Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Parking and heavy traffic on residential streets is creating some danger in the neighborhood east of Wyoming Elementary School.

Cary Nadeau, a resident on Freeport Ave., brought complaints about the parking on residential streets for the youth softball games to the Wyoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 5.

She is concerned about the safety of her own very young children as well as others living in the neighborhood. Her children stay within the boundaries she has defined, a line part way up her driveway, but cars are backing into her driveway and putting them in danger.

During the games, most of the north parking lot of the elementary school is empty, while streets near her home are full. She believes that for events at the school grounds, spectators should be parking on the school lots.

Nadeau said there is an increase in traffic in the evening before the games. Drivers cannot see around vehicles which are parked, and it is a “busy street to start with,” she said.

With parking on both sides of the street, there is barely enough room for a single car to pass down the center of the road, Nadeau said. Many drivers drop off passengers, then return. Others try to make U-turns in the middle of the street.

She asked if parking could be prohibited on the street during the ball season, or restricted on one side of the street.

Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter explained that the area is a public street and that if parking restrictions are made they would also apply to residents, no on-street parking. Attorney Dave Snyder said a resolution would be required to define the area of restriction.

City Administrator Craig Mattson said the city would want to keep the enforcement consistent, not just a seasonal ban, otherwise there would be confusion and likely more violations. At his suggestion, Dexter and Bill Eisenmenger, public works supervisor, are to try for a solution or recommendation to be presented to the council. This may be ratified at the next meeting.

Generator bid

Because the bids were higher than anticipated and some other issues were involved, there was no bid awarded last year for a backup generator for the Railroad Ave. lift station.

In addition, there is the unsettled question of the city-township merger, when a larger backup generator may be needed.

Engineer Mark Erichson said to replace the station would require a re-bid. He recommended using the same specifications and documents.

Eisenmenger agreed that even if a larger generator is required in the future, the one purchased would hold its value and could be moved to another station.

CM Tom LaBarre said the Railroad Ave. lift station is critical; about 95 percent of city wastewater passes through the station to the treatment plant.

By consensus the council authorized Erichson to advertise for bids for the equipment.

Skeeter complaints

Mosquito season is here. There have been complaints about the insects.

The cost of control depends on what is to be done. The plan can be modified. A surcharge on the water-sewer bills was suggested as one way to pay for the program.

Residents pay utility bills on a quarterly basis. Mayor Sheldon Anderson proposed that a small fee be added to these bills to pay for mosquito control.

Mattson estimated that an aggressive program to reduce the number of mosquitoes could be done for about $13,000. He suggested the city underwrite the initial cost of a control program, then begin a revolving account, with small fees being designated to pay for the program.

That way money for the program could be generated over 12 months, but used the three or four months of mosquito season.

Ashton Lake would require aerial control which would be more expensive. Some control of the mosquitoes could be attained by treating the fringes of the lake.

Tree complaint

There was a complaint from John Bergham about the removal of the trees damaged by Xcel’s trimming crews. Four of five had been removed on Viking Blvd. just east of US-61.

He was also opposed to replacing them, believing the same problems with heaving sidewalks would occur. Zerwas agreed with Bergham.

Eisenmenger said green ash should not have been planted because the grates around them were too small. Mattson said trees can be selected which are appropriate for the areas, with grates around the trees which can allow for proper growth and maintenance, and also be attractive.

He cited examples in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and in other cities where he has served. Replacement of the trees is being done to improve the appearance of the city.

Anderson commented that the street looks bare without the trees. LaBarre and Menne thought the area would look better with trees. Erichson is to contact an arborist in his firm to provide some assistance to select the correct trees.

Planning items

Menne reported that three companies are to make presentations before the planning commission explaining what they can offer in developing a comprehensive plan for the city. Estimated cost for the project is about $40,000 to $50,000. Time to complete the project would likely be into early 2008.

Council approved follow-through on the city’s water shut-off policy for failure to pay utility bills. After written notification from the city and hearing with the city administrator, if no payment has been received, water can be shut off June 25. Council vote was 5-0.

On behalf of the city, LaBarre thanked the Girl Scouts and troop coordinator Lisa Peterson for the help planting flowers in city parks on May 31.

Based on his request, council approved $250 for end-of-year party at Wyoming Elementary School. Money is to come from gambling receipts. According to Clerk Sandy Berry, the balance in the account is about $40,000.

Other business

In other business, the council

•Learned Chisago County has retained WSB & Associates to prepare construction plans for CR-22 from US-61 east to Goodview Ave.

•Tabled indefinitely final plat approval of the Trailhead Land Development, The Business Barns Development, until land title is clear. According to Mattson, Morrell Trucking holds a trucking easement on the site.

•Authorized the Wyoming Police Department to enter an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Traffic Safety, for Project Safe & Sober Communities from October 1, 2007 through September 20, 2008.

•Announced the regular city council meeting to be held July 3.

Approved a permit for Alesha Shea Williams, representing The Southwestern Company, to take orders for educational materials. The permit is from June 1 through Aug. 31.

•Learned that 5th grade D.A.R.E. graduation was held at Wyoming Elementary on May 29.

•Tabled a decision about payment of a bill for animal control services to Chisago County Government Center until further information is obtained.

•Learned work is ongoing at the wastewater treatment ponds to remove sludge. The project should be completed by fall.

In other business the last May meeting, the council:

•Approved the application of G.B. Power Fireworks, Inc. of East Bethel, to sell fireworks at the Wyoming Shell station, on Kettle River Blvd., from June 20 to July 6, during the hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The vote was 5-0.

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