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Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – November 19, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, November 19, 2024
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 19, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:14:56

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0:12

Welcome to our meeting.

0:13

The date is November 19, 2024.

0:17

The time is 7 p.m.

0:19

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

0:22

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

0:26

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

0:32

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

0:39

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

0:53

And to the Republic for petitions.

1:09

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:10

Present.

1:11

Councilmember Kacinski.

1:12

Present.

1:13

Councilmember Housey.

1:14

Present.

1:15

Councilmember Sheard?

1:16

Present.

1:17

Councilmember Pollack?

1:18

Present.

1:19

Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent.

1:21

Council President Stelk.

1:22

Present.

1:23

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:24

Present.

1:25

Councilmember Lanfear?

1:27

Councilmember Conley?

1:29

Present.

1:29

And Mayor Steele.

1:31

Present.

1:32

Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk.

1:36

Sonia Cisneros, the Deputy City Clerk.

1:39

Laura McAloon, the City Administrator.

1:42

Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator, CFO.

1:46

Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director.

1:56

There are a couple people in the audience I would like to acknowledge.

2:01

They are newly elected to the City Council, Ryan O'Neal and Doug Brown.

2:07

Gentlemen, thank you for being here tonight.

2:16

For the folks here and those watching at home, Mr.

2:19

O'Neill and Mr.

2:20

Brown are working to prepare themselves for their service on the City Council, and we intend to swear them in and seat them on December 3rd.

2:33

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

2:43

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

2:51

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

2:58

Council members, do you wish to remove any of tonight's consent agenda items for additional discussion?

3:05

Mr.

3:05

Hawsey.

3:07

Yes, Mayor, I'd like item number R for the transfer of funds from the Heartland Event Center of Enue Works Operating Account.

3:17

Thank you.

3:29

Hearing no others, we shall continue.

3:34

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

3:43

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.

4:01

And as a matter of clarification, uh Mr.

4:05

Tuxhorn, you signed our sheet, but I'm not certain which agenda item you wish to speak on.

4:22

If you could come forward and click to the main podium and clarify.

4:28

Thank you, sir.

4:32

I didn't have a current item on tonight's agenda.

4:35

I just had one for the future that I wish to be considered.

4:42

And that's that's easily done.

4:44

We have a form right out front that if you'd like to fill that out, then we can receive it and uh we can process it that way.

4:53

Would you kindly do that?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation████████████12%
Animal Welfare████████████12%
Public Utilities███████████11%
Utility Management██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Economic Development███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Zoning And Land Use██████6%
Procedural████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – November 19, 2024

The Grand Island City Council held its regular meeting on November 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting covered a range of topics including presentations on natural gas rate negotiations and proposed changes to electrical infrastructure cost recovery, approval of consent agenda items, public hearings on liquor licenses and redevelopment plans, a request for a memorial forest, and resolutions on animal control, a master plan, and PFAS litigation counsel.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • 6A Update on Northwestern Natural Gas Direct Negotiations: City Attorney Carrie Fisk reported that the city, along with Kearney, North Platte, and Alda, hired consultant Lane Collin of Kennedy & Associates to evaluate Northwestern Natural Gas’s proposed rate increase. Northwestern has imposed an interim rate increase (approximately $0.85/month for an average customer) while negotiations continue. An update is due to the Public Service Commission by January 3, 2025. No council action was taken.
  • 6B Contribution in Aid of Electrical Construction: Ryan Schmitz from the city’s electrical utility presented a proposal to charge developers a contribution for electrical infrastructure on new developments, similar to practices of other Nebraska utilities. Currently, the city pays 100% of distribution outbuild costs, which totaled $13.5 million over the last three years. He recommended a $1,300 per residential lot fee (seven-year payback) and a commercial fee based on 2.5x gross revenue. The measure would help avoid future rate increases. Council members discussed the impact on housing costs, competitive advantages, and the need for more information. No vote was taken; a future action item is expected.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda (items 7a through 7q) was approved unanimously. Items included approval of minutes, claims totaling $7,322,992.06, appointments, preliminary/final plats, purchase authorizations, and agreements. One item (7r – Transfer of Funds to Heartland Events Center/VenuWorks) was pulled for separate discussion.
  • 7r – Approval of Transfer of Funds to Heartland Events Center: Patrick Brown (Assistant City Administrator) explained the $100,000 transfer to seed the operating account per the management contract. Councilmember Hawsey questioned monthly funding and reporting transparency. Brown confirmed financials will be posted online and monthly replenishment will appear on schedule bills. The motion passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 8A – Copper Leaf Cigar Lounge Class C Liquor License: No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
  • 8B – Redevelopment Plan CRA Area 33 (Legacy 34): Scott Reef (Innate 2 LLC) spoke in support, highlighting the 22-lot single-family development near the lake, $3.1 million in TIF for infrastructure, and the project’s role in recruiting professionals. Council members expressed support for the housing. Approved unanimously.
  • 8C – Redevelopment Plan Talon Apartments (CRA Area 19): Scott Reef again spoke, noting the need for 1,200 rental units by 2035. The request was for $3.2 million additional TIF to build three more 22-unit buildings (66 units). Approved unanimously.
  • 8D – Zoning Text Amendment (Parking Spaces): Chad Nabity (City Planner) presented the change to reduce minimum parking for one-bedroom apartments from 2 spaces to 1.5 spaces, consistent with peer cities. No public testimony. Approved.
  • 8E – Zoning Change (Legacy 34, RD to CD): Nabity explained the change to allow commercial signage for the mixed-use development along Husker Highway. No public testimony. Approved.

Discussion Items

  • 9A – Request to Create a Nebraska Memorial Forest: JJ Green (Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter) proposed planting up to 160 trees on city-owned land east of the Grand Island Veterans Cemetery as a perpetual memorial. He noted 140 fallen heroes from Hall County. Council members raised questions about maintenance, watering, and coordination with the adjacent veterans cemetery. Staff will bring back a concept plan for future consideration.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda (7a-7q): Approved unanimously.
  • 7r – Transfer of Funds to Heartland Events Center: Approved.
  • 8A – Copper Leaf Cigar Lounge Liquor License: Resolution 2024-310 approved.
  • 8B – Legacy 34 Redevelopment Plan (CRA 33): Resolution 2024-311 approved.
  • 8C – Talon Apartments Redevelopment Plan (CRA 19): Resolution 2024-312 approved.
  • 8D – Parking Reduction Ordinance: Ordinance 10,001 passed.
  • 8E – Zoning Change Ordinance: Ordinance 10,002 passed.
  • 10A – Central Nebraska Humane Society Contract: Resolution 2024-313 approved (one-year contract, $550,000 for animal control and sheltering). Discussion included service levels and reporting.
  • 10B – Camp Augustine Master Plan Adoption: Resolution 2024-314 approved.
  • 10C – Retain Outside Counsel for PFAS Litigation: Resolution 2024-315 approved. Carrie Fisk explained the contingency-fee agreement (no cost unless a settlement is obtained) to monitor potential class action suits related to forever chemicals.

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to our meeting. The date is November 19, 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 stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for petitions. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember Kacinski. Present. Councilmember Housey. Present. Councilmember Sheard? Present. Councilmember Pollack? Present. Councilmember Fitzkey will be absent. Council President Stelk. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Lanfear? Councilmember Conley? Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk. Sonia Cisneros, the Deputy City Clerk. Laura McAloon, the City Administrator. Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator, CFO. Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director, and Matthew Gleason, the finance director. There are a couple people in the audience I would like to acknowledge. They are newly elected to the City Council, Ryan O'Neal and Doug Brown. Gentlemen, thank you for being here tonight. For the folks here and those watching at home, Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Brown are working to prepare themselves for their service on the City Council, and we intend to swear them in and seat them on December 3rd. 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. Council members, do you wish to remove any of tonight's consent agenda items for additional discussion? Mr. Hawsey. Yes, Mayor, I'd like item number R for the transfer of funds from the Heartland Event Center of Enue Works Operating Account. Thank you. Hearing no others, we shall continue. A sign-up sheet was available in the lobby for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items.

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