The location of a sidewalk on a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project, the size, location and water source of a lake in the city and ballot language in regard to city sales tax were all debated during Tuesday's Wayne City Council meeting.
Following a public hearing, council members approved Resolution 2022-5 which approves a redevelopment plan for the Sanctuary Apartments Redevelopment Project.
Prior to the vote, considerable discussion was held on the request to move the sidewalk on the property involved in the project.
Matt Ley with Sanctuary Apartments provided a site plan as part of the request for financing for the project. He requested the sidewalk be relocated to the back side of the curb to allow for additional parking for the project.
Council members discussed the need to keep these sidewalks clean in the winter and the safety issues involved with backing out of these spaces. Also discussed were other locations in the area that are available for parking.
Council member Matt Eischied said that he was "okay with the project and the request for TIF, but not okay with the parking. I think there is an easier way to address this."
The Community Redevelopment Authority will issue a tax increment revenue bond in the amount of $175,00 to assist with the financing of the project, which is estimate to cost between $1.2 and $1.4 million.
Also approved at Tuesday's meeting was Resolution 2022-6,which involves an amended interlocal agreement between the city of Wayne and Wayne Community School District 90-0017.
The amended agreement changes the wording to state that "the City and the District agree to hold annual meetings prior to the start of the fall semester of the District each year. The official participants in such meetings will consist of no more than three representatives appointed by the elected body of each entity to discuss the operation of the project."
The agreement allows the city to move forward with placing a sales tax asking on the ballot.
City Administrator Wes Blecke shared information on possible ballot questions in regard to a half-cent sales tax for the Wayne Community Activity Center Project and Improvement.
Council members discussed several options in regard to extending the current city sales tax for an additional 15 years.
At the present time, the city collects a one-half cent sales tax to pay off the swimming pool bond. This tax will sunset when the bond is paid off, which is estimated to take place in the fall of 2024.
Additionally, the city collects a one-cent sales tax with the revenue generated from this tax going toward Capitol Improvements (60%) and economic development through LB 840 (40%).
It was noted that if the issue of continuing these sales tax askings, the city would not go beyond a 7.5% sales tax for purchases in the city.
"If we put all these requests on the ballot at one time, we would only need to educate the public on the uses of the funds. If the sales tax were to fluctuate, it would be more confusing," City Administrator Blecke said.
The city needs to have information on the proposed ballot language no later than March 1 to have the issue on the May primary ballot.
Considerable discussion was held constructing a lake in the southeast portion of the city, in the area that was formerly the city's lagoon.
Jason Karsky, a member of the Stool to Cool committee, which looked at possible uses of the area, told the council and those in the audience that the purpose of the lake was for quality of life and recreational space.
"We already have recreation in the area and have the opportunity to develop a lake because the space is available now," Karsky said.
Council members discussed the possible ways of getting water into the lake and the size of this lake.
The majority of the council members felt a lake of approximately four acres would be the best option and that having a well at the location to pump water into the lake would be the most economical and allow for the most control on the quality of water.
Council members asked city staff to get estimates on what the costs would be for a three, four or five acre lake.
A bid from OCC Builders, LLC was accepted for work on the Freedom Park Trail Head Project. The bid of $318,340 will include the renovation of the old pool house building.
Resolution 2022-8 was approved. It approves the plans, specs and contract documents for the 2022 Aquarius Tank Diffuser Replacement Project.
Roger Protzman with JEO told the council that the life expectancy of the diffusers is approximately 10 years and the ones needing to be replaced have been in use for nearly 11 years.
He said that the cost of the membranes needing to be replaced is not the major expense. Instead, he said the project is "very labor intensive and will require the use of a large crane."
He said it will take eight weeks to get the membranes after the order is placed and the hope is that a contract for the work could be awarded in March, allowing the project to be completed during the summer.
"The project could take two to three months to complete and it would be good to do the work in the summer when the college students are gone and there is not as much of a load on the system," Protzman said.
Council members were invited to attend a Wayne Area Economic Development "Housing Summit" on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the Wayne Country Club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
