Considerable discussion on two agenda items resulted in a nearly two hour meeting when the Wayne City Council met in regular session on Oct. 20.
One of these items involved a request from the Wayne Baseball Association to install a windscreen on the exterior of the fence at Hank Overin Field.
Tim Reinhardt and Derek Anderson, representing the Baseball Association, spoke to the council on a request to install the windsreen on the fence outside the baseball field and sell advertising it.
"The reason for putting up the windscreen is for privacy and to generate funds for the baseball program here in Wayne," Reinhardt told the council.
The windscreen will be six feet tall and Baseball Association is hoping to get the 92 advertising spots sold before the printing is done. This will result in a cost savings for the group.
Council discussion revolved around who would be responsible for repairs to the fence should it be damaged by the windscreen and placing the windscreen on a newly installed fence that is owned by the city. It was also suggested that the windscreen be installed inside the baseball field and in the outfield to prevent people from watching games without paying.
Council members ultimately voted 5-2, with council members Clayton Bratcher and Brittany Webber voting against, to allow the Baseball Association to proceed with the installation.
Council members shared a variety of opinions on how to move forward with adding a section to an ordinance that included off-road vehicles.
These would specifically include golf carts, lawn mowers, skid loaders and garden tractors.
City Attorney Amy Miller had drawn up an ordinance based off one currently in place in Randolph after the item was discussed at length at a recent council retreat.
Among the items that would be required to allow these vehicles on city streets were: the driver must be at least 16 years of age with a valid driver's license, the vehicle would need to have a Slow Moving Vehicle emblem and could only be driven during daylight hours.
The vehicles would also be only allowed to be driven from the storage area to the place of employment (or to the Golf Course). They would be driven in the shortest route possible and only cross a highway when necessary at a 90 degree angle.
After recommendations that an ordinance dealing with golf carts be separate from that of other off-road vehicles, council members directed Miller to create ordinances to be brought back to a future meeting.
Council members approved an LB840 Revolving Loan Fund application from Hunter Jorgensen, dba The Max.
The loan, in the amount of $400,000, would be matched by a bank loan and personal equity. It would be used to purchase the bar/restaurant from Ken Jorgensen and make improvements to the property.
Terms of the loan include a 15 year repayment at an interest rate of 2%.
In other action, council members approved the membership application of Logan Peterson for membership in the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department.
Peterson, a Wayne State College student, has prior fire department experience on two departments in Iowa.
On a 5-2 vote, with council members Clayton Bratcher and Austyn Houser against, approval was given on a request from Joe and Lindsey Whitt to close the alley between First and Second Streets on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The request will allow only foot traffic in the alley on both sides of Main Street from 3 to 9 p.m. for the grand opening of the Wild Nettle and a Maker's Market.
Discussion centered on safety concerns with pedestrians crossing the highway on what could be a busy Saturday in Wayne with other activities scheduled that day.
A brief discussion was held on amending the city code in regard to solid waste management.
City Planner Joel Hansen told the council that as garbage trucks are getting bigger, they are having an effect on the alleys in the city. He suggested having garbage pick at the curb.
Additional discussion will take place at future meetings.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Monday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at 513 Main Street.
