February 14, 2019 at 3:08 p.m.
Wyoming swears-in Jesse Milligan as new fire chief
Wyoming swears-in Jesse Milligan as new fire chief
They had what Mayor Lisa Iverson called a “special” night, as they were swearing in two important positions in a new deputy clerk, Frances Duncanson and a new Fire Chief, Jesse Milligan.
Duncanson put in over two decades as a city employee in Wisconsin, and she brings a wealth of experience to Wyoming.
Milligan has been on the fire department since 2011 and has been Deputy Chief since 2015. He was a captain from 2013-15. Milligan is replacing JJ Hastings, who resigned at the end of 2018.
Mayor Iverson noted a substantial donation of $2,000 from resident Jeannine Sachs for the purchase of lights for the annual tree lighting ceremony.
Iverson noted that Sachs has been a dedicated advocate for the city, and regularly shows up at the city chambers as well as events with special treats and goodies.
“I want to give a special thanks to Jeannine,” Iverson said. “What a great donation that is. She is a very big supporter of the city, and that will get us a lot of lights.”
The city did consider a Memorandum of Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health since 2004, for the Wyoming Public Water System to be compliant in radium levels. One of the city’s wells had a radium reading that was a bit high, but still well within an acceptable range.
It’s a naturally occuring material that can rise and fall on its own. The city will be blending well water supplies in an attempt to lower the radium level in the one well, which typically does the trick.
Many cities in Minnesota deal with the issue of radium levels and it’s usually remedied fairly quickly. Nothing has been done incorrectly by the city, and the levels vary year-to-year. “The city and public works are being very proactive in this situation,” Iverson said. “For today, tomorrow and the next year, our residents can sleep well knowing that we’re doing everything we can to keep our city safe.” City Engineer Mark Erichson concurred, saying, “By no means are we the only community that blends their water, and that’s not out of the ordinary at all.”
The council approved a Temporary Liquor License for Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community, with a strong suggestion that they undergo ServSafe Training.
City Administrator Robb Linwood said his understanding was they would be serving small wine glasses at an event on February 21, but they would of course still be held to the same standards as any establishment with a liquor license.
The city received 34 portable radios for the fire department and 25 for the police department from Chisago County. It was of no cost to the city since the county has no need for them anymore, and therefore determined they had no value. Public Safety Director Paul Hoppe said it was hard to know for sure how much use they’ll still get out of the units, but it could be anywhere from one to seven years or more, he said.
The city council approved a transfer of $175,000 from the sewer fund to the water fund for the 2020 water tower #2 rehab project.
In 2018, the city set aside $150,000 for the project, and the estimated cost in 2020 is between $450-500,000, so they’ll make the $175,000 transfer from the sewer fund to the water fund in 2019 and 2020, which will fund nearly all of the rehab project. “In looking at the budgeting process, this was the best case. We established reserve requirements, and we’ll still be well in line in the sewer fund,” Linwood explained. “That fund was evaluated, and it’s just a little healthier than our water fund.”
The city then approved a request for bids for lawn mowing services for 2019-2021.
Public Works Superintendent Marty Powers, said the city is looking for a three year contract to try and improve pricing and lock the city in for a little longer term with a service.
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