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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – April 22, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, April 22, 2025

BodyGrand Island, Nebraska

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, April 22, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:56:36

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0:36

I may have your attention, please.

0:40

Welcome to our meeting this evening.

0:42

The date is April 22, 2025.

0:46

The time is 7 p.m.

0:49

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

0:52

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

0:57

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

1:04

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

1:13

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

1:23

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

1:31

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:41

Thank you.

1:42

The city clerk will now perform roll call.

1:46

Council President Shearard.

1:48

Present.

1:48

Councilmember Stelk.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Councilmember Conley.

1:51

Present.

1:52

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:53

Present.

1:54

Councilmember Brown.

1:55

Present.

1:55

Councilmember Hazi will be absent.

1:58

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:59

Present.

2:00

Councilmember O'Neill.

2:01

Present.

2:01

Councilmember Pollock.

2:03

Present.

2:03

Councilmember Lanfair.

2:05

Present.

2:05

And Mayor Still.

2:07

Present.

2:08

Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk.

2:12

Laura McAloon, the City Administrator, Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director, Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, and Keith Kurtz, the Public Works Director.

2:27

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

2:38

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

2:46

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

3:37

State your name and the agenda topic on which you will be speaking.

4:17

And you have some fellow fire department people with you.

4:21

I'm glad to see them also.

4:24

Scott, it's my distinct honor tonight to recognize your service as battalion chief for the Grand Island Fire Department.

4:33

You have reached an incredible milestone, 30 years of dedicated service to the city of Grand Island.

4:42

Scott, a few things have changed around here since you first stepped into Fire Station One, and your commitment to this community and to the safety of our residents is admirable.

5:00

Over three decades, you've stood on the front lines of emergencies, helping lead shape and grow our fire department into what into what it is today.

5:09

As our city has evolved, so have you.

5:13

Meeting every challenge with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering drive to improve.

5:36

That kind of growth over such a long and demanding career is rare, and something we here at the city deeply admire.

5:47

A little bit about your history.

5:49

On April 17, 1995, you were hired as a firefighter EMT.

5:57

On October 18, 2004, you were promoted to fire captain.

6:04

On December 30, 2013, you were promoted to shift commander.

6:10

And on October 13, 2019, your job title was changed from Shift Commander to Battalion Chief.

6:23

Battalion Chief Keel, on behalf of a grateful city, I thank you for your service, your leadership, and your heart.

6:31

Congratulations on 30 outstanding years with the Grand Island Fire Department.

6:37

And the way we here at the city honor your service is to present you with a 30-year service award certificate and a Grand Island pin.

6:49

So, Mrs.

6:50

Grinier, please accompany me down to the front.

7:22

And it states, we hereby express our sincere appreciation to Scott Keel for your loyalty, diligence, and dedicated service during your tenure with the City of Grand Island.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Energy Management█████████████████████████████████████37%

Facility Management████████████12%

Event Center Management████████████12%

Procedural███████████11%

Public Safety████████8%

Veterans Affairs██████6%

Personnel Matters███3%

Cannabis Regulation███3%

Public Engagement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – April 22, 2025

The Grand Island City Council met on April 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. All members were present except Councilmember Hazi. The meeting featured a recognition of a 30-year fire service veteran, approval of consent items, public hearings for liquor licenses and easements, resolutions on fee schedules and land use, and a major discussion on a guaranteed energy savings contract with Honeywell. The council also approved a salary ordinance and a procurement code amendment.

Presentations & Proclamations

Recognition of Scott Kuehl for 30 Years of Service: Mayor Still presented a certificate and city pin to Battalion Chief Scott Kuehl, who was hired on April 17, 1995. Kuehl reflected on his career, changes in firefighting (including new risks from lithium-ion batteries), and thanked his family and the city for support.

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of April 8, 2025 regular meeting and April 15, 2025 study session.
Approved payment of claims for April 9–22, 2025 totaling $6,970,820.65.
Approved various items (bonds, keno agreement, insurance, services, purchases, subdivisions, etc.) with the exception of item 7K (police service contract with Hall County Housing Authority), which was pulled for separate discussion.

