Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – July 22, 2025
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Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting – July 22, 2025
The Grand Island City Council met on July 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, consent agenda items, public hearings, resolutions, and ordinances. Council President Sheridan presided, with seven council members present, two absent, and the mayor. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the July 8, 2025 regular meeting and July 15, 2025 budget study session.
- Approved items 7D through 7P (excluding 7C, 7I, 7K, 7L which were pulled for separate votes): subdivision approvals, billboard removal agreement, public transportation assistance, sewer district continuation, temporary construction easement, street use requests, bid awards, renewable energy certificate purchase, and nozzle assembly purchase.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Celine Swan Recognition: Dave Janda spoke in congratulations; Celine Swan thanked staff, patrons, family, and the city.
- We Are One March (7K): Laura Gamboa Urego explained the grassroots march on September 21, 2025, to support immigrant and refugee neighbors, using sidewalks and crossing a state highway with existing crosswalks. No harmful messaging allowed.
- Anderson KIA TIF (8B): Roger Bullington (Chief Construction) and Mike Anderson (Anderson KIA) spoke in support of the $994,000 TIF request, citing high construction costs and the need for beautification. Jay Vavrasek also expressed support, noting the project’s community benefits.
- Good Life District Ordinance (10C): Scott Reef (3481 West Shimmer Road) urged the council to involve multiple local developers, citing the Prairie District example.
- One & Six Year Street Improvement Plan (8D): Jim Walker (111 East Dolly Park Road) raised a drainage issue at Stewart Road and Stalley Park Road where runoff from a turn lane accumulates on his property.
Discussion Items
- Celine Swan Recognition: Mayor Steele presented a certificate and pin for 25 years of service at the Grand Island Public Library.
- Emergency Management Budget (FY2026): John Roseland presented the budget. Personnel expenses (85-90% of total) up 0.9%; operating expenses up 1%. Highlights: radio project progressing (75% federal grant, city/county split 25% match), $1.8 million paid (second invoice), remaining $450,000 to be paid. Two outdoor warning sirens budgeted annually. UHF radio network maintained for county fire departments. Camera system upgrade ($10,000) to replace Chinese-made devices. Drone purchase ($10,000) for damage assessment. Tower donation from state for Carroll Water Tower site to improve radio coverage. No council questions.
- Payment of Claims (7C): $21,239,574.90 paid for July 9-22, 2025. Patrick Brown detailed major items: capital projects $1.6M, radio project $1.8M, fire station #3 renovation $441,000, ladder truck $2.3M, asphalt machine $227,000, solid waste compactor $834,000, bond/interest payments $4.8M. Approved.
- Sanitary Sewer District No. 546 (7I): Keith Kurtz reported 21% of property owners protested; the district will proceed. Potential CDBG funding of nearly $200,000 could reduce total project cost of ~$350,000. Construction expected to start after Fonner Park races spring 2026, extending into FY27. Approved.
- We Are One March (7K): Approved after explanation.
- Dodge Parking Lot Sidewalk Repairs (7L): Some trees will be removed due to sidewalk heaving. Approved.
- Fuji Steak House Liquor License (8A): New shareholder Yanhua Lin; license approved.
- Anderson KIA Redevelopment Plan (8B): $8.5 million investment, requesting $994,000 TIF for demolition, acquisition, site work. Approved.
- Ingress/Egress Easement (8C): New easement to replace vacated one for Mesner development near Blessed Sacrament Church. Approved.
- One & Six Year Street Improvement Plan (8D): Keith Kurtz presented extensive plan. Key projects: Locust Street improvements (Fonner Park Road to 2nd Street) – opening to T intersection for state fair; grade separation at Broadwell (UP line) – $34M project, city share ~$6M, construction anticipated 2028; BN crossing study – 17 crossings, $750,000 total (city 10%, BN 10%, feds 80%); 13th Street median improvements design; Sycamore Street design (10th to Capital) – pavement in poor shape; Wetland bank – permitting delays; Third Street drainage – to be bid fall 2025; Stormwater modeling continued; Capital outfall culvert replacement ($200,000); South Locust Trail (hike/bike) – design underway, construction planned FY26. Discussion on funding: $10.95 million in general fund projects, $6 million for trail subject to council financing decision. Mayor Steele provided historical context for the trail (dating to 1992). Approved.
- Right-of-Way Acquisition (8E): For South Locust Street project. Approved.
- JackRabbit Golf Course Lease (9A): 20-year lease with Hall County Airport Authority, starting at $28,358.48 (3% increase from current), annual 3% increases. Councilmember O’Neill and Brown abstained due to airport authority board membership. Mayor Steele cast deciding vote. Approved.
- VenuWorks Operations Funding (9B): $200,000 remaining of $500,000 contractual obligation for FY25. Discussion on maintenance responsibility: city owns building, VenuWorks handles operating maintenance; Honeywell engineering review underway for Heartland Event Center. Councilmember Hawsey noted lodging tax historically went to Fonner Park; now city collects and pays up to $500,000. Approved.
- Railside BID Budget (9C): FY2025-26 budget $151,478 (no increase). Approved with abstentions from Stelk and Nickerson.
- 4th Street BID Budget (9D): FY2025-26 budget $40,000. Rashad spoke on progress (lighting installed, slow due to assessment timing). Approved.
- Patrick Brown as Interim Finance Director (9E): Appointed effective July 11, 2025. Approved.
- Good Life District Ordinance (10C): First reading only. City Attorney Carrie Fisk outlined changes from LB 707: no boundary expansion, city occupation tax ends September 30, state will impose and refund portion, $5 million cap on existing businesses, updated application process. Discussion on Woodsonia application timeline – not yet submitted. Councilmembers expressed desire for urgency; administration will prepare RFP in case of delay. Approved first reading.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All consent items (except pulled) and all public hearing items were approved unanimously (with noted abstentions).
- Resolutions: All four resolutions approved; lease with airport authority passed with mayor’s vote.
- Ordinances: Three ordinances passed on first reading; second and third readings will require a future meeting with sufficient members to suspend rules.
- Next Steps: Administration to prepare RFP for Good Life District development; Woodsonia expected to submit amended application. Council to discuss deadline at next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to our meeting. The date is July twenty-two, two thousand twenty-five. 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 an agenda item as allowed by state law. Now 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. Council President Sheridan. Present. Councilmember Stelk. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown? Present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Mendoza will be absent. Councilmember O'Neill. Present. Council Members Pollock and Lamphair will be absent. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the City Clerk, Laura McAlloon, the City Administrator, Patrick Brown, the Assistant City Administrator, and Chief Financial Officer. 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. Councilmember Nickerson has asked to remove consent agenda items seven C and 7K. Are there any other consent agenda items that council members would like removed? Mr. Stelk. Item number 7L. Thank you, Mr. Stell. Hearing no others, we will 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. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I have the privilege of recognizing someone who's quietly but powerfully shaped our community for the past twenty-five years. Now Celine hasn't been director the whole time. She worked her way up step by step, earning the respect of her colleagues, patrons, and more than a few Dewey Decimal loyalists along the way as a library director. Over the years, Celine has helped transform the Grand Island Public Library into something more than a place for books. It's become a place where stories are shared, and everyone feels at home, whether they're researching, reading, or just needing some reliable Wi-Fi. From launching innovative programs to bringing in top notch guest speakers, Celine has always kept the library evolving while keeping its original spirit intact. Celine, thank you for twenty-five years of creativity, commitment, and community.
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