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The 2025 street improvements bid was awarded by the Wyoming City Council last week to Bituminous Roadways, one of four bids the city received.  City Engineer Mark Erichson commented that he hasn’t seen bituminous prices this favorable in quite awhile.

The project was scheduled because city public works has been spending time on “surface issues’ council was advised.  It involves 52 properties that will be assessed under the city formula, and the estimated bill is $1,500 per unit— considering $81,000 approximately as the share of benefitting properties, staff said.

The engineer acknowledged the assessment is less costly than other street projects Wyoming has undertaken recently, but added that the scope of the work is meant to extend the road lifespan and is not a rebuild.  Affected property owners will be contacted as the work progresses and provided needed instructions and updates.  Work won’t get going until August.

Also, a planned unit development for a new neighborhood to be constructed in phases behind Wyoming Village Inn, west of the freeway, was unanimously granted Conditional Use and Master Plan approvals.

The bridge interchange and county road design and capacity in the area of “The Pointe at Carlos Avery” continues to be under review. City Zoning Administrator Fred Weck mentioned city officials should be aware traffic count increases and access points probably will necessitate realignment of Kettle River and future transportation system revisions.

This project was actually proposed and approved two years ago;  but the process expired and new developers presented this plan. Lots were enlarged from previous  dimensions  and are 9,500 square feet.  Cash in exchange for some park acreage was negotiated along with a small city park within the plat.

Mayor Lisa Iverson remarked this has been “a long time coming” but she appreciates everybody working out details with the park, sidewalks and a trail.

An issue with an after-the-fact fence permit application created a substantial conversation over setback and an “atypical” lot situation.  The homeowner on Halite Court, a private road, failed to apply for a permit and his fence ended up two feet too tall and placed in city utility easement.  It also has generated some ill will in the dead end neighborhood as an obstacle to being able to turn a vehicle around and drive out front facing. 

Council debated the need to correct the problems and voted 5-0 to get the fence moved 32 feet back off the city right of way. When it is further back the height won’t be an issue.

Weck commented that,  had the resident obtained a fence permit originally, Weck would have told him the height in that location were prohibited and the whole applying for a variance and coming before council could have been avoided.

FYI.....

The Press reported after the last city council session,  that a police request to enter into a contract installing four license plate reader cameras at various city locations had been killed on a tie vote, with Council member Dennis Schilling absent.  

However, there was a special meeting called by two council persons (Schilling and Claire Luger, one of the original opposing votes) for June 30— and at this session the “Flock Security” cameras were authorized 4-1.  This was agreed to be a one year pilot project.  Council member Linda Nanko Yeager remained the no vote.

Council member Luger had been opposed due to lack of answers to concerns about privacy, independent oversight, data retention and uses of the cameras, but in the special meeting the concerns were addressed.

Council approved a promotion recommended for Jack Breitbach, to move to Sergeant, effective August 11.  There will be a swearing in at a later date.  The sergeant’s slot is  open due to Lance Beardsley retiring.

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