Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - August 27, 2024
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Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - August 27, 2024
The Grand Island City Council met in regular session on August 27, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Steele presided, with eight council members present (Mendoza, Kaczynski, and Hazzi were absent). The meeting included a consent agenda, a public hearing for a liquor license, approval of the Fonner Park BID budget, adoption of the FY2024/2025 fee schedule with significant discussion, and second reading of an ordinance to vacate an easement. The council also voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining and protection of the public interest.
Consent Calendar
- Motioned by Councilmember Fitzkey and seconded by Councilmember Lanfear to approve consent agenda items 6a through 6s, with the removal of item 6i (Field Training Contract between Grand Island Fire Department and Panhandle EMS Training). Motion adopted.
- Item 6i was then discussed separately. Chief Schmitz explained that the contract allows students from 10 colleges to complete required clinical hours (e.g., paramedics do 620 field hours) and serves as a recruitment tool. Councilmember Nickerson praised the program. Motion to approve 6i (Resolution 2024-187) by Councilmember Nickerson, seconded by Councilmember Sheard. Motion adopted.
- Consent items included: approval of August 13 and August 20 meeting minutes, payment of claims totaling $7,689,925.41, appointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, receipt of a tort claim, a keno satellite location agreement, purchase of a Pierce 100' aerial platform, a 2026 Braun ambulance, the field training contract, bid awards for lead service line inventory, industrial cleaning, sale of fly ash, software licensing, and certificates of final completion for sanitary sewer and street projects, as well as approvals for Stolley Park improvements, CDBG amendment, and permitting software.
Public Hearings
- Peacock Lounge Class C Liquor License (Resolution 2024-198): The application for 2430 N Broadwell Avenue was received July 21, 2024, with notice published August 17, 2024. No public testimony was offered. Councilmember Lanfear moved to approve, seconded by Councilmember Conley. Motion adopted.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2024-199 – Fonner Park Business Improvement District FY2024/2025 Budget: Matt Gleason, Finance Director, presented the budget. The BID uses front footage assessment (same rate of $1,075 per front footage as last year), with total revenue budgeted at $53,202. A new $50,000 line item was added for potential grant-funded streetscape improvements (e.g., replacing mulch with river rock). The budget anticipates an annual excess of $2,060. Motion to approve by Councilmember Sheard, seconded by Councilmember Fitzkey. Motion adopted.
- Resolution 2024-200 – FY2024/2025 Fee Schedule: Matt Gleason introduced the 14-page schedule, highlighting changes in red. Chad Nabity explained the rationale for tiered redevelopment plan fees (up to $10,000 for larger projects) versus the previous flat $1,100 fee, noting North Platte charges $5,000. Councilmember Nickerson questioned the impact. Sean Cleve, representing the library, explained that new meeting room rental fees apply only to for-profit use (previously prohibited), with limits of 4 hours per day and once per quarter to avoid conflict with nonprofit use. Other changes included increases at the cemetery, golf course, sewer service charges, landfill, and removal of fees at the Heartland Public Shooting Park (now managed by Hornaday). Motion to approve by Councilmember Sheard, seconded by Councilmember Lanfear. Motion adopted.
- Ordinance 9982 – Vacation of Easement in Stewart Place Subdivision (2104 & 2120 S Blaine Street): Second reading. Keith Kurtz, Public Works Director, explained the easement was no longer needed by utilities, allowing a property owner to build a garage. Motion to approve by Councilmember Fitzkey, seconded by Council President Stelk. Motion adopted.
Other Items
- Executive Session: Mayor Steele called for a motion to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining and protection of the public interest. Motion by Councilmember Sheard, seconded by Councilmember Lanfear. Motion adopted at 7:36 PM. The transcript includes brief remarks about the need for an airport lease to proceed with golf course improvements, but these appear to be part of the closed session discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (all items except 6i, then 6i approved separately).
- Public hearing for Peacock Lounge liquor license resolved; license approved.
- Fonner Park BID FY2024/2025 budget approved.
- FY2024/2025 fee schedule approved as presented, including new tiered redevelopment fees and library meeting room rentals for for-profit use.
- Ordinance 9982 (vacation of easement) approved on second reading.
- Council voted unanimously (all present) to enter executive session.
Meeting Transcript
See enough of it in the year. Welcome to our meeting. The date is August 27, 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. I now ask you 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. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Councilmember Mendoza will be absent. Councilmember Kaczynski will be absent. Councilmember Hazzi will be absent. Councilmember Sheard. I'm here. Councilmember Pollack. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey. Present. Council President Stelk. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lanfier. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk, Laura McLoon, the City Administrator, Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, 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 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. Are there any other consent agenda items that council members would like to pull for additional 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. We will continue, but before we start our agenda, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of keeping our city clean and well maintained, not just for ourselves, but for the many visitors we welcome every year to the Nebraska State Fair. This is an event that brings thousands of people to Grand Island, and their impressions are shaped by what they see as they walk our streets, visit our parks, and enjoy our local businesses. A clean and attractive streetscape does more than make a good impression. It fosters a sense of community pride. When our streets are free of litter, public spaces are well maintained and cared for, and our neighborhoods are vibrant and thriving, it sends a powerful message. It shows that we care about our city, we care about each other, and we care about the future we are building together. A cleaner community encourages engagement, supports local businesses, and can even influence people's decisions when they are considering where to live, work, and raise a family. Grand Island is a place of opportunity and growth, and we want that to be reflected in every corner of our city. I urge each of us to take pride in Grand Island, whether it's picking up that piece of litter or maintaining our own properties, every small action contributes to the bigger picture. We want our we want our visitors to leave with memories of a city that is not only welcoming and vibrant, but also clean and cared for. This is our home, and it's up to each and every one of us to make sure we're putting our best foot forward. So let's get out and keep our city clean and beautiful for others to enjoy, along with our own enjoyment. Is there a motion to approve uh to approve the consent agenda item 6A through 6S with the exception of I says Fitzkey?
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