Discussion Items

7K – Police Service Contract with Hall County Housing Authority: Chief Denny introduced Officer Olson as the officer for the position, emphasizing relationship-building. Executive Director Artina Thompson noted positive tenant response. The contract runs from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027 (two years, three months). Councilmember Nickerson asked about hours; the position is Monday–Friday, daytime. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Public Hearings

8A – Class I Liquor License for B&B Theatres Grand Island 7: Application received March 25, 2025; notice published April 12, 2025. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
8B – Class C Liquor License for Husak Venues, LLC dba The Venue at Railside: Application received March 26, 2025; notice published April 12, 2025. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
8C – Utility Easement Acquisition (4160 Gold Core Drive): Formalizes an easement that was never filed in 2005. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
8D – Utility Easement Acquisition (3530 Sheridan Ave, CHI Nebraska): Electrical service for new medical office building. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
8E – Public Right-of-Way and Permanent Easement for South Locust Street Improvements: Part of ongoing project. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.

Resolutions

9A – Amendment of FY2024/2025 Fee Schedule: Public Works Director Schultz explained the state increased disposal fee from $1.25 to $2.34 per ton, plus a planned rate increase for transfer station borrowing. Combined increase effective October 1, 2025. Grand Island’s rates remain competitive. Approved unanimously.
9B – Support of Preferencing Future Land Use for Veterans: Councilmembers Brown and Pollock presented a resolution to reserve the eastern portion of Lot 2 of Veterans Legacy Subdivision for future veteran use (cemetery expansion, park, etc.). The resolution is an expression of intent to future councils. City Attorney Fisk noted it is similar to previous land reservations. Approved unanimously.
9C – Investment Grade Audit Agreement with Honeywell: Honeywell representatives presented a detailed preliminary energy audit of six city facilities. The audit will cover City Hall, Heartland Event Center, and Grand Island Library (Law Enforcement Center deferred due to interlocal agreement with Hall County). The audit cost is $220,106, which will be rolled into construction costs if the city proceeds, or paid as a break fee if the city does not move forward. Extensive discussion included the possible reactivation of the Heartland Event Center ice rink. VenueWorks Executive Director Kyler Tarwater spoke in favor of testing the ice system. Council approved the resolution to proceed with the investment grade audit. Motion by Pollock, second by Lanfear; passed unanimously.

Ordinances

10,013 – Salary Ordinance: City Administrator Laura McAloon presented maintenance changes: retitling an IT position, correcting a uniform allowance error, and updating minimum wage to $13.50 per hour. Motion to suspend rules and approve passed unanimously.
10,014 – Amendment to Chapter 27 of City Code (Procurement): City Attorney Fisk noted the ordinance removes language that would have allowed the mayor to sign smaller contracts without council approval; all contracts will now require council consent. Motion to suspend rules and approve passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

All motions passed unanimously.
Approved investment grade audit agreement with Honeywell (break fee $220,106) to evaluate energy efficiency upgrades at City Hall, Heartland Event Center, and Library.
Approved police service contract with Hall County Housing Authority (Officer Olson, two years, three months).
Approved all public hearing items and resolutions.
Approved salary ordinance and procurement code amendment.

Meeting Transcript

I may have your attention, please. Welcome to our meeting this evening. The date is April 22, 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, I ask that you 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. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. The city clerk will now perform roll call. Council President Shearard. Present. Councilmember Stelk. Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown. Present. Councilmember Hazi will be absent. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember O'Neill. Present. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Lanfair. Present. And Mayor Still. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk. Laura McAloon, the City Administrator, Matthew Gleason, the Finance Director, Carrie Fisk, the City Attorney, and 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 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. State your name and the agenda topic on which you will be speaking. And you have some fellow fire department people with you. I'm glad to see them also. Scott, it's my distinct honor tonight to recognize your service as battalion chief for the Grand Island Fire Department. You have reached an incredible milestone, 30 years of dedicated service to the city of Grand Island. Scott, a few things have changed around here since you first stepped into Fire Station One, and your commitment to this community and to the safety of our residents is admirable. Over three decades, you've stood on the front lines of emergencies, helping lead shape and grow our fire department into what into what it is today. As our city has evolved, so have you. Meeting every challenge with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering drive to improve. That kind of growth over such a long and demanding career is rare, and something we here at the city deeply admire. A little bit about your history.

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