionate use each municipality makes of lift stations, pipeline, and of the facility.

The resolution formalizes agreements made between these cities. Vote was unanimous, 5-0.

In his report, Elfering told the council that the bypass of city wastewater into the new joint pipeline has begun. After final modifications, the pipeline should be fully operational by the end of the year.

As a new business item, council members passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of an automatic meter reading system from Minnesota Pipe and Equipment.

This company had the best bid for the project. Bill Eisenmenger, maintenance supervisor, said some of the older meters no longer measure accurately.

This may be one of the ways the city is losing water. Installation of this system will allow for automatic reading of water use. Billing will shift from quarterly to monthly.

Money to pay for the project and equipment is to be taken from the water and sewer fund. This action is based on the recommendation from Carolyn Drude, city financial advisor (Ehlers & Associates) and Steve McDonald, accountant (Abdo, Eick, and Meyers). Cost of the entire project is just under $292,400.

Due to the nature of the work assumed by Sandy Berry in the absence of a city administrator, council approved action ìremoving the Assistant to the Administrator position and creating an Assistant City Administrator position.î

Council passed a resolution approving vacation and compensation time payout for employees who could not carry this forward into 2006. A total of 80 hours vacation time and 40 hours of compensation time are carried forward.

Payout is for 73.5 hours of vacation time and 29.39 hours of compensation time. The action is required because of changes in personnel which did not allow this time to be used.

Sgt. Scott Dexter is completing paperwork on forfeiture for several vehicles.

When paperwork is returned from the Chisago County Attorneyís office, these will be transferred into the cityís name and prepared for auction.

Dexter reported 70 applications for the police department eligibility list. He and Officer Brian Rod scored the applications. Interviews with 19 of the applicants were held Dec. 14-15. Several of these applicants will be selected for a second interview with Dexter and the personnel committee.

Dexter reported that the Wyoming D.A.R.E. graduation date has yet to be scheduled, but will be sometime in January.

Fire Chief Dennis Berry reported about the departmental training equipment; computer with Power Point software. Cost of the equipment is $2500, to be paid by $1250 from the Hallberg Foundation and the balance to come from aluminum can recycling.

Based on Millerís recommendation, council passed a resolution approving the collective bargaining agreement and a memorandum of understanding by and between the city of Wyoming and AFSCME Council 65, Local 1647.

Laird Mork, Chisago County Park and Recreation Department, was to provide an update about the status of the Swedish Immigrant Trail.

He was unable to attend the meeting and will make his presentation at a future meeting.

Other business

In other business, the council:

ïPassed a resolution awarding 2 percent longevity pay for Sandy Berry, acting city administrator. Berry has been a city employee for 15 years. The award is just under $1043.

ïApproved the final pay estimate of $30,818.35, to Bauerly Brothers, Inc. for the completion of the 260th Street improvements; paving, curb, gutter, and restoration.

ïApproved the claims register, including a payment to Ehlers & Associates of $3000 for creating the Fire Truck Bond, and one to Chisago Lakes Joint Sewer for $8554 from the Joint Sewer Fund.

ïPassed a resolution approving liquor licenses for five businesses; Cornerstone Restaurant, Caseyís General Store, Citgo, Rickís Liquor and Liquor Works, LLP.

ïMiller recommended modifications in the agreement with Facilicare, Inc., the company providing maintenance service to the library.

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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