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Record of Proceedings

Grand Island Citizens Advisory Review Committee Meeting - June 7, 2024

City Council — Friday, June 7, 2024
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateFriday, June 7, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:03

Original source
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0:00

Committee, the citizens review committee abides by the open meetings act in conducting business.

0:05

A copy of the open meetings act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state law.

0:12

Saying that, we need to address some board uh appoint some board members or uh chairman and vite or excuse me.

0:21

First of all, we need to approve the minutes from the last meeting from September 14th.

0:25

If I have a motion to do that, second second, Susan.

0:32

Thank you.

0:34

The next thing will be the election of a chairman and vice chairman.

0:39

Um be nominated.

0:49

I nominate Mr.

0:50

Rowe.

0:51

I thought that might come.

0:53

Okay.

0:54

Do I ask for a motion for that then?

0:57

Second.

0:57

Or a motion and a second.

0:59

Yeah.

1:00

So thank you.

1:05

Uh Vice Chairman.

1:08

I don't know.

1:08

Is anyone is there any terms that are expiring or chair?

1:14

We need a second.

1:15

Oh, I thought Susan did.

1:17

Tom nominated it, and Tom, I think Susan seconded it.

1:20

He nominated, but yes.

1:22

Yeah, that's fine.

1:23

Yeah.

1:24

And then uh we call then everybody needs to vote.

1:28

Oh you can just do it.

1:30

Yeah.

1:32

All in favor, say aye.

1:33

Aye.

1:34

All opposed.

1:36

Uh no.

1:37

And then the same for advice.

1:38

And then vice chair will need to nominate someone.

1:44

Nominate that.

1:45

Nice young Ellen.

1:47

Susan Bullington.

1:49

I'll second that.

1:56

Okay.

1:57

All right.

1:57

And all in favor?

1:59

Aye.

1:59

Aye.

2:01

Okay.

2:01

Any opposed.

2:03

Okay.

2:05

Um next thing we'll uh we have some time set aside for members of the public wishing to speak on any agenda items.

2:13

If there's anyone here that would like to do so, please come forward.

2:17

Yep.

2:23

Thank you.

2:24

Uh Gerald Pools.

2:26

West Highway 30.

2:27

Okay.

2:28

Do I talk now?

2:29

Yes, sir.

2:30

Oh, okay.

2:30

This will be try to take notes.

2:33

I uh in general, I see we are one of the problems I have with these economic programs, and this is I guess I've talked to you like I would be talking to City Council, but we're spending too much money chasing too few goods, and I don't think that the you know projects to promote housing or to bring new jobs in the town are actually beneficial in the long run.

2:57

We need to let this is a socialist program, and we really need to get back to businesses using their own profits to reinvent themselves or whatever you want to call it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████64%
Procedural████████11%
Affordable Housing██████8%
Public Finance█████7%
Public Works███4%
Public Engagement███4%
Transportation Safety█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island Citizens Advisory Review Committee Meeting - June 7, 2024

The Citizens Advisory Review Committee (CARC) met on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 2:30 PM to fulfill its duties under the LB 840 Local Option Economic Development Act. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, election of officers, public comment, and presentations from the city attorney, finance director, and economic development director. The committee was briefed on its oversight role, the financial status of the LB 840 fund, and ongoing economic development projects. The committee will prepare recommendations for the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the September 14, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Tom, second by Susan).
  • Election of Officers: Tom Rowe was elected Chairman (nominated by Tom, second by Susan, unanimous vote). Susan Bullington was elected Vice Chairman (nominated by Tom, second by Susan, unanimous vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gerald Pools (West Highway 30) spoke against the LB 840 program, calling it a socialist program that wastes taxpayer money. He cited an 84% increase in his property taxes, criticized a proposed 6% utility rate increase that could fund economic development, and questioned the program's transparency. He noted that average annual wages divided by jobs created equaled roughly $16.00 per hour. He expressed concern that subsidies go to companies like Hornady that don't need them.
  • Tom Rowe (committee member) responded, stating that studies show every dollar loaned through the program returns ten times to the community through taxes and supporting jobs. He argued the program is necessary for the town to grow and compete, and offered to provide the public member with data.

