City Council meetings
Regular Wayne City Council meetings are at 5:30 pm on the first and third Mondays of each month in City Hall at 513 Main Street. We get lonely when it’s just us, so come join the conversation.
Mini-Retreat
The City Council held another mini-retreat at 1100 E 10th Street on Aug. 31. Besides a couple of action items including awarding a water improvement bid to Penro Construction and authorizing another payment for Phase 4C of Prairie Park, the Council had discussion on numerous items.
How should food trucks be regulated in City limits…or should they be regulated at all at the local level? Currently, the City has no regulations on food trucks other than they must be on private property to operate. As long as that food truck has permission from the property owner and is licensed by the State of Nebraska (with a sales tax number), they are good to go. Staff will look at surrounding communities for examples of regulations.
The Council also discussed campers being allowed to set up in trailer parks. Should the City allow them in these areas, and does state law permit this? Lodging taxes were also discussed and whether municipalities should be collecting and remitting these taxes to the state (or are municipalities exempt)? Then, do local trailer courts allowing campers have to do the same? There were many legal issues that surfaced. Staff will bring an amended ordinance allowing campers in trailer courts, zoned R4 for further discussion.
The Council also talked about selling City property and how a listed price gets developers’ attention more so than a “make an offer” type listing.
Much discussion was had regarding sidewalks and accessibility. Where should the City start with sidewalk improvements, and who should pay for it? Great discussions all around!!
Sidewalk Assistance Cost Share
Are you a property owner who has wanted to address a cracking, heaving, “messed up” sidewalk? Did you know the City might be able to help with a cost share on this project? Talk with Joel Hansen to see if your replacement is eligible for City assistance. Joel will help you through what needs to be done to receive this incentive.
Final Budget Preparation
The City Council will finalize its budget and have final hearings at its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21. This meeting will also have a corresponding ordinance to authorize the City to expend the budgeted authority in fiscal year 2026-2027.
Legislative Committee
I am a member of the Legislative Committee for the League of Nebraska Municipalities. As a member, we meet three times each fall to review and recommend legislation to the full League Board to ultimately support (or at times object to). League staff then lobbies for or against these legislative changes at the Unicameral.
At times I will testify in front of the Legislature’s standing committees, but typically the League handles most of this for the City of Wayne (and its many other members).
Some items of interest that the committee discussed last week in Lincoln included e-bikes/e-scooters, high definition/artificial intelligence security cameras, fire codes, planning commission membership, library board classifications, and airport authorities.
If you ever have a state legislative change that you think would help the City of Wayne out, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Besides municipal finances…legislative proceedings is my next favorite thing to discuss!
Questions, comments, concerns?
Contact Wes Blecke, City Administrator at 375-1733 or wblecke@cityofwayne.org.
