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Most of the people at the Wyoming council room last week had an interest in either the public hearing on 257th Street, or in seeing what council did on a proposed project at the library. This night, everybody basically walked away from that council meeting disappointed.

Several Boy Scouts in uniform, troop leaders and others in the audience lent support for the Library Society's request for the city to partner with a non-profit group to do rain garden installation at the library.

The librarian explained that an ensuing volunteer gardening program would be tied to this project. A letter from the Wyoming Elementary school principal was submitted in support of the project. A Scout anticipating achieving his Eagle Scout, with community service as a part of this project, was also at the meeting.

After library society representative Sheree Vincent presented the materials and council had discussion the request for $10,000 from the charitable gambling account was denied 3-2 on Linda Nanko-Yeager's motion.

The city has about $30,000 in the fund, according to city staff. The money is from organizations permitted to run pulltabs, etc. in the city and is contributed based on profits.

Russell Goudge and Yeager were the yes votes, Mayor Sheldon Anderson, Roger Elmore and Joe Zerwas were opposed.

Vincent also shared news that the project won a $10,000 grant through Great River Greening to support the design and installation.

Great River Greening also partnered with Chisago County on stormwater projects at the County Govt. Center and with Chisago City for the Water Tower Park rain garden planting fall 2008. The mandate of the group is to enhance water quality within the watershed connected to the St. Croix River.

Mayor Anderson complained that Vincent should have involved the city earlier in the process. He felt the library group moved too independently, without park board or council input regarding this land the city owns.

Vincent reminded Mayor Anderson the city council got a heads-up many weeks ago that this was in the works. She'd asked council for a contribution towards ceiling fans in the library and was denied at that time, but she also told council about this landscaping effort.

Mayor Anderson then asked Vincent "...doesn't the county have any money?" (Chisago County built the branch library structures, but the cities where libraries are located operate them; with the exception of books, materials and staff which are regional library system costs.)

Vincent said county water plan coordinator Jerry Spetzman successfully helped write the Great River Greening grant for the library society. She said the county has been very helpful and involved in bringing this project together.

She also noted she has pledges in both cash and donated equipment-use from local businesses interested in making this project happen.

Vincent observed that the city set up the charitable gambling account to support "youth" and this project directly involves youth (Scouts).

In the future, she continued, it will be an example of non-traditional, more environmentally friendly urban landscaping. The project will also enhance the center of the city, a "pocket park" where people can connect. It eliminates use of fuel and labor for lawn mowers and eliminates herbicide and fertilizer applications usually involved in sod-based landscape. Its proximity to a Sunrise River tributary is also reason to support it.

Vincent added that when developers need information or examples of sustainable landscape as part of their plats-- the city government can literally be an example.

Council members Zerwas and Elmore said they'd rather see the city's charitable gambling funding go towards playground equipment or other needs in established parks. "Ten thousand can go a long way in the parks," Elmore observed.

After the vote, Council member Goudge asked the council if it wished to refer the library project to a park board agenda, so parks people could review it and make a recommendation.

Mayor Anderson responded, "They (parks) can put anything on their agenda they want."

The 257th Street hearing was conducted just before the library presentation. The city wants to build a new street on the north side of Heims Lake, off #61, that will serve currently landlocked parcels and a new business locating near the freeway.

According to the city engineer, in order to keep on-schedule, council needed to approve creation of specs and bid documents at this meeting. Manufacturer Xccent plans to break ground on its new facility at the end of 257th in spring, according to John Mathison of Xccent.

Council was basically told by the major land owners along the assessable project that there will be a lawsuit. Rudy and Mary Olson explained that the real estate benefit analysis supporting the levels of assessment is obsolete. They also felt Fairview Healthcare (with large lots along the north edge of 257th) was being assessed too little.

Engineer Mark Erichson explained that the Fairview campus already has sewer and water and this project does nothing to impact that. The new street does create southerly street access for the Fairview campus and a controlled intersection.

Resident Curtis Lendt observed during public comment that the city could reduce the cost downsizing to a gravel road and extending the city services to Xccent and other vacant properties. Lendt said, "You could improve the road later; when these people might be able to sell their land at a value high enough to cover these assessments."

City Administrator Craig Mattson assured council the Nicollet Partners benefits analysis is "defensible" and "reliable" should there be a court appeal of assessment.

Council voted 5-0 to direct plans and specs to move ahead. Bids could be opened Feb 20.

Police Officer Boecker was sworn in at the meeting start.

Jan. 24 was declared "Myrtle Richardson Day." Mayor Anderson explained she is turning 105 on this day and he'd met her last fall and promised to do something special for her. Richardson was born in North Branch and lived on a Linwood area farm most of her adult life.

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