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Wymore council amends utility deposit rules, moves ahead on $525,000 grid grant and makes several appointments
Summary
The Wymore City Council on April 3 amended an ordinance governing utility service deposits, voted to pursue a $525,000 NDEE grid grant that requires a roughly 48% local match if awarded, appointed JEO as city engineers and approved several personnel and permit items.
The Wymore City Council on April 3 approved amendments to local utility deposit rules, voted to proceed with a $525,000 infrastructure grant application and made several administrative appointments and approvals.
City Attorney Andy Carothers read Ordinance 677 as amended after a motion by Council member Max Allen and a second by Council member Neil Van Boening. The amendment changes the ordinance provisions related to payment and refund of the utility service deposit to read section 3-810. The council suspended the three-reading requirement and approved Ordinance 677 by unanimous vote.
The ordinance change addresses how the city handles utility service deposits; the council did not debate the substance at length during the meeting. Andy Carothers read the final ordinance aloud before the vote, and the motion carried 4-0.
In other business, Tim Sedlacek reported that one of two pre-applications the city submitted for the NDEE Grid Grant was approved for $525,000. Sedlacek told the council that if the application advances, the city will be responsible for approximately 48% matching funds. Council member Neil Van Boening moved and Max Allen seconded a motion to proceed with the application process; the motion carried 4-0.
The council also appointed JEO as the city engineers by the unanimous vote of the council. Council approved the appointment on a motion by Max Allen, seconded by Neil Van Boening.
Other formal approvals included allowing alcohol service at the Community Center for an invitation-only event on May 11, 2024 (motion by Max Allen, seconded by Sue Sapp; carried 4-0) and approving the application of Thomas Burke to the Wymore Fire Department (motion by Max Allen, seconded by Neil Van Boening; carried 4-0).
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 677 (utility deposit amendment): motion to amend, suspend readings and approve as amended; motion carried 4-0. (SEG 002)
- NDEE Grid Grant: Motion to proceed with application for a pre-approved project of $525,000 that requires ~48% local match; motion carried 4-0. (SEG 002)
- Appointment of JEO as City Engineers: approved 4-0. (SEG 002)
- Alcohol service at Community Center (May 11, 2024): approved 4-0 with restriction of no beer garden. (SEG 001)
- Fire department application for Thomas Burke: approved 4-0. (SEG 002)
Why it matters
The ordinance amendment changes how the city administers utility deposits, which affects all utility customers and the city's administrative procedures. The NDEE Grid Grant, if fully awarded, would provide substantial infrastructure funding but requires a significant local match that the council must plan for. Appointing a city engineer firm centralizes design and oversight for upcoming projects.
What’s next
Ordinance 678, addressing dog confinement, was not ready and will return after City Attorney Andy Carothers consults with Chief Martinez. The council will place the Cemetery Board's grant request and the J&M Liquor SDL applications on a future agenda for further consideration. The council agreed to discontinue mailed meeting notices and use email notices going forward.
Sources: Meeting minutes and motions recorded by City Clerk Janet Riensche and statements by City Attorney Andy Carothers and Tim Sedlacek at the April 3 council meeting.
