Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Craig Mattson, the new Wyoming city administrator, participated in his first city council meeting on June 6. He has been on the job since May 22.

Mattson and the city council are in the process of scheduling a one-day workshop/retreat. Mattson is to set up the event.

Council members are to submit open dates and he will coordinate their availability and arrange for a facilitator for one Saturday in July.

Reports

In his report to council, Mayor Sheldon Anderson said the annexation decision should be reached within about 30 days. Judge Michael DeCourcy is the presiding judge.

CM Joe Zerwas reported on the need to improve city streets. He described several needing serious repair and paving, including a count of potholes in some areas.

He praised the city maintenance department for the work the city crew has done with resources available. ìWe need to do something to fix roads,î he said.

Bill Eisenmenger, maintenance supervisor, told the council that bids are out on materials to ìget us by with patch until next year.î The city has three bids, and expects a couple more for materials to complete patch work.

These will be available at the next meeting.

Engineer Mark Erichson told the council there is a software program that could help prioritize repairs for city streets.

The program includes seal coat, crack-filling and overlay, reconstruction. This software could help identify priorities, making some minor repairs, preventive care, especially to maintain streets. Attention to minor problems early can prevent major repair later.

CM Blake Tiedeman said that Nick Thompson, the MnDOT area representative, can assist the city. He thought that Chisago County uses the same software that MnDOT uses and perhaps it could be used for the city. The city may be eligible for state aid after consolidation with the township.

As consent agenda items, council unanimously passed resolutions adopting a zoning ordinance relating to off-street parking and loading and ratified the ordinance relating to metal buildings, their design, construction standards, and planned industrial district building design standards.

Pangal settlement

After a closed session to discuss litigation, council approved a proposed settlement with former Police Chief Tony Pangal, contingent on his signature.

The terms will not be made public until all parties have signed the document.

The vote was 4-1, with Mayor Anderson voting ìno.î

Other business

In other business, the council:

ïRescheduled the first council meeting in July, to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 5.

ïAgreed on grouping summary comments from department heads and professional staff by related topics for meeting discussions. There may be weekly updates by memo. This was approved by a 5-0 vote.

ïBy a vote of 5-0, passed the 2006 city fee schedule.

ïOn Andersonís recommendation, commended Sandy Berry for her work as acting administrator until Mattson was hired. Berry will return to her earlier pay rate. Anderson requested the personnel committee evaluate her work.

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