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The Wyoming municipal offices, fire hall remodel and associated expenses became much more real last week as the city council acted on lease revenue bonding for money to finance the work, and agreed to a lease with Hallberg storage for space  to relocate the fire operations. Council also signed the construction management contract with Kraus Anderson. 

The revenue bonds are issued through the Economic Development Authority and future payments from the city to the EDA are designated to pay off the bonding. When the debt is paid the project reverts to city-owned.

The lease revenue bonds agreement spells out bonds of about $9.2 million to no more than $9.7 million. They mature in 2047 and the interest rate will be five percent at most.

The vote was 3-1 with Council member Brett Ohnstad absent and Linda Nanko Yeager opposed.  She reiterated her desire to not use lease revenue financing and would rather be reviewing a General Obligation Bond.  

The other council members responded that this process has been discussed a few times and delays just make the project costs increase.  This is the most efficient type of financing, council members agreed.  

Mayor Lisa Iverson stated, “We just want to get this done.”

In a related action a “groundbreaking” ceremony was set for August 5 at 5:30 p.m. The regular city council meeting will take place right after.  The site the city is taking over for municipal offices is at 26263 Forest Boulevard and was formerly a commercial property.

Meanwhile, the lease with Hallberg Storage will run until March 2027 and fire department equipment started to shift over there July 26.

City Administrator Robb Linwood said there’s 6,000 square feet being provided for $3,750 per month.

“It is important we have uninterrupted services.”

The Hallberg agreement was adopted 4-0.

Kraus-Anderson was approved under a new construction management contract that was revised for scope and compensation—which also includes a $20,000 authorization for change orders without council approval.  

In another matter:  Fred Weck, city building official, reported the Wyoming Motel as a possible dangerous and blighted property that needs to be addressed. He reported the owner has not been very cooperative and missed deadlines for providing certain information he has requested.

The vintage roadside motel has been used as residences and Weck said his opinion is the structure needs to come down. The bottom level where the furnace is located has been flooded, smoke detectors’ operability is questionable, and he said electric cords are laid between units and he has concerns.  “I’d like to begin the process of tearing down the building,” he advised the council.

There are notifications that must be made and a process has to be followed;  to be able to charge back costs to the owner.  

Council voted 4-0 for required steps to be taken.

Council okayed the use of special funds for a galvanized water service to be replaced at an address on 266th Street.  The state allocated assistance for lead service and galvanized replacement and Wyoming got $25,000 from the state for financial help.  

The inventory done of waterlines uncovered no lead based services and so far, just this one galvanized section.

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