12/28/2010 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
December 28, 2010
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
December 28, 2010. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
December 22, 2010.
Mayor Vavricek called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The following Councilmember's were
present: Haase, Niemann, Gilbert, Donaldson, Gard, and Gericke. Councilmember's Nickerson,
Ramsey, Carney, and Dugan were absent. The following City Officials were present: Interim
City Administrator/Finance Director Mary Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City
Attorney Dale Shotkoski, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Council President Peg Gilbert followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek commented on a reception to be held on
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in honor of City Attorney Dale Shotkoski
and City Engineer/Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2010-374 -Approving Letter of Support for Essential Air Service (EAS) to the Department of
Transportation (DOTS Mike Olson, Executive Director for the Central Nebraska Regional
Airport reported that the Hall County Airport Authority was recommending American Eagle
Airlines to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for air service for the Central Nebraska
Regional Airport under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. American Eagle Airlines
would provide thirteen (13) weekly round trip nonstop flights to DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth)
Texas.
A PowerPoint presentation was given. Mr. Olson stated a request for a letter of support from the
Mayor and City Council to the U.S. Department of Transportation was needed in order to seek
Essential Air Service (EAS) funding. EAS was a program providing subsidy to rural areas for
commercial airlines flights who would otherwise not be able to support air service.
Mr. Olson stated 5 bids were received from 4 airlines. The Hall County Airport Authority voted
unanimously on December 20, 2010 in favor of American Eagle Airlines to Dallas/Fort Worth.
The following reasons were given for that decision:
• Competitive bid
• 750 departures to 160 destinations (Including non-stops to Asia, Europe, South America
and Mexico)
• Connections to 19 of our top 20 destinations
• Regional Jet Service
Page 2, City Council Special Meeting, December 28, 2010
• An option that Kearney & Lincoln do not have
• American Eagle's success at Manhattan, KS and Roswell, NM has re-energized air
service and now subsidy-free
• Weather related issues
• DFW is a good Omni-directional hub to East, West and Internationally
• If DFW performs as expected, potential for Chicago O'Hare service in future
• Passengers Enplane/Deplane on jet bridge
• DFW Skylink service makes connections to other terminals easy
• One World alliance -seamless connections to partner airlines across the world
Discussion was held regarding the approval process. Mr. Olson stated DOT would probably
make a decision the second week in January and it would take approximately 3 to 4 months to
implement.
Motion by Haase, second by Gilbert to approve Resolution #2010-374. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmember's Haase, Niemann, Gilbert, Donaldson, and Gericke voted aye. Councilmember
Gard abstained due to a conflict of interest. Mayor Vavricek voted aye to make the deciding
vote. Motion adopted.
#2010-375 -Approving Bid Award for Heavy Duty Rescue Pumper This item was pulled from
the agenda.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Gilbert, second by Gard to approve the Claims for the period of December 22, 2010
through December 28, 2010, for a total amount of $399,402.70. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Niemann to approve the Claims for the Period of December 22,
2010 through December 28, 2010 for the Veterans Athletic Field Complex for a total amount of
$43,985.39. Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk