Council regular meeting for the city of Wyoming, Minnesota for July 15, 2025. Let the record reflect we do have a quorum. Member Lucer, member Anstead, member Schilling, and member Joerger, and Mayor Iverson are present. Please
stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
All right. Next on our agenda is the open forum. Open form is an opportunity for members of the public to address the city council on items that are on or are not on the current agenda. Items requiring council action may be deferred to staff or boards and commissions for
research and future council agendas if appropriate. You will be limited to three minutes unless you're commissioner Matska. You do get five. And yeah, and we ask that you and we ask that you conduct yourself in a professional, courteous manner and
refrain from the use of profanity. Failure to abide by this policy may result in the loss of your privilege to speak. Um, do we have anybody up here to or in the audience today that would like to come and speak at open forum? You want to speak at open forum?
Yeah, you got five minutes. Come on up. Okay. I bet you didn't expect that. I didn't. Yeah, but I appreciate it. You're welcome. Of course, clients don't like that because you I charge by the hour, you know. Well, there we go.
Um well, thank you for your service, each one of you. It's good to see you. Um the uh county is, as Joe can let you know, our highway engineer, there's the two roundabouts that are being looked at and the county is trying to uh move that
forward. Uh and of course, then the this side of the interstate bridge is a state on state road. So that's going to be handled by the county but funded by the state or federal where they get that money. So we're looking forward to that. Uh in our area to the city to the north,
uh this the county is also working on pushing uh a roundabout in each side. Oh, is the mic on? That's kind of what Sorry. Do we know you sound kind of quiet, that's all. Commissioner Monska, no, it's here. It's on there.
Okay, there we go. Hello. All right. So, so um I guess I'm here just to ask um what should we be working on and then I'll just stay for the meeting. Okay. We appreciate that. I know coming from me. I really that um help on that
west side and the county road, right? Because it's not just us who uses it. It's also in Noa County and all kinds of things that go on. So, I'm looking forward to Mr. Triplet and his conversation today. But any help that you can get whether it's through county or through state and going up to the
capital would be a huge huge help. So um and my other ask would be for um the crosswalk over by um and I bring this up every time you're here. The crosswalk that's over by Bruce's Foods um on 22. So if we could get maybe some help with
that because I really feel it's a safety issue. So tell me on which side. Rob, help me with that. So you've got better engineers here. So we are looking for some sort of a I think we're looking for a bridge at some
point. It's a crosswalk. Flashing sign. Mayor is speaking about. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. So, can we can we prioritize that? Okay, we're going to do that and then
the u the county board be happy to try to get that in our budget. Fabulous. I'm more than happy to come up anytime. Thank you for pushing that. You're welcome. And anytime we can save kids lives. It's so important. That's what it's about because it's the only way to get to the other um side of the road where the um trail is. that the
news has been replete with uh communities that didn't do what they needed to do to protect their residents. Yeah. With the uh changes in the environment or the more severe weather that we seem to be experiencing. Who knows? Maybe just um maybe just we're
really unlucky. But the county itself does not have full coverage of emergency sirens throughout the entire county. And so I'm going to continue to push to make sure we do that because that's a minimum of what we should have because we have tornadoes. We have severe weather even tonight could have been
very serious. I'm sure there's been some damage. I've seen some already. Yeah. So, just let you know that's something else we're working on. All right. So, thank you for pushing it. The side. Okay. And I think it'll help that you did. Thank you. Yeah. You're welcome. Thank you. Is there anybody else who'd like to come up and speak in open forum?
