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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – November 5, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, November 5, 2024

BodyGrand Island, Nebraska

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, November 5, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:34:15

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

0:13

Welcome to our meeting.

0:15

The date is November 5, 2024.

0:19

The time is 7 p.m.

0:21

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

0:25

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

0:30

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

0:37

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

0:45

At this time I ask that you join me and stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:54

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

1:12

The City Clerk will now perform roll call.

1:15

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:17

Present.

1:18

Councilmember Kacinski.

1:19

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Hazi.

1:21

Present.

1:22

Councilmember Sheard.

1:23

Present.

1:24

Councilmember Pollock.

1:25

Present.

1:26

Councilmember Fitzkey.

1:27

Present.

1:28

Council President Stelk.

1:29

Present.

1:30

Councilmember Nickison.

1:31

Present.

1:32

Councilmember Lanfear will be absent.

1:34

Councilmember Conley.

1:35

Present.

1:36

And Mayor Steele.

1:38

Present.

1:39

Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk.

1:43

Laura McAlloon, the City Administrator, Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, CFO.

1:52

Stacey Nonhoff, the Assistant City Attorney, Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director.

2:05

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

2:16

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

2:24

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

2:36

We'll now take up whether there's removals from the consent agenda and council members.

2:43

Councilmember Hossey has asked that consent agenda item 8D, which is approving the City of Grand Island's conflict of interest policy be polled and then taken up at our study session on November 2.

3:03

If there are no objections, I will allow that to be pulled.

3:10

November 12th.

3:11

Pardon me, November 12th.

3:16

It is polled until our study session on November 12.

3:24

Council members, are there any other consent agenda items that you would like removed for further discussion?

3:39

Hearing none, we will continue.

3:44

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

3:52

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.

4:19

The one you just pulled it, number D.

4:22

But I would like time on number 10B and 11A.

4:30

Thank you.

5:00

Recognition of Ben Arendt, Ryan Rathman, and Kevin Sheikhs for 25 years of service with the City of Grand Island Police Department.

5:08

Here at the city, we are proud of our employees who serve the citizens with expertise and professionalism.

5:18

We are especially proud of employees who have been with us for many years.

5:23

Our long-term employees are the core that teach and train our newest employees about the level of excellence that our citizens expect.

5:36

Tonight we celebrate three police officers who have been with us for 25 years.

5:44

Again, they are Ben Arendt, Ryan Rathman, and Kevin Sheiks.

5:50

Mrs.

5:51

Grenier, the city clerk, and I show our appreciation by giving these men a certificate to honor their service and a pin from the city of Grand Island.

6:03

Mrs.

6:04

Grenier, please join me down front.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████29%

Public Engagement███████████████15%

Public Works███████████11%

Economic Development████████8%

Procedural███████7%

Historic Preservation███████7%

Parking Management██████6%

Personnel Matters█████5%

Public Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – November 5, 2024

The Grand Island City Council held a regular meeting on November 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, a Board of Equalization session, approval of a consent agenda, consideration of a land transfer request, resolutions for library services and parks planning, and adoption of historic Ordinance 10,000. The council also voted to enter executive session to discuss the Heartland Event Center transfer.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the October 22, 2024 meeting.
Approved payment of claims for October 23–November 5, 2024, totaling $5,169,424.50.
Approved appointment of Council President Mark Stelk to the Central District Health Board.
Approved purchase of a backhoe ($2024-286), salt truck ($2024-288), and other equipment; approved professional engineering services for Stolley Park Road paving (2024-P-4); approved the FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant; approved a contract for electrostatic precipitator transformer-rectifier; approved tree removal contract 2025-TR-1; approved lease agreement for Bobcat excavator; and approved addendum to agreement with Farmers National Company.
Item 8D (Conflict of Interest Policy) was pulled to the November 12 study session.

