The Wyoming City Council met Tuesday, April 13 for its April monthly meeting.  All councilpersons were on hand and the meeting was presided over by Mayor Pat Maher.
Dan Shockey, president of the Wyoming Area Chamber of Commerce, requested the utilization of Thomas Park for the upcoming May 1 Morel Mushroom Festival and the annual Corn Boil on July 24.  The request was granted, but not the proposed Wine Tasting, as alcoholic beverages are not permitted in city parks. The chamber will also be planting flowers downtown sometime before Memorial Day. 
School district superintendent, Jerry Klooster, gave a presentation regarding methods the city may aid in the school-financing situation.  Several methods of utilizing city funds, as a result of TIF, were presented.  This is based on the anticipation that funds will become available at a later date.  The board was also presented a report from Mike Weber, the city’s TIF advisor from PGA & V, Inc, on the net impact of a TIF District on Stark County Schools.  The board will review all the aspects.
City Attorney Bruce Fehrenbacher advised that monies could be transferred from the Park and Tree Fund to the Refuse Fund.  Park and Tree is funded primarily from telecommunication tax and Mediacom franchise fees.  The deficit is the cost increases in garbage pickup that has not been passed on to the residents.  The vote was unanimous in favor.
A motion was made to approve an ordinance setting forth provisions for compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act  (FOIA) The motion was approved.
Dr Timothy Haas requested some city improvements and possibly TIF funds to aid in his dental business location.  Parking improvements along with handicap entry (ADA compliant) is the main focus of his request.  The city advised to ascertain costs and submit again.  Street Superintendent Beck will review the parking issues.
The council requested Dave Wright, of Christopher Burke Engineering, to contact Denton Gunther Underground, Inc, and advised them to return to Wyoming ASAP to restart the water main project including the repair of streets and lawns.  Weather has been favorable.
Dave also presented the city council with a proposed draft of the fencing needs around the water plant; above and underground water storage tanks.
The council approved an increased amount of $7,011.00, for the revised water tower painting project.  The council reviewed the paint color charts and chose Candy Apple Red as the red to be on the water tower.
Dave Wright also advised the city of the likelihood of having all new water meters within the city.  T.J Rodebaugh of Northern Water Works Supply gave a presentation of the meters suggested.  They are the state-of-art with major favorable features desired.  They are waterproof, detect leaks, able to read 1/16 of a gallon usage, and can be read electronically simply by driving by with a special electronic detector.  This information can then be downloaded to the computer system for efficient, accurate, and simple monthly billing.  Estimated readings due to weather and other factors should be a thing of the past.
The belief is that funding of this project will come via excess money as a result of the water project costs below estimates.  Dave is to verify that those funds can be utilized under the original agreement.  Preliminary investigations show that this is possible.  This may also apply to other upgrades and automated features within the new water system.  These improvements, if possible, will all come about without any resident’s expense or fees.
The council accepted a bid from J.F. Edwards for the lighting project in the amount of $273,988.  This is a step needed to analyze the bids and possibly lowering the cost and the city’s responsibility.  Without accepting the bids, the city was not provided any breakdown of costs and what areas impacted the overall costs.  Accepting does not obligate the city at this time.
City Superintendent Joe Beck made a request to hire an additional seasonal employee for the mowing season.  The council approved hiring Larry St. John for this purpose.
Police Chief Bauer said the police department will begin working on ordinance violations.  The city instructed Chief Bauer to send a certified letter to Barry and Pam Sprout about the dangerous unsecured stairs on the side of their building at 100 N 7th St.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.