By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Considerable time was spent on why the city should or should not purchase the property known as the First National Bank Building was held during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
The building, located at 1100 East 10th Street is owned by Vakoc Construction Co.
City Administrator Wes Blecke said several members of the council and city staff have toured the building and talked about possible uses for it.
The city is currently working toward a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wayne Community Schools for the possible purchase of the current Community Activity Center (CAC).
Mayor Cale Giese shared information with the council on possible costs associated with turning the FNBO Building into an Activity Center and other locations within the city that could be used to construct a new building.
"We could use sales tax, capitol improvement tax money, the money we get from the sale of the CAC and the money from the lease of the building," Giese said. "However, all these would limit the amount of money we have to spend on other projects, specifically Prairie Park.
Doug Carroll, who was part of the committee that was responsible for raising funds for the current CAC, told the council that the building was "set up for future expansion. This was not the site recommended by the committee at that time. We would have liked to see it near the Summer Sports Complex. I am against selling it because the city and the school have a lot of expensive projects going on."
Jodi Pulfer, who is a member of the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education, told the council the board and the city have had discussions with the city and have "loads of questions."
"I appreciate the partnership with the city but we need to look at the whole picture and see what is best for everyone," Pulfer said.
Because the owner of the FNBO Building plans to sell it by the end of the year, several members of the council questioned what happens to the building if the city does not buy it.
Council member Jill Brodersen said she was in favor of the purchase of what she called a "beautiful building. I feel there are other sources of funding to help with the Prairie Park Project."
Council member Brent Pick said "we have the opportunity to buy the building now. We have time to decide what to do with it."
Following the lengthy debate, council members voted 5-2 to approve the resolution approving the acquisition of Lot 1, Centennial Valley Addition to the City of Wayne for $2.75 million.
Council members Clayton Bratcher and Terri Buck voted against and Council member Brittany Webber was not present.
In other action, the council approved two memberships to the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department.
Mario Hernandez has experience with the Pender Volunteer Fire Department and Dalton Hansen, a Wayne State College student, told the council he "wants to give back to the community."
Nick Hawthorne was appointed to the Wayne Airport Authority Board to finish out the term of Travis Meyer, who has resigned.
Hawthorne told the council he has a private pilot's license and said "the Wayne Airport is one of the best airports in the area."
The term runs through December 2028.
Council also approved a request from the Wayne Rotary Club to waive the fee for the rental of the Freedom Park Shelter House for the Chamber Coffee on Friday, Oct. 20.
Irene Mock, a member of the Rotary Club, told the council that the club wishes to showcase the permanent playground equipment the Rotary Club has and will be installing at the park.
A request to waive the rental fee for the Community Center basketball courts for a volleyball tournament was approved.
Haven House will be holding an event on Tuesday, Oct. 24 in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encouraged council members to take part in the event.
An agenda item dealing with the sandblasting and re-painting of the city swimming pool was tabled.
Parks and Recreation Director Lowell Heggemeyer told the council that three bids for the work were received. He also shared information on what has been done in an attempt to fix a leak in the pool.
Council members had questions on the amount of experience Bierman Sandblasting & Painting, LLC, the low bid for the project, had in regard to swimming pools.
The item was tabled until more information can be received in an effort to make sure all bids were equal in what they provide.
Council members approved a bid of $12,345 from Kay Contracting, Inc. for the razing and removal of structures at 330 South Main Street. The price includes removal of the debris and trees on the property and grading of the lot.
Resolution 2023-68 was also approved. It accepts the bid and awards the contract to Otte Construction for the Wayne City Hall and Police Relocation Project.
The bid is for $4,156,000.20 (base bid) with $45,500.00 as an alternate.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Following the meeting, the council will hold a mini retreat.
