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The bright lights illuminating the newly-built Gregory Contracting facility on Hwy. 8 are too bright and are on for too many hours, the city council heard last week.

Neil Revier, neighboring property owner,  spoke in the open microphone portion of the council meeting to call out what he says is intrusive light pollution that also may not comply with City of Wyoming standards.  Revier noted in addition, the site lacks screening plantings that’s required.

Council was told by Revier he has counted over 50 individual lights around the building and for the signage.  The sign illumination should go dark  late at night, which it does not, Revier contended.

Wyoming City Administrator Robb Linwood said he will have the zoning administrator make a site visit and review the lighting and report to council.

Another citizen asked for a speed limit analysis for West Kettle River Boulevard.  He’d like slower limits if possible, he stated.

Mark Erichson, city engineer, informed council there have been revisions to speed limit setting authority statutes. He’ll look over any new language effective from the last legislative session and bring a recommendation on how to proceed.  He said it used to be solely a MNDOT perogative on speed studies,  but modifications to laws may have given local communities more say in the process.  Erichson said Greenway has had some requests for speed analysis as well.

The impermanent situation in Public Works was resolved after a closed session discussion on the status of the superintendent— who has been on-leave for health related reasons  He will be released and council approved offering Steve Reeves the public works lead position.

A resignation from the newly-hired police officer was accepted and the slot was filled immediately.  Cadet Reservist Officer Derek Health will start on the department at $31.60 per hour later this month.  He has been enrolled in the tuition reimbursement program Wyoming P.D. initiated recently and will be required to work three years to fulfill his obligation for the subsidy the city put into his education.

The fire department was also on the agenda for purchase okay of a new UTV.  It will be several months for delivery of the outfitted Polaris XP 1000.  Special all terrain “mattracks” are being purchased after-market as well, which are removable as needed. Public Safety Director and Police Chief Neil Bauer said this piece of equipment should be invaluable for the off-road type areas that Wyoming Fire gets called to.

The price tag fully equipped is $57, 619 and the state 2024 dispersement of public safety aid is covering this purchase.  (Story on aid amounts Press January 25.)

The council authorized WSB to lead the Railroad Park Project into its second phase of three phases planned.  The veterans memorial/history walk/performance stage are being developed now.  WSB submitted a quote not to exceed $28,000 on this phase.  Multiple private and corporate donors are supporting this park  site so far, fundraising continues.  If interested in contributing or learning more about purchasing a paver, see the city website.

WSB was approved on a 5-0 vote to go out for bids for upsizing underground service for forcemain and watermain that goes underneath I-35 to the west.  

Engineer Mark Erichson reported the city has gotten DNR sign-off on the plan and now Wyoming needs to get bids. There will be no impact to freeway traffic flow, as the underground work is done without opening a trench. 

Federal economic recovery act funding is being used for this major project.

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