A request for LB840 Revolving Loan Funds and a public hearing in regard to amending the city's Future
A request for a $400,000 loan was brought to the council through the LB840 Revolving Loan Fund Review Committee on behalf of the Kay Contracting, Inc.
The committee had recommended approving the loan request with a 15 year repayment schedule with a balloon payment after 10 years. The committee had also recommended an interest rate of one-half of that of the primary lender. In this case, the rate would have been 3.75%. However, the applicant had requested an interest rate of 2%.
Kay Contracting, Inc. is purchasing the Milo Meyer Construction business, which is located just outside city limits in the northeast industrial park.
Mike Kay, vice president of the company, told the council his business had worked with the Meyers in their business and as the Meyers are retiring, see this as an opportunity to keep the business in Wayne, while growing their business.
Council approved the request and the terms of the loan with discussion on future annexation of property to take place.
Council members approved an animal permit from Wayne Community Schools to keep a rabbit within city limits.
Jillian Allemann, a science teacher at the school, came before the council requesting permission to keep her rabbit, Peter, in the classroom as an emotional support animal.
She told the council she brought the animal into the classroom when she began teaching at Wayne High this semester and was not aware she needed to have a permit. When she became aware that the animal was not allowed, she took it to her home (outside city limits) and made arrangements to get the permit.
A public hearing was held as part of the annual review to consider the Planning Commission's recommendation in regard to amending the Future Land Use Map for the Comprehensive Plan.
City Planner Joel Hansen suggested the five houses on the north side of 21st Street, east of the golf course, be considered for annexation some time in the future. He said the city is not ready to do this at the present time.
Following the hearing, the council approved the ordinance and waived the three readings.
A second public hearing on Tuesday involved the preliminary plat for the Sawyer Addition. This area is located south of Fairgrounds Avenue between South Windom Street and the entrance to Prairie Park.
Isaac Kreikmeier with JEO Consulting explained to the council the preliminary plans for the area, including the creation of 16 lots on which duplex housing will be built. In addition, the area would have two commercial lots. At the present time the area is zoned I-1 (Industrial) and would have to be re-zoned.
A map of the proposed addition was presented and discussion held on the planned traffic flow through the area.
Following the public hearing, the resolution for the preliminary plat was approved.
In other action, the council approved a request from Anthony Cantrell on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Energy Research of Nebraska (EVERON) to close off a portion of East 10th Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 for the 2025 Power Drive.
The membership application of Casey Caskey to the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department was approved.
Wayne Fire Chief Phil Monahan told the council that Caskey, who lives in Wayne, is a full-time firefighter with the Norfolk Fire Department. He is also a paramedic and will be able to bring those skills to the Wayne department.
An ordinance was approved and the three readings waived authorizing the release and abandonment of the east seven feet of the side yard utility easement located on Lot 19 and the west seven feet of the side yard utility easement on Lot 18 in the Fairway Estates Subdivision of Wayne.
Discussion on the request centered on where utilities are located on these lots and whether they would have to be re-located to grant the request.
Mayor Cale Giese read a proclamation recognizing March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
Mike Kay with Kay Contracting, Inc. spoke to the council on plans for his company to purchase Milo Meyer Construction and the request for LB840 funds to assist with the purchase.
