The Wayne City Council is again at full strength after the swearing in a new member during Tuesday's meeting.
Dallas Dorey was appointed to fill the vacancy on the council that occurred when Ward 4 council member Jill Brodersen, who was also council president, assumed the role of mayor after the resignation of Mayor Cale Giese.
Dorey has previously served on the council and Council President Matt Eischied said of the five candidates interviewed for the position, "Dallas stood out above the others,"
A number of street closure requests and changes were requested in regard to the 45th annual Henoween/Chicken Show. This year's event is scheduled to take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 11-13.
Wayne America, Inc. Executive Director Luke Virgil explained to the council the changes being requested. The majority of these involve the Henoween celebration.
The committee plans to move the festivities to the south of where they have traditionally been.
The plan calls for the stage to be moved from the corner of Third and Main Streets into the area of the former Riley's property. This will result in the street closure from the north side of Fairgrounds Avenue to the south end of Second and Main Streets. A barrier will also be located at the intersection of Main and First Street.
On Saturday, July 12 streets will be closed around Bressler Park from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, East Second Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to allow for the Kiwanis Omelet Feed to take place at that location.
Main Street from First Street to 10th Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (or until the end of the parade).
On Sunday, July 13, Second Street will be closed from Main Street to Pearl Street and Pearl Street will be closed from Second Street to Third Street from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the Crowing Motors Car Show.
Another change this year will be that the fireworks display will take place on Saturday, July 12 from the ball field at Prairie Park.
All of these requests were unanimously approved by the council.
Following a hearing, council members approved a Class D (Beer, Wine and Distilled Spirits, off-sale only) permit to Hemal Patel, owner of Gini, LLC, dba Fast Pik.
Patel has purchased the Lutt Oil & Service business at 310 South Main Street and shared information with the council on his experience with the businesses he currently owns in Fremont and Oakland.
He said he plans to make some upgrades to the business and possibly expand the food offerings.
Phil Monahan was appointed to serve as Wayne's Fire Chief for the coming year.
He told the council he has been a part of the department for 24 years and has served as chief for 15 years.
A resolution accepting the bid for the purchase of a 15kV Switchgear and 69 kV Control Panel for the Northeast Substation Project was approved.
The bid from Harold K. Scholz Company (HKA) of Ralston for $622,000 was the only one received for the equipment. This bid was under the estimate and met the schedule that was set forth.
Anticipated delivery is scheduled for August of 2026 with the project slated to be built in 2027.
A resolution approving the City Administrator's contract was approved.
The new contract will be for 17 months and run until November 2026. This will allow for the contract to more closely align with elections for council members and mayor.
The council approved on second reading an ordinance which will change the council meeting dates from the first and third Tuesday of each month to the first and third Monday of the month. If the ordinance receives third reading approval at the next council meeting, the change will take effect with the first meeting in July, which will be Monday, July 7.
Mayoral appointments during the meeting included Council member Parker Bolte to the Wayne America Board to replace Jill Brodersen and Lincoln Havranek to the Wayne Housing Authority.
The final item on Tuesday's agenda was discussion and a review of the city's investment policy and city checking account.
City Administrator Wes Blecke shared information on how some of the decisions are made in regard to city investments and when these items were last reviewed.
Matt Ley with State Nebraska Bank, spoke to council on the value of keeping investments locally. He also talked about the bank's role in improving the community.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, June 3 in the council chambers at 513 Main Street.
