Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026
Grand Island City Council Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026
The Grand Island City Council met on July 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Council Chambers, 100 E First Street. The meeting featured presentations on the All American City competition and the Nebraska State Fair, a lengthy public hearing and debate on a conditional use permit for Pete Safari (a private zoo), and action on resolutions and ordinances including a Good Life District occupation tax and the sale of Veterans Village property.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the July 7, 14, and 20, 2026 meetings.
- Approved payment of claims totaling $6,580,215.11.
- Approved appointment to the Public Art Commission and re-appointment to the Tree Board.
- Approved several agreements and contracts: Nebraska Public Transportation Assistance Program, temporary construction easement for State Street/Diers Avenue improvements, professional engineering consulting for floodplain remapping of Moores Creek, PGS Coal Combustion Residual Groundwater Services Task 30, PECO LLC Micro-TIF Application (CRA Area 1), purchase of arena lighting for Big Iron Events Center, 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant, and State Fair Emergency Fire and Medical Service Agreement.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pete Safari Conditional Use Permit: Over a dozen speakers addressed the council, all expressing strong support for Kevin and Kimberlynn Petersen's operation. Speakers highlighted the zoo's educational value, positive impact on special needs children and seniors, affordability, tourism draw, and the family's dedication. Several speakers argued that city requirements (paved parking, multiple permanent bathrooms, animal microchipping) were excessive and would force closure. Attorney Galen Stellick represented the Petersons and proposed alternatives such as using Nebraska nonprofit status instead of 501(c)(3) and allowing porta-potties with a unisex handicapped-accessible unit. Other speakers (Bobby Joe Mittler, Kevin Peterson, Levo Carr, Richard Finch, Joyce Hazi, Christy Schleichert, Annie Bittensen, Michelle Anderson, Kimberlynn Petersen, Alex Winchester, Maria Ramirez, Corvozeroboros) echoed these themes. Councilmember Sheard noted that the delegation felt Grand Island was "number 11" in the All American City competition.
Discussion Items
- All American City Presentation: Tanya Brown and members of the delegation reported on their experience in Denver, where Grand Island was a top-20 finalist. They highlighted three programs featured in the application: Neighboring, the Creative District, and Elevate Grand Island. Councilmember Sheard shared reflections on the competition, including a session where most non-white-male elected officials had experienced death threats, contrasting with Grand Island's civility. The delegation presented a plaque to the city.
- Nebraska State Fair Presentation: Jamie and Courtney detailed the 2026 fair, August 28 – September 7, with the theme "It All Happens Here" and emphasis on the nation's 250th anniversary. Highlights include six nights of fireworks and drone shows, over 60 Nebraska-based bands, new food items, ticketed concerts (Phil Wickham, KC and the Sunshine Band, Home Free, Shinedown, Hardy), volunteer program producing 16,000 hours, and plans for the ARPA-funded improvements to be completed by end of 2026. They noted 334,383 attendees in the past year.
- Pete Safari Conditional Use Permit Discussion: City Planner Chad Nabity presented history, noting the property has been in city zoning jurisdiction since 1988. The Petersons purchased it in 2018; currently there are 39 structures, 15 of which are over 120 sq. ft. and lacked building permits. The petition was for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a private club (educational nonprofit) in a large-lot residential zone, which would allow the use legally. Staff proposed conditions including obtaining building permits, providing restrooms per occupancy load (calculated at 430 persons), paving the parking lot (minimum 15 spaces), chipping animals, and applying for 501(c)(3) status. Attorney Stellick argued that some conditions were unreasonable, such as the restroom count based on unrealistic occupancy, and that many issues stem from lack of permits. Building Official Ed Clemick noted the state fire marshal and USDA had recently inspected and found no violations. Council debated at length. Several council members expressed that the conditions should be reasonable and that they did not want to shut down the zoo.
- Veterans Village Sale (Resolution 2026-206): City Attorney Carrie Fisk explained the resolution is the first step to allow Woodsonia to apply for TIF and move forward with the Good Life District development. The city would offer to sell the 72-acre Veterans Village property. Mitch Holan of Woodsonia presented requested modifications: refundable earnest money if they fail to close, flexible acceptance deadline, removal of a tax-exempt user exclusion, easing real estate protest for 290 single-family lots, and reversion clauses tied to funding availability. Council opted to approve the resolution as written, noting Woodsonia could present a formal counteroffer for the August 11 meeting.
- Good Life District Occupation Tax (Ordinance 10084): Fisk presented an ordinance creating a 2% occupation tax on the northern portion of the Good Life District (Veterans Village area), effective October 1, 2028, to help fund development. No taxable transactions currently exist, so the delayed effective date avoids administrative costs. The ordinance was approved.
- Other Items: Updated truck routes (Resolution 2026-204) and snow emergency routes (Ordinance 10083) were approved to reflect new Highway 30 and road additions. The Fonner Park Business Improvement District budget for FY2026-2027 was approved, with a Board of Equalization date set for September 8, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- #2026-189 (Pete Safari CUP): As amended by Councilmember Hawsey, the motion (seconded by Councilmember O'Neill) approved the conditional use permit with all conditions removed except Section F (nonprofit status) and Section L (term), modified to expire April 1, 2027. The vote passed. This allows the zoo to operate legally through that date while the family works on compliance. Council also noted they trust the Petersons to voluntarily pursue permits and safety improvements.
- #2026-202 (Easement Acquisition): Approved unanimously.
- #2026-203 (Re-established Tap Fees): Approved unanimously.
- #2026-204 (Truck Routes Update): Approved unanimously.
- #2026-205 (Fonner Park BID Budget): Approved unanimously.
- #10,083 (Snow Emergency Routes): Approved unanimously.
- #2026-206 (Veterans Village Sale): Approved unanimously. Formal counteroffer from Woodsonia to be considered at August 11 meeting.
- #10,084 (Good Life District Occupation Tax): Approved unanimously.
- Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
We will begin our meeting shortly. Welcome everyone to our meeting. The date is July twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-six. The time is seven 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. Now, please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the United States of America. Councilmember Sheard present. Council Member Stelk. Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown? Present. Councilmember Hazi. Present. Councilmember Mendoza present. Council President O'Neill. Present. Councilmember Pollock will be absent. Councilmember Lanfear. Present. And Mayor Steele. Present. Also present are Jill Grenier, the city clerk. Patrick Brown, the city administrator. Chelsea Steinke, the finance director, 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. Council members, do you wish to remove any of tonight's consent agenda items for further consideration? 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. No one has come forward, so we shall continue. The first item on our agenda is Board of Equalization 6A. Consideration of determining re-establishment of TAP fees for subdivided lots in Sanitary Sewer District number 530. Council, is there a motion to adjourn to the Board of Equalization? Mr. Hawsey. I'd move that we move adjourn to a board of equalization. Thank you, sir. Mr. O'Neill. I second that motion.
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