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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 23, 2025
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 23, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:21

Original source
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0:03

We'll call you.

0:13

Not to nudge.

0:19

Welcome to our meeting.

0:23

We're starting our meeting, ladies and gentlemen.

0:26

I would appreciate your attention.

0:28

We are starting our meeting.

0:30

This is an open the date is September 23, 2025.

0:35

The time is 7 p.m.

0:37

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

0:40

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

0:45

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

0:50

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

0:57

Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:19

The clerk will now perform roll call.

1:22

Council President Sheard.

1:24

Present.

1:24

Councilmember Stelk.

1:25

Present.

1:26

Councilmember Conley.

1:27

Present.

1:28

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:29

Present.

1:30

Councilmember Brown.

1:31

Present.

1:31

Councilmember Hazi.

1:33

Present.

1:33

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:35

Present.

1:35

Councilmember O'Neill.

1:36

Present.

1:37

Councilmember Pollack.

1:38

Present.

1:39

Councilmember Lamfer will be absent, and Mayor Steele.

1:42

Present.

1:44

Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk.

1:48

Patrick Brown, the assistant city administrator and chief financial officer.

1:53

Carrie Fisk, the city attorney, and Keith Kurtz, the public works director.

1:59

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

2:10

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

2:17

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

2:35

And 6L will be pulled.

2:45

Any other requests to remove consent agenda items, Council members.

2:54

Hearing none, we shall continue.

2:57

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

3:05

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.

3:30

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of 6H and 6L?

3:45

Mr.

3:46

Sheard.

3:47

Thank you.

3:47

I move that we pass the consent agent consent agenda items 6A through T with the exceptions of H and L.

3:55

Mr.

3:55

O'Neill.

3:56

I second the motion.

3:58

Any discussion.

4:01

Please vote.

4:05

Motion adopted.

4:07

6H approving bid award led service line inventory 2025 to 2026.

4:16

Mr.

4:17

Schmitz, please present.

4:19

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████29%
Public Private Partnerships██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Economic Development█████████████13%
Procedural██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Zoning And Land Use████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2025

The Grand Island City Council held a regular meeting on September 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 100 E First Street. All council members were present except Councilmember Lamfer. The meeting covered a consent agenda, four public hearings, several resolutions, and three ordinances. Key actions included approval of the lead service line inventory contract, a new four-year contract with Grow Grand Island, appointment of Patrick Brown as City Administrator, and approval of tax increment financing for two housing projects.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the September 8 and 9, 2025 meetings.
  • Approved payment of claims for September 10–23, 2025, totaling $10,866,852.62.
  • Approved garbage permits for Grand Island Disposal, Inc. and Mid-Nebraska Disposal, Inc., and refuse permits for Trash Bee Gone and O'Neill Transportation and Equipment, LLC.
  • Approved Keno satellite location for Balz at Prairie District Inc. dba Balz Sports Bar.
  • Approved 2026 contract with Clean Community Systems.
  • Approved supply and delivery of pebble lime 2025-2028.
  • Approved bid award for lead service line inventory 2025-2026 (pulled for separate discussion).
  • Approved temporary construction access for Hooker Brothers Sand & Gravel.
  • Approved final plat for Engelman Meadows Subdivision.
  • Approved annual financial software licensing agreement.
  • Approved FY2025-2026 contract with Grow Grand Island (pulled for separate discussion).
  • Approved parks storage building lease agreement.
  • Approved change order for Stolley Park Paving Improvements Phase II.
  • Approved Section 5339 capital grant application for Transit Division.
  • Approved certificates of final completion for Mastic Surface Treatment, Elks Parking Lot, and Claude Road projects.
  • Approved labor agreement with IBEW Local 1597 for Wastewater Treatment Plant.
  • Approved purchase of Stryker Lucas Devices.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing 7A – Target Class D Liquor License: Aaron Larson, store director for Target, spoke in support of the license, noting the store opens October 12, 2025. No other public comments.
  • Public Hearing 7B – TMT Investments Montana TIF: Zach Butts, legal counsel for TMT, spoke in support of the $875,000 TIF request for nine duplex units, stating the project would not proceed without TIF. No other public comments.
  • Public Hearing 7C – Preteria Phase 2 TIF Amendment: Lauren I., a representative of the financial institution, spoke in support of the amended TIF increase from $1.8 million to $3.3 million, citing higher construction costs and interest rates. She stated the project would not happen without TIF. No other public comments.
  • Public Hearing 7D – Utility Easement Acquisition: No public comments.
  • Discussion Item 6L – Grow Grand Island Contract: A resident (identified as 'Fabric') spoke in favor of modifying the agreement to require city council approval for all projects funded by Grow Grand Island, citing taxpayer accountability and public awareness. Council members responded, noting existing oversight through council representatives and the tax oversight committee.

