OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – September 24, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 24, 2024
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 24, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:22

Welcome to our meeting.

0:23

The time is 7 p.m.

0:25

The date is September 24, 2024.

0:29

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

0:33

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

0:37

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

0:43

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

0:51

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

1:03

And to the Republic for which Liberty and Justice Earl.

1:18

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:20

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Kaczynski.

1:22

Present.

1:22

Councilmember Housey.

1:24

Present.

1:24

Councilmember Sheard.

1:26

Present.

1:26

Councilmember Pollack.

1:28

Present.

1:28

Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent.

1:30

Council President Stelk.

1:32

Present.

1:33

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:34

Present.

1:35

Councilmember Lanfier.

1:37

Present.

1:38

Councilmember Conley.

1:39

Present.

1:40

And Mayor Steele.

1:41

Present.

1:42

Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk.

1:46

Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director.

1:50

Mrs.

1:50

Stacey Nonhoff, the Assistant City Attorney.

1:53

Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director.

1:58

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

2:08

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

2:16

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

2:38

Do the remaining council members wish to remove any other consent agenda items.

2:50

Hearing none, we will continue.

2:53

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

3:01

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.

3:17

Doubting 4417, Drake Lane, I would like to speak in reference to item 8B.

3:24

Thank you.

3:42

Mr.

3:43

Hawsey.

3:44

Thank you, Mayor.

3:45

I wanted to just take a brief minute to recognize the recent passing of three past city council members that's been in the paper this past week or so.

3:54

Councilmember Don Pauley, uh, Councilmember Bob Neiman, and Councilmember John Gherkey.

4:02

I wanted to at least share our condolences with them for their families and our appreciation for their service to the City of Grand Island while they served in this capacity.

4:15

Thank you, Mr.

4:16

Hawsey.

4:19

We appreciate all who have served our city, and we acknowledge the valuable impact they have had by our good governance.

4:40

This is a board of equalization matter.

4:43

Is there a motion to leave our regular session and reconc reconvene as a board of equalization?

4:49

Ms.

4:50

Gazinski.

4:52

Thank you, Mayor.

4:53

I move that we adjourn to the Board of Equalization for the Fawner Park Business Improvement District.

4:58

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Public Utilities████████8%
Public Works██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Workforce Development████4%
Zoning And Land Use████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – September 24, 2024

The Grand Island City Council met on September 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a Board of Equalization session for the Fonner Park Business Improvement District, consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and several resolutions and ordinances. Key discussions centered on a lead service line replacement contract, annual contracts with Grow Grand Island and the Economic Development Corporation, a labor agreement with IBEW Local 1597, and donations to Stolley Park and the Veterans Sports Complex.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the September 10, 2024 regular meeting.
  • Approved payment of claims totaling $7,700,852.22 for September 11–24, 2024.
  • Approved garbage permits for Grand Island Disposal, Inc. and Mid-Nebraska Disposal, Inc., and refuse permits for Trash Bee Gone and O'Neill Transportation and Equipment, LLC.
  • Approved a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant award for the Police Department (2024-222).
  • Approved Certificates of Final Completion for North Road improvements (2019-P-12), 2024 Asphalt Resurfacing (2024-AC-1), and Howard Avenue water main project (2023-W-2).
  • Approved the 2024 renewal for non-hazardous glycerin-based carbon source (2024-225).
  • Approved a bid award for Uranium Removal Tank Repairs Train 2 (2024-226).
  • Approved renewal of machinery property peril, fire, and terrorism insurance with FM for 2024-2025 (2024-228).
  • Approved Change Order No. 1 to Bigzby's Construction for Ryder Park Parking Lot Improvements (2024-230).
  • Items 7K (Lead Service Line Replacement), 7M (Grow Grand Island contract), and 7N (EDC contract) were removed from the consent agenda and discussed separately.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • One individual, Doubting (address: 4417 Drake Lane), signed up to speak on item 8B (Tacos Los Hermanos liquor license), but no further testimony was recorded during the public hearing.
  • Councilmember Hawsey recognized the recent passing of three former city council members: Don Pauley, Bob Neiman, and John Gherkey, and offered condolences on behalf of the council.

