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Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – February 11, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, February 11, 2025
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:25:38

Original source
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0:01

Oh Mark's on his name.

0:03

I didn't hear from him.

0:10

Welcome to our meeting.

0:11

The date is February 11, 2025.

0:15

The time is 7 p.m.

0:17

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

0:20

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

0:25

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

0:31

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

0:38

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

0:46

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:52

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:07

The City Clerk will now perform roll call.

1:10

Council President Sheard.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Councilmember Stelk will be absent.

1:14

Councilmember Conley.

1:16

Present.

1:16

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:18

Present.

1:19

Councilmember Brown.

1:20

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Housey.

1:22

Present.

1:22

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:24

Present.

1:24

Councilmember O'Neill.

1:26

Present.

1:26

Councilmember Pollock will be absent.

1:28

Councilmember Lanfear.

1:30

And Mayor Steele.

1:34

Also present are Jill Grinier, the City Clerk.

1:38

Laura McAloon, the City Administrator.

1:41

Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer.

1:47

Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director, Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, and Keith Kurz, the Public Works Director.

1:57

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

2:15

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

2:22

Council members, do you wish to remove any item from tonight's consent agenda?

2:39

Hearing none, we shall continue.

2:44

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

2:52

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.

3:11

Thank you, Mayor.

3:16

Thank you.

3:29

Continuing with our consent agenda.

3:32

A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda item 6A through 6K.

3:38

Mr.

3:38

Lanfear.

3:39

Our move we approve the consent agenda items A through K.

3:45

Mr.

3:46

Sheard.

3:47

Thank you.

3:47

I will second that.

3:49

Any discussion.

3:52

Please vote.

3:57

Motion adopted.

3:59

Proceeding with our public hearings.

4:01

7A.

4:03

Public hearing request from venue works of Grand Island LLC doing business as venue works of Grand Island LLC 700 East Stollley Park Road for a Class I liquor license.

4:18

Mrs.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Economic Development████████████12%
Tourism Management████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Workforce Development█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – February 11, 2025

The Grand Island City Council held its regular meeting on February 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and consideration of several resolutions, notably the Good Life District Master Plan and multiple LB 840 economic development grants. All items were approved, and an executive session was held to discuss negotiations for city-owned real estate.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the January 28, 2025, regular meeting.
  • Approved payment of claims for January 29–February 11, 2025, totaling $4,044,605.90.
  • Approved a Micro-TIF (Expedited Plan) for Chad Olson (Olson Furniture Outlet LLC) in CRA Area 1.
  • Approved bid award for Independence Avenue improvements (Project 2023-P-10).
  • Approved temporary construction easement for South Locust Street improvements (Project 2021-P-6) for multiple property owners.
  • Approved a cost-share agreement with JBS for Stuhr Road at Highway 30 northbound turn lanes (Project 2023-P-12).
  • Approved bid award for Stuhr Road at Highway 30 northbound turn lanes.
  • Approved bid award for South Locust Street improvements.
  • Approved temporary construction easements for Independence Avenue (Project 2023-P-10) for numerous property owners.
  • Approved a memorandum of understanding to use Fonner Park facilities for electrical emergency response.
  • Approved an RFP for a new George Park playground.

Public Hearings & Testimony

  • 7A: Class I Liquor License for VenuWorks of Grand Island LLC – A public hearing was held; no members of the public spoke. The city clerk noted proper notice and departmental recommendations. The council approved Resolution 2025-49.
  • 7B: Acquisition of Permanent Easements for Independence Avenue – Public hearing held; no public testimony. The council approved Resolution 2025-50 to acquire permanent easements from multiple property owners for storm sewer and sidewalk improvements.

Discussion Items

  • Good Life District Master Plan (Resolution 2025-51) – Presented via video by Caitlin Bolte of Confluence due to weather. The plan outlines a mixed-use development north of Grand Island, including 1,400 multifamily units, 291 single-family lots, a school site, an indoor/outdoor recreation complex (with pickleball, volleyball, basketball courts, soccer fields, field house, and aquatic center), commercial space, hotels, and a pedestrian/bicycle trail network. Council members discussed concerns about aquatic center scope, pickleball court numbers, housing affordability, traffic impacts, railroad noise buffers, competition with other sports facilities, and potential use of tax increment financing (TIF). The city administrator noted that Woodsonia has submitted a Good Life District application that will come before the council on March 4. The plan was approved.
  • LB 840 Grant for Video Production – Brookshire Company (Resolution 2025-52) – Mary Burley of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation presented a request for $40,000 to produce a 20–26 minute documentary series “My Town” highlighting Grand Island. The series has already generated over 1 million impressions in its first season. The council approved the grant.
  • LB 840 Grant for YWCA Child Development Center (Resolution 2025-53) – Amy Bennett, YWCA Executive Director, requested $500,000 to help acquire and renovate a former school building to expand child care capacity from 130 to 300 children. The project addresses a local child care shortage of 1,600 spots. The grant will also leverage private funding. Approved following discussion on workforce impacts.
  • First Amendment to LB 840 Agreement – Zabuni Specialty Coffee (Resolution 2025-54) – An amendment to close out the agreement after the business closed. Remaining funds ($51,666.66) will be released for future economic development. Approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda (items 6A–6K) – Approved unanimously (Councilmembers Stelk and Pollock absent).
  • Resolution 2025-49 (VenuWorks liquor license) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2025-50 (Independence Avenue permanent easements) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2025-51 (Good Life District Master Plan) – Approved after suspension of usual procedures to allow council questions.
  • Resolution 2025-52 (Brookshire Company LB 840 grant) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2025-53 (YWCA LB 840 grant) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2025-54 (Zabuni Specialty Coffee amendment) – Approved.
  • Motion to enter Executive Session (Item 9A) – Approved to discuss strategy for negotiations regarding city-owned real estate. No further outcome reported.

Meeting Transcript

Oh Mark's on his name. I didn't hear from him. Welcome to our meeting. The date is February 11, 2025. 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, please stand and join us 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. The City Clerk will now perform roll call. Council President Sheard. Here. Councilmember Stelk will be absent. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown. Present. Councilmember Housey. Present. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember O'Neill. Present. Councilmember Pollock will be absent. Councilmember Lanfear. And Mayor Steele. Also present are Jill Grinier, the City Clerk. Laura McAloon, the City Administrator. Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer. Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director, Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, and Keith Kurz, 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 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 item from tonight's consent agenda? Hearing none, 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. 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. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Continuing with our consent agenda. A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda item 6A through 6K. Mr. Lanfear. Our move we approve the consent agenda items A through K. Mr.

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