By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Discussion on a request for Wayne LB840 Revolving Loan Funds was among the agenda items discussed during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
The request was made by Webber Hospitality, LLC, doing business as Geno's Steakhouse & Lounge. Steve and Brittany Webber recently purchased the business and plan to continue operating it as a restaurant.
The couple shared information on what they plan to use the requested $200,000 in LB840 Revolving Loan Funds for. This includes the purchase of new equipment, bathroom updates to make them ADA compliant, work on the bar area, replacing a portion of the roof and HVAC system.
Brittany told the council that additional upgrades will be made to the building in the future and shared numbers on patrons served since opening approximately a month ago. This includes 284 meals served in the month of December and 40 party requests for the facility, many of which are from out of town.
Luke Virgil, Economic Development Director, told the council that the LB840 Revolving Loan committee had approved the request with a 10-year repayment time frame and an interest rate of one-half of that of the primary lender. This would have resulted in a 3.625% rate for the loan.
The Webbers asked the council to consider reducing that rate to 1.81% due to the increased economic impact the business has on the committee.
Following the Webber's presentation, council members voted to approve the $200,000 request for a 10-year loan at 1.81% rate.
In other action, council members approved payment No. 1 from Otte Construction Company, LLC in the amount of $99,791.00 for the Wayne City Hall and Police Relocation Project.
Council members took action to appoint Joel Hansen, Class A License number S-1155 as the City Street Superintendent for calendar year 2024.
Resolution 2023-82 was approved. It authorizes the signing of year-end certification for the City Street Superintendent for for 2023.
This is a new requirement that is the basis for determining the city's calendar year 2023 incentive funds.
Resolutions were passed authorizing the signing of the Year-End Certification of City Street Superintendent Form - 2023; appointing JEO Consulting Group, Inc. as the special engineer to be used on various City of Wayne projects in 2024 at a cost of $1,000 per month and authorizing the city to have membership in the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT).
In regard to the LIGHT membership, City Administrator Wes Blecke told the council that the group was started approximately a year and a half ago in an effort to get better health insurance rates for smaller communities.
He said the premiums for Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage would go down for the coverage period of January through June of 2024. At time, the policy would renew, but the premium rates are not known yet. It is anticipated that because there would be a larger pool of participants, the city could receive a better rate.
Blecke said Gary Boehle would continue to be involved in the coverage details and available to answer any questions the city may have. Boehle also recommended making the change.
Mayoral appointments included:
Betty McGuire, City Clerk; Beth Porter, Finance Director; Joel Hansen, Street and Planning Director; Marlen Chinn, Police Chief; Lowell Heggemeyer, Parks and Recreation Director; Diane Bertrand, Senior Citizens Coordinator; Heather Headley, Library Director; Jeff Triggs, Electric Production Superintendent; Casey Junck, Water/Wastewater Superintendent and Luke Virgil, Economic Development Director.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
