The City of Wahoo contracted with JEO Consulting Group to provide an update to the Blight and Substandard Study for the Downtown area of Wahoo. A link to the report as well as a map showing the area is below.
The downtown area of Wahoo has been declared blighted and substandard since June 2000 when the first study was done. There is a negative connotation associated with the words :blighted" and "substandard", but in this case, the words blighted and substandard are specifically defined in Nebraska Revised Statutes and are intended to encourage updates to property and improvements to public infrastructure. This designation makes a property eligible for consideration for use of tax increment financing which is a financing tool to provide needed improvements to infrastructure or aspects of a project that serve the public. This designation also opens the door to applying for Community Development Block Grant funding to assist with improvements.
The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the study on Thursday, May 2, 2024 and City Council hearing will be on Thursday, May 14th, 2024. The Planning Commission meets at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, and the City Council meets at 7:00 at the Wahoo Public Library. Any questions on the study can be directed to the City Administrator by email to harrell@wahoo.ne.us or by mail to 605 N. Broadway, Wahoo, NE 68066.
The Wahoo Airport Authority has proposed amendments to their minimum standards for commercial operations. The 60-day comment period was officially opened on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 and will remain open for public comment through April 20, 2024.
Comments on the proposed changes to the minimum standards should be submitted in writing by email to wahooairport@gmail.com, by mail to P.O. Box 122, Wahoo, NE 68066 or can be delivered in person to the City of Wahoo offices at 605 N. Broadway, Wahoo, NE.
Comments can also be made by attending a public hearing on the proposed amendments scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. or Monday, April 15, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Both hearings will be held at City Hall, 605 N. Broadway, Wahoo, NE
The changes proposed in the minimum standard can be reviewed by clicking on the link below to a pdf of the document. Any deletions in the document are shown as strike throughs in the document and any new language is underlined.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 the City's FY 2023-2024 Budget Hearing and presentation was held. The budget presentation can be viewed by clicking on the link in the related sites as shown at the bottom of this article. Follow along with the presentation slides which can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
The City of Wahoo is required to participate in the Joint Public Hearing hosted by Saunders County which will be held on Monday, September 18 at 6:01 p.m. at the Saunders County Board of Supervisors Meeting Room at the Saunders County Courthouse, Third Floor, 433 N Chestnut, Wahoo, NE. At this hearing, the following slide will be presented with a brief narrative about the City's budget.
Only ATVs or UTVs registered with City Hall or owned by the City shall be authorized for operation on streets or highways within the corporate limits of the City. An annual registration sticker shall be issued by City Hall to the owner submitting the following:
Certification from the Wahoo Police Department stating that the ATV or UTV has been inspected and is in compliance with the equipment requirements identified by City Code.
Proof of liability insurance coverage for the vehicle specifically listing the vehicle as referenced by year, make, model, and serial number; and,
A one hundred dollar ($100.00) annual fee for registration of the vehicle.
The registration sticker shall entitle the vehicle to be operated on the streets and highways of the City as provided by Code during the calendar year of issuance. The annual fee will not be prorated and is not transferrable. No refunds shall be allowed for any reason. Registration will expire on December 31 of each year.
A reflecting, self-destructing sticker with an assigned number will be provided to the registering owner upon registration of such vehicle at City Hall.
Every ATV and UTV shall be equipped with:
A braking system maintained in good operating condition;
An adequate muffler system in good working condition and without a cutout, bypass or similar device, or any modifications to the muffler system which increases the volume of the noise of the exhaust system. No portion of the system shall be permitted to contact the ground when weighted by its operator;
A United States Forest Service-qualified spark arrester;
Headlights, taillights, and brake lights;
Equipped with a safety flag which extends no less than five (5) feet above the ground and is attached to the rear of such vehicle. The flag shall be day-glow in color, triangular in shape, and of a size with an area not less than thirty square inches.
The crossing of a highway shall be permitted only if:
The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90°) perpendicular to the direction of travel being made on such highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a timely and safe crossing;
The vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing shoulder or roadway of said highway;
The operator yields the right of way to all traffic which constitutes an immediate or potential hazard;
In crossing a divided highway, the crossing shall only be made at an intersection of another highway or roadway; and,
Both headlights and taillights must be on when the crossing is made.
Regulations
An ATV or UTV may be operated upon city streets and highways within the corporate limits ofthe City only if the operator and vehicle is in compliance with the following provisions in addition to the Nebraska Rules of the Road and City Codes:
Such ATV or UTV must be registered with City Hall, unless owned by the City itself.
An ATV or UTV shall not be operated at a speed faster than thirty (30) miles per hour or the posted speed limit, whichever is less.
When in operation, the headlights and taillights of the vehicle shall be on.
Only operate such ATV or UTV between sunrise and sunset.
Only have as many riders as the manufacturers intended.
Any person operating an ATV or UTV as authorized by this Code shall:
Have a valid Class O operator's license as provided for in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,126;
Have liability insurance coverage for the ATV/UTV while in operation upon a street or highway, provide such insurance proof of coverage upon the demand of any peace officer requesting such proof within five days of such request; such insurance shall be within the limits stated in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-509, as amended from time to time;
Penalties
Any person who violates any provision of this Article of the municipal code or violates the provisions defined by Chapter 39 or Chapter 60 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska while operating an ATV or UTV shall be subject to the penalties under the provisions of Chapter 39 and Chapter 60 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska and additionally all City-issued registrations for all of the operator's and the owner's ATVs and UTVs shall be revoked as follows:
For the operator's first offense, the operator shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200.00);
For the operator's second offense occurring within two (2) years of the first offense, the operator shall be fined four hundred dollars ($400.00)
For the operator’s third offense occurring within two (2) years of the first offense, the operator shall be fined four hundred dollars ($400.00), impoundment of vehicle, and all City-issued registrations of both the operator and the owner shall be revoked for a period of two (2) years from the date of offense.
For the operator’s fifth offense occurring within five (5) years of the first offense, all City-issued registrations of both the operator and the owner shall be revoked for a period of ten (10) years from the date of offense.
Registration steps
Contact the Wahoo Police Department and schedule a time for inspection. - (402) 443-4155
Passed inspection from the Wahoo Police Department.
Paid registration fee in the amount of $100 at City Hall.
Registration sticker placed on the vehicle's lower driver's side windshield. Or if no windshield the driver’s front side of the vehicle
Quick Reference Regulations
Operation permitted between sunrise & sunset.
Speed not to exceed 30MPH.
Passengers not to exceed the total number that the manufacturer intended.
Liability Insurance required.
Class O operators permit required.
NO after-market parts for muffler systems permitted.
Registration expires on December 31 of the calendar year.
Explore the newly updated Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) policy and how it applies to your property
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently rolled out new regulations for its existing Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) policy. One of the new requirements states that all public water systems must complete an inventory of water service lines within their jurisdiction to help identify remaining lead service lines. This inventory of information is not only important for public water systems like the Wahoo Department of Utilities (DOU) to know, but it is also essential to protecting and improving public health in Wahoo and the surrounding area. Explore this webpage to learn more about the newly updated policy and how it impacts homeowners, business owners, and schools.
What is the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)?
The LCR was first passed in 1991, but there have been multiple revisions to the policy since its passing. The latest updates came in January 2021 and became effective starting December 2021.
In the newest version of the law, public water systems are now required to develop (and maintain) a Lead Service Line (LSL) inventory. This information will be used to help develop a future replacement plan for all known LSLs. For now, however, public water systems only need to focus on developing the inventory and recording all known LSLs in their service area.
More information for public water systems about developing a replacement plan is anticipated to come later in 2023 in the form of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) policy update. However, for now, federal and state agencies recommend communities only focus on developing and maintaining the inventory.
Conducting the Water Service Line Inventory
For most homes and buildings built after 1978, the presence of lead is less prevalent. However, there is still a chance that lead material could have been used in residential service lines following this date. For this reason, it is important for all property owners in the community to conduct their own on-site inspection and determine what material type their water service line is made of - lead, copper, galvanized steel, or plastic.
To complete the EPA’s required service line inventory, the Wahoo DOU will need property owners’ assistance with verifying service line material. Through basic tests or observation, property owners can provide the DOU with what type of material their service line is made of – lead, copper, galvanized steel, or plastic. Follow these basic steps provided in the video below to determine what your service line material is and use the online self-reporting tool to share your findings with the city.
Need Assistance Determining Your Service Line Material Type?
If after completing your own inspection you are still not sure what material your service line is made of, reach out to the Wahoo DOU to set up a free on-site inspection with one of our technicians.
