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The process of designing space, and bids for improving an existing private building that the City of Wyoming wants to use for city hall and law enforcement; while also expanding the fire department into the former city hall square footage,  took a step forward last week. 

Wyoming city council voted to contract for design and construction management firms Wold Architects and Kraus Anderson, proving they mean to get serious on these projects.

 The commercial building at 26263 Forest Boulevard is being eyed for city hall and police operations, and the city has a purchase agreement. The building that sits alongside the library lot, which has served as city hall for decades, will be retro-fitted for fire-only uses as city staff relocate to the acquired building.

Council member Linda Nanko Yeager expressed the most reluctance, stating it may behoove Wyoming to find consultants who are more adept at cost containment.  Nanko Yeager said this concept of addressing facility needs has been discussed at length and was previously attached to potential new construction  which grew from $9 million to $12 million. Nanko Yeager stated, “I am not totally comfortable” based on her experience with earlier cost fluctuation.

Council member Dennis Schilling responded that the price tag only went up because council kept kicking the can down the road which escalated project budgets over many years’ time.  He assured the council that if there is no action taken on the plan now before them, to use an existing building and do a phased space growth approach—no part of it will be getting less expensive. 

Mayor Lisa Iverson expressed a lack of confidence in Kraus but approved contracting with Wold.     Mayor Iverson stressed the overall plan is a good one and the city revamped its idea of one structure into an approach resulting in getting multiple facilities for less cost.

Nanko Yeager voted no on contracts for both companies’ services, but the majority of the council approved the motions.

The mayor was also somewhat of an outlier on a request for a rezoning.

Wosika Farm was approved to be re-zoned for agricultural designation.  Owners are seeking Agricultural zoning, from the residential zoning it was  more recently slotted into.  

The parcel at 7745 Wyoming Trail is mostly surrounded by agricultural uses and the majority of council did not have any concern this could be considered “spot zoning” which was a concern highlighted by staff.  The Comprehensive Land Use plan guides the area for R3.

Schilling said the parcel is five acres and he feels this is a suitable ag size.  Council member Claire Luger agreed that “by and large” the property is under ag use currently (landscaping and garden plants) and she doesn’t foresee any negatives coming out of approving rezoning to ag.  Nanko Yeager pointed out city water and sewer likely will not be extended out to this area for years to facilitate any residential development. 

Mayor Iverson made a motion to deny the rezone application based on staff recommendation, but got no second and it died.  The rezoning was adopted 4-1.

In other matters

Council approved Matt Paavola to be brought on as sergeant filling a retirement vacancy.  He left the Wyoming Police Department in 2021 to run a business, the chief explained but kept his certifications and license up to date. He was the most qualified of all sergeant candidates, Chief Bauer added.  The committee reviewing applicants recommend Paavola and nobody on city council had any reservations, saying he can “reintegrate” quickly back into the program and he brings knowledge of the city as well as surrounding territories. He was offering to start immediately with a wage set at $48.23 an hour as sergeant.

The city held a Name the Plow contest and announced the winner....”Plow Bunyan” which was submitted by Melissa Justice.  Staff said there were 26 entries from which finalists  were chosen and 245 votes were cast on-line.

A total of $107,308 in unpaid amounts due to the city for various services, including developer fees and sewer and water bills, was certified to go onto property tax rolls.

The public is reminded to attend the holiday tree lighting event at Railroad Park December 6 with festivities from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

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