One action item, electrical system improvements, utility rate adjustments and city properties were among the items on the agenda during a Wayne City Council retreat on Tuesday.
Council members regularly hold mini retreats during months that have five Tuesdays, as regular council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Council members gave approval to First United Methodist Church to use the parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Logan Streets for a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 31.
Don Buryanek, representing the church, gave a detailed account of the plan, including where barricades will be placed to ensure safety to those attending.
Electrical system improvements and the process of moving forward with proposals for the purchase of electricity by the city were discussed at length.
A total of four proposals have been received by the city and Mayor Cale Giese gave a brief overview of each.
Interviews with the firms will be conducted in coming weeks and input sought from the city's electric consultant.
Utility rates (water and sewer) have not been adjusted since 2021 and city staff is recommending having smaller rate increases in each of the coming three years, rather than a larger increase all at once.
Revenue created by the increases could cover payments on a new well for the city or used to partially pay for other improvements.
Also discussed was how to handle the approximately 40 water meters in the city that need to be read manually each month.
A resolution regarding the rate increase will be brought to the council at a future meeting.
In regard to city-owned properties, council members spend considerable time talking about options for several of these buildings, including a time line for moving into the new police station/city hall.
Discussion on the future of the FNBO building and the current City Hall will continue in coming months.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
