Presentations were heard from a firm hoping to make Wayne its location for an energy source, from a local contractor hoping to build townhomes in Wayne and from the Wayne Country Club on club house renovations during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
Tony Demir, CEO of Green Star Gasifiers, spoke to the council on the possibility of bringing the business to Wayne.
"We would create 19-30 direct jobs and a number of indirect jobs through the construction process," Demir told the council.
He explained the fact that the business has identified a number of "feed stop properties" which would provide fuel, mostly in the form of wood waste for use in the creation of energy. He said that in the future, with the Emerald Ash Borer invading the state, his firm could save municipalities money by using that wood to provide energy.
Discussion was held on the possible location of the facility and the noise created by it.
Demir said the facility would be completely enclosed and noise and dirt would not be an issue.
"This project creates not only energy, but economic development and a renewable energy source," he said.
Chad Sebade was present at Tuesday's meeting to get a sense of direction from the council on his plan to build several townhouses in an area to the south of O'Reilly's Auto Parts.
Currently a number of trailer homes are located in the area and plans call for them to be moved out.
Sebade would like to build the townhouses which would be rented out and geared toward older residents and professionals.
"These would not be apartments, and rent would be more than that of a typical apartment," Sebade said.
Council member Cale Giese said he liked the project and it fits well with council goals. He did say that the council had recently discussed the use of TIF funds and the need to use caution with their allocation.
Following the discussion, the council indicated it would support Sebade's housing development plan.
Rusty Parker, representing the Wayne Country Club's Board of Directors, spoke to the council on a plan to solicit funds to remodel the current club house at the golf course.
The club house was built in 1968 and is in need of improvements.
Parker told the council that if the board moves forward with the plan, the city would take ownership of the club house, allowing for donors to make tax-deductible contributions and the country club to use all of the donations, without having to pay taxes on them.
"This plan would move forward only if the fundraising is successful and if it is in the best interest of all parties, Parker said.
If the city took ownership of the clubhouse, it would lease the facility to the Country Club to make up for the loss in property taxes currently paid by the Country Club.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the city and Country Club.
In other action, the council listened to information from Brad Wieland on his desire to install a privacy fence.
Wieland came to the council asking for permission to move the fence back four feet from the original location the city required.
"If I put the fence where the city says I need to, it will only be five feet from my house and not do any good. I have apartments on all sides of my property and no permanent neighbors. The fence will not create any obstructions and will improve my property," Wieland said.
Council member Matt Eischied said that while this was setting a precedent, "we need to look at these requests on a case-by-case basis. I don't have an issue with this request. We are only looking at moving the fence four feet closer to the curb."
Council members granted Wieland an easement to install the fence, with the understanding that if the city needed to do any work that would require the removal of the fence, it would be at Wieland's expense.
The council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers
