"Lots of things are happening there right now" was the information provided to members of the Wayne City Council in regard to Prairie Park.
Matthew Smith with Olsson was present at Tuesday's meeting to give an update on the project and explain what work is planned in coming weeks.
He said there will be two running wells at the site in the near future and the lake has been filled.
In regard to amenities, Smith said the majority of the trail around the lake is finished, with the remainder to be completed after the bathhouse is installed (early next spring). The bridge and pier have been completed and the lake has been stocked with 3,000 blue gill and 500 bass. Parking areas have been completed.
Smith said that "there are only a handful of things that need to be completed" and encouraged everyone to visit the area to see the changes.
Council members took action on a request from Michael and Rebecca Brudigam, dba Tom's Auto Body, for $110,000 in LB840 Revolving Loan Funds.
Michael told the council he has worked at the business for 34 years and would like to keep the business in town. He said Tom's Auto Body has been in the community since 1976 and he hopes to continue and grow the business.
The Brudigams request loan terms of 1 to 2% interest and a repayment time of 15 years, rather than the 10 years recommended by the LB840 Revolving Loan Fund Review Committee.
Council members discussed recent decisions in regard to other loan requests, interest rates and terms of the loans. Following this discussion, they voted unanimously to approve a 2% interest and 15 year repayment term.
Council members approved a request from Lin Brummels, representing the Northeast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) to close westbound Third Street.
This is for a Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event to be held from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
During the event, two lanes of traffic will travel one way eastbound on Third Street from Lincoln and exit the area on Pearl Street. This is similar to the traffic flow for the recent Electronics Recycling event, sponsored by the Wayne Green Team.
Sandy Brown with the Wayne Green Team also talked about the event and told the council the same company that was involved with the electronics recycling will be picking up the materials from this event. She outlined the procedure and said members of the Wayne State College baseball team will be assisting that day.
A list of materials being accepted has been posted on the Green Team's website.
The RC&D has received a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to assist with costs of the event.
A change order in the amount of $4,454.00 to TR Harris for the Wayne Prairie Park Lake Amenities Project was approved. This will allow for an upgrade of the fishing pier from timber to concrete.
Approval was given for a change estimate in the amount of $12,042.00 to Otte Construction Company, LLC for the Wayne city Hall & Police Relocation Project.
When the parking lot at the location was being poured, it was determined that there was a water line in the area that had leaked, causing a large amount of wet soil. The soil was removed, a new water line installed and dry dirt hauled in.
Following a public hearing, council members approved the preliminary plat for Vintage Hill 4th Addition.
The plans call for 27 residential lots to be built between Vintage Hill 3rd Addition and 21st Street. The streets in the new addition will be connected to the three dead ends that are currently in the area.
Approval was given on Resolution 2024-62 for the purchase of SCADA hardware and software from Automatic Systems Co. for use by the wastewater department.
Casey Junck, Water/Wastewater Superintendent told the council the software is no longer supported by the firm that it was purchased from. He also expressed frustrations with the current provider and other options available to the city. He told the council "we have to have this equipment."
Following the discussion, council members voted unanimously to approve the $58,566 purchase.
The application of Abigail Scheuring was approved as the newest member of the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department. She is a freshman at Wayne State College and indicated she has a desire to become involved with and serve the community.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. In addition, a council retreat will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wayne Fire Hall.