Public Comments & Testimony

Don Shuda (Hall County Veterans Service Officer and Hall County Hero Flight Association chairman) presented a request to transfer 26 acres north of the State Veterans Cemetery to Hall County, secured for future cemetery expansion. He noted the current cemetery has space for 13,000 graves with approximately 300 burials per year, which would be exhausted by 2050–2060. The Hall County Board unanimously approved accepting the land if the city transfers it. Council members expressed support, but Assistant City Attorney Stacey Nonhoff cautioned that direct transfer requires a legislative bill; options include sale, lease, or trust. The item was referred to staff for legal review.
Gerald Pools spoke on Resolution 2024-296 (Parks & Recreation Master Plan Amendment) and Ordinance 9999 (design-build contracts). He questioned the sudden shift of a sports complex from near Interstate 281 to the Good Life District, stating it was a good idea two years ago but now questioned. On Ordinance 9999, he warned against eliminating competitive bidding, citing potential for a "good old boy network."

Discussion Items

Recognition of 25 Years of Service: Mayor Steele honored police officers Benjamin Arrants, Ryan Rathbun, and Kevin Sheeks, all hired November 29, 1999, with certificates and pins.
Board of Equalization – Parking District #3: Finance Director Matthew Gleason presented the special assessment determination. Total building square footage in the district is 1,639,997 sq ft. The proposed assessment for FY2024-25 is $80,032 (4.88 cents/sq ft). After a $15,012 credit (same as prior year), $70,020 is collectible. The board approved the benefits.
Resolution 2024-295 – Hoopla Digital Media Platform: Library Director Selena Swan explained that Hoopla provides instant access to e-books, audiobooks, movies, and comics. Usage grew from 15,000 to 21,000 checkouts in two years. The contract caps annual cost at $80,000 (about $2.30 per item). The council approved the three-year agreement.
Resolution 2024-296 – Parks & Recreation Master Plan Amendment #1: Todd McCoy (Parks and Recreation) recommended adding $68,800 to the Confluence contract to master plan city-owned land within the Good Life District (approx. 428 acres). The amendment would produce an illustrative master plan including sports complex, recreation building, housing, retail, and circulation. City Administrator Laura McAlloon added that Confluence will incorporate public input, legacy plans, and Woodsonia’s concept. Council members discussed coordination with the developer and potential expansion of the Good Life District. The resolution passed.
Ordinance 9999 – Authorizing Design-Build Contracts: Nonhoff explained that the ordinance allows Public Works and Utilities to use design-build or construction management at-risk contracts for water, wastewater, and sewer projects only, when no federal funds are involved. Council must approve each use. The ordinance was adopted.
Ordinance 10,000 – Assessments for Parking District #3: This historic ordinance (the 10,000th) approved the special assessments earlier considered by the Board of Equalization. It passed.

Key Outcomes

Board of Equalization: Approved the $80,032 special assessment for Parking District #3 (4.88 cents/sq ft) with a $15,012 credit, leaving $70,020 collectible. (Motion carried unanimously.)
Consent Agenda: Approved all items except 8D (pulled).
Land Transfer Request: Staff directed to research legal options (sale, lease, trust) for transferring 26 acres to Hall County for veterans cemetery expansion. The item will return in spring 2025.
Hoopla Resolution: Approved (Resolution 2024-295).
Parks Master Plan Amendment: Approved (Resolution 2024-296). Confluence will produce a master plan within 60 days, including a two-day workshop with council.
Ordinance 9999: Approved (adding Chapter 27, Article VI to City Code).
Ordinance 10,000: Approved (assessments for Parking District #3).
Executive Session: Motion passed to convene in executive session at 8:32 PM to discuss strategy for the Heartland Event Center transfer.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to our meeting. The date is November 5, 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 I ask that you join me and stand and recite 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. Present. Councilmember Kacinski. Present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Fitzkey. Present. Council President Stelk. Present. Councilmember Nickison. Present. Councilmember Lanfear will be absent. Councilmember Conley. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk. Laura McAlloon, the City Administrator, Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, CFO. Stacey Nonhoff, the Assistant 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 of the date will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date will also be given. We'll now take up whether there's removals from the consent agenda and council members. Councilmember Hossey has asked that consent agenda item 8D, which is approving the City of Grand Island's conflict of interest policy be polled and then taken up at our study session on November 2. If there are no objections, I will allow that to be pulled. November 12th. Pardon me, November 12th. It is polled until our study session on November 12. Council members, are there any other consent agenda items that you would like removed for further 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. The one you just pulled it, number D. But I would like time on number 10B and 11A. Thank you.

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