Housing discussion preceded the Wayne City Council's mini retreat on Tuesday.
Wayne Area Economic Development Director Luke Virgil, along with representatives from the Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation, shared information with the council on the housing needs and availability of housing within the community.
Virgil told the council that there are currently 28 lots available to build houses on in the city of Wayne and "there is a dire need to get more lots on line."
He shared four options for increasing available single family houses.
These include participation loans in which would involve working with banks and some type of interest buy-downs with money provided by the city. This could involve a larger scale project, including a new subdivision.
A second option brought forth was another Western Ridge type development. The project would create new property taxes, increased utility revenue and additional sales tax for the city.
The third option would be a buy-back guarantee on single family dwellings.
Rod Tompkins with Heritage Homes spoke to the council on a similar type project taking place in the city of Holdredge. He said Heritage Homes is currently building six homes in the $300,000 price range in Holdredge and the city has guaranteed the homes would sell within 30 days of being completed or the city would buy them.
The final option, which was favored by the Wayne Business & Industry committee, would be to use a process similar to what is being used in Wisner. It would involve sales tax revenue on TIF-eligible property.
Council members felt it would be possible to combine some of these options to create much needed housing, in several price ranges for the city.
It was noted that building all types of housing would allow for some other types of housing to become available for home-owners.
Council agreed to move forward with the necessary paperwork for an intent to apply for a Rural Workforce Housing Development Grant for up to $1 million. The city would be responsible for providing matching funds.
Topics ranging from city park equipment to a new city well and from the city's investment policies to electricity were on the agenda during the mini retreat.
Mayor Cale Giese gave an update on items that will be coming before the council in the near future.
He said that with changes in interest rates, how the city invests its funds will need to be discussed.
He also showed pictures of proposed park equipment for East Park that the Parks and Recreation Department would like to purchase in this fiscal year.
Casey Junck, Water/Wastewater Superintendent, told the council the city should consider putting in a new well to provide water to the city.
"We had to shut Well 7 down again and with the town growing, we need to have another well," Junck said.
Additional information on the city's electricity needs will be presented to the council with direction for moving forward presented by a newly hired consultant.
Also part of the Tuesday's retreat was discussion on parking on city streets.
Mayor Giese shared information that the city of Holdredge has no regulations in regard to parking. It was noted that Holdredge does have three large city-owned parking lots in the downtown area.
The final item on the retreat agenda was discussion on the Ameritas property. The city was provided renovation estimates by Otte Construction, but wants to get actual numbers based on a walk-through of the building to determine what would actually need to be done.
Suggestions for moving forwarded included getting a contractor's estimate from an outside source. The cost for this service is estimated at $5,000 but council members felt that amount would be worth it to determine whether or not the city moves forward with the purchase of the property.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
