Lengthy debate on the sale and development of a parcel of city-owned property took place during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
At its last meeting, the council gave first reading approval to an ordinance that would direct the sale of the land and allow for an apartment complex to be built in an area near the Summer Sports Complex.
Several members of the public were on hand to voice their opinion in regard to the sale of Lot 3 in the Southeast Addition of the City of Wayne to R. Perry Construction, Inc.
B.J. Woehler, representing the Landlord Association, told the council that "this isn't the solution. It is an unprecedented project in Wayne and not in a good way. The city is selling land for $1 with no plans to replace it. This will put pressure on the school system and is disrespectful to landlords."
Lee Brogie told the council she had attended the recent housing summit and noted that 'affordable housing' was listed as a need in the community.
"This project does not meet that need. This should be a phase-in project, similar to the one being done in Wakefield. Also, this project would create daycare issues," Brogie said.
City Planner Joel Hansen told those in attendance that "it is tough to project growth. This project would bring people in or people would transition out of their current homes. This would create housing stock."
Tom Jacobsen told the council "I think this a poor project. It is building too many apartments too fast. It would be better to build 20-25 units per year. Also, the city shouldn't be giving away land. I am worried about the subsidies."
Council member Matt Eischied said that while the plan was not ideal, "our housing study says there is a need for housing at all income levels."
Council member Chris Woehler said the city shouldn't sell the land for $1, as one-third of the land could have been sold several years ago for $55,000.
Mayor Cale Giese said that at that time there was no actual offer on the property and the city did not have any definite plans on what was going to be done with the 26 acre lagoon.
City Administrator Wes Blecke said "this has been a long process. Last year we sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to see what we would get. The other proposal we received was more expensive to the city and had lots more stipulations."
Council member Brent Pick said "this is not ideal, but I am tired of apartments next to houses. I would like to see them all in one spot. Also when the TIF is paid off, the money comes back to the city."
Following the discussion, council members voted 6-1 to move the ordinance to the third reading. The resolution approving the purchase agreement on the property also received approval on a 6-1 vote, but is contingent on the ordinance being approved at its next reading. Council member Woehler voted against both the ordinance and resolution.
Before moving into the various ordinances and resolutions on the agenda, council members approved a request from the Wayne County Agricultural Society to forgive the sewer bill received recently.
Doug Temme, representing the Ag Society, told the council that there was a water leak at the fairgrounds but the water did not go through the city's sewer system.
After discussion, council members voted to forgive $2,061 of the bill. This represents the difference between what the bill was at the same time in the previous year and this year's bill.
Ordinance 2022-2 received second reading approval. It will amend the future land use map for the city of Wayne.
Ordinance 2022-3, amending the zoning map in regard to Santuary Apartments LLC, received second reading approval. It will change zoning on a 1 1/2 block area along Main Street north of Fourth Street.
Also on the agenda was Ordinance 2022-4 annexing a parcel of land into the city of Wayne. It involves property along east Highway 35 and Centennial Road. Second reading approval was unanimously given for the ordinance.
During Tuesday's meeting, council members received an update from Library Director Heather Headley on activity at the Wayne Public Library in the last year.
Headley told the council some of the work that has been done at the library, including increasing the use of social media and the awarding of three grants for use at the library.
She also shared concerns, namely the lack of space, increasing costs and the backlogs in receiving materials.
Information was also shared with the council from the Wayne Senior Center.
Director Diane Bertrand said the number of meals being served and social activities are increasing.
"As our numbers go up, the funding we receive increases. We have provided meals even if the center was closed. We have Meals on Wheels, drive thru and congregate meals. As the fear (of COVID-19) is going away, we are gaining people," Bertrand said.
As part of Tuesday's meeting, council members approved the annual detailed plan of operation for the Senior Center.
This includes the budget to be submitted to the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging and the acceptance of the fiscal year service awards from the Area Agency. The social reimbursement portion is $40,663; the meal reimbursement is $36,276 and the care-givers portion is $3,500.
A bid of $389,720 for the 2022 Aquarius Tank Diffuser Replacement Project was approved. The bid from Phillip Carkoski Construction and Trenching of Loup City was the only bid received for the project.
Council member Chris Woehler questioned the cost in the bid to remove the sludge. This item was the most expensive portion of the bid and Woehler said that Roger Protzman, engineer on the project, had not indicated earlier that this would be a major cost.
A resolution approving the Northeast Nebraska 9-1-1 Regional Interlocal Agreement between the city of Wayne, city of Norfolk, city of South Sioux City, Cedar County, Dakota County, Dixon County and Knox County to share emergency 9-1-1 call handling computer hardware was approved.
Wayne Police Chief Marlen Chinn explained the steps that had taken place and noted that the change links all the entities together, which would be beneficial in case of an emergency.
In connection with that resolution, a resolution appointing the Wayne Chief of Police to represent and make decisions on the Northeast Nebraska Regional E 9-1-1 Committee was approved.
During the meeting, a resolution and ordinance were approved involving the sale of a piece of city-owned property to the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA).
The CRA asked the city to purchase Lot 23 in the Southview Addition of Wayne and be allowed to move a house from 711 Main Street to that lot. The house could then be sold and potentially the other lots in the area also developed.
Following the discussion, the council approved Resolution 2022-20 and Ordinance 2022-6 which authorizes the sale of the property and directs the sale of the property to the CRA for $2 and the three readings of the ordinance waived.
The final resolution of the evening approved the Wayne, Nebraska Community Housing Study with Strategies for Affordable Housing. This study was required before the city could use TIF funds for future projects.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