Discussion Items

  • Board of Equalization – Fonner Park Business Improvement District (6A): Finance Director Matthew Gleason presented the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with special assessments of $53,202, unchanged from the prior year. The council, sitting as the Board of Equalization, approved the determination of benefits.
  • Lead Service Line Replacement Bid Award (7K – 2024-229): Public Works Director Ryan Schmitz reported that the initial bid for the lead service line replacement project came in high, but a rebid achieved a 60% reduction. The contract with Myers (Brook and Bow) sets a minimum of 150 services, with a goal of replacing 180 lines. The project will address lead and galvanized lines; residents will receive advance notice. Construction is expected to start by the end of October 2024. The motion was adopted unanimously.
  • Grow Grand Island 2025 Contract (7M – 2024-231): Matthew Gleason recommended a one-year extension at $500,000 with no changes. Tanya Brown, Executive Director of Grow Grand Island, highlighted accomplishments: 22 completed projects over eight years, including a cooperative degree-based internship program with Wayne State College (44 students visited the city, with 15 expected as interns next year), and the Conestoga Marketplace project. The motion was adopted unanimously.
  • Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation 2025 Contract (7N – 2024-232): Gleason presented the contract for $426,200 ($355,960 administration plus $70,240 reimbursable expenses). Mary Burley, EDC President, reported on the Vermeer High Plains infrastructure grant, housing projects (including $1.7 million in Nebraska Affordable Trust Fund awards), and upcoming events (Manufacturing Day, Big Idea Grand Island). The motion was adopted unanimously.
  • Public Hearings – Liquor Licenses (8A, 8B): Applications for a Class D license for Grand Island Petroleum, LLC (2012 N Webb Road) and a Class C license for Tacos Los Hermanos (602 W 4th Street) were approved upon final inspection. No public opposition was heard. Motions adopted unanimously.
  • Public Hearing – Utility Easement (8C): An 8-foot easement at 607 Hermitage Place (Jeanette Staub) to connect a radio feed loop was approved. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Clean Community Systems 2025 Contract (2024-236): Annual contract approved without changes. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Parking District #3 (Offstreet Parking) – Setting Board of Equalization Date (2024-237): Gleason explained that the special assessment remains at $80,032 ($4.88 per square foot), with a $15 credit per property, leaving $70,020 collectible. The council set the hearing date for November 5, 2024. Councilmember Stelk abstained as a property owner. Motion adopted.
  • Labor Agreement with IBEW Local 1597 (2024-238): Ryan Schmitz summarized a three-year contract covering utilities department employees, including wage increases, changes to job classifications, stipends for certain trades, bilingual pay, and other provisions. Councilmember Hawsey expressed concern about the “treadmill effect” of Nebraska’s comparability laws but supported the motion. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Stolley Park Celebration Circle and Pavilion Donation (2024-239): Todd McCoy presented a donation from Hornaday Manufacturing for a 32-foot diameter concrete circle and a 42x20-foot pavilion. Vicky Doell, of Friends of the Parks, described the project and noted that groundbreaking could start the following week. The council amended the resolution to reflect the lessee as JEM Exteriors (instead of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation) and then approved the amended motion unanimously.
  • Veterans Sports Complex Storage/Batting Cage Donation (2024-240): Todd McCoy presented a ground lease agreement with the ABCDD Softball League to build a 1,000-square-foot storage building adjacent to existing batting cages. Councilmember Sheard asked about the building’s permanence relative to future Good Life District plans. Assistant City Attorney Stacey Nonhoff clarified that the building becomes city property and that a separate long-term use agreement would follow. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Salary Ordinance (9988): Ryan Schmitz stated the ordinance sets wages for the upcoming fiscal year, aligning with the new IBEW contract. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Vacate and Replat – Niemoth Subdivision (9989): A request to vacate Niemoth Subdivision and create Niemoth Farms Subdivision (east of Quandt Road, south of One R Road) was approved, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Telephone Occupation Tax Amendment (9990): Matthew Gleason explained that state legislation (2024) caps the city’s occupation tax on telecommunications at 4%, down from 5%. The ordinance reduces the rate to 4%, removes the sunset clause, and removes 911 debt service language. The change results in an estimated $65,000 annual revenue reduction. Motion adopted unanimously.
  • Fonner Park Business Improvement District Assessments (9991): This ordinance formalizes the assessments approved earlier in the Board of Equalization session. Motion adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances were adopted unanimously, except where noted (Councilmember Stelk abstained on Parking District #3).
  • The lead service line replacement contract (2024-229) was awarded to Myers, with a minimum of 150 services to be replaced, targeting a total of 180 in the first year. Construction is expected to begin by late October 2024.
  • The 2025 contracts with Grow Grand Island ($500,000) and the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation ($426,200) were approved for one year.
  • The Stolley Park pavilion donation resolution was amended to name JEM Exteriors as the lessee before approval.
  • The telephone occupation tax rate will decrease from 5% to 4% effective October 1, 2024, reducing annual revenue by approximately $65,000.
  • The Board of Equalization approved Fonner Park BID benefits, and the council set the assessment hearing date for Parking District #3 on November 5, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to our meeting. The time is 7 p.m. The date is September 24, 2024. 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. And to the Republic for which Liberty and Justice Earl. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember Kaczynski. Present. Councilmember Housey. Present. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Pollack. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent. Council President Stelk. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lanfier. Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk. Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director. Mrs. Stacey Nonhoff, the Assistant City Attorney. Keith Kurtz, the Public Works 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. Do the remaining council members wish to remove any other consent agenda items. 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. Doubting 4417, Drake Lane, I would like to speak in reference to item 8B. Thank you. Mr. Hawsey. Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to just take a brief minute to recognize the recent passing of three past city council members that's been in the paper this past week or so. Councilmember Don Pauley, uh, Councilmember Bob Neiman, and Councilmember John Gherkey. I wanted to at least share our condolences with them for their families and our appreciation for their service to the City of Grand Island while they served in this capacity.

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