Following a public hearing at Monday's meeting of the Wayne City Council, approval was given for a redevelopment plan for the Sebade Four-Plex Apartments Redevelopment Project.
Chad and Cherry Sebade, owners of Sebade Housing, LLC., spoke to the council on the plan to demolish "an old dilapidated home that is not worth fixing up and turning it into a four-unit apartment." The home is located at 414 Nebraska Street.
The Sebades showed council members the design of the apartment and said the building would have three, two-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit.
They noted that the project would take a property currently worth approximately $80,000 and turn it into a property worth more than $300,000.
Following the public hearing, council members voted to approve the redevelopment plan and authorize the use of $40,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to make the project a reality.
A second public hearing at the meeting involved submitting a grant application for the purchase of a seven passenger non ADA mini van for use by the Wayne City Transit.
The city would be responsible for 20% of the $48,229 cost of the van, which is $9,645.80. Any maintenance done to the van after it is purchased would be paid for 100% by the Nebraska Department of Roads.
The van would replace a 2008 Chevy van currently used by the transit system.
Council members approved Resolution 2025-43, which authorizes the City Administrator to apply for Nebraska Public Transportation Act funds for this purchase.
Approval was given to close North Windom Street from Third to Fourth Street Friday, July 25 through Tuesday, July 29 during the Class B Area 5 Senior Legion Baseball Tournament.
The Baseball Association will work with the city to set up barricades and possibly install speed bumps on Fourth Street. These precautions are being taken to slow down traffic and for the "safety of kids who will be chasing foul balls and the other spectators at the events."
These safety measures will be put in place each day approximately two hours before the start of the games.
Council members approved a request from the Wayne State College athletic department to have fireworks displays in conjunction with two home football games.
The first of these will be on Thursday, Aug. 28 before and during the game when the team takes the field and scores. Wayne State will be taking on the University of Nebraska-Kearney that day.
The second will be on Saturday, Sept. 6 during a football game against the University of Mary. That is the date of Family Weekend at the college and additional fireworks will take place after the game.
These requests are contingent on approval from the Wayne Fire Chief.
Council members approved a resolution establishing City of Wayne Goals.
This item was tabled at the last meeting due to absence of Mayor Jill Brodersen.
Council members talked specifically about one item on the list of goals - renovation of an apartment located in the City Auditorium. It was noted that because an item is listed as a "goal" it does not mean something will be done immediately.
Council members gave first reading approval to an ordinance that will amend the city code, specifically in regard to the floodplain district.
City Administrator Wes Blecke said this has been a "very slow process, but it needs to be implemented by Sept. 5."
Blecke talked about some of the changes that are part of the new district, including areas that have been added and areas that have been removed.
Payment No. 1 in the amount of $69,427.98 was approved to Robert Woehler & Sons Construction, Inc. for work on the Wayne Prairie Park Phase 4 - East Ditch Storm Sewer Project. Information was shared on the work that has been done in recent weeks and additional work scheduled to take place in coming days.
In other action, council members approved a mayoral appointment. Mick Kemp will now serve on the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA), replacing Jon Meyer. Meyer has served on the CRA for eight years.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Monday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 513 Main Street.
