Wymore council approves daycare special-use permit, advances plans to remove downtown blight and reviews power contract

Mayor Collin Meints and the Wymore City Council approved a special-use permit for a child-care center and discussed next steps on downtown building removals and a new wholesale power contract at their Sept. 3 meeting.

The council voted 4-0 to adopt Ordinance 686, granting a special-use permit for a child-care center at 206 W M St to be operated by Kelsey Forney and Braydee Frase. The applicants told the council they do not plan physical changes to the property, and Councilperson Neil Van Boening reported neighbors had given the daycare a favorable review.

The move clears a regulatory step for Two Generations Day Care to operate at the address; the council suspended the three readings typically required and approved the ordinance by motion.

City Attorney Andy Carothers and Utilities Superintendent Tim Sedlacek updated the council on work to address dilapidated buildings downtown, including rubble removal at the former Gambles building at 207 S 7th St. Sedlacek said Tiemann Construction has removed several loads of rubble and is progressing, while Carothers said he has sent letters seeking permission to enter and inspect three residential properties connected to the downtown blight effort. Owners have until Friday to respond, Carothers said; if they do not, the city will consider condemnation steps to qualify for a removal grant.

Resident Rosalee Reedy asked whether properties removed under the program would become city-owned. Carothers said the city first seeks a quitclaim deed from owners; when an owner refuses, the city may pursue condemnation to clear title and qualify for grant funding. Carothers also reported that a quitclaim deed requested from Harry Lovell had not yet been returned and that additional grant funding would be needed to remove more buildings.

The council also opened and approved the city's 1&6 Year Plan, which Utilities Superintendent Sedlacek described as focused on maintenance for the next couple of years. Mayor Meints noted planned projects including a water-main replacement and an electrical project. The council approved the plan by motion, 4-0.

Carsten Mlady, representing Nebraska Public Power District, presented an overview of a proposed longer-term wholesale power contract. Mlady said the utility is seeing rising load demand and that responding customers' commitments are needed by Oct. 31 to secure incentives and to support bonding for new generation. City Attorney Carothers said he is reviewing the contract and asked that the item be placed on the council's first October agenda for formal consideration.

On other business, the council approved an amendment to Community Development Block Grant 23-PWI-012 and authorized Mayor Meints to sign the Letter of Amendment. The council also voted to keep the previously approved tax-levy dollar amount after discussion prompted by the city accountant, and approved City Treasurer Krystal Rutti's registration for the League of Nebraska Municipalities annual conference (recordings only).

The council adjourned at 8:57 p.m.