Page 12 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

City, Continued from page 3 ternally,” said Webb. “Good govern-
ment is transparent. When every-
$9,915,884.39. thing is working, you don't think
“Grants have been absolutely es- about it. When your water isn't work-
sential to accomplish the things ing, then you think about it. If your
we’re doing,” said Webb. “We don't garbage wasn't picked up, then you
miss a grant opportunity.” think about it. You don't really real-
-The City received $1,766,961.72 ize how great they are until they
in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aren't there.”
funds which could be used for gov-
ernmental services. The ARPA fund- New plans:
ing needed to be spent or obligated The parking structure will be demolished later this year. -The city’s Administrative Team
in full by 12/31/2024, the city did bringing it to fruition. Being lead-free sponded to 4,606 calls. Of those and Wayne County Commissioner Al
meet this requirement. The obligated by the end of 2025,” said Webb. calls 3,561 were for EMS and 1,045 Haidous worked with the Wayne
funds must be spent by 12/31/2026 -The Community Development were fire calls. County Commission to write and se-
and they are in the process of com- department secured a $50,000 Safe -The Fire Department’s new fire cure a $700K Community Develop-
pleting the final project. Streets Grant and a $17,926 truck is now in service. This truck ment Block Grant from the county to
-The vast majority of the city’s MSHDA Housing Readiness Grant was ordered three years ago. demolish the under-utilized, dysfunc-
ARPA funding was allocated to gear- for facade improvements for busi- -The Building and Engineering de- tional, and blighted parking struc-
ing up the Police and Fire Depart- nesses in the DDA. partment issued 410 certificates of ture and build a new parking lot for
ments and replacing HVAC systems -State paramedic grant has saved compliance, 30 certificates of occu- the library and make room for new
in all four main Civic Buildings: Po- the city $96,217 in paramedic costs, pancy, 581 building permits, 237 development. (The city will relocate
lice, Fire, DPW, and City Hall. The re- another grant has been awarded for plumbing permits, 243 mechanical the Peace Memorial near Veteran’s
maining dollars are being used to 2025-$53,025. (This will cover the permits, and 295 electrical permits. Park at City Hall.)
renovate City Hall. last two firefighters to be enrolled in -The Department of Public Works “People have wanted to see park-
-The city of Wayne secured $4.9M a qualified paramedic program). (DPW) cleaned and televised ing structures go for 20 years. I’m ex-
in State EGLE grants and $960K in 29,303.1 linear feet of sanitary sew- cited for grant funding for that,” said
Federal EPA dollars to replace lead Department accomplishments: ers. These sewers range from 6" to Webb.
lines throughout the city. To date, -The Wayne Police Department re- 18" in size. -The Abbey Loft development is
they have replaced approximately sponded to 22,937 calls for service “Every department is critical. scheduled to begin construction this
400 lead water services. and took 2,565 reports. Some of their work is felt more exter-
“We’ve got the vision and we’re -In 2024, the Fire Department re- nally while others' impact is more in- See City, page 14

12 · March 2025 · The Wayne Dispatch