Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council authorized city staff on May 2 to advertise for bids for a 100 kilowatt auto-start generator for the sewer lift station on Railroad Blvd.

According to Bill Eisenmenger, maintenance supervisor, most of the raw sewage passes through that lift station on the way to the regional wastewater treatment plant, about 97 percent of the total.

As more development takes place west of the freeway, much of the wastewater likely will go through the same pipe, as it is the most direct route to the sewage treatment plant. Therefore it is essential that all parts of the lift stations, pumps, and power systems be very reliable, he said. In selecting the generator, the department is looking to future demands on the system.

Estimated cost of the generator is about $80,000. For four years $10,000 has been budgeted in the infrastructure fund. This was increased to $20,000 for the past two years.

Police needs

Council authorized the purchase of a new squad car, a 2006 Dodge Durango, with four-wheel drive.

The lease/purchase was recommended by the Wyoming Police Department and will be purchased jointly by the city and Wyoming Township. In his report, Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter said the vehicle will be necessary for the merger between the city and township.

The first year costs will include the lease and equipment setup of $14,000. The monthly costs for the remaining four years of the lease will be about $938 as month. The vote was 4-0 with CM Ted Phillips absent.

Dexter discussed the need for more patrols/police presence especially at the intersection of US-61 and CR-22. One council member suggested using police reserves to help with some of the traffic control during busy hours.

Dexter said the intersection is dangerous and would put reserves officers on foot at risk. A bigger problem is drivers passing on the right of turning vehicles, he said. Officers tour through that stretch of highway on their way to patrols, but he reminded drivers to be safe and aware of the penalties for passing on the right.

A signal light would help, but this is where a county road intersects with a state highway. A speed study was suggested.

Other topics

Steve Fenlon, manager of MHC, an organization that specializes in non-profit tax-exempt financing, requested a public hearing about refinancing on behalf of Family Pathways. The refinancing would help all branches of Family Pathways in Wyoming, Isanti, Mora and Cambridge, with no risk to the city. However, a public hearing in each city is required.

There were comments about the project. Gary Menne was concerned about the appearance of the building, billboards and advertising, what he believes are high prices for some items, competition with local businesses, and that the organization makes no contribution to roads.

Fenlon said that 100 percent of the operation is to improve the education and training of employees, who are developmentally challenged. The programs are aggressively committed to those they exist to serve, Fenlon said.

The programs add no cost to the city, advocate for those with disabilities, and serve a segments of society that cannot speak for themselves, he concluded. From a financial viewpoint, banks evaluate the credit and find it acceptable.

Ultimately the council scheduled the public hearing for 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6. CM Joe Zerwas voted against the hearing.

Engineer Mark Erichson requested a new wetland delineation study on the northern part of what was the Bingham property, in the northern part of the city, between the I-35 and CR-30. There has been a partial study completed, but balancing the cost of time to go through earlier material to determine what is needed, he believes it is less expensive to complete a new study. Estimated cost of the work is $2595, with the city and Chisago County sharing the cost equally.

Erichson would be using information a tech panel has put together, but also wants a wetland specialist to participate. He suggested a workshop. Currently, the city manages its own wetlands.

One question from the council was about the benefits for the city of continuing to do so. Wetland delineation is good for five years.

By a 4-0 vote, council authorized a joint venture with the county to complete a wetland delineation, not to exceed $1500.

In his report, Erichson explained he is working with the engineer in charge of Fairview Hospital expansion. The storm water plans need revision to meet city requirements. He also indicated he is attempting to get the balance of engineering information about ongoing city projects from Elfering and Associates.

Montzka visits

Ben Montzka, Chisago County Commissioner for District 4, told the council he supports its request that Chisago County reimburse individual city departments for expenses related to the initial training, equipment, and uniform for an officer to participate with the Chisago County SWAT Team.

Wyoming Police Officer Trent Strandberg is one of 12 members of the SWAT Team.

The cost to outfit and train each officer on the special squad is about $3400. Participation benefits both the special team, but also participating departments. According to Montzka the community is already paying for this police protection. He encouraged continued conversations between the city and the county about the matter.

Nancy Immel, Stars and Strikes, told the council several non-profit groups have approached her about field trips, recreational activities. Forest Lake Lions routinely provides funds to help groups to have recreational activities. However the Lions organization cannot pay a check to Stars and Strikes, but can come to the city, requesting funds for an entertainment time.

Immel asked if groups could request money from what comes to the city from the charitable gambling operations. Mayor Sheldon Anderson said the city would always consider such requests.

Council learned from the legal report that a proposed development agreement has been prepared for the Kinney Development. Erichson and Attorney Tom Miller are working the final items needed to decommission the wastewater treatment site, so the closing on the sale of the south parcel to Polaris can be completed.

Other business

In other business, the council:

ïLearned that it costs about $10,000 to outfit a squad car with a mobile data computer.

ïMet in closed session after the council meeting to discuss the termination of former Police Chief Tony Pangal.

ïApproved the claims register, one item of which is the first 2006 TIF payment to Regal Machine for $19,007.

ïAuthorized Fire Chief Dennis Berry to sign a mutual aid agreement for fire protection with the Minnesota DNR.

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