In its first meeting in the newly renovated Wayne City Hall/Police Department building, Wayne Mayor Cale Giese submitted his resignation.
Giese, who is currently in the middle of his second term as mayor, first served as a council member from 2012 - 2018. At that time he ran for the office of mayor and was then re-elected to the position in 2022.
Council members accepted Giese's resignation "with regrets"and thanked him for more than 12 years of service to the city of Wayne.
Giese told those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting "this is going to be hard. My job in Omaha is taking more time than I anticipated and I feel I can't give 100% to the city. I am not leaving Wayne and Wayne will always be my home."
He went on to say, "I would like to thank everybody I have worked with. You have made me a better person and a better leader. This is not a job you can prepare for, but the people around you will make you better."
"The city of Wayne is in great shape and I have never been prouder of the council," Giese said.
Council President Jill Brodersen will serve as interim mayor for the remainder of Giese's term, which expires in December of 2026.
In other council action, two agenda items were approved in regard to Cruise Main in Wayne.
The Cruise Main in Wayne Committee requested permission to have food trucks in the Riley's parking lot on South Main Street on May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19.
The committee will be responsible for setting out trash cans, making sure the food trucks are properly licensed and insured and maintaining the area.
A second request from the committee involved closing off a half block of West Fifth Street on Friday, June 20 from 4 p.m. to midnight. This will allow for a live band to perform that evening.
A public hearing and two resolutions involving the Sawyer Addition were on the agenda.
The public hearing involved information from the Planning Commission in regard to the area.
City Planner Joel Hansen told the council that the commission approved the request, which meets all the city's requirements. Isaac Kreikemeier with JEO shared information on the project, including the naming of the streets, and gave updates on the project in regard to water and sanitary sewer work.
Following the public hearing, resolutions approving the final plat and the subdivision agreement for Sawyer Addition were approved.
During the meeting, council members also approved a resolution involving a mutual aid agreement between the city of Wayne and the Elkhorn Valley Mutual Aid Association. This is an annual renewal and allows the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department to provide mutual aid to other departments or to request mutual aid from these departments when needed.
Resolution 2025-25 was approved and will allow the Well House and Municipal Well 2025-1 Project to move forward.
Roger Protzman with JEO told the council that four bids were received for the well portion of the project, with Sargent Drilling from Geneva having the low bid at $299,474.38.
Six bids were received for the well house and water main portion of the project. The low bid of $989,986.40, came from Otte Construction in Wayne.
Protzman explained the various parts of the project and costs associated with each of these. He also told the council that local subcontractors will be used during the installation of the well.
Considerable information was shared in regard to plans and specifications for a 15 kV Switchgear and 69 kV Control Panel for the Northeast Substation Project.
Electric Distribution Superintendent Clayton Dredge told the council that throughout the years-long project, certain items will be bid at certain times to allow for better pricing. He also talked about specific parts of the project and the benefits the city will see with the use of new technology.
Following Dredge's presentation, council members unanimously approved the resolution approving these plans and authorizing the city clerk to advertise for bids.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 in council chambers at 513 Main Street. In addition, a mini retreat will be held Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wayne Fire Hall.
