By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Discussion on construction projects - Prairie Park, the Freedom Park Trailhead and the new Police and City Municipal Building - took up the majority of last week's City Council meeting. The meeting was held on Thursday due to the 4th of July holiday on Tuesday.
Several items on the agenda involved work at Prairie Park in the southeast portion of Wayne.
Matthew Smith with Olsson updated the council on work that is expected to take place at Prairie Park in the coming weeks.
"There should be test well drilling next week and the utilities (water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer) should be ready to go out for bids," Smith said.
He also shared a range of costs for the different portions of the project but noted that "these can range quite a bit based on what you decide to do."
In conjunction with the project, a resolution was passed which "approves the utility plans, specifications and estimate of costs for the Prairie Park Project" and authorizes the city clerk to advertise for bids.
A payment in the amount of $34,662 to OCC Builders LLC for the Freedom Park Trailhead Project was approved.
Council members talked about the work that has been done in recent weeks at the former swimming pool bathhouse and questioned the look of some of the interior of the building.
Also questioned was how much of the budget has been spent already and what is yet to be completed.
The original bid was just over $372,000 with the city receiving a $250,000 grant. Since that time, several change orders have been approved.
Considerable discussion was held on the city-owned building at 513 Main Street which is set to become the new Police and City Municipal Building.
City Administrator said staff has been meeting with the architect to determine if there are any ways to reduce costs. Estimates for the project are based on $190 per square foot for renovation. This would result in a total project cost, including the purchase of the property, of approximately $4.5 million.
It is anticipated that the council will postpone the bidding of the project until after upcoming budget meetings.
A resolution for the scope of services with JEO Consulting Group, Inc. for the Seventh Street Trail Project was approved.
Roger Protzman with JEO was at the meeting to talk about challenges that will come with this project, including the need for storm sewers in part of the area.
Council members discussed the width of sidewalk on the trail, which will run from Greenwood Cemetery to Bomgaars, along the north side of Highway 35.
Plans call for the project to be bid out in the winter and construction to take place in 2024. The city has received approximately $400,000 in grants for the project.
In other action, the council is making plans to move forward with a request from Mick Kemp to install a permanent stop sign at the corner of Fifth Street and Schoolview Drive.
A stop sign that is currently at the location is faded and not legal due to the fact that the location was never included in a city ordinance allowing for a stop sign.
Discussion centered on the fact that the area now sees increased traffic from the school and Community Activity Center.
Council members also discussed the exact location of the stop sign as it needs to be on city property to be enforceable.
A request for $200,000 in LB840 Revolving Loan funds was approved.
The request from Blazer, LLC was made by Kirk Diers and Brent Ogle and will allow for the purchase of Innovative Protectives and expansion of the business.
Diers spoke to the council and said he has done business with Innovative Protectives "for years and had a business, Diers Supply, here in Wayne. I have many good memories of Wayne."
Ogle talked about the financial request, stating the business has experience with LB840 financing. He said they were requesting a one-percent interest rate on the loan, which is important to allow for growth of the business.
Council members debated the interest rate, as the recommendation from the LB 840 Loan Committee was one-half the rate of the primary lender. In this case, that would have been 3.375% for a five-year term.
Following discussion, council members voted to approve the loan request at an interest rate of 2% for the five year term.
A change order in the amount of $4,025 to Robert Woehler & Sons Construction was approved. It involves a change in quantities for the Lincoln Street Improvement Project. Olsson will reimburse the city one-half of this cost, due to circumstances in the matter.
Also during the meeting, Cory Sandoz was re-appointed to a three year term on the Planning Commission.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
