By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Committee members were appointed and an update presented in regard to the Community Activity Center Relocation Project during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
Mayor Cale Giese appointed George Burchum, Dallas Dorey, Brandon Hall, Chele Meisenbach, Rusty Parker, Mike Powicki, Amber Schwarte, Lanie Severson and Mike Varley to the committee.
This group will gather community input and meet with the architect in December to discuss what the community's needs are and how the former FNBO building could be used.
It is anticipated that sometime in late February or early March an estimate could be available to determine what the cost to renovate the building would be.
City Administrator Wes Blecke told the council that city staff will also meet with the architect next week to discuss what they feel are needs for the future.
Blecke also told the council he had made a presentation at the Wayne Senior Center and fielded numerous questions from those using the Center.
He stressed that "nothing has been decided" and encouraged other groups and organizations to contact him if they would like him to come speak to them.
He also encouraged members of the community to contact committee members and City Council members with questions.
Council member Jill Brodersen suggested members of the committee visit similar facilities in other communities to gather ideas for the building.
In other council action, Endia Casey-Agumba, representing the "That Ain't Right," a community non-profit group, spoke to the council on a request to waive the rental fee for the Freedom Park Shelter House.
The group would like to host an event on Sunday, Dec. 17 to celebrate Kwanza, a cultural education event.
Following the presentation, the council voted unanimously to approve the request.
A public hearing was held during the meeting to obtain public input on the Community Development Block Grant No 21-HO-35041. It involves grant funds for owner occupied rehabilitation. However, these are grant funds the city has not taken.
A total of 25 applications were mailed to those requesting them. Ten of the applications were returned, but only one was eligible for the funds through this program.
Following the public hearing, council members voted to de-obligate the funds. They will now be returned to the state.
Council members approved several payment applications for work that has been completed in the Prairie Park project.
These include a payment of $423,675.27 to Cooney Fertilizers, Inc. for grading and storm sewer work that has been done on the project and a payment of $222.560.16 to Penro Construction Co., Inc. for utility work completed for the camper pads.
In other action, the council approved an application of Joshua Doring to the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department Cadet program.
A change order in the amount of $5,883.50 to Philip Carkoski Construction and Trenching, Inc. The change, which is part of the 2023 Wastewater Treatment Facility Ultraviolet Light Improvements Project, is necessary because a portion of the current structure needs to be modified to prepare for future use.
A change order to increase the substantial completion and final completion dates to Oct. 15, 2024 and Nov. 1, 2024 for the Wayne Prairie Park Project Phase I Grading Project was approved.
Matthew Smith with Olsson explained to the council some of the reasons for the request and noted there have been delays with obtaining the necessary well permits.
He told the council that contractors will continue work on the project as long as weather allows and the additional time should allow for work and seeding to be done in the area. He also noted that all contractors on the project are aware that after March 1, 2024 access will need to be available to the ball fields at the Summer Sports Complex.
Resolution 2023-81 was approved. It involves a letter agreement amendment #5 to the original agreement with Olsson for additional services for the Wayne Prairie Park Development Project. It will include work on Phase II of the project, the design of a round-about in the park and Phase III of the project. The city will be billed for actual time spent on the work with a 'not to exceed' amount of $80,000.
Council members gave first reading approval to Ordinance 2023-31.
This will authorize the release and abandonment of a 1,681.90 square foot easement in Lot 1, Jorgensen Subdivision to the city of Wayne.
Ken Jorgensen, owner of The 4th Jug made the request, which will allow him to add on to the current building.
Council discussion centered on the fact that the building addition would be close to a sewer line and wanted to make sure it would still allow crews to do work on the line should it be necessary.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
