Wymore City Council approves event street closure, hires budget consultant and discusses police overtime pay

The Wymore City Council met Oct. 4 in Council Chambers and approved routine minutes and payroll matters before taking action on several community items. Mayor Collin Meints called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.; council members Max Allen, Sue Sapp, Curt Oblinger and Neil Van Boening and City Attorney Andy Carothers were present.

The council approved the previous regular meeting minutes and the Budget Hearing minutes, each by 4-0 votes. The body handled claims and payroll in multiple steps: it passed a motion approving claims and payroll except checks #27507, #27513 and #27541 (4-0). Later votes approved checks #27507 and #27541 (carried 3-0 with Council member Max Allen abstaining) and approved check #27513 (carried 3-0 with Council member Neil Van Boening abstaining).

During public comment, resident Tim Sedlacek said downtown street lights are working and said crews "will start working on updates to the Christmas decorations next week." The council then heard a request from Samantha Thompson to close G and H Streets from 13th to 14th and 13th Street from G to H on Oct. 29 from 2–5 p.m. for the 8th Annual McCandless Spooktacular; the council approved that street closure by a 4-0 vote.

Mayor Meints presented a proposal for fiscal raises and City Attorney Andy Carothers said he will prepare an ordinance for the next council meeting; Council member Neil Van Boening asked that the ordinance allow future raises to be effective Oct. 1. Council discussion did not produce a final vote on raises at this meeting.

On police personnel, Council members Max Allen and Neil Van Boening reported they met Oct. 3 with Police Chief Martinez. Allen proposed that the chief be paid his hourly rate for overtime hours; Chief Martinez agreed to that compensation arrangement. City Attorney Carothers said he will research whether a contract written to that effect would be legally enforceable; no contract action was taken at the meeting.

Janet Riensche presented a proposal from Lengemann and Associates to assist with FY2025 budget preparation for $3,750. Council member Max Allen moved and Sue Sapp seconded approval; the motion carried 4-0, and the mayor was authorized to sign with a clerical change replacing "Village of Wymore" with "City of Wymore."

Tim Sedlacek asked the council about replacing downtown trash containers with pole‑mounted versions and suggested cigarette receptacles; the council asked Sedlacek to place containers where they are needed and noted pole‑mounted cigarette containers are available.

Max Allen presented an application for a new Emergency Medical Services member. Council member Neil Van Boening moved to approve but rescinded his motion when the applicant was not present; Allen will ask the applicant to attend the next meeting.

On a separate item recorded in the minutes, a motion was offered to donate "ten $10.00 in Community Cash" to the Southern High School Parents of the Junior Class to support the Annual Treasure Hunt; the transcript records the motion but does not record a vote outcome. Sedlacek also told the council that Purple Wave would not sell the city’s military truck without a title; City Attorney Carothers recommended applying for a lost bonded title, and Sedlacek said he will pursue getting the truck listed at the next Purple Wave auction. Sedlacek additionally said Purple Wave had not photographed Fire Department items and that he would contact the company.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.