March 8, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Council Meeting Agenda

Discussion:  Council Member R. Hansen asked for the Treasurer's report to be removed from the Consent agenda to discuss the budget numbers for meters and supplies.  

Council member Bard mentioned that the latest report for the PCA charge is ready.  The City is trying to generate $275,000 to repay monies used during the blizzard/cold snap of 2021.  Just over one-half has been paid back with $102,448.93 left to pay. It is estimated that this amount should be paid back within two years.

Discussion:  Traci Haglund, Administrator for Wakefield Health Care Center, gave her quarterly report to the council

Discussion:  During the Mayor's public comment period, John Geiser, representing the Wakefield Boy Scouts, addressed the council regarding a request to move the recycling trailer.  The Boy Scouts have been asked to move the recycling trailer to a different location due to construction that will begin April 1st for the new water treatment facility.  Geiser wanted clarification of the date that the trailer must be moved.  He also wanted to know where the flatbed and stock trailer could be moved to. City Administrator Mackling suggested a couple sites and will to the parties involved.   

Other issues brought forward during the comment period included complaints concerning loose trash from the new apartment complex construction site and school bus parking in the alley to the south of the bus barn.

Discussion:  No report was given for the proposed fire hall. 

Discussion:  The City will be reimbursed for expenses already paid by the loan from  Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).  Two reimbursement requests need to be approved for expenses.  Payment request #1 is for $1,033,933.46 for filters, engineering, and construction fees.  Payment request #2 is for $86,619.64 for engineering and construction fees.  Again these are monies that will be reimbursed to the City as a pay down on the loan the City has through NDEE.

Discussion:  As a follow-up to discussion held at last month's council meeting, the City would like to shift the administration from Wayne Community Housing Development Corp (WCHDC) back to local control.  A formal request should be made to WCHDC, so they know the City's intention. Currently, administration of the Wakefield funds are handled via the Wakefield Residential Development Group (WRDG); however, the City could be the administrator if so chosen.


 

Discussion:  A letter was sent to Steve Munderloh asking his intentions regarding the Cottonwood Street property.  Munderloh has been given a deadline of April 12, 2023 to secure a building permit. April 19, 2023 is the deadline to submit a TIF application.  


 

Discussion:  The Council discussed the downtown lighting project.  As part of the downtown revitalization project, new streetlights and poles will be installed; however, solar lights are no longer an option because the poles for solar lights do not accommodate banners or flags, and the amount of voltage they would generate would not be enough to support activities that are held on Main Street such as food vendors, bouncy houses, and concerts.  Valmont can provide the poles we need, but they are running about six to twelve weeks out.  If the City purchases the poles, a savings would be certain; however, funds are still very limited for the project, so other funding sources will need to be found.  Because several of the current poles on Main Street have deteriorated, City Administrator Mackling would like to purchase the poles now so that when a pole needs to be replaced, we have it on hand.  He will continue to collect bids from vendors and will bring more information to the April council meeting.

Discussion:  Due to unforeseen circumstances, the person who was going to lead the Council Retreat in April is no longer available.  They would like to still present, but need to do the retreat this summer.  The Council would like to have the retreat in late May spread over a couple evening if possible.  Clerk Vander Veen will look for and ask about possible presenters at Clerk School next week and report back to the Council.  Attorneys Cline-Williams of Omaha were also suggested for presenters.  
 

Discussion:  After a lengthy discussion, no action was taken on the proposed one-way of Eighth Street.  Concerns were expressed about making all of Eighth Street from Michener to Main one-way from  West to East; it was suggested to possibly leave Michener to Highland Streets two-way and start the one-way at the corner of Highland and Eighth and ending at Main and Eighth. School Superintendent, Matt Farup, stated to the council that they will be trying something new with bus parking, but he wanted to reiterate that bus-parking is not the issue; congestion, especially at the corner of Eighth and Johnson, as well as the safety of Wakefield's students are the main concerns.  

Discussion:  The Police Review committee met on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and several topics were discussed.  The City needs to begin thinking about budgeting for a third officer in Wakefield.  Also, several community members have share concerns about a fellow resident who is operating an electric vehicle at night without lights.  The Sheriff has spoken with this individual and a light has been procured for their use.  

Discussion:  City Administrator Mackling gave his report to the Council.  He shared that Andrea Larson with NENEDD is preparing numbers for sidewalk funding and will have those available next month.  There are several phases of the sidewalk program with the main concern being the safety of our residents.  Tree removal continues with the help of Jim Erickson.  

 

Discussion:  would take certain parts of the levy behind Ekbergs MFI WWT plant and further  to the south. That area would be deemed flood plain. Cost is huge
Soemthing new from FEMA. Asking communities to be accredited if they want.  Bc we are not planning to develop in those areas, why be accredited?
moves from flood hazard to a flood plain
That info will be coming from JEO as a freebie to us.  A pretty big thing in terms of cost.
If we don't get accredited it moves the above buzzes in to the flood plain instead of flood hazard; if there was development, they would have to develop 23" to bring up to elevation. Potential buyer knows that. 


 

Discussion:  MUlti-unit properties: apartments/triplexes/duplexes.
provide some type of off-street parking esp during snow removal, etc.
This is more informational.
 

Discussion:  2019 ordinance; 10-11 homes not lived in; no utilities; we have a housing shortage; paying to demolish houses then sit on empty lots; how does the council want to move forward.
Second street; house for sale and is bank owned.  $54K then going back up to $90K bc the bank doesn't want to take the loss.

Fees are the maximum allowed by Statute. Don't have to charge anything at all. mainly want to register home; have six months to come up with a plan.  
 

Discussion:  There are some things they could do to make it safer. 
MIners advised them to get their own attorney.
The ball is in their court since the permit was denied.
Repercussion?  Tear out what is already done.

Discussion:  Have preliminary drawings from Olsson.
Would be a long term project to keep the walking trail going.
Actual costs given by Olsson and Chads start project in phases.
  $50K set aside right now.
Ditchwould be a concrete swale to handle excess water.
Beautification of the corridor. 
Northern Natural Gas is to get back to us about being able to do it.  If they approve, they will be 'set' where everything can be.
 

Discussion:  Cleaning company at ESU to get contact; will not recommend the company.  
THree people applications with two turned in.
Sooner the better.
 

Discussion:  Zero % interest; Store front will be opening; 
Committe recomm