The future of electricity generation in the city of Wayne and housing needs highlighted the Wayne City Council's retreat on May 30.
Dave Peterson with JEO brought information to the council on options for the city as the contract with Big Rivers for wholesale power comes to an end in 2027.
Four options presented included having an all-inclusive purchase of electricity. This option is generally the most expensive.
A semi-inclusive plan allows the city to lock in contracts and manage those contracts.
An energy-only plan will allow for generation to support demand.
The fourth option would involve purchasing wholesale power at market rate when needed.
Peterson also talked about a federal government Clean Energy Renewable Act. Under this program the federal government would provide funding for a portion of projects that replace old generation systems with solar systems.
"With the assistance, the cost for this type of electric generation would be less than 2 cents per kilowatt hour. This is a good hedge against costs and would be good for 35-40 years.
Mayor Cale Giese told the council "all of these options come with risks and rewards and this will be a long, on-going discussion."
During the retreat, each council member was to list his or her long and short-term goals.
These ranged from moving City Hall, electric generation, developing Prairie Park, developing Western Ridge II, working with the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA), creating a sidewalk along Highway 35 on the west side of Wayne toward Dollar General and Bomgaars, housing (especially for elderly or those in transition), working on the city's electric substation and the possibility of bringing more hotel accommodations to the city.
Discussion during the retreat also involved determining the city's relationship with the Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation (WCHDC) moving forward.
Jeaney Harris and Teresa Dredge, members of the WCHDC Board of Directors, shared information with the council on the history of the organization in Wayne and the services provided, including assistance for first-time homebuyers and management of Meadowview Estates.
Discussion centered on the fact that housing for the community is "important enough that the city needs to be involved."
The grant-writing process for obtaining funds to support the organization was discussed at length and options available for working with the city moving forward were shared.
The possibility of the city funding the organization and the streamlining of employees will be discussed at a future city council meeting.
Council members went into executive session to receive a property negotiation update.
The Wayne City Council will meet in regular session on Tuesday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m.
