01/25/2011 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 25, 2011
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular Meeting 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 January 25, 2011. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on January 19, 2011.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Chuck Haase, Larry Carney, Randy Gard, Kirk Ramsey, Peg Gilbert,
Mitch Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Scott Dugan, and John Gericke. Councilmember Bob
Niemann was absent. The following City Officials were present: Interim City
Administrator/Finance Director Mary Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Interim City
Attorney Jason Eley, Interim Public Works Engineer Terry Brown, and Interim Public
Works/Utilities Director Gary Mader.
INVOCATION was given by Pastor Caroline Price-Gibson, First Presbyterian Church, 2103
West Anna Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council
member Evan Dexter and Board Member Jennifer Cramer. Mayor commented on the Council
Retreat and participation of the Council for long range planning. Mentioned was a hearing at the
legislature to be held tomorrow that could impact the City regarding revenues.
Finance Director Mary Lou Brown gave the December 2010 Financial Report. Mentioned was
the December fmancials were holding strong from a cash perspective. Food and Beverage tax
were coming in strong as well as other taxes. Reduced level of expenditures helped to balance
the budget at this time.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Recognition of Bob Sorensen former City Councilmember for 24 Years of Service with the City
of Grand Island. The Mayor and City Council recognized Bob Sorensen, one of the longest
serving City Councilmember's to the City of Grand Island. Mr. Sorensen was thanked for his
dedication, knowledge and service to the City. Mr. Sorensen was present for the recognition and
said a few words regarding the years he served.
Recognition of Ray Micek, Electric Distribution Superintendent with the Utilities Department for
45 Years of Service to the City of Grand Island. The Mayor and City Council recognized Ray
Micek, Electric Distribution Superintendent for 45 years of service with the City of Grand Island.
Mr. Micek will be retiring on February 4, 2011. Utilities Department Director Gary Mader made
a few comments concerning Mr. Micek's service. He was thanked for his dedication and service
to the City. Mr. Micek was present for the presentation and said a few words of thanks to the
Utilities Department and their employees.
Recognition of Katie Wichman and Suzanne Swantek with the Grand Island Fire Department's
Citizen's Citation Award. The Mayor and City Council recognized Katie Wichman and Suzanne
Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, January 25, 2011
Swantek for their life saving efforts on July 4, 2010. Fire Chief Troy Hughes and Russ
Blackburn, EMS Division Chief presented Ms. Wichman and Ms. Swantek with the Citizen
Citation Award and thanked them for their outstanding efforts.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public HearingLon Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 805 Allen Drive (GI Hospitality
Inc.. Gary Mader, Utilities Director reported that acquisition of a utility easement located at 805
Allen Drive was needed in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair public
water lines and fire hydrants for the purpose of retaining public ownership and public
maintenance of a fire hydrant .Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 809 Allen Drive (Paul and Linda
Younes .Gary Mader, Utilities Director reported that acquisition of a utility easement located at
809 Allen Drive was needed in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair
power appurtenances, including lines and transformers for the purpose of underground conduit,
cable and apad-mounted transformer to supply electric service to the new Buffalo Wild Wings
building. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
#9286 -Consideration of Annexation Right-of--Way along a Portion of South Locust
Street between the Grand Island City Limits and the Northernmost Terminus of the Exit
Ramps to the Interstate 80 Interchange (First Reading)
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity reported this was the first of three readings and was not
suggesting extension of the zoning jurisdiction as a result of this annexation. Discussion was
held regarding sewer and electrical services for this annexation. Mr. Nabity stated no utilities
were necessary to support the property included in this annexation and no new residences or
businesses would be added to the City as a result of this annexation. Staff recommended
approval.
Motion by Dugan, second by Ramsey to approve Ordinance #9286 on first reading. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Councilmember Gilbert moved "that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days are suspended and that ordinance numbered:
#9287 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 4 of the Grand Island City Code Relative to
Alcohol Sales
#9288 - Consideration of Amending the Salary Ordinance
be considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only and that the City Clerk
be permitted to call out the number of this ordinance on second reading and then upon final
passage and call for a roll call vote on each reading and then upon final passage."
Councilmember Nickerson second the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, January 25, 2011
#9287 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 4 of the Grand Island City Code Relative to
Alcohol Sales
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Paustian reported Ordinance #9287 would allow alcohol
sales for concession operations at the Veterans Athletic Field Complex as was discussed at the
January 18, 2011 City Council Study Session.
The following people spoke in opposition:
• Adam Lunes, 1317 West 6th Street
• Sandy Yager, 1007 S. Plum Street
• Manny Lopez, 408 W. Koenig Street
• Eric Eckstrom, 304 S. Plum Street
• Donald Bass Sr., 307 E. Nebraska Avenue
• Cory (could not understand last name or address)
Eric Buckner, 310 E. 21St Street spoke in a neutral position.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Ramsey to approve Ordinance #9287.
Comments were made by Council regarding the response from the community who were against
the sale of alcohol at the Veteran's Field Athletic Complex. Mentioned were enforcement, safety,
and image of Grand Island, losing teams, revenue, and other City owned property.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9287 on first reading. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance
on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Gilbert and Ramsey
voted aye. Councilmember's Haase, Carney, Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard, and Gericke
voted no. Motion failed.
#9288 - Consideration ofAmending the Salary Ordinance
Human Resources Director Brenda Sutherland reported that Ordinance #9288 was in response to
items pointed out by the auditors during the last audit and were housekeeping issues.
Motion by Donaldson, second by Nickerson to approve Ordinance #9288.
