Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - May 7, 2024
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Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - May 7, 2024
The Grand Island City Council met on May 7, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included recognition of a long-serving employee, approval of consent agenda items, public hearings, a resolution for economic development, and an ordinance to extend groundwater contamination controls. All items on the agenda were approved.
Presentations and Proclamations
- Recognition of John Hiser: The Council recognized John Hiser for 25 years of service with the City of Grand Island Utilities Department. Hiser was hired as a Power Dispatcher 1 on May 17, 1999, and promoted to Power Dispatcher 2 on May 26, 2008, a position he holds today. Mayor Steele and Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz presented a certificate and pin. Hiser's wife Lori was acknowledged for encouraging him to apply.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the April 23, 2024 Regular Meeting were approved.
- Payment of Claims: Claims from April 24 through May 7, 2024, totaling $2,278,995.38, were approved.
- Agenda Item 7c (2024-114): Amendment No. 4 for Various Locations Drainage Projects with JEO Consulting Group, Inc. was approved.
- Agenda Item 7d (2024-115): Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Industrial Foundation Third Subdivision were approved.
- Agenda Item 7e (2024-116): Amendment to CDBG #2023-2 with First Light Child Advocacy Center was approved.
- Agenda Item 7f (2024-117): CDBG Contract #2023-3 with the YMCA was approved.
Public Hearings
- Liquor License for The Archives (8a): A public hearing was held on a Class "CK" liquor license application from MC Concepts, L.L.C. dba The Archives, 224 N. Locust Street. The city clerk reported that the application was filed April 2, 2024, and public notice published April 27, 2024. Departmental reports recommended approval upon final inspections. No public testimony was offered. The Council approved Resolution 2024-118, with Councilmember Lanfear moving and Councilmember Gazinski seconding; motion carried.
- Utility Easement Acquisition (8b): A public hearing was held on the acquisition of a utility easement at 3040 James Road (formerly 3040 Langenheder St) for Titan Machinery Inc. Public Works Director Keith Kurtz explained the easement is needed to feed the new Titan site with underground utilities from James Road to the north. No public testimony was offered. The Council approved Resolution 2024-119 (motion by Gazinski, second by Fitzkey); motion carried.
Resolutions
- LB 840 Grant to Vermeer High Plains (9a): Resolution 2024-120 approved an Economic Development Plan (LB 840) grant to Vermeer High Plains in an amount not to exceed $525,000 for public infrastructure. City Administrator Laura McAlloon explained that voters reauthorized the LB 840 plan in November 2022, with an annual appropriation of $950,000. Since the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) had a conflict of interest (the land is owned by EDC), McAlloon presented the recommendation. Mary Burley (EDC) gave a presentation: Vermeer High Plains, founded in 1979, is a family-owned industrial equipment outfitter serving underground utility professionals. The grant will fund approximately 600 linear feet of sanitary sewer, water, a 40-foot public roadway (Cobalt Drive), and stormwater ditches at Platte Valley Industrial Park East. The company will construct a roughly 20,000 square foot building on 8 acres, creating six full-time equivalent employees with room to grow. Kevin Klein, company president, stated that the new facility will serve the tri-city area and demonstrated commitment by noting that Vermeer High Plains will not seek any other state or local property tax incentives. Councilmember Nickerson expressed support, noting the LB 840 program received about 69% voter approval. The motion to approve was made by Councilmember Hawsey and seconded by Councilmember Pollock; motion carried.
Ordinances
- Extension of Groundwater Institutional Control (10a): Ordinance 9973 amended Chapter 35, Article VI of the Grand Island City Code to extend the duration of institutional control for Groundwater Control Area No. 1. The area was originally established in 1998 per EPA requirements following identification of subsurface contamination in 1996. Contaminants include PCE, TEC, DEC, and vinyl chloride at levels above safe drinking water standards. EPA test samples from March 28, 2024, showed contamination at 15 of 48 monitoring well locations. The ordinance extends controls for an additional 25 years, ending April 23, 2049. The Council voted to suspend statutory rules and then approved Ordinance 9973 (motion by Pollock, second by Lanfear); motion carried.
Key Outcomes
- All items on the agenda were approved unanimously as noted.
- The Council recognized John Hiser for 25 years of service.
- A Class "CK" liquor license was granted to The Archives at 224 N. Locust Street.
- A utility easement was acquired for Titan Machinery at 3040 James Road.
- An LB 840 grant of up to $525,000 was awarded to Vermeer High Plains for public infrastructure to support a new facility.
- Groundwater contamination controls in Control Area No. 1 were extended for 25 years until 2049.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to our meeting. It is 7 p.m. The date is May 7, 2024. This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state law. The City Council may vote to go into closed session on any agenda item as allowed by state law. At this time, I ask that you all rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The city clerk will now perform roll call. Councilmember Mendoza, present. Councilmember Kacinski. Present. Councilmember Hazi? Present. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey. Present. Council President Stelk. How's that? Councilmember Nickerson? Present. Councilmember Lanfear? Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk. Sonia Cisneros, the Deputy City Clerk. Laura McAlloon, the City Administrator, Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director. Individuals who have appropriate items for City Council consideration should complete the request for future agenda items form located at the information booth. If the issue can be handled administratively without council action, notification will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date will be given. At this time I ask of the council, are there any items that you wish to remove from tonight's consent agenda for further discussion? Hearing none, we will continue. A sign-up sheet was available in the lobby for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items. If you did not sign up to speak on an agenda item, please come forward, state your name, and the agenda topic on which you will be speaking. Hearing from no one, we will continue. Tonight we have a special guest, and that special guest is the first item on our agenda, which is recognition of John Heiser for 25 years of service with the City of Grand Island Utilities Department, and also present is his immediate supervisor, Jeff Hegel, his wife Lori, and Ryan Schmitz, the Utilities Director. John, Jeff, and uh Ryan, if you'd please come up to the main podium. You've made a great commitment to the City of Grand Island, and I always like to just to uh show everybody that as mayor, I have an easy job because I'm surrounded by people just like you, great city employees who do a great job. And I told you out front we do not have a cash prize for you, but we do acknowledge you with a certificate, and the city clerk, Jill Grenier will present you with a pin. I'd just like to read a little bit about your history. Uh on May 17, 1999, you were hired as a Power Dispatcher 1 at Phelps Control Center, and on May 26, 2008, you were promoted to Power Dispatcher 2 at Phelps Control Center, a position that you hold today. And on May 26, 2008, you were promoted to Power Dispatcher 2 at Phelps Control Center, a position that you hold today.
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