Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2024
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Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2024
The Grand Island City Council held a regular meeting on June 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations from the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation (GIAEDC) and the City Finance Director, approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on a rezoning request, action on a resolution amending the economic development contract, an ordinance vacating easements, and a motion to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining. The meeting concluded with remarks from the Mayor about a community ribbon-cutting event.
Presentations and Proclamations
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Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation Semi-Annual Report (Mary Burley): Burley presented the semi-annual review required by the city's economic development program. Key points included:
- Voters recently approved renewal of the LB 840 program with $950,000 annual investment.
- Over the last 10 years, the city invested $4 million in LB 840 funds, resulting in 241 new direct jobs (high-wage, high-skill).
- Active projects are investing more than initially projected; annual wages from active contracts exceed $38 million.
- The EDC is working on projects ranging from 7 to 900 new employees, with capital investments from $3 million to $900 million.
- Vermeer High Plains received a $525,000 LB 840 contract for 600 linear feet of public roadway and utilities, supporting a 20,000 sq ft building; construction is underway despite groundwater issues.
- The realignment of Highway 30 will improve access to industrial parks and support an inland port authority district application.
- A $750,000 Nebraska Trust Fund grant will partner with Hopi Development to construct three 5-plex units, income-restricted for 10 years (120% AMI or below).
- Build Grand Island revolving loan fund has $5.2 million; five new projects awarded, creating 72 new homes.
- Grand Island was selected for Cory Hepola's "My Town" docuseries (airing on Netflix), filming in summer 2025.
- Councilmember Nickerson inquired about early childhood care and education funding; Burley noted a promising project with Grand Island Public Schools but cannot disclose details yet.
- Councilmember Pollock asked about the timeline for the $5 million rail project; Burley stated no timeline yet, pending engineering and wetland delineation.
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City Financial Review (Patrick Brown, Finance Director): Brown presented an interactive dashboard covering revenues and expenditures. Key points:
- Property tax revenue is level; mill levy is decreasing (0.2756 in 2024). For a $229,000 home, the city receives $595 (14.29% of property tax).
- Sales tax rate is 2% (capped). Current collections are $18.6 million, 1.8% higher than last year, but growth has slowed.
- Casino tax (20% of gross gaming revenue): City receives 12.5% of that 20%. To date, $553,000 collected; budget $750,000; expected to exceed budget. Anticipates $1.1-1.2 million when casino opens in December 2025.
- Councilmember Grzezinski asked if metrics track whether casino dollars come from Grand Island residents; Brown said he will ask.
- Other revenues: motor vehicle sales tax ($1.9M collected, budget $2.5M), motor vehicle fee ($400k), municipal equalization fund ($2.2M budget, but will decrease to $1.6M next year due to lower mill levy).
- Personnel costs are 70-71% of general fund expenditures.
- Expenditures are generally on track; some departments (police, fire) may be close to budget.
- Brown noted the city will use cash reserves for Camp Augustine land purchase ($2M) and fire station, to be repaid with bond proceeds.
- Councilmember Stelk noted sales tax is holding steady despite Conestoga Mall construction; Brown said shoppers shifted to other local stores.
- Councilmember Nickerson requested that dashboards indicate the period covered (actuals through May 2024); Brown agreed to add that.
Consent Calendar
- Motion by Councilmember Grzezinski, seconded by Councilmember Fitzkey, to approve consent agenda items 7A through 7N. Approved unanimously.
- Items included: minutes of June 11 and June 18 meetings; payment of claims ($5,220,617.44); liquor manager designation; website design agreement; purchase of pad-mount transformers; software maintenance; Millennial Estates Third Subdivision plat; supplemental agreement for Broadwell Avenue viaduct; amendment for North Moore’s Creek wetland mitigation; change order for South Locust Street paving; amendment for Camp Augustine Master Plan; consolidated interlocal GIS agreement with Hall County; interlocal agreement for ambulance service.
Public Hearing & Action – Millennial Estates Rezoning
- Public Hearing: The applicant (Starostka Contracting Inc.) requested rezoning of 9.170 acres north of 13th Street and west of proposed Claude Road from R2 (Low Density Residential) to R4 (High Density Residential) for a townhouse/duplex development. City Planner Nabity explained the rezoning supports the comprehensive plan (medium density residential to office) and allows adequate setbacks for townhouses. Planning Commission recommended approval. No public testimony was offered; hearing closed.
- Action: Motion to suspend statutory rules (Councilmember Lanfear, seconded by Councilmember Hawsey) adopted. Motion to approve ordinance #9979 (Councilmember Hawsey, seconded by Councilmember Fitzkey) adopted.
Resolutions
- #2024-152 – Amendment to Grand Island Economic Development Contract: The administration recommended increasing the FY2024 administrative overhead payment by $40,240 (total $313,140) to cover site selector payments, advertising, marketing, and software subscriptions. The increase is within the $425,000 authorized by council in December. Motion to approve by Councilmember Lanfear, seconded by Councilmember Stelk. Adopted.
Ordinances
- #9980 – Vacating Easements: City Planner Nabity explained that easements on undeveloped property east of Millennial Estates are no longer needed because new easements on the plat will replace them. Motion to suspend rules (Councilmember Stelk, seconded by Councilmember Lanfear) adopted. Motion on merits (Councilmember Hawsey, seconded by Councilmember Pollock) adopted.
Executive Session
- Motion by Councilmember Grzezinski, seconded by Councilmember Lanfear, to leave the regular meeting and reconvene in executive session to discuss collective bargaining and the protection of the public interest. Motion adopted. The council entered executive session at 7:55 PM. No report on the session was provided in the transcript.
Closing Remarks
- After the executive session (or as part of the meeting conclusion), Mayor Steele made remarks about a community ribbon-cutting event for a new playground, noting the project originated from a Central Community College class and that the community showed strong support. He expressed pride in the engagement and the positive impact on youth.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Millennial Estates rezoning (R2 to R4) approved.
- Economic development contract amendment approved (increase of $40,240).
- Easement vacation ordinance approved.
- Council entered executive session for collective bargaining.
- The meeting adjourned following the executive session (time not specified in transcript).
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to our meeting. This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The time is 7 p.m. The date is June 25, 2024. 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. I ask that you stand with me and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk will now perform roll call. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember Grzezinski. Present. Councilmember Hasi. Present. Councilmember Sheard will be absent. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey. Present. Council President Stelk. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lindfear. Present. Councilmember Connolly. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Sonia Cisnerro, the Deputy City Clerk, 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. 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. No one has come forward, so we will continue. Starting on Sunday and continuing through Friday is the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championship. And I attended the welcoming ceremony. There are over 700 4-H competitors in Grand Island to participate in this shooting sports championship. In addition to the competitive shooters, they're here with our coaches and families. So you're going to see a lot of people from elsewhere in Grand Island. And I want to just note what an what an incredible draw for people we have with the Heartland Events Center, the Heartland Public Shooting Park, and the Pinnacle Bank Exposition Center, all of which will be used by the competitive shooters. And lastly, I want to thank Brad Melema and his crew at Grand Island for Grand Island Tourism for rolling out the red carpet for these amazing young people who have come here to Grand Island to display their skills and to compete. Continuing with our agenda, the first item under presentations and proclamations is Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporations semi-annual report. Good evening, Mrs. Burley. Thank you, Mayor.
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