By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
The Prairie Park project, and items associated with its construction, took up most the Wayne City Council's meeting on Tuesday.
First on the agenda in regard to the park was a resolution that will allow Carlson West Povondra Architects to serve as the special engineer on the Park and Recreation Building.
Parks and Recreation Director Lowell Heggemeyer is planning to do much of the general contractor work for the project; however, the city needs an engineer/architect to oversee the construction of the 60 foot by 130 foot building.
City Administrator Wes Blecke shared information on how the project will be financed. He said the city had obtained grant funding and had money in the budget for a sidewalk/trail connecting Western Ridge with businesses along West Highway 35. However, due to the fact that the project has been delayed and will likely be completed in the next fiscal year, that money won't be spent. In addition, cost estimates for the project are now lower than originally anticipated. These funds can now go toward the Park and Recreation Building.
Heggemeyer talked about plans for the building and told the council having an engineer for the project will help determine the best way to proceed. He said city crews will be able to do some of the work and other portions of the project will be completed by local contractor.
Payment No. 2 in the amount of $323,189.71 to Cooney Fertilizers, Inc. for Phase I grading working on the project was approved.
A change order in the amount of $13,907.10 was approved to Penro Construction Co. Inc. for quantity adjustments for additional sanitary service, a yard hydrant and live tap, as was Payment No. 4 in the amount of $155,562.81.
Matthew Smith with Olsson was at Tuesday's meeting to discuss with council these items and share information on what has been completed on the project.
He said the change orders will benefit the project in the future and the city may see a deduction in the cost later in the project as a result of the changes.
A resolution approving Letter Agreement Amendment #6 to the original Letter Agreement with Olsson for additional services on the Wayne Prairie Park Development Project. The agreement is for $21,850 and will allow for additional design and construction services to the project for the walking/biking trail around the lake.
Considerable discussion was held on the need to have a paved trail all the way around the lake area and the width of this trail.
Resolution 2024-3 was tabled during the meeting. It involves proposals and awarding of a contract to DeMarco Bros. Company for $33,628 for a City Auditorium Terrazzo Floor Refinishing Project. It involves patching the terrazzo at the doors near the main lobby, refinishing the terrazzo flooring and base in the arena hall lobby and refinishing the terrazzo floor and base in the main lobby.
Lowell Heggemeyer said he had attempted to find other bidders for the project but "no one else does this kind of work."
Council members questioned the amount of repair work that would be done as part of the contract and requested more information from the contractor. The item will be brought back to the council at a future meeting.
The city has $50,000 budgeted for the project.
Also on Tuesday's agenda was the reading of an ordinance which will allow for the release and abandonment of a 1,681.90 square foot easement in the Jorgensen Subdivision to the City of Wayne.
Ken Jorgensen, owner of the property, plans to add on to his current building. He was worked with architect Jill Brodersen to make sure the addition is 10 feet away from city utilities.
Council members approved a pay application to Otte Construction in the amount of $44, 853.00 for work completed on the Wayne City Hall and Police Relocation project.
An update on the Community Activity Center Relocation Project included the fact that the committee had met on-site at the building and did a walk-through. A total of four concept drawings were shared and during Tuesday's meeting, Mayor Cale Giese shared his personal opinions on what he would like to see done with the building.
"I would like to see the area kept open and a big space. I don't think we should waste money on walls at this time," Giese said.
Another meeting of the committee will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31.
City Administrator Blecke talked about deadlines should the city want to put a sales tax request before the voters at the May primary. He also said he is looking for opportunities for additional funding sources for the project.
The final item on the agenda included a brief closed session discussion on a request from Brent Pick to transfer ownership of Lot 19, located at 300 South Douglas to the city in lieu of a monetary commitment of $35,000 to satisfy a subdivision agreement.
Pick explained the history of the lot and the area surrounding it and also explained work that had been done since the agreement was made in November of 2017.
City Planner Joel Hansen noted that the city had put in a storm sewer project in the area to deal with water run-off from a large area of that portion of the city. He also explained why certain things were done in that area of the city.
Following the closed session, council members voted unanimously to approve Pick's offer for the property.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. A council retreat will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wayne Fire Hall.
