Brittany Webber was sworn in as the newest member of Wayne City Council during a council retreat on Tuesday.
Webber will represent Ward 3, the northwest quadrant of the city and fill the term of Dallas Dorey who has moved out of the ward.
Also during the retreat, a public hearing was held and council members received information from Finance Director Beth Porter on the 2022-2023 budget. Final numbers and the city's tax asking will be presented at a future public hearing.
Topics discussed during the retreat included housing, work on Fourth Street, 21st Street and Centennial Road.
Council members talked about what types of housing are needed in the city, and whether or not the city should be more active in helping developers with certain areas.
Possible options included paying for the water and sewer. The properties discussed are not eligible for TIF financing.
Council members said that properties that are developed would generate more property tax revenue.
It it estimated that at the present time there are under 35 lots available to build on and the recent housing study indicated a need for available lots in all price ranges.
Discussion was held on where funding would come from if these incentives were to be put in place.
Additional discussion was held on the need to complete work on Fourth Street and 21st Street.
Both of these projects would require cooperation with the county officials as portions of both streets are outside city limits.
It was noted that not having these streets paved is "really limiting growth in the city."
Also on the retreat agenda was future funding for the CRA.
Mayor Cale Giese said "we have to re-think how we fund the CRA. They are working on projects we asked them to and getting further and further in debt."
One option discussed was having a tax levy for the group, similar to that of the Wayne Airport Authority. It could bring in approximately $86,000 per year.
A skate park somewhere in the city was discussed.
Information was shared on the impact on the city's insurance and council members were told a skate park is treated in the same way as other parks and there would be no additional costs.
Locations discussed for the park included near the Community Activity Center and in the area of the old swimming pool.
City Administrator Wes Blecke showed pictures of a skate park that has been installed in York and shared information on how the park came into being.
Concerns about who would monitor the park and the number of people who would benefit from having the park were shared.
Another topic on the agenda was the Ameritas building, which has recently come up for sale.
Discussion was held on whether or not the building could serve as the City Hall and if any other groups/organizations could be housed in the building.
Council members and city staff have discussed building a new city hall that would be more accessible to the public or renovating the current building.
Arguments on both sides were shared, including comments from Wayne Area Economic Development Director Luke Virgil that if the city were to purchase the building, the city would lose "some excellent commercial frontage and lose property taxes on the property."
He also told the council that there has been lots of interest in the property since it was put on the market.
Council members Matt Eischied, Brent Pick and Jill Brodersen, who are part of the facilities group, will inspect the building and make a recommendation to the council.
Members of the Stool to Cool Committee gave an update on the project and noted that the city is waiting for a site plan from the engineer.
Chickens in the city of Wayne was the final topic for the evening and council members were given an update on past council decisions in regard to the matter.
Several opinions were expressed as nearly all the members on the current council were not part of the council when the ordinance was adopted.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
