A relatively light agenda was part of Monday's meeting of the Wayne Council.
Council members approved a pay application in the amount of $201,445.79 to Gehring Construction and Ready Mix Co., Inc. for the Wayne 7th Street Trail Project.
Roger Protzman with JEO Consulting shared information with the council on the work that has been completed and told council members that work on storm sewers between Milo Drive and Haas Avenue and plans call for reducing the traffic controls in the area before school starts.
City Planner Joel Hansen told the council that a storm sewer issue might have to be addressed, as a pipe that has ordered has been determined to be too small. Additional information on possible solutions will be discussed in coming weeks.
Resolution 2025-45 was approved, acknowledging the requirements for the temporary use of the State Highway System for the Wayne State Homecoming Parade and Band Day on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Wayne Police Chief Marlen Chinn and Wayne State College Dean of Students Cody Westerhold spoke to the council on this annual request and said the parade would begin at First and Main Streets and continue north to the Willow Bowl.
Council members also took action for a contract for services between the city of Wayne and the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges (Wayne State College) for the Homecoming Parade.
Resolution 2025-46 was also approved.
This is for work on the Wayne Prairie Park - Phase 4 Round-a-bout/Parks & Rec Building Paving Project.
Only one bidder, TR Harris Construction Inc. of Homer, submitted a bid for the project.
City Administrator Wes Blecke explained what the project entails and the cost difference between the base bid ($399,246.95) and the alternate bid ($490,012.85). This bid would pave the entire round-a-bout.
Discussion was held on the benefits of doing the paving at this time as opposed to waiting .
Jordan Utech with Olsson explained to council how the round-a-bout would be constructed and what upkeep would be with rock vs. concrete. He said that the city would "receive a better product if you do all the project at once rather than waiting."
Council member Jason Karsky said he was in favor of paving the entire project at once.
"I know it takes away from money for ball fields, etc., but it makes it cleaner, less dusty and eliminates flying gravel," Karsky said.
Council member Clayton Bratcher said he would "like to see the money go to ball fields for the community rather than concrete."
Following the discussion, council members voted to approve the alternate bid for the paving of the entire roundabout.
Resolution 2025-47 was approved, allocating $96,105 in property taxes to the Wayne Airport authority. This is up from $83,787 from last year. The asking is a specific amount, rather than a percentage of taxes collected.
Resolution 2025-48 was also approved. It provides for a tax allocation of 2.6 cents per $100,000 of taxable value of real property within the city of Wayne to the Wayne Community Redevelopment Authority. This is the maximum allowed under state statue.
Second reading approval was given to an ordinance that amends the city's municipal code to include an updated floodplain district.
The third and final reading will take place at the council's next meeting as the plan needs to be submitted by Sept. 5.
Following the regular agenda portion of the meeting, council members spent more than an hour in a budget work session.
City Finance Director Beth Porter shared information on last year's levy and the fact that valuations for the city are scheduled to be in by Aug. 20. She said the current budget figures she has put together estimate a 6% increase in valuations within the city of Wayne.
She told the council that the current debt service levy does not cover the debt and recommended an increase in the tax asking.
Council members heard from several of the department heads on items they would like to see in the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget.
Information from the Wayne Senior Center, City Transit,, Fire Department, Electric Distribution, Electric Production, Water/Wastewater and Economic Development departments was received during this work session. A second session will be held following the next council meeting for the remainder of the departments.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Monday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, located at 513 Main Street.
