A retreat date to discuss future projects and a date for a budget work session for the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget were among the items on the agenda when the Wayne City Council met in regular session Tuesday.
Council members have been meeting for mini-retreats in the months that have five Tuesdays.
One such retreat is being planned for Tuesday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wayne Fire Hall. The retreat is open to the public.
Council members will also hold a budget work session on Tuesday, Aug. 6 following the regular council meeting.
Also on Tuesday's agenda was a public hearing in regard to the Planning Commission's recommendation regarding the replat of Lot 5C, Outlot A and a portion of Lot 5B, Western Ridge Third Addition to the City of Wayne.
Steve and Cynthia Meyer, Brendon and Karla Pick and Mark and Lona Meyer made the request. It will divide two lots into three and extend Milo Drive the length of these lots and widen the street.
Following the public hearing, council members voted to approve the resolution in regard to the replat of the area.
In other action, the council received a report from Wayne Senior Center Coordinator Diane Bertrand.
Bertrand explained the different funds received from the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging. These include $43,354.00 for the III B Program, the "Social Activities/Health Education & Health Clinics" that seniors participate in on a daily basis at the Senior Center; $34,455.00 for the III - C Program, which is centered on the Nutritional Meal program and; $3,500 for III E Program, which is the Caregivers Support group/activities.
These numbers are based on each program's participation at the Wayne Senior Center from the previous fiscal year.
Bertrand talked about the various activities that take place at the Senior Center and the three ways seniors can receive meals - Meals on Wheels (home delivered), "To Go Meals" and congregate (in-house) meals.
She also commented on the increasing costs of food for preparing meals for the Center. Increasing the amount paid by Senior Center patrons may have to be discussed in the future.
Senior Center President George Burcum praised the work of Senior Center employees, noting "the staff does a good job."
Council members approved the submission of the Wayne Senior Center's Fiscal year 2024 detailed plan of operation and budget to the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging.
Wayne America, Inc. Economic Development Director Luke Virgil presented a semi-annual report on LB840 loan activity.
He shared information on activities that have taken place through the Wayne America office, including two governor visits, business tours, Leadership Wayne and Prairie Park development. He noted that there is always a need to look at different types of housing for the community and bringing in new businesses.
Considerable discussion was held on a change estimate request from Otte Construction for additional paving replacement costs in the west parking lot of the Wayne City Hall & Police Relocation Project.
Discussion included the fact that the parking lot is currently partially concrete and partially asphalt and matching the two areas to make them level. Among the possibilities for handling the project would be for city crews to bring in dirt to complete the project.
However, Council member Matt Eischied asked "how much time would city crews need to bring in the dirt? Would this take away from other projects?"
Following discussion, council members voted to move forward with paving the entire project and work with Milo Meyer Construction to bring in the dirt.
An application and certificate of payment in the amount of $370,281.00 to Otte Construction Company, Inc. for the Wayne City Hall & Police Relocation Project.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m.
