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Citizens living near the Polaris Technology Center in Wyoming were dismayed enough about a huge July event taking place on the Polaris campus to complain to the city council last week. Flyers announcing this Polaris corporate get-together July 23 were left in residential newspaper delivery tubes and mailboxes, according to one of the Hillcrest Drive neighbors. The single page flyer advises adjoining property owners that about 3,000 people might show up. The party will shutdown about midnight, the flyer states.

Brian and Catherine Dybell told council that Polaris R & D activity has already caused "disruption to neighborhood life" and they questioned if the city had regulations for an event like this, or if a permit was needed?

Wyoming has a noise ordinance that kicks in at 10 p.m.

Mayor Sheldon Anderson said if there's any problems neighbors will need to notify police. "They (Polaris) will follow ordinances we have in place just like anybody else having an event or party." But, Anderson also asked the Chief of Police attending the council meeting as to what he knew regarding this event and Chief Hoppe said it's his understanding two officers will be hired, off-duty for security.

City Administrator Craig Mattson said Polaris expects approximately 70 buses to transport Polaris dealers and their guests into the gated research and development headquarters, on the east side of downtown Wyoming, in the morning. Buses will take them back to where ever they have accommodations, when the event ends.

The lingering library rain garden issue was resolved unanimously last week.

Giese Memorial Area Library Society has come before council twice seeking participation from the city in a sustainable garden project for the library lawn area. The council has twice opposed donating any money towards the project, on 3-2 votes. Council has expressed opposition to the appearance of native plant gardens and has said the city already has plenty of park-like spaces.

Sheree Vincent, representing the volunteer garden effort, tried again last week and this time the project got council's blessing.

Vincent did not request any funding. She said grant aid, private donations and volunteer labor/equipment will suffice. The Area Library Society has been working on this for over a year, partnering with Great River Greening, the Chisago County Soil and Water Conservation District, area Scouts, and local business.

Authorization from council was needed because apparently a corner of the library parcel was omitted when Chisago County received title to the site, and the city still "owns" part of the lot.

Vincent also invited council to help plant the site when the date is scheduled for installation (probably this fall.)

The bid award was unanimously made for the city's construction of 257th Street. The project went to a St. Cloud, MN firm-- R.L. Larson Excavating-- for about $1.7 million. The council deleted the "lighting" line item cost of $120,000 because the street lights won't be installed right away.

The 257th construction is being assessed to 12 property owners and the city is contributing an estimated $57,000.

Xccent Limited Liability Company (the manufacturing plant which is to be built at the end of 257th, near the freeway by the end of 2010) is being assessed $1 million for the facility's 12 acres. The bill is reduced to $510,000, with a $500,000 Public Infrastructure grant being used.

Xccent owners John and Patricia Mathiesen are also listed as owners of another 29 acres, for an assessment of $355,000.

The next-largest assessed parcel is owned by Rudy and Mary Olson, who reside in Apple Valley. They face an assessment of $455,000 on 20 acres, according to the roll of preliminary assessment provided for the project.

The Olsons told council they will appeal in court.

Rudy Olson said, "...nothing has been tried" by the city to resolve their issues with this assessment. The Olsons have maintained at previous meetings that appraisals done by Wyoming to justify the benefit and increased value to their land are outdated and unrealistic. Paperwork submitted by Nicollet Partners Real Estate Advisors is from March 14, 2008.

"I hope someday each of you (council) will find yourselves in our position," Rudy Olson stated, his voice cracking with emotion. The annual interest charges on the Olson assessment alone will be $16,000, he added.

Resident Jerry Owens also spoke about the "way this project is structured."

Owens said a "huge bill will come due" to city residents once this all plays out. He added that the city attorney won't advise against the project because court expenses will net the firm lots of money and the engineer will say this is a great project because the engineering firm stands to earn many thousands of dollars. It is up to council to step back and re-look at this, Owens maintained. "This is going to come back to bite (the city)" he concluded.

Russ Goudge shared he has "reservations" about doing 257th but as a councilman he also is aware "there are limits as to what I can say" when the city's already been told this is going to court. Council member Linda Nanko-Yeager also said she has hesitation about this, but benefits from the 257th street and improvements seem to outweigh any downside.

The street bid award and the related upgrade to the wastewater lift station ($3,900 to Xcel for three phase power) were both approved 5-0.

City Administrator Craig Mattson reported the governor had announced that day his unallotments for 2009 are actually less than what the city anticipated. Wyoming's seeing $62,000 eliminated in Homestead and Agricultural (Market Valuation) Credits. Mattson had budgeted for a $79,000 loss. By 2010 the state will delete all the rest of the HACA the city receives or $87,000.

LGA or Local Government Aid some cities also rely on, has already been eliminated in Wyoming's case.

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