WAYNE – Another step in providing more power to the City of Wayne was made in the right direction along with action items being approved.
From the council chamber inside City Hall, Sandy Brown provided an update on the Wayne Green Team.
The Green Team in Wayne started 15 years ago and has received $132,000 in grant funding. The next Electronics Recycling event will be September 14 from 8 – 10 a.m. near the City Hall.
The ‘Northeast Substation’ project was approved with the location being just north of Great Dane. The east half of the land would be available for the substation with a second substation potentially being added in the future.
City Administrator, Wes Blecke said council hired DGR Engineering for $673,000 to bid structures out individually and to get better prices.
“Plus your lead time is way different on some of these things,” said Blecke. “This transformer has a two, two and a half year lead time on it once you order it. So, we’re not turning the key tomorrow and having this thing operational. So, it’s going to take some time.”
The current transformer is 47 years old and has used 16.8 mega watts of the max 22.4. The new apartment complex would add another mega watt on line. The lifespan of the substation is 50 years.
To replace the current equipment would be $2 million. The back-up generation could get costly for City of Wayne residents while having a second substation would be more efficient.
Mayor Cale Giese said the City of Wayne doesn’t experience the blackouts that other communities do because they have the generating capacity.
“When the power goes out if it’s a major problem it usually pops back on in like 15 minutes,” said Giese. “Now, of course your individual line in your neighborhood or something could be out, which could take longer to physically go out and reconnect.”
There are eight engines in total with the older engines being from 1976.
The Electric Committee is looking to plan for the future and plan for a new plant with time being limited on the current substation.
Council approved $25,000 to continue the conversation with DGR on what’s the best development plan going forward on the ‘Proposed Generation Plant’ project.
The end of the current power purchasing contract is up at the end of 2026.
Lowell Heggemeyer, Parks and Recreation Director provided more information on the new ‘Parks and Recreation Department Garage’. The garage would store softball and baseball equipment each in a single garage door along with a double garage door for the department. Each garage area will be separated with a wall in-between with a walk-in door for city to use theirs. The bid was approved of $14,571.77 to Vakoc Builder’s Resource with city staff providing the concrete work with the project being within budget before going out to bid on the building.
Work will begin once the ground dries from the recent rainfall. This would replace and repurpose the current sheds that are located near the batting cage area.
Council also approved a request from Roger Myers to have the rental fee and deposit waived for summer courses he teaches voluntarily. The courses are for adults learning English as a Second Language (ESL). The group has met at Connell Hall on the campus of Wayne State College during the school year. There is no cost for this course and Myers is a volunteer with no funds being transferred.
An updated liquor license was also approved for Wisner West, Wayne East Prime Stop with a change in some shareholders.
Council also approved the yearly street closures for the 44th annual Henoween/Chicken Show Celebration scheduled for Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14. An alternate date for the Friday fireworks show was also set for Saturday pending weather. Fire Chief, Phil Monahan would also need to provide approval.
The purchase of a new LP XDT Vacuum Excavator was approved through Vermeer High Plains at $69,606.34. The Water/Sewer and Electric Departments budgeted for $77,000 and their current equipment has 625 hours and is a 2012 model. City staff will look to put their current equipment out to sell as one with 659 hours is being sold for around $42,000.
A mini retreat was set for Tuesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. from the Wayne Fire Hall. This is open to the public.
The next regularly scheduled Wayne City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.