Discussion Items

  • 6H – Lead Service Line Inventory 2025-2026: Ryan Schmitz presented an update: 779 of 3,000 total services have been investigated; 476 were found to be lead (61% hit rate); 199 have been replaced; $2.2 million expended, with $1.4 million reimbursed and an additional $600,000 draw expected in November; average cost per service is $10,000; contractor productivity averages 9–10 per week, up to 15 per week. The program is on track. Councilmember Nickerson expressed strong support, noted personal benefit (one of his properties had lead pipe), and asked about sustainability of state funding. Schmitz indicated no news of program termination and plans to request a larger credit line ($10 million) in the next year or two.
  • 6L – Grow Grand Island Contract: City Attorney Carrie Fisk explained the new contract: initial term of four years with a two-year renewal option; first-year budget at $500,000; termination notice expanded to six months. Councilmember Sheard supported the term, noting it allows long-term planning. Councilmember Nickerson expressed reservations about the four-year term preferring two-year segments but supported overall. Councilmember Hawsey, a Grow Grand Island board representative, praised the volunteer board and the contract's flexibility, noting the council retains budget authority. Motion to approve passed.
  • 8B – Appointment of Patrick Brown as City Administrator: Mayor Steele presented the appointment, citing Brown's qualifications and experience as assistant city administrator and CFO. Councilmembers Hawsey, Sheard, Brown, Conley, Pollock, Nickerson, O'Neill, and Stelk spoke in strong support, highlighting Brown's leadership, institutional knowledge, ability to bridge political and professional staff, and the impracticality of a national search given the upcoming mayoral election. Public comment from Jay Vavricek (former mayor) supported the appointment, noting the wisdom of retaining institutional knowledge. Brown answered questions about handling multiple roles (CFO, finance director) and plans to fill the finance director position soon. Motion approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda (items 6A–6T, except 6H and 6L): Approved by voice vote.
  • 6H – Lead Service Line Inventory Contract: Approved.
  • 6L – Grow Grand Island Contract: Approved.
  • 7A – Target Class D Liquor License (#2025-330): Approved.
  • 7B – TMT Investments Montana Site-Specific Redevelopment Plan (#2025-331): Approved.
  • 7C – Preteria Phase 2 Redevelopment Plan Amendment (#2025-332): Approved. Councilmember Sheard abstained due to conflict of interest.
  • 7D – Utility Easement Acquisition (#2025-333): Approved.
  • 8A – FY2025-2026 Fee Schedule (#2025-334): Approved.
  • 8B – Appointment of Patrick Brown as City Administrator (#2025-335): Approved.
  • 9A – Vacation of Utility Easement – Engelman Meadows (Ordinance 10,037): Approved.
  • 9B – Water Chapter 35 Revisions (Ordinance 10,038): Approved. Allows use of PVC C900 pipe for fire service lines (3 inches and over) as an alternative to ductile iron, not in groundwater control districts; estimated 68% cost savings.
  • 9C – Salary Ordinance (Ordinance 10,039): Approved. Incorporates IBEW wastewater contract changes.

Additional Notes

  • The meeting was adjourned after all items were addressed.

Meeting Transcript

We'll call you. Not to nudge. Welcome to our meeting. We're starting our meeting, ladies and gentlemen. I would appreciate your attention. We are starting our meeting. This is an open the date is September 23, 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. Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk will now perform roll call. Council President Sheard. Present. Councilmember Stelk. Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown. Present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember O'Neill. Present. Councilmember Pollack. Present. Councilmember Lamfer will be absent, and Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk. 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. And 6L will be pulled. Any other requests to remove consent agenda items, Council members. 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. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of 6H and 6L? Mr. Sheard. Thank you. I move that we pass the consent agent consent agenda items 6A through T with the exceptions of H and L.

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