The Dangers of Lead
For years, we have known lead is a toxic metal that was once prevalently used in daily products, materials, and the construction of buildings. Despite it being banned from use, lead is still found in old and existing materials across the state, including private water service lines. Measures in the last two decades aimed at addressing lead material in water service lines have greatly reduced exposure to lead in our communities. However, as stated previously, lead can still be found in the water service lines of homes and properties, especially those older than 1978. The only way to know for sure if your water service line contains lead, is to conduct an on-site inspection or get your water tested.
Property owners can conduct their own on-site inspection by following the instructions above.
Nebraskans can also order a lead in water test from the DHHS Public Health Environmental Lab for a small fee. To order a lead in water test, call (402) 471-2122 or visit the Public Health Environmental Lab website.
Helpful Resources
Nebraska DHHS Lead Poisoning:This website is hosted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary location for all of their lead poisoning and lead-based policy information. This website includes information on sources of lead, prevention information, and detailed information for homeowners, business owners, and health professionals.
Nebraska DHHS – Lead Rules and Regulations: This website is hosted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and provides a brief review of what the lead rules and regulations are at the state and federal level. This includes information on lead-based paint and other lead-related policies.
Nebraska DHHS – Lead Poisoning FAQs:This webpage is hosted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and provides answers to a list of commonly asked questions about lead in homes and its effect to the human body.
EPA 3T’s for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Toolkit: EPA’s 3Ts – Training, Testing, and Taking Action – Here you will find information and recommendations to prepare schools, child care facilities, and states to build a voluntary implementation program to reduce lead levels in drinking water.
Contact Information
Wahoo Department of Utilities
402-443-3222
605 N Broadway Street
Wahoo, NE 68066
The Mayor and Council of the City of Wahoo meet regularly on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Wahoo Public Library, 637 N Maple St. They also convene as needed for special meetings which can be called by either the Mayor or by three of the six Council members. All meetings are open to the public and are held in accordance with theOpen Meetings Act established by the Nebraska State Legislature.
If you would like to have an item added to the next regular meeting of the Mayor and Council, please print off the Agenda Request Worksheet, complete the worksheet, and return it to the City Clerk's Office at 605 North Broadway along with any supporting documentation by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on the Thursday prior to the meeting. Once the item is received, the Clerk will contact you regarding the exact date and time of the meeting.
While each agenda is kept continually current and available for public inspection on request, the agenda is not final until posted on the Friday before the meeting. The City of Wahoo makes agendas available by email, on this website, and by posting at the Wahoo Post Office, First National Bank and City Hall. If you would like to have your name added to the email distribution list, please send an email to fasel@wahoo.ne.us.
Special meetings may be called from time to time as the need arises. Agendas for special meetings are posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting time in the same manner as agendas for regular meetings of the Council.
The minutes of the Mayor and Council must be made available to the public within 10 days of the meeting or by the next meeting, whichever comes first. If the minutes you are looking for are not available below, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 402-443-3222.
The City of Wahoo Utilities will be moving from manual meter reading to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for residential electricity, water, and gas utilities.
AMI includes technologies such as “smart meters” that accurately and securely enable two-way information between customers and the utilities while providing real-time consumption data.
By switching to AMI, Wahoo Utilities will gather timely utility data to better understand community usage patterns and establish a utility of the future.
The transition from manual meter reading to AMI is part of normal Wahoo Utilities operations and will have no direct cost to customers.
Upgrading from manual meter reading to AMI will improve utility management, allowing customers and Wahoo Utilities to make better informed decisions.
BENEFITS TO CUSTOMERS
BENEFITS TO WAHOO UTILITIES
Faster response to outages and water meter leaks
Timely access to more utility data
More effiicient billing resolutions
Lower operational costs and improved customer satisfaction
Saving money through energy efficient initiatives
Ability to remotely disconnect utilities
Wahoo Utilities will begin a four-year rollout plan in 2021 to replace or retrofit residential utility meters.
All homes within Wahoo city limits will have their electricity, water, and gas meters updated to AMI.
City representatives will coordinate with homeowners prior to updating water and gas meters within homes.
The installation process will be rolled out by billing cycle (about one-fourth of the community each phase).
For more information about the AMI process, click here for a fact sheet. More information will be available as implementation gets closer.