Discussion Items

  • City Attorney Carrie Fisk explained the committee's statutory role as a watchdog and steward of taxpayer dollars. She outlined that the committee must review audits, compare program performance against the adopted plan, and make recommendations to the City Council. The committee can recommend expanding the definition of eligible businesses to include retail, but that is not currently allowed under Grand Island's plan. She emphasized the committee's access to confidential application data and the need to maintain confidentiality.
  • Finance Director Brian Schultz presented financials as of May 31, 2024: cash balance of approximately $1.9 million, with city administrative fees of 3%, EDC administrative costs, and LB 840 commitments totaling $1.4 million. The newest commitment is to Vermeer. He noted that the fund is supported entirely by sales tax dollars, and the city follows a pooled cash investment strategy to maximize interest. Finance and EDC jointly audit participating businesses for compliance.
  • Mary Burley (Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation) presented the semi-annual review. Highlights include:
    • Grand Island ranked #22 out of 384 metro areas nationally by Area Development Magazine, #3 in economic indicators, #11 in economic strength, #30 in wage and salary growth.
    • Over 20 years, Grand Island invested $8 million in LB 840 (last 10 years: $4 million), resulting in 2024 direct jobs.
    • Active projects are exceeding contracted jobs and wages: actual employment is 100 more than promised, and wages are $13.33 per hour higher than contracted.
    • Taxable property value increased by $60 million from program participants.
    • New project: Vermeer High Plains will build a 20,000 sq. ft. facility on 8 acres in Platte Valley Industrial Park East, with no other state or local incentives.
    • Housing initiatives: Groundbreaking on 50 new units (first use of Nebraska Trust Funds, $750,000), and the Build Grand Island program (zero-interest construction loans) now totals $5.2 million after new city council allocation of $314,000 in LB 840 funds.
    • Other activities: inland port authority district potential after Highway 30 realignment, grant applications for rail and infrastructure (LB 600), and entrepreneurship competition.
  • Committee Role Clarification: Carrie Fisk reiterated that the committee's primary task is to analyze the program and make recommendations to the City Council at the next meeting. Members can request additional resources in advance.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approval of the September 2023 minutes.
  • Election of Chairman Tom Rowe and Vice Chairman Susan Bullington.
  • No formal votes on program or policy changes; the committee will prepare its findings and recommendations for the next meeting (likely within six months).
  • Directive: Members are encouraged to read the city's LB 840 program plan (in packet) and submit requests for additional data or resources to the city program administrator (Laura McAloon) before the next meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Committee, the citizens review committee 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. Saying that, we need to address some board uh appoint some board members or uh chairman and vite or excuse me. First of all, we need to approve the minutes from the last meeting from September 14th. If I have a motion to do that, second second, Susan. Thank you. The next thing will be the election of a chairman and vice chairman. Um be nominated. I nominate Mr. Rowe. I thought that might come. Okay. Do I ask for a motion for that then? Second. Or a motion and a second. Yeah. So thank you. Uh Vice Chairman. I don't know. Is anyone is there any terms that are expiring or chair? We need a second. Oh, I thought Susan did. Tom nominated it, and Tom, I think Susan seconded it. He nominated, but yes. Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. And then uh we call then everybody needs to vote. Oh you can just do it. Yeah. All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed. Uh no. And then the same for advice. And then vice chair will need to nominate someone. Nominate that. Nice young Ellen. Susan Bullington. I'll second that. Okay. All right. And all in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Any opposed. Okay. Um next thing we'll uh we have some time set aside for members of the public wishing to speak on any agenda items. If there's anyone here that would like to do so, please come forward. Yep.

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