Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

It was not unanimous, but council members have adopted new rules of conduct for city council meetings. The rules were obtained from the Chisago County Board, at least as a model, and are consistent with state statutes, according to City Administrator Craig Mattson.

Public hearings are for purposes of public comment, but allowing individuals to speak at any time during a meeting is in opposition to state rules, Mattson said.

During the open forum portion of the meeting, Linda Yeager, a long-time resident, said that while in print the rules seem to invite more direct communication, the results might be the opposite. Never having observed behavior that was really out of line, she questioned why the rules should be so rigid.

Sandy Standridge, a former council member, agreed.

Yeager was also upset that the information about the proposed motion had been placed on the city’s website late. Mattson said that usually the agenda is on the website ahead of time. He said it was an oversight that it was not posted the previous Friday.

Council member Tom LaBarre thought the proposed rules of conduct might discourage people from asking questions or commenting during the meeting. He wondered why the issue was being brought before the council now and thinks there is already some discretion for the council.

Council member Joe Zerwas said there could be a problem for those who wished to ask questions about something on the agenda, but comments and questions were restricted to the Open Forum portion of the meeting which is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.

Council member Blake Tiedeman said he is concerned that the rules seem rigid about camera placement and hearing devices. He said there should be general guidelines, rather than locking in specific locations for the technology.

If there is an attempt to keep the community involved more, LaBarre said the rules of conduct are “really shooting down what we strive for,” leaving essentially no public input.

In summary the changes relate to behavior when addressing comments and questions to the council. They specify the time during the meeting for comments, limit speaking time to two minutes, and identify appropriate language and behavior.

Placement of cameras and other electronic equipment is also addressed.

Mayor Sheldon Anderson made the motion to accept the rules of conduct and accepted a friendly amendment by Tiedeman that the materials for the public be available by the end of business Friday before the meeting. The vote was 4-1, with LaBarre voting against.

Council members Gary Menne and Zerwas joined the mayor and Tiedeman in supporting the new rules of conduct.

Other topics

In other recent topics, the council awarded North Pine Aggregate the contract to remove and stockpile the sludge from the wastewater treatment ponds 1 and 2. Engineer Mark Erichson recommended having the work done as soon as possible, because it is easier, and therefore less expensive, to remove the sludge from areas with no standing water. The material can drain before it is spread on fields.

The North Pine Aggregate bid was low among bids that ranged from $37,000 to $88,000. Money to pay for the project is to come from the water and sewer fund.

Council adopted an ordinance to set administrative penalties when drivers are speeding but the violation is no more than 10 mph above the speed limit, does not obey traffic control devices, or has vehicle lights that are not working properly.

Using the report submitted by Building Inspector Fred Weck, the council approved a policy to issue tickets to those whose homes and lots need cleanup. Citations are to be issued by Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter upon a recommendation from Weck. Approval was unanimous.

In his update for the city council, Commissioner Ben Montzka told of his plans to attend the convention for the National Association of Counties in Washington, D.C. Part of the trip includes a meeting with Congressman James Oberstar and discussion of funding for local transportation projects.

One of these is planned future development of a bike trail from the city of Columbus to Wyoming along Kettle River Blvd. to connect with the Sunrise Prairie Trail on the east side of I-35.

Montzka also said the county board is coming to the realization that the market should determine where county garbage should go.

Observing the ruling and fine against former Council member Ted Phillips for illegal election campaigning, Max Anderson asked LaBarre if he had participated in distribution of the flyers.

LaBarre said yes, but that his name was not on the flyers. The discussion was heated and took place during the meeting’s Open Forum.

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