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Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - August 13, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, August 13, 2024
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 13, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 28:10

Original source
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0:19

Welcome to our meeting.

0:20

The date is August 13, 2024.

0:23

The time is 7 p.m.

0:25

This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council.

0:29

The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business.

0:33

A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state law.

0:40

The City Council may vote to go into closed session on any agenda item as allowed by state law.

0:46

At this time, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:53

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:09

The City Clerk will now perform roll call.

1:12

Councilmember Mendoza will be absent.

1:14

Council Member Kaczynski present.

1:16

Councilmember Hazi.

1:18

Present.

1:18

Councilmember Sheard.

1:20

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Pollock.

1:22

Present.

1:22

Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent.

1:24

Council President Stealth.

1:26

Present.

1:27

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:28

Present.

1:29

Councilmember Lanfair will be absent.

1:31

Councilmember Conley.

1:32

Present.

1:33

And Mayor Steele.

1:34

Present.

1:34

Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk.

1:37

Laura McAloon.

1:39

The City Administrator.

1:40

Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator.

1:42

Carrie Fisk, the city attorney, Keith Kurtz, the public works director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director.

1:50

Individuals who have appropriate items for city council consideration should complete the request for future agenda items form located at the information booth.

1:59

If the issue can be handled administratively without council action, notification will be provided.

2:06

If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date will be given.

2:14

Items 6 Q and R have been removed from the consent agenda for additional consideration.

2:25

Does the council wish to remove any other consent agenda items?

2:32

Mr.

2:32

Pollock.

2:34

I do not.

2:37

Thank you.

2:43

Then we will proceed.

2:47

A sign-up sheet was available in the lobby for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items.

2:54

If you did not sign up to speak on an agenda item, please come forward.

2:58

State your name and the agenda topic on which you will be speaking.

3:10

Hearing none, we we will continue.

3:13

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items 6A through 6P, excluding items Q and R.

3:22

Mr.

3:22

Paulett?

3:24

I would make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

3:28

Item 6A to 6P.

3:32

Yes, sir.

3:34

Except for Q and R, correct?

3:36

Correct.

3:37

Mr.

3:38

Connolly.

3:39

I will second that motion.

3:41

Thank you, sir.

3:43

We take up item six Q.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████████████████████████32%
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████27%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Finance███████████11%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Mobile Food Unit Regulation█████5%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - August 13, 2024

On August 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM, the Grand Island City Council held a regular meeting at Council Chambers, 100 E First Street. Councilmembers Mendoza, Fitzkey, and Lanfair were absent. The meeting covered the consent agenda, two removed items (VOIP telephone system and CDBG consolidated plan), a public hearing on a utility easement, a resolution accepting a grant, and the first reading of an ordinance to vacate an easement. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the July 23, 2024 regular meeting, July 29, 2024 Central District Health Department joint meeting, July 30, 2024 City Council study session (budget), and August 6, 2024 City Council study session (budget).
  • Approved payment of claims for July 24 through August 13, 2024, totaling $8,882,250.16.
  • Approved appointments of Robert Thomas, Erich Fruehling, and Alex Hamann to the City of Grand Island Tree Board.
  • Approved the request of Fonner Park Exposition and Events Center, Inc. (Heartland Events Center) for ratification of nomination and election of Board of Directors.
  • Approved #2024-171: GIPD School Resource Officer MOU renewal with GIPS.
  • Approved #2024-172: Request from GRACE Foundation for permission to use city streets, hike/bike trail, and state highway for the 2025 Race for GRACE.
  • Approved #2024-173: Change Order No. 1 for Tri Street Drainage Improvements (Project No. 2023-D-1).
  • Approved #2024-174: Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the GIAMPO Travel Demand Model and Long Range Transportation Plan.
  • Approved #2024-175: Purchase of sanitary sewer collection system flow meters for the Wastewater Division of Public Works.
  • Approved #2024-176: Annual Certificate of Program Compliance to Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards 2024.
  • Approved #2024-177: Award of proposal for sludge dewatering polymer.
  • Approved #2024-178: Change Order No. 1 for Annual Symbol & Intersection Markings 2024 for Streets Division.
  • Approved #2024-179: Change Order No. 1 for Annual Lane Line Striping 2024 for Streets Division.

Discussion Items

  • #2024-180: Purchase of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) Telephone System – Assistant City Administrator Patrick Brown presented the proposal to replace the current telephone system (installed in 2013) at City Hall, police department, four fire stations, and library. The vendor is Americon using a Zaltis hosted system. The system is cloud-based, provides features such as call recording from the beginning, message saving, and a mobile app for call forwarding. Implementation cost: $87,416; monthly fee: $5,878 (roughly a wash with current costs). Councilmember Nickerson asked about internet redundancy for 911 compatibility; Brown noted redundancy exists for City Hall and fire stations. Councilmember Still shared positive experience with a similar system at the Utility Billing Center, noting a 50% reduction in phone bills. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • #2024-181: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan – Mrs. Albedrez presented the five-year consolidated plan, required as an entitlement community. The annual allocation for 2024 is $339,000, plus $10,629.29 in leftover funds from previous years, totaling $349,629.29. The grant application window runs January 15 to March 15. The Entitlement Stakeholders Committee (comprising representatives from CRA, Grow Grand Island, EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Hall County Housing Authority, City Administration, and one appointed council member) reviewed proposals. Funded projects: $51,133.29 for program administration; $10,000 to Central District Health Department for daycare scholarships; $10,000 to Hope Harbor for operational costs; $5,000 to Third City Community Clinic; $25,000 to Project Hunger for food programs; $75,000 to 4th Street BID rental assistance program; $23,000 to Hope Harbor for building rehabilitation (security and ADA upgrades); $50,496 to YMCA building rehabilitation. Councilmember Pollock expressed appreciation for using tax dollars effectively, noting the new eligibility of the 4th Street BID. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Public Hearing: Acquisition of Utility Easement – 3604 Prairieview Street (Springhill Suites) – City Engineer Schmitz explained the 20-foot easement serves the new Spring Hill Suites Hotel near the new hospital. No public testimony. Resolution #2024-182 was approved unanimously.
  • #2024-183: Accepting National League of Cities Economic Mobility Rapid Grant – City Administrator Laura McAloon reported that the city applied for a pilot program called the Community Kitchen Pilot Project. The grant of $20,000 will provide $2,000 mini-grants to local entrepreneurs for renting shared commercial kitchen space, purchasing supplies, creating marketing materials, and connecting with mentors. Only 12 cities in the country were selected. The grant requires all funds spent by January 31, 2025. Councilmember Still asked if food trailers could be eligible; McAloon confirmed yes. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance #9982: Vacation of a Portion of Easement in Stewart Place Subdivision (2104 & 2120 S Blaine Street) – Public Works Director Keith Kurtz explained that a homeowner requested a license agreement to build over an easement, but after review, all utilities confirmed the easement was unused due to lot line shifts. Instead of a license, the city proposes vacating the easement. On first reading, the motion to approve passed unanimously. The ordinance requires a second reading due to insufficient members present to suspend statutory rules.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items (6A-6P) were approved.
  • Items 6Q and 6R were removed from consent and individually discussed and approved.
  • Resolution #2024-182 (utility easement) approved.
  • Resolution #2024-183 (NLC grant) approved.
  • Ordinance #9982 (easement vacation) passed on first reading.
  • The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to our meeting. The date is August 13, 2024. The time is 7 p.m. 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, please stand 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. The City Clerk will now perform roll call. Councilmember Mendoza will be absent. Council Member Kaczynski present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent. Council President Stealth. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lanfair will be absent. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk. Laura McAloon. 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. Items 6 Q and R have been removed from the consent agenda for additional consideration. Does the council wish to remove any other consent agenda items? Mr. Pollock. I do not. Thank you. Then we will proceed. 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 none, we we will continue. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items 6A through 6P, excluding items Q and R. Mr. Paulett?

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