Seeing none, we're going to move on to number one, which is the Chicago County Public Works Director, Joe Triplet, Highway 8 update. Mr. Mr. Triplet, it is good to see you. It's been a while. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Counselors. I do not have any PowerPoints. Sorry. Um,
darn it. We were on such a roll. I know. I saw that. Uh, Rob's got some talent. A couple of things uh uh to update you guys on. Uh, I'll start with what Commissioner Monscott uh uh started talking about the the Casad 22 interchange area. Um, we are, as you
know, we are working on on that uh on that study. Right now it involves as far as our part goes the the west side. Um we're looking at a couple roundabouts there and then uh work that into the uh with the develop the proposed development and the realignment
potentially of Kettle River Boulevard on the north side. And then uh as Commissioner Mon stated, Mindot's already expressed um oh should I say it um an interest in a roundabout at the other ramp on their side. So once
we once we get further into uh into that modeling and uh and those those alternatives, I'm sure they'll uh they'll chime in with that. Again, that's trunk highway over there. Uh so if if they indeed want if that's what they want, they'll have
to bring funding to the table. So okay, and again, we could have it all figured out over there, but there isn't a um there isn't any funding for that right now. So, part of the reason we're doing we're working on this now is a you've got uh quite a large development potentially coming in there. We want to
figure out what what the transportation needs are, but then once we figure out what that ultimately what that project's going to be, then we can pursue funding. Okay. So, yeah, appreciate that. I I guess I would like to say that um as Wyoming is growing, that just helps the tax base,
not only for us, but all of Shasako County. It benefits everybody. So appreciate that and the state ultimately. Yeah, for sure. I sometimes feel like I have an EDA hat. I know you do as well. Speaking of of that, uh the trunk project, don't really have a ton um to uh to report on it. Uh
we're still working through the environmental um that's it's been a tough slog, we'll say, but we're making progress. We hope to have the clearance made by the end of the year, but we're still working forward on uh on most of the design elements. Uh I I sat on a
nice hour and a half long call uh uh talking wetlands and impacts today. I think there's over 20ome acres of wetland impacts so that the uh the mitigation is going to be sizable um and also not cheap.
Then uh we're also working on uh on right away with uh with a few of the the folks that we that we have to buy out and relocate. Uh we got we got authorization to do that out ahead of uh environmental clearance. I wanted that
just so we would have time when it comes to working with those uh with those residents and and uh I I just didn't want to feel rushed and uh that's going along uh uh that's going along well as well. Then the last thing I'll say is um
you know we're everybody wants to know when and right now it's it's looking like a 27 28 and 29 construction. Um, I will also add that we now we we do need to to do some more fundraising as prices
continue to r to uh uh to increase. Uh, however, again, uh, one of the goals has been that uh um to limit or eliminate any city or county participation into this uh trunk highway project. So again,
that's what we're that's what we're shooting for. Uh once we get to the end here, uh the next six months will tell a lot. We'll work we'll be able to get to 90% plans. We'll have our environmental clearance. We'll have a good idea on what uh uh on a good start at least on what the the rightway is going to look
like as well. I've heard anywhere from 240 to 300 parcels. Um so that's going to be a that'll be a heavy lift as well. Um but again, we're uh we're moving forward. Perfect. Um any questions from council? Uh the question I would have is
Have we had did we have any federal funding cut? Uh yes, so to speak. It's on hold. We are our our 20 I have about I think about 15 or 16 different pots of money already for this project. Uh we had one of the one of the
CDS funds got pulled, we'll say. So, if they end up reauthorizing, then we will it was either a $3 million aotment or a $5 million aotment. And you don't know when they when or if it would be
Nope, I do not. I do not. We did uh we did apply, however, for uh 26 uh um uh congressionally directed spending uh in the amount of $8 million. And uh that's made it through um that's made it through Stabber, it's made it through
Clobashar. So, again, we're we're hopeful. I don't have any questions. Appreciate the update. Excellent. Well, we appreciate you being here and um we look forward to seeing you again soon. Yes. I won't uh be as long next time. All right. No, you're all good. You got
seven minutes, so it's all good. I got more than commissioner perfect. So, we'll move on to number two, which is approval of minutes. Consider approving the minutes of the regular meeting of the Wyoming Minnesota City Council for July 1st, 2025. If
there are no questions or comments, do we have a motion to approve? So moved. We have a motion to approve by member Schilling and uh we have a second by member onstead. Is that correct? Sure. Okay. Um all in favor? I opposed. So approved. Number three,
consider approving the minutes of the special meeting of the Wyoming Minnesota City Council for June 30th, 2025. If there are no questions or comments, is there a motion to approve? So moved. Motion to approve by member Luger. Is there a second? Second. Second by member Schilling. All in
favor? I opposed. So approved. We're moving on to um consent agenda. Items under the consent agenda will be will be adopted with one motion. However, council members may request individual items to be pulled from the consent agenda for
discussion and action if they choose. So, we're looking at number four, five, six, and seven. Does anybody wish to pull an item from consent? Seeing none, we need a motion to approve consent agenda four, five, six, and seven. I'll make the first. Do we have a
second? Second. Second by member Onstead. All in favor? I opposed. So, approved. Acknowledge receipts of reports of officer boards, commissions, and department heads number eight, 9, 10,
11, and 12. Does anybody wish to pull an item um council from this list? Seeing none, we'll move on to number 13, uh communications, Minnesota Department of Health sanitary survey results. I'm not sure who's taking this one. Mr.
