03/15/2011 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 15, 2011
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
March 15, 2011. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on March 9,
2011.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The following Councilmember's
were present: Chuck Haase, Larry Carney, Bob Niemann, Peg Gilbert, Mitch Nickerson, Linna
Dee Donaldson, Randy Gard, and John Gericke. Councilmember Scott Dugan and Kirk Ramsey
were absent. The following City Officials were present: Interim City Administrator /Finance
Director Mary Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Interim City Attorney Jason Eley, and
Public Works Director John Collins.
INVOCATION was given by Councilmember Carney followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council
members Sarah Ronne and board member Theresa Englehardt.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Proclamation "Sunshine Week" March 13 -19 2011. Mayor Vavricek proclaimed the week of
March 13 -19, 2011 as "Sunshine Week ". Don Smith representing The Grand Island Independent
was present to receive the proclamation and spoke concerning the importance of openness in
government.
OTHER ITEMS:
Presentation and Discussion Concerning Annexation. Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity
reported that annexation was the way cities grew. Cities were created to facilitate the
infrastructure necessary for people to live together in close proximity.
The reason to present annexation at this time were:
• To determine the annexation policy preferences of this City Council
• To give notice to property owners that the City may be considering annexation
• To give notice to the Grand Island and Northwest School Districts that the City may be
considering annexation
• To position the City for future growth
• To bring property that is developed near the City into the City Limits
• To allow the City to grow beyond the suburban development
• To provide for the extension of City Utilities (increase customer base)
Page 2, City Council Study Session, March 15, 2011
• To increase the sales and property tax base of the City Of Grand Island to equitably split
the cost of the benefits of being located near the City to everyone that benefits
Nebraska Statutes allow cities of the First Class to annex property that is adjacent to and
contiguous with the municipal limits of the city and that is not agricultural land that is rural in
nature. Mr. Nabity explained the process of annexation. Mentioned was the reason this was
brought forward at this time was because anything annexed before the end of August would
change the valuation/taxes for the School Districts.
Presented were 14 areas around the City of Grand Island that appeared to meet the qualification
of being adjacent and contiguous and not agricultural land that was rural in nature.
The following six areas were recommