By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Discussion on future land use and plans for a Park and Recreation building at Prairie Park, along with an update on the Community Activity Center Relocation Project, were on the agenda when the Wayne City Council met on Tuesday.
Doug Temme, representing the Wayne Ag Society, spoke to the council on the possibility of annexing the Wayne County Fairgrounds into city limits.
He noted that a positive to the annexation would be that the Ag Society would not be paying the double water and sewer rates that is currently being paid.
However, he said the Ag Society has some concerns with having animals within city limits and events such as trap shoots that take place throughout the year at the fairgrounds.
"As a group, we are really not in favor of annexation, but would like to continue discussions to see if there are ways we can work with the city, especially in regard to the water and sewer rates. The fair brings a lot of people into the community and they don't just spend money at the fair. It is a win-win situation when people come to the fairgrounds," Temme said.
Mayor Cale Giese said, "personally, I would like to see things stay the way they are with the fairgrounds being outside city limits."
The issue has been discussed at several recent meetings as the city worked to pass an ordinance amending the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan for the city.
Following discussion at Tuesday's meeting, council members voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2024-2, which includes an area along the north side of Grainland Road to Pheasant Run as an area that would be considered for annexation. This was a smaller area than originally brought forth by the Planning Commission.
A resolution approving the plans, specifications and estimate of cost for the Park and Recreation Building Project was approved.
City Administrator Wes Blecke told the council the cost for the project was part of a $10 million bond approved earlier for the completion of several projects. He said the estimated cost for the building is $1.3 million, which does not include concrete, landscaping and work on an office space within the building.
Park and Recreation Director Lowell Heggemeyer explained what the building would look like and where it would be located. He said he hopes to have the building ready for use by this fall so both his department and the Street Department could house equipment there.
City Administrator Blecke updated the council on the Community Activity Relocation Project.
He said the committee continues to meet every two weeks and the next meeting on Wednesday, April 10 will include two townhall meetings to allow for community members to get information on the project, how it will be financed and how Wayne Community Schools could use the current Community Activity Center.
Meetings will be held at 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the Community Activity Center and will include information from the architect, Blecke and Wayne Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan. Each is expected to last approximately 45 minutes with time following to ask questions.
An update was given on city property located at 300 South Douglas Street. The city owns this single lot which could be used to build a house or duplex.
Discussion was held on how to sell the property and the possibility of working with the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) to do so. It was noted that the lot is currently in the flood plain, but that could change following the completion of a study being conducted by Olsson.
No decision was made on the future of the lot.
In other action, council members approved Application for Payment No. 3 in the amount of $46,529.17 to Philip Carkoski Construction and Trenching for the 2023 Wastewater Treatment Facility Ultraviolet Light Improvement Project. The project is in final stages of completion with the system currently in operation, with work taking place this week on several minor issues.
Ordinance 2024-5 received approval. It will allow for the vacating of a portion of Walnut Street located within the city of Wayne between the north line of Hillcrest Road and extending north to the south line of 14th Street.
With the construction of a new dorm on the east side of Walnut Street, safety issues need to be addressed if the street was open to traffic. In addition, it was noted that the city does not own 14th Street at the north end of Walnut Street.
The city will retain an easement for electrical infrastructure along the east side of the street.
Council members also approved Ordinance 2024-6 which will transfer the ownership of a water line from the city of Wayne to Wayne State College.
The line runs through the college along what was originally 12th Street. That street has been turned into a pedestrian way and the city would have difficulty getting to the line should there be any issues. By relocating two meters at either end of the line, the city would no longer be responsible for the lines and according to City Administrator Blecke, "it would be good for everything inside the college's boundaries to be owned by the college."
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