McFarland, is that you? Mr. Mr. Reeves actually will be taking that one. Oh, sorry. So, we receive uh excuse me, [Music] on a regular basis, we uh meet with the department of health and go over um
different concerns with uh status of how the wells and water towers and everything is going with that. We uh heard back uh most everything was in in compliance um with the exception there was one item for um chemical storage in
the wells. Well 3 is compliant just based on when it was when it was built but um they're making recommendations that we will um eventually have to keep up with. So, um the department is recommending that we um account for that in the upcoming rate study and um gather
some high level or preliminary numbers on what it would cost to get into compliance um with some retrofitting of the buildings. Okay. All right. Um any questions from council? We'll start with member Luger. No questions. Um member Onstead,
just curious about that retrofitting. Would it be just a small storage or something larger? Just you have an idea looking for? Um it would just be a extension to the building so that we'd have a separate room. Um the basis of it is uh uh like a
chlorine like a gas leak which has occurred in in other cities and so the opportunity to be able to um not necessarily capture it but neutralize it before it becomes a problem for the community. Member Schilling. Uh no questions.
Member Joerger. Is the state willing to wait until the next study? Yeah, right now it's just a recommendation. So, it's it's not required. So, they're not breathing down our necks to get this done. No, no, but it is something that we do
need to take into account because eventually they will it will become something that's required. So, we're just kind of made aware of it. Okay. And the rate study is due 2029 would be our next one. Okay. And they're agree with that. Yep. Okay. Cool. We do it in 28. It'd be for
29. Well, yeah, but they're cool with that. Um, remember, you guys, you did. I had no question. I'm like, where did I leave off? Okay. Um, so, thank you very much. We appreciate that. We'll move on to new
business number 14. Um, to cons to continue discussion regarding city facilities and infrastructure. Are we staying in the at that this point in time, we will recommend council going into close session on this. So, if mayor, if you'd like to do um council reports on that
and then take a brief brief recess, that would probably be most practical. Okay. So, just for people in our audience to know, we're going to do our council reports and then we're going to go into a closed door session um at that point. So, um council reports, we'll start with uh member Joerger.
Uh no report. Thank you all for coming and thank you all for watching. Okay. And member Schilling, uh, no report. Thank you for those that attended and those that are watching. Member Anstead, I attended the work session just prior to this session. Oh, yeah. You guys did too.
Yeah, us too. Other than that, thanks for coming. All right. And, uh, member Lucer, I also attended the work session prior to this meeting and thank you all for coming. Okay. Um, I attended the work session. the EDA was um cancelled due to lack of
forum um or quorum, sorry, not forum, quorum. Um and then what I would like to really talk about really quickly because it's coming up fast and I'm putting you on the spot. Um night to unite. Sorry, I could have told you that.
Yeah, I know. So, night to unite. Yes. On the uh first Tuesday of every August, um there's a basically a national uh celebration that is connecting communities with law enforcement. Um again, it will be at uh
same location as we have last couple years uh from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Good View. Um and we're looking we'll have more information out this week on a little change in our food um options. We have uh some food trucks that will be
available. Um, and we have a grant that was uh provided to our multicultural advisory committee to help sponsor the cost of some of that food. Um, so that will be a big change this year. Um, uh, and we'll still have other vendors available as well, but that will be a
big change in our food this year. So, we're looking forward to that modification. That's really kind of exciting. Yeah, I love that. Very cool. So, very cool. Um, and then I'm going to ask um at Touch a Truck there was a I think it was from the county where um you go five
miles an hour and you get hit basically and you realize what that's like, right? Can we get that there possibly? Nightite is really difficult to get those resources because it is a national everybody in the state. So we really we've tried to get some of those and they're just not available for for our
event. It was probably the I mean I do a lot of that stuff right whenever it's in front of us and I'm like okay I'll get on it and that five mile an hour hit no joke right no joke no joke whatsoever so anytime we can maybe try to get that would be
fantastic thank you all right um that was all our reports so at this time we do know need to go into a five minute recess um what word am I think recess recess thank you five minute recess.