By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Change orders in regard to the City Hall and Police Relocation Project and a public hearing in regard to Community Development Block Grant funds received for the Freedom Park Trailhead Project were part of Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
Council members first approved a change order in the amount of $6,333.00 to Otte Construction for the City Hall and Police Relocation Project. This will allow for the installation of a fire-rated window in one of the office spaces on the south side of the building.
A second change order involved flooring in several locations in the building.
The first was a decrease in cost on carpet/tile in an area in the basement of the building, while the second was additional cost for installation of 300 square feet of vinyl flooring in the main office.
Discussion was held on the possibility of installing new carpet in the building. However, council members felt the current carpet could be left in the building and the money saved from doing so could be used should some other item come up later in the project.
The total savings from the changes is $3,977.
The public hearing on the topic of the work at the Freedom Park Trailhead Park was the second that is required as part of the Community Development Block Grant that the city received to assist with funding for the project.
No one from the public spoke during the public hearing.
Following an executive session, a resolution was approved authorizing the appointment of Amy K. Miller as City Attorney. Her retainer agreement for 2024 states that she will be compensated in the amount of $6,250 per month. This is the first increase in her compensation she has received since becoming the city's attorney in 2015.
Resolutions amending the Wage and Salary Schedule and the Personnel Policy - Employees Exempt from Overtime were approved.
The wage and salary schedule includes a 4% cost of living increase and will be effective with the first payroll period in January 2024.
The personnel policy adds the title of Economic Development Director as an exempt position.
In other action, council members approved a pay application in the amount of $74,456.46 to Philip Carkoski Construction and Trenching, Inc. for the 2023 Wastewater Treatment Facility Ultraviolet Light Improvements project.
Roger Protzman with JEO Consulting said the contractors have "been making good progress" and shared information on what is left to be completed.
Certificate of Payment No. 3 in the amount of $117,478.59 to Penro Construction Co., Inc. was approved. It is for work in the Wayne Prairie Park Phase II Utilities Project.
Matthew Smith with Olsson talked during the meeting on the work that has been done and told the council that "work will continue until the weather turns bad."
A resolution was also approved adopting the drug and alcohol testing policy - zero tolerance as recommended by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. This involves drivers with the Wayne Public Transit department.
The final resolution on Tuesday's agenda would have approved a task order Amendment No. 5 with DGR Engineering for the Proposed Generation Plant Project.
City Administrator Wes Blecke told the council "this is the next step in the power generation project."
He talked about the possibility of sharing some of the power generated with Northeast Power and the size of the generators that could be place at the location.
Following discussion, the council voted to table taking any action until information could be obtained from Northeast Power on their involvement in the project.
An update was given on the Community Activity Center Relocation Project.
City Administrator Blecke said that the nine-member committee, along with city council representatives, met last week and toured the facility before having a brainstorming session on possibilities for the building.
Another meeting will be held Jan. 9.
The goal is to have the topic on the agenda at every meeting in the near future.
"We want to keep the public educated and informed throughout the process," Blecke said.
He also shared possible timelines for putting a sales tax vote on the ballot, either at a special election or the general election.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
