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The gathering storm over whether to accept or reject  Minnesota’s new state flag has been calmed in Wyoming.  The city council voted 5-0 last week simply to not fly any state symbols. City owned parcels and flagpoles will display only an American stars-and-stripes flag and a city flag.

City Attorney Tom Loonan advised council there are no requirements in law mandating any city to display a Minnesota flag. The issue however, has grown legs and seems to be the hot topic in a number of city council chambers in the state.

The council agreed there are more important matters  demanding city time and attention. As Councilmember Claire Luger said, opting to not fly a state flag is “in the interest of moving forward.”

Council members stated the resolution was “a good compromise.”

Another good compromise was an agreement adopted after extensive talks with the homeowners association of Liberty Ponds.  

The private neighborhood is experiencing failing septic systems at an alarming rate.   Neither the City of Forest Lake (to its southwest side) nor Chisago City (to the east) have the wastewater system capacity nor financial strength to provide a wastewater plan for affected homeowners.  

Informal work session discussions have led to creating a plan calling for the Liberty Ponds HOA to put into escrow enough money to cover Wyoming’s expenses in facilitating financing for a new wastewater treatment system, specifically working with the MN Pollution Control Agency.  The future project debt is covered with payments for city assessments, to be placed on affected Liberty Pond properties. The owners will sign-away any future assessment challenges  so Wyoming can move forward on a Clean Water Partnership (state) loan.

Attorney Loonan assured council the agreement does not place the city residents in any risk.  

There could be delays if a property later enters foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings, but the city will be paid.  He described the contract the council was being asked to approve as a “very strict agreement” and acknowledged this is “running a hard bargain”  but is the most feasible option.  

Staff will proceed to get signed assessment agreements from every property owner and report back.  There is also an option of paying an individual share of the financing assessment in full, up front;  just as there is with any city project pay-off.

Council set two informal work sessions for later this month...to hold a road tour using a Fairview Meadows donated bus, May 27....and to talk about terms impacting a Midco franchise  agreement May 19.

The 2025  audit was presented.  Spending and revenues have escalated over the last few years mostly due to population growth and staffing needs.  The tax rate has seen a dip, however,  from 43 percent to the 41 percent range. Audit firm Bergan BKV auditor told the council overall, the budgets (last year’s was $4.9 million) have been well balanced with revenue and expenses keeping pace with each other. The fund balance policy wants the city to retain 55 percent (of annual spending)  in the unrestricted line item, which is being achieved.

Council also okayed sending plans and specs out for bid to move forward on the re-use of the building the city bought on Forest Blvd, to become city office space and law enforcement headquarters.  The current eye clinic using the space has a lease through 2028, council was reminded.

Kraus Anderson and Wold Architects are overseeing the facilities projects.  The council is moving city hall functions to the commercial site, expanding fire functions in the existing fire hall/city hall building, and public works will have the facility where it co-resides now, on Wyoming Trail, with police.

Council member Linda Nanko Yeager was the lone no vote on bidding, saying she wants more specific budget information on the phases of projects.

Council member Dennis Schilling said the city istaking the cost-effective course “making due with what it has” and addressing some long-identified space problems.  Bids for this initial phase of remodel and retrofit are scheduled to be opened and presented to council for award June 2.

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