Updates on possible purchases of property and the sale of a city-owned piece of land were among the items on the agenda when the Wayne City Council met for the final time in 2022.
Prior to going into executive session to discuss the actual purchase of property from Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation, information was provided on cost estimates for renovation of the building.
Roger Protzman with JEO Consulting told the council that he had worked with architects on an initial draft for these estimates. He said based on the information available at this time, he estimates the renovation to cost approximately $158 per square foot, or a total of $1.8 million. He said he has not been inside the building to determine what, if any, of the items could be retained.
Council members noted that "there are lots of things subject to change and we won't know exactly what it will cost until we bid it."
Council members were in favor of creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wayne Community Schools in regard to an area of land just under four acres west of the Community Activity Center.
The MOU would be brought forth at the council's Jan. 3, 2023 meeting and approved by the school board at its Jan. 9, 2023 meeting.
City Administrator Wes Blecke said the city would retain ownership of the trail that runs through the area, but the school would be granted the lower parking lot west of the Activity Center. The agreement between the two entities wold state that the city would be responsible for snow removal of the parking lot and the school would be responsible for the maintenance of the area.
Two new members were approved for the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department.
Megan Arehart has been on the Belden Fire Department and recently moved to Wayne. Wayne Fire Chief Phil Monahan told the council she has "lots of background" from being on that department. Danielle Witt is a Wayne State College students who is an EMT and has been on the fire department in Bellevue.
The two additions bring the number of members on the Wayne department to 31.
Council members approved Resolution 2022-76 which approves the appointment of Amy K. Miller as City Attorney and approves her retainer agreement for 2023.
In other action council members approved Resolution 2022-78, which approves the plans, specifications and contract documents for the 2023 Wastewater Treatment Facility Ultraviolet Light Improvement Project.
Protzman told the council this project would include a remodel of the existing equipment and make some modifications to the plant. It is estimated to cost $350,000 and would be paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Work would start Oct. 1, after the disinfecting season is completed.
Resolution 2022-79 was approved. It will allow for the purchase of a Sewer Cleaner/Sewer Jet and related equipment at a cost of $96,021.27 from Sewer Equipment. It is anticipated that the equipment will not be received for up to a year.
A pay application for Payment No. 3 in the amount of $18,621.00 to OCC Builders, LCC for the Freedom Park Trailhead Project was approved.
Change orders for the Chicago Street Improvement Project and the Lincoln Street Improvement Project were approved
Final Certificates of Payment for both projects were also approved. The final payment for the Chicago Street Project was $45,426.98 and the final payment for the Lincoln Street Project was $17,002.95. Both of these payments were for work completed by Robert Woehler & Sons Construction, Inc.
Also approved during the meeting was Resolution 2022-80, which amends the city's wage and salary schedule. It includes a 4% cost of living increase that was approved in the budget. These increases would be effective with the first payroll period in January 2023.
Mayoral appointments include Dusty Baker to the Civil Service Commission and Abby Schademann to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Giese also appointed Angie Fredrickson, Galen Wiser and Brandon Mainquist to the LB840 Revolving Loan Fund Committee. These three will also serve on the LB840 Sales Tax Advisory Committee, along with Mike Varley, Kirby Hall, Megan Finn and Gary Boehle.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
