Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council approved hiring Rachel Moen of Bemidji as an additional officer for the Wyoming Police Department.

After voting against any hiring decisions at the July 5th meeting, the council reconsidered its decision on July 18. The approval is pending satisfactory completion of requirements.

The vote was 4-0. Council member Ted Phillips did not attend the meeting.

Council member Joe Zerwas, who participated in the interview, emphasized how impressed he is with Moenís qualifications and her answers during the interview. Council member Tom LaBarre voiced concern about her lack of field experience.

Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter indicated that when the department was earlier adding an officer the choice was for an officer with more experience, and training time was a concern. He said if she is hired now, there will be time to train her to work independently. It takes about 20 weeks to train an officer.

City Administrator Craig Mattson said Moen is a ìtop-ranked candidate.î Anticipating the merger, Mattson, thought that if Moen is hired now, the department training will be completed about the time the merger is in effect.

In response to questions from Mayor Sheldon Anderson, Dexter said the list of potential officers is six months old. Moen is one of the top five candidates. The department must yet offer her the job.

More police news

A proposal to approve a job description and salary range for police chief in the city, and authorize advertising the position failed to pass. The council vote was split, with Anderson and Tiedeman supporting a job description and LaBarre and Zerwas opposed.

Anderson favored a job description because he believes that during the interview process the most qualified candidate will become evident. Mattson had materials related to police department job descriptions and a salary survey, some of which was based on a past pay-equity study. His recommendation was salary in the $60,000 to $70,000 pay range.

LaBarre said it is not necessary to spend money on a job search when he believes Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter is doing a good job. Zerwas said the officers are ìhappy with the way he is running the department.î He said many departments promote from within.

Dexter has been with the city about 20 years and Zerwas said Wyoming should ìkeep the chief that weíve got.î

Mattson said the job of police chief requires discipline within the department. It takes a strong individual to make decisions related to community policing, develop budget, and develop values for subordinates, he added. Despite working well with colleagues, tough decisions are required, and may be more difficult to make, if they are unpopular with those who initially supported you, he said.

During the visitorsí portion of the meeting, Tom Terry, Darryl Vincent and Steve Sicheneder, all city residents, spoke in support of hiring Dexter as police chief. Terry said Dexter knows the city and there is no point in spending money on a search for a new chief.

Vincent said Dexter has been in the community for a long time, knows business owners and has stepped up a couple of times as acting chief.

Sicheneder said Dexter is very qualified. ìHe believes it is not so much the city doing him a favor as an issue of him helping the city,î he added. He also was in favor of hiring Dexter rather than spending time and money on a search.

More topics

The council approved as an administrative policy a purchasing procedure that is in agreement with state statues until the existing city ordinance can be amended. In his rationale, Mattson said it would guide decision-making about purchasing, spending limits, bid requirements, quotes, occasions for emergency spending, and disposal of obsolete equipment. It provides structure, but allows flexibility.

In summary, purchases from $500 to $5000 require written quotes from two or more vendors, signature of department head and city administrator. Those over $5000 require prior approval by the city council. Purchases between $5000 and $50,000 require prior approval by the city council and written quotes from two or more vendors. Prior approval of the city council and competitive advertised bids are required for purchases over $50,000. Requests denied by the administrator may be overridden by a vote from the city council.

Engineer Mark Erichson recommended approval of the final plat of Katieís Glen. Planning and city staff recommended approval. Erichson indicated the city needs final constructions plans.

Council member asked about the priorities of creating a stormwater plan for the city. Erichson said a study should follow the merger, and then the entire city can be included. It does not make sense to complete a storm water study for a small area when it may impact areas outside the city boundaries, Erichson said

Council approved the sale, by the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission, of general obligation bonds in the amount of $4,498,000. The bonds are being sold to improve and equip the sewage treatment facility.

Xtreme Paint was granted a conditional use permit to sell renovated autos as accessory business to auto detailing business. Aaron Wachholz, owner, explained that his plans would be for a maximum of four cars. He would begin with one car. Plans and preferences are to store the cars inside at night or in the fenced area. There would be no change in signs, plans an upgrade of parking area, and allow four spots in front of the shore. Vote was 4-0.

In his report Building Official Fred Weck, told council that the certificate of occupancy has been issued for Stars and Strikes. The footings and foundations for the Fairview Lakes hospital additions are nearly complete.

In his report, Erichson wrote there are only minor additions to be made to hospital drainage plans. Regarding the water main feasibility study, there is likely an easement required to extend the line. He will provide more information about this at the next meeting. Plans are continuing for decommissioning of the water treatment ponds.

In the settlement with former Police Chief Anthony Pangal, the city paid $10,000 for a portion of his legal fees. The check was payable to his attorneys, Greg M. Corwin and Associates Law Office, P.C.

There was no monetary compensation to Pangal personally, as was previously reported. The city is insured by the League of Minnesota Cities and it was learned July 18 that LMC will reimburse the city for about 50 percent of this amount.

Other business

In other business, the council:

ïUnanimously, approved the expansion of the McDonalds parking lot with the conditions that the parcel being annexed is combined under one PIN and that landscaping is consistent with the site.

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