Grand Island City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026 – Budget, Data Center, Zoning, Naming Rights, and Good Life District

This regular meeting of the Grand Island City Council on June 23, 2026, covered a wide range of topics including the FY27 budget proposals, approval of an interruptible power service agreement for a small data center, a zoning change denial, a naming rights agreement for the Heartland Event Center, and the first steps toward a Good Life District agreement for Veterans Village. Council members engaged in detailed discussion on several items, with close attention to public testimony and financial implications.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with items 7E, 7F, and 7N removed for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sochi Berhan registered to speak on agenda item 8A (rezoning of lots in McCoy Meadows subdivision).

Discussion Items

• FY27 Budget Proposals (6A, 6B): City Administrator Patrick Brown presented the administration and finance budget, noting a 24.9% increase in personnel expenses due to a wage reallocation and a potential 4.6% COLA based on CPI. The city clerk's office budget includes a 5.7% personnel increase with step increases and a 3% COLA as a placeholder. Human Resources Director Mr. Schmidt presented an 11.88% budget reduction ($112,000) due to a retirement and lower recruiting costs.
• Interruptible Service Rate Agreement & Land Lease Amendment – Fortitude Mining (7E, 7F): Ryan Brown detailed the proposed 12-megawatt facility at Museum Drive and Swift Road, emphasizing that the site uses no city water, no groundwater, discharges no wastewater, and does not require new generation. The facility is fully interruptible to avoid new peak capacity requirements. The expected annual net income to the utility is about $1 million, with an additional $250,000–$290,000 in city revenue from dividends and sales tax. A third-party sound study established ambient noise thresholds, and the amendment aligned lease restrictions with those pre-existing levels. Councilmember Nickerson noted the importance of distinguishing this small facility from larger data centers seen in other cities.
• Transfer Station Change Order (7N): Public Works Director Keith Kurtz presented a $263,000 change order for the transfer station facility improvements, including overhead door changes, a north drive, and fire code upgrades. The amended contract price is approximately $7.8 million. Construction is progressing, with expected completion after the first of the year 2027, possibly operating in February or March. A new yard waste drop-off site three miles west of town has been well-received.
• Public Hearings (8A–8E):
  • 8A: Acquisition of utility easement at 2391 South North Road (Chief Industries Inc.) – approved.
  • 8B: Zoning change request for lots 1-4 of McCoy Meadows subdivision from RD to amended RD to allow duplexes. The Planning Commission recommended denial. Residents Kevin Britton and Jason Clark opposed, citing preservation of the original plan and buffer. The applicant, Xochitl Verjan, proposed owner-occupied duplexes with five-bedroom units. Councilmembers Hawsey and Nickerson argued the change would remove a planned buffer and increase density inappropriately. The motion to deny passed.
  • 8C: Conditional use permit for Sasha Miller to maintain a manufactured home while building a modular home – approved.
  • 8D: Acquisition of permanent easements for State Street/Diers Avenue improvements – approved.
  • 8E: Acquisition of ingress/egress easement in Platte Valley Industrial Park for Iron Drive – approved.
• Naming Rights Agreement – Heartland Event Center (9A): Kyler Tarwater of VenueWorks presented an 11-year, $1.5 million naming rights agreement with Big Iron (RB Global) to rename the facility the Big Iron Event Center. Public speaker Jay Vabichek criticized the lack of a formal naming rights policy and an open bidding process, arguing the city should retain all revenue. Councilmembers debated the value ($140,000/year) and the lack of an escalator. Mr. Tarwater explained the process and noted that the first local prospect offered only $50,000. Councilmember Haussey raised concerns about contract terms granting Big Iron royalty-free rights to produce and sell promotional materials. After significant discussion, the motion to approve passed, with Councilmember Haussey voting no.
• E-Bike/E-Scooter/Hoverboard Ordinance (10C): City Attorney Carrie Fisk presented an amendment to Chapter 22, aligning with Hastings and other Tri-Cities. The ordinance prohibits riding e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards on streets with speed limits over 25 mph, on specific congested streets, and class 2/3 e-bikes on hike/bike trails. Class 1 e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards are allowed on sidewalks and trails. Penalties start at $25 (plus court costs). Resident Joshua Genilevich, a daily e-bike commuter, requested a more targeted approach like Lincoln’s, allowing bikes on roads up to 30 mph. The ordinance was approved.
• Civil Service Commission Expansion (10D): An ordinance to increase the number of civil service commissioners from three to five, to improve quorum and manage conflicts, was approved.
• Good Life District Agreements (11A): Two resolutions were presented: one offering to sell approximately 225 acres of property at Veterans Village to Woodsonia Real Estate Inc., and a second authorizing a Good Life District development agreement pledging up to $142 million in district revenue to the project (including $22 million for an aquatic center). Developer Drew Woodsonia provided an update on financing, noting a call with the Department of Revenue indicates a bond issuance of $70–80 million on the first $5 million stream is possible. Councilmember Lanfair voted against the land sale, citing concerns about Woodsonia’s track record. After discussion, both motions passed, with the understanding that further approvals (TIF, zoning, etc.) remain.

Key Outcomes

• Approve Interruptible Service Rate Agreement with Fortitude Mining (7E) – Unanimous.
• Approve Amendment to Land Lease Agreement with Fortitude Mining (7F) – Unanimous.
• Approve Change Order #1 for Transfer Station Improvements (7N) – Unanimous.
• Approve Public Hearings 8A, 8C, 8D, 8E – All unanimous.
• Deny Zoning Change for McCoy Meadows (8B) – Motion to deny adopted (vote tally not provided, but noted as passed).
• Approve Naming Rights Agreement with Big Iron Event Center (9A) – Motion adopted; Councilmember Haussey voted no.
• Approve E-Bike/E-Scooter/Hoverboard Ordinance (10C) – Motion adopted.
• Approve Civil Service Commission Ordinance (10D) – Motion adopted.
• Approve Resolution 2026-176 (Offer to Sell Land to Woodsonia) – Motion adopted; Councilmember Lanfair voted no.
• Approve Resolution 2026-177 (Good Life District Development Agreement) – Motion adopted.