At 7:00 PM on May 13, 2025, the Grand Island City Council held its regular meeting at Council Chambers, 100 E First Street. All council members and the mayor were present. The meeting began with presentations recognizing student achievements and city employees, followed by approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing, a resolution for lighting improvements, and two ordinances for easement vacations. All votes were unanimous.
Items A through Q were approved by motion (O'Neill, second Lanfear) without discussion. Key items included:
8a – Public Right-of-Way and Permanent Easement Acquisition for South Locust Street Improvements – Public Works Director Kurtz explained this is a continuation of property acquisition for the project. The public hearing was opened, no one spoke, and it was closed. Resolution 2025-161 was approved (motion Lanfear, second O'Neill).
9a – Approving 4th Street Lighting Project (Resolution 2025-162) – Finance Director Gleason and City Engineer Ryan presented. The project will install 52 LED lights on 40 new 30-foot concrete poles (12 existing repurposed) along 4th Street from Eddie to Kemble, improving safety and supporting nightlife. Cost is $250,000 from keno funds, with an eight-week lead time for poles and completion expected by October. An additional circuit will allow future lighting features (e.g., Christmas lights, banners). Councilmember Sheard expressed support and asked about banner attachments (yes). Councilmember Hawsey asked about festoon lighting; future decisions will be made by the 4th Street BID board. Motion by Brown, second by Lanfear, adopted.
10,015 – Vacation of Utility Easement at 3961 Silver Rd – Staff explained Anderson Diesel’s expansion conflicts with an existing transformer; after moving the service, the easement can be vacated. Statutory rules were suspended (motion Lanfear, second Pollack). The ordinance was approved (motion Brown, second Conley).
10,016 – Vacation of Easements at Conestoga Marketplace – Planner Nabity described that the original subdivision agreement contemplated vacating these easements after new utility easements were dedicated, which will occur via a plat coming to council in two weeks. No utilities remain in the vacated easements. Statutory rules were suspended (motion Sheard, second O’Neill). The ordinance was approved (motion Hawsey, second Pollack).
Dwight Richards is here. Welcome to our meeting. This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The date is May 13, 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. The City Clerk will now perform roll call. Council President Sheeran. Present. Councilmember Stout. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown. Present. Councilmember Housey. Present. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember O'Neill. Present. Councilmember Pollock. Present. Councilmember Lanfear. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk. Laura McAloon, the City Administrator. Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator and Chief Financial Officer. Carrie Fisk, the 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 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 items from the consent agenda? Hearing none, we shall continue with our presentations and proclamations. When you can fill this room with people who should be recognized for their excellence, we have filled this room. And we are recognizing Patrick Carr for 35 years of service with the City of Grand Island. Mrs. Grenier and I will proceed with these recognition at the main podium. Good evening. It is an honor to be here today to recognize a group of incredibly talented and hardworking students who have all made Grand Island proud. As mayor, I have the privilege of celebrating many accomplishments in our community, but today's recognition are something truly special. Let's start with the Central Catholic speech team. For the first time in school history, they have brought home the class C One State Championship.