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If there even was such a thing-- the honeymoon for the township employees being blended into city of Wyoming operations is definitely over. Over 40 minutes on an item that was not on the city council agenda July 7, three employees from the township shared concerns about the relocation to city hall office space and said they felt disrespected.

Asking to speak during public comment, past township zoning clerk Nancy Blomberg; who now does city payroll, complained of what she said was sloppy relocation of township staff from the old Township Hall.

Blomberg told council she didn't want to "air dirty laundry" in a public meeting, but that was the only forum she had.

She was upset with destruction of the former township staff office space, done "with crowbars," in an effort to ready the building for police department operations.

Raeoun Jacobson, inspections, told council the move was done in "a heated rush" and personal items and township documents and files were tossed about carelessly. Nobody seemed to have any authority over what was to be preserved and what could be disposed of, they added.

Wyoming city hall space, where the staff were moving to, was ill-prepared and furnishings that township staff had ordered from an Internet catalogue had been cancelled with no advance notice to the employees.

Throughout the contested consolidation process, Wyoming township and Wyoming city made clear the plan was to utilize the old township hall at some point. The concept was for police to move out of leased space near the Fairview Medical campus and utilize the former township hall, on #22, for police operations.

After the council meeting, Mayor Sheldon Anderson said the city was waiting on what the new Chief of Police Paul Hoppe wished to do. Hoppe was allowed to "make the call" on keeping the impound lot and moving out of the current headquarters or not, Anderson added.

"We knew the longer that staff was (in separate buildings) it was not good," he continued. By bringing staff together in city hall the public can be served better and that's what it's all about. Anderson also commented that he thought staff was given weeks and not days to prepare for the move and felt it was not rushed, as claimed.

The Conditional Use Permit authorizing a township hall addition, public works storage space (see graphic) and a new stormwater pond, etc. was on the July 7 council agenda. The CUP was okayed.

City Administrator Craig Mattson told council there is a "formal" process through which employees normally express concerns first to the city administrator, who then takes issues to the council.

Blomberg, however, said she wanted to deal directly with council. She told council she didn't expect any action. She said she just wanted to request respect, dignity and communication in the workplace.

Jacobson said "it has been rough" and she said her main gripe is that township staff got no respect from city administration.

The project presented is now authorized under township zoning controls. Zoning Administrator Fred Weck advised council that once the new consolidated Comprehensive Land Use Plan is enacted Wyoming will impose restrictions on "pole" style structures. The township hall and additions are of pole building design.

Council member Roger Elmore, who served on the Township Board, stated it was a shame to sink any money into the structure, declaring "...it should have been torn down years ago." But, he added, if expenses could be minimized he'd support the Conditional Use Permit and expenditures.

Council member Russ Goudge asked about project financing and was advised that after bids are gotten the city administrator would have better details.

The police have about $15,000 budgeted and there's about the same remaining in a city hall improvements account, Mattson said. The city will also save in not paying about $1,500 monthly leasing space.

Goudge was pretty certain the proposed township hall improvements will exceed what's on hand and still had concerns.

Staff will bring back quotes for portions of the project, interior and exterior, and council will further review this project in an upcoming meeting.

In other business: the East Central Regional Library Asst. Director introduced the Wyoming librarian to council and said a lawn party is tentatively planned July 25 to welcome the newly-arrived Rebecca Hofstetler.

~ Council approved a couple of easement purchases in connection with Fallbrook and Faxton Ave. industrial park stormwater work, being done along with County Road 22 reconstruction. A district court judge's compensation stipulations were filed the end of June. (Easement compensation on a number of other affected parcels remains undecided.)

Easement on parcels owned by Hub Nelson and family (along with reimbursement for "fence damage") will cost Wyoming $24,000. Brown and Nickila Investments, owners at 26524 Faxton, get $19,400 for easement. Easements on property owned by i Limited will cost $2,200.

These were approved.

~ Police Chief Hoppe got the okay to expand the Police Reservist Unit. Chief Hoppe wants to go to 10 unit participants, and said he will recruit from Wyoming residents first. The volunteer reserves will have limited powers and will assist on-duty officers mostly. After a six month probationary training period Hoppe said some may be granted "squad certification" and could be allowed to use police vehicles.

~ Elmore and Linda Nanko-Yeager will serve on a budget committee appointed unanimously by the council.

~ Monday, August 3 is the new date for the council meeting due to a conflict with National Night Out, Aug. 4.

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