Discussion was held regarding the $30.00 VEBA for non-union employees. Ms. Sutherland
stated this had been in effect for 6 or 7 years and explained it was a health related benefit after
the employee was no longer employed with the City. Uniform allowance and stand-by pay were
discussed. Interim City Administrator/Finance Director Mary Lou Brown commented on the
budget process that included these items.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9288 on first reading. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance
on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Carney, Ramsey,
Gilbert, Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard, and Gericke voted aye. Counclmember Haase
voted no. Motion adopted.
Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, January 25, 2011
City Clerk: Ordinance #9288 on final passage. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance
on final passage, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Carney, Ramsey,
Gilbert, Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard, and Gericke voted aye. Councilmember Haase
voted no. Motion adopted.
Mayor Vavricek: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage,
Ordinance #9288 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Consent Agenda item G-9 was removed for further discussion. Motion
by Ramsey, second by Gard to approve the Consent Agenda excluding item G-9. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of January 11, 2011 City Council Regular Meeting_
Approving Minutes of January 18, 2011 City Council Study Session.
#2011-15 -Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 805 Allen Drive (GI
Hospitalit,Y Inc•).
#2011-16 -Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 809 Allen Drive (Paul and
Linda Younes).
#2011-17 -Approving Bid Award for Water Main Project 2009-W-1, Cedar Street and Union
Pacific Railroad with Van Kirk Brothers Contracting of Sutton, Nebraska in an Amount of
$178,172.30.
#2011-18 - Approving Bid Award for Water Treatment System Replacement with Eco-Tec Inc.
of Pickering, Ontario in an Amount of $427,956.13.
#2011-19 -Approving Bid Award for Vista Switchgear with Kriz Davis Company of Grand
Island, Nebraska in an Amount of $142,183.74.
#2011-20 -Approving Change Order No. 3 for Primary Clarifier Mechanisms at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant with Oakview Construction, Inc. of Red Oak, Iowa for a reduction of $3,100.00
and a Revised Contract Amount of $633,217.00.
#2011-22 - Approving Physio-Control Monitors Maintenance Contract Addendum with
Medtronic Emergency Response Systems for an Increase in an Amount of $5,668.65 and a
Revised Contract Amount of $42,368.65 per .wear.
#2011-23 -Approving Consent and Waiver for Baird Holm LLP to Represent the City of Grand
Island.
#2011-24 -Approving Required Interim Amendment for the City of Grand Island's 457(b)
Retirement Plan Document.
#2011-21 - Approving Bid Award for (1) 2011 Ford Crown Victoria RWD Full Size Police
Sedans with Anderson Ford, Grand Island, Nebraska in an Amount of $22,163.84. Police
Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, January 25, 201 1
Captain Pete Kortum reported due to uncertain budget cuts by the State of Nebraska that may
affect the City; they were requesting one cruiser instead of four to replace a totaled cruiser.
Questioned was if the price for one cruiser would change since we were not getting four. Police
Captain Kortum stated the price would stay the same.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Gericke to approve Resolution #2011-21. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
ItE VEST S AND REFERRALS:
Approving Referral of the One & Six Year Street Improvement Plan to the Regional Planning
Commission. Interim Public Works Engineer Terry Brown reported that adoption of a One and
Six Year Street Improvement Plan was required by State law as part of the requirements to
receive approximately three million dollars of gas tax funds each year. If approved for referral,
the Regional Planning Commission would conduct a Public Hearing at their February 2, 2011
meeting and would forward their recommendations to the City Council at their February 8, 2011
regular meeting. The report would then be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Roads by
March 1, 2011. A PowerPoint presentation was given showing the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015, and 2016 and beyond Construction projects and amounts.
Discussion was held regarding adding to the list Webb Road between Highway 30 and Stoney
Park Road and Broadwell Avenue from 281 Airport Road to Capital Avenue. Mr. Brown
commented on round-a-bouts and the Broadwell Crossing remaining on the list.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Haase to approve referring the One & Six Year Street
Improvement Plan to the Regional Planning Commission. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye.
Motion adopted.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2011-25 -Consideration of Approving Lease/Purchase for Heavy Duty Rescue Pumper. Mayor
Vavricek stated due to budgetary concerns raised by potential State legislature bills, this item
was pulled from the agenda.
#2011-26 -Consideration of Approving Purchase of Heavy Duty Rescue Pumper. Mayor
Vavricek stated due to budgetary concerns raised by potential State legislature bills, this item
was pulled from the agenda.
#2011-27 -Consideration of Amending the Lease Agreement for the One Stop Building
Building Department Director Craig Lewis reported that the Department of Administrative
Services, State Building Division and Agency of the State of Nebraska had requested an
amendment to the lease agreement for property they were leasing located at 1306 West 3rd Street.
They currently lease 9,572 square feet at a monthly rate of $6,947.68 and want to reduce that to
7,590 square feet at a monthly rate of $5,509.08 for the remaining term of the lease. The current
lease agreement expires on June 30, 2011.
Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, January 25, 201 1
Discussion was held regarding the lease, future use of this building, and the price per square foot
for rent currently being received. Ms. Brown commented on options for the building. Mr. Lewis
recommended that the City write the new lease if it's renewed.
Motion by Gericke, second by Nickerson to deny Resolution #2011-27 and negotiate a new lease
agreement for the property with the State Building Division. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye.
Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Dugan, second by Nickerson to approve the Claims for the period of January 12, 2010
through January 25, 2011, for a total amount of $2,811,738.64. Unanimously approved. Ms.
Brown answered a question concerning a claim paid to EMC from the General Insurance Fund
for property damage.
Motion by Dugan, second by Nickerson to approve the Claims for the Period of January 12, 2010
through January 25, 2011 for the Veterans Athletic Field Complex for a total amount of
$2,247.54. Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Q~~ ~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk