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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Budget Study Session - August 20, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, August 20, 2024

BodyGrand Island, Nebraska

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, August 20, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:05:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:25

I'll struggle.

0:44

Welcome to our meeting.

0:45

The date is August 20, 2024.

0:48

The time is 6 p.m.

0:50

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

0:54

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

0:58

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

1:05

I ask that you stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:18

And to the Republic, which stands one nation under God.

1:30

The City Clerk will now perform roll call.

1:33

Councilmember Mendoza will be absent.

1:35

Councilmember Kaczynski present.

1:37

Councilmember Hazi.

1:39

Present.

1:39

Councilmember Sheard.

1:41

Present.

1:41

Councilmember Pollack.

1:43

Present.

1:43

Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent.

1:45

Council President Stelk.

1:47

Here.

1:48

Council Member Nickerson.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Councilmember Lanfair will be absent.

1:52

Councilmember Conley.

1:54

Present.

1:54

And Mayor Steele.

1:55

Present.

1:56

Also present.

1:57

Our Jill Grenier, the city clerk.

2:00

The city administrator, Laura McAloon is absent this evening.

2:03

Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator is present, as is Carrie Fisk, the city attorney, Keith Kurtz, the public works director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director.

2:16

We will proceed with our agenda starting with item 4A.

2:27

Mr.

2:28

McCoy.

2:34

Okay, so we are going to get right into it.

2:40

So the Parks and Recreation Budget that we're proposing this year includes park administration, parks operations, the greenhouse, the cemetery, the recreation division, the summer programs, the Staly Railway, the Community Field House, Island Oasis, and Lincoln Pool.

3:09

So we're projecting our personnel service services this year to be a total of um 3,588,148 dollars, which is an increase of 6.4%.

3:34

This year the minimum wage was $12.

3:37

We have we have increased our seasonal wages to account for the new minimum wage, which will be $13.50 in 2025, and then we anticipate uh bumping that again to $15 of the minimum wage is $15 in 2026.

3:56

So again, uh increase of 6.4 percent.

3:59

Um the operating uh um that we're projecting this year is $1,358,509 of an increase of 3.6 percent.

4:11

Um this does not include a requested FTE.

4:15

Um it does not include budget for Jack Rabbit One and Golf Course or Heartland Public Shooting Park.

4:21

You there will be presentations next.

4:23

Um it does include uh our operating um line item there does include uh a new um item uh 22,000 dollars just to uh for the upkeep of uh of Camp Augustine.

4:39

Um back to our seasonals, one just a note you might be amazed to hear that we had working between the um the field house, the water park, the uh you know Stolly Railway, um some of our summer programs, we had 187 seasonal staff this year.

5:00

Um so again, you can see how we're affected by that minimum wage increase.

5:04

Um again, it does not include uh uh uh FTE that we requested just to keep up with the growth of the park system and our operations.

5:14

Um we've been really busy.

5:20

Um if you've been driving around town and been into our parks, um, you will see that we've completed quite a few projects lately.

5:28

Um the George Park and Ryder Park restrooms have been um completed, so there's new restrooms in those parks.

5:34

The Ryder Park parking lot, of course, the Pernie Playground.

5:38

Uh this we uh did a new uh irrigation system at Stally Park this year.

5:43

Um we had put a backstop into Sterling Park.

5:46

We had two new picnic shelters there by the Pernie Playground that we installed this year.

5:51

Um the George Park, we just did a field reserve or renovation of the uh the the large baseball field there.

5:59

Um we have new playgrounds at Lincoln and Grace Abbott Park this year.

6:04

Um, and uh the Stally Park roads and parking lot improvements.

6:08

Uh that phase one was completed this year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████33%

Public Finance█████████████████████21%

Public Works█████████████13%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Procedural███3%

Facility Management███3%

Engineering And Infrastructure██2%

Technology and Innovation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Budget Study Session - August 20, 2024

The Grand Island City Council held a study session on August 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers to discuss the FY2025 budget proposals for Parks & Recreation, Jack Rabbit Run Golf Course, Heartland Public Shooting Park, and overall city finances. The meeting included detailed presentations from department heads and operators, public comment, and extensive council discussion on funding priorities, deferred maintenance, and future capital needs. No formal votes were taken; the session was intended to inform the final budget adoption scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

Derek Hansen, President of Harlan Football Club (HFC), expressed concern about the impact of previous budget cuts (circa 2017) that shifted maintenance responsibilities to volunteer organizations. He noted that organizations now must stripe fields, maintain equipment, and absorb costs, which are passed on to families. He requested the council approve an additional FTE for the Parks and Rec department to help restore proactive maintenance and improve facility scheduling transparency. He also mentioned that the city lacks a system for the public to see field availability, unlike the field house.

Discussion Items

4A. FY2025 Parks & Recreation Budget Proposal (presented by Todd McCoy)

Personnel services projected at $3,588,148 (6.4% increase), partly due to minimum wage rising from $12 to $13.50 in 2025, and anticipated $15 in 2026. The department employed 187 seasonal staff this year.
Operating expenses at $1,358,509 (3.6% increase).
Capital projects included: Ashley Park backstop/drainage ($295,000); Beakler Park tennis court resurfacing ($30,000); Eagle Scout Park asphalt trail improvements ($900,000) – Councilmember Sheard suggested Good Life District funds could be used; Cemetery road/parking ($100,000) and columbarium ($122,000) – Councilmember Nickerson objected to using the perpetual maintenance trust fund for the columbarium, preferring general fund; the assistant city administrator confirmed general fund availability; George Park playground replacement ($150,000); Island Oasis renovation ($2 million for design of a $15 million project) – Councilmember Nickerson questioned the high design cost; Parks Master Plan completion ($70,000); Skate park replacement at Pier Park ($900,000, concrete); Park parking lot improvements ($150,000); Stally Park final phase ($150,000); Picnic shelters; Rider Park baseball project ($1 million placeholder, total $5 million; private fundraising $1.75 million, nearly $1 million pledged); Stally Train area improvements ($150,000 placeholder, $3 million total); West Connector Trail ($75,000 city share of $1.8 million federal grant); Park contingency ($100,000); Equipment: bucket truck ($155,000 carryover), air compressor, lift gates, bobcat, mowers, cemetery bobcat track loader.
Funding sources proposed: general fund $2.4M, Keyno fund $798,000, food & beverage $3.4M, cemetery fund $122,000.
Council discussion focused on the large number of projects, capacity to manage them, and use of reserves.

4B. FY2025 Jack Rabbit Run Golf Course - Landscapes Budget Proposal (presented by Sadonna, golf manager)

Performance: Net Promoter Score 52 (excellent); course conditions rated 4.5; pace of play down due to new golfers. Fiscal Year 2024 EBITDA $111,470 positive variance; expenses up 9.6% (minimum wage, equipment leases), revenue up 17.2%, rounds essentially flat (+118). Course is essentially break-even.
FY2025 budget: Minimal growth projected; new cart lease (Yamaha) costing $5 more per cart than Club Car per month; lease vs. purchase analysis presented.
Capital requests: Pickup truck ($? – mentioned as need), spin grinder (carryover), Groundmaster mower ($? – purchase vs. lease); Maintenance building roof repair ($30,000); Tree removal/planting (carryover $25,000 of $45,000); lake renovation (carryover); concrete pad, cart path repair, range ball dispenser and mats.
Long-term concerns: Irrigation system (48-year-old PVC, four catastrophic failures in 2024), clubhouse (48-year-old modular with failing septic), need for multi-purpose space with simulators for revenue. Estimated cost for new clubhouse: $6 million (basic) to $10 million (grand with pickleball/mini golf). Landscapes contract ends December 2025, airport lease April 2026.
Councilmember Nickerson praised the presentation and urged proactive lease renewal. Councilmember Hawsey supported the $300,000 budgeted for Jack Rabbit (up from $100,000) but noted irrigation repairs could quickly consume it. Council discussed simulator potential (estimated $72k–$100k annual rental revenue, 2-year payback).

4C. FY2025 Heartland Public Shooting Park Budget Proposal (presented by Neil Davies, Hornady Marketing; Tom Bush, Manager)

Hornady’s role: Operates the park, saving the city $340,000/year in operating loss. In FY2024, Hornady invested $335,000+ in repairs (well, AC).
Economic impact: 4-H Shooting Sports (708 kids from 40 states) generated $2.3M in business sales; Zombie Match (1,500 attendees) $403,000. Total 47,000 visitors in 12 months. Park is finalizing host role for Cornhusker State Games.
Capital request ($345,983 total): Door structures and electrical repairs for trap/skeet houses ($195,983) – water damage, rust, safety issues; Residential house renovation ($100,000) – to house match officials, visiting trainers; Shooting bay expansion ($50,000) – to accommodate 4-H growth and allow multi-gun nationals (capacity for 450 competitors, 4-day events).
Council members expressed strong support, noting the city’s past neglect and the need to preserve/protect/maintain. Councilmember Hossey said he could support the full request.

4D. FY2025 City Financials Presentation (presented by Assistant City Administrator Patrick Brown)

General Fund: FY2024 revenues $1.2M over budget; sales tax slightly under due to $330k refund. Building permits nearly doubled. FY2025 property tax ask flat at $12,086,673 (fifth year). Sales tax growth projected at 1.5% (excludes new Target/hotels). Personnel expenses up 3% ($41M); operating expenses down 29% ($9.8M) due to one-time projects in FY2024. Total FY2025 budget within $42,490 of fiscal policy.
Excess cash: Starting FY2025 with $42.4M cash; 25% reserve ($13.4M); excess $29M. Proposed use for one-time projects: Fire Station 3, ladder truck, ambulance, police vehicle storage ($10M) leaving $19M excess. Staff recommends paying cash rather than bonding given current interest rates.
Five-year projection: Personnel 3% growth, revenue 2% growth, operating 2% growth; cash reserves remain above policy.
Food & Beverage Tax: Revenue $3.2M in FY2024; expenditures $4.2M (including Huskier Harvest Days $200k, state fair lottery match $575k, Grow Grand Island $500k, Vets Complex debt payment, parks projects). FY2025 will spend down reserves with $3.5M available for projects.
Keyno Fund: FY2025 revenues $340k, expenditures $954k, also using reserves.
Casino tax: FY2024 projected $830k; hotel casino opening February 2025 expected $1.2M annually. Councilmember Hawsey suggested earmarking for property tax relief; Brown noted it currently goes to general fund and effectively provides property tax relief.
Council discussed unfunded FTE requests (15 total), including Parks irrigation specialist and library part-time positions. Councilmember Nickerson requested that Todd McCoy explain his need for one FTE (irrigation specialist) – McCoy stated system growth and need for proactive maintenance. Council agreed to discuss remaining FTE requests at the August 27 regular meeting.

Key Outcomes

No formal votes were taken. The council provided direction to staff to incorporate the discussed budget adjustments and present a final budget ordinance for public hearing on September 3 and adoption on September 10, 2024.
Council expressed general support for the Heartland Shooting Park request ($345,983) and Jack Rabbit Run capital allocation ($300,000), with recognition that further long-term planning is needed for clubhouse and irrigation.
The $122,000 columbarium from the perpetual maintenance trust fund was questioned; the assistant city administrator indicated general fund could be used instead.
Councilmember Nickerson’s request to discuss additional FTE for the library and other departments will be taken up at the August 27 meeting; council will have six members present, but he decided to drop the request to avoid a decision by less than full council.
Timeline: Budget discussion will continue at August 27 City Council meeting; public hearing September 3; final vote September 10.

Meeting Transcript

I'll struggle. Welcome to our meeting. The date is August 20, 2024. The time is 6 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. I ask that you stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic, which stands one nation under God. The City Clerk will now perform roll call. Councilmember Mendoza will be absent. Councilmember Kaczynski present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Pollack. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent. Council President Stelk. Here. Council Member Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lanfair will be absent. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present. Our Jill Grenier, the city clerk. The city administrator, Laura McAloon is absent this evening. Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator is present, as is Carrie Fisk, the city attorney, Keith Kurtz, the public works director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director. We will proceed with our agenda starting with item 4A. Mr. McCoy. Okay, so we are going to get right into it. So the Parks and Recreation Budget that we're proposing this year includes park administration, parks operations, the greenhouse, the cemetery, the recreation division, the summer programs, the Staly Railway, the Community Field House, Island Oasis, and Lincoln Pool. So we're projecting our personnel service services this year to be a total of um 3,588,148 dollars, which is an increase of 6.4%. This year the minimum wage was $12. We have we have increased our seasonal wages to account for the new minimum wage, which will be $13.50 in 2025, and then we anticipate uh bumping that again to $15 of the minimum wage is $15 in 2026. So again, uh increase of 6.4 percent. Um the operating uh um that we're projecting this year is $1,358,509 of an increase of 3.6 percent. Um this does not include a requested FTE. Um it does not include budget for Jack Rabbit One and Golf Course or Heartland Public Shooting Park. You there will be presentations next. Um it does include uh our operating um line item there does include uh a new um item uh 22,000 dollars just to uh for the upkeep of uh of Camp Augustine. Um back to our seasonals, one just a note you might be amazed to hear that we had working between the um the field house, the water park, the uh you know Stolly Railway, um some of our summer programs, we had 187 seasonal staff this year. Um so again, you can see how we're affected by that minimum wage increase. Um again, it does not include uh uh uh FTE that we requested just to keep up with the growth of the park system and our operations. Um we've been really busy.

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