Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025
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Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025
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.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Central Catholic Speech Team – Recognized for winning the Class C-1 State Championship. Mayor Steele presented certificates and city pins.
- Nebraska Skills USA Champions – Top Grand Island finishers honored in various technical categories (e.g., engineering design, additive manufacturing, CNC milling, drone operation).
- Division Chief Matthew Caward – Recognized for earning the Chief Training Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing.
- Dwight "Brad" Richards – Recognized for 35 years of service as a communications operator and emergency medical dispatcher, starting May 2, 1990.
- Patrick Karr – Recognized for 35 years of service as a material handler (later senior materials handler) at the Platte Generating Station, starting May 21, 1990.
Consent Calendar
Items A through Q were approved by motion (O'Neill, second Lanfear) without discussion. Key items included:
- Minutes of April 22 and April 29 meetings.
- Payment of claims totaling $5,565,024.67.
- Temporary construction easements for South Locust Street Improvements (Project 2021-P-6).
- Amendment to Resolution 2025-143 correcting legal description for right-of-way.
- Bid awards for road deicing salt, trail construction in Cedar Hills Park, and approvals related to utility equipment, coal purchases, and easements.
Public Hearing
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).
Resolutions
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.
Ordinances
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).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items A–Q): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2025-161 (Right-of-Way Acquisition): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2025-162 (4th Street Lighting): Approved unanimously. Project to be completed by October 2025 at a cost not to exceed $250,000 from keno funds.
- Ordinance 10,015 (Vacation of Utility Easement at 3961 Silver Rd): Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 10,016 (Vacation of Easements at Conestoga Marketplace): Approved unanimously.
- The audit report was distributed to council members before adjournment.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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