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Wyoming City Council gave a very early approval to the Sunrise “Riverbank” development area, in the general vicinity west of the freeway, at County Road 22 and Kettle River Boulevard.  The plan involves residential and commercial/retail uses but at this point the developer is focusing on the commercial portion, which staff said will most likely involve apartments and retail (gas-convenience station).  The preliminary layout is for 15.6 acres.

The council unanimously approved the preliminary plat and the planning commission will go into specific land use details at its August meeting.

Council also approved the city acting as a pass through for a state grant that Rosenbauer, which manufactures first response vehicles, will receive for expanding its plant in the Wyoming industrial park.  

The state is providing $200,000 for the 50,000 square foot addition, estimated to be needed space for 57 new fulltime jobs.

The city council will host a public hearing August 5 for the grant to be sponsored, although this is not a city financial responsibility.

In other business the state Health Department responded to the regular water radiochemical monitoring reports that Wyoming sends in and the water system is in compliance.

Council approved establishing an economic development district (the whole city) in order to qualify for future financing tools.  The plan identifies needs in public buildings, infrastructure that may need to be paid for out of non general obligation bonding proceeds, that will be facilitated by the city EDA.  This process is a “tool for the entire community” explained City Administrator Robb Linwood.

Council member Linda Nanko-Yeager voted no citing concerns about taxpayers’ level of liability connected to selected economic development projects. She also did not want this funding tool to go toward city building remodel costs.

Council heard First Resource Bank (new owner of Wyoming State Bank) donated $200 for police department bike rodeo expenses.

The public safety crew took delivery of a utility truck, a F250 crew cab XL for $49,409 and council paid the bill.

In open mic, there were residents who asked about speeders on streets, a hazardous school bus stop, snow storage in a newly-approved plat and  Chisago County Commissioner Ben Montzka gave an update on issues impacting the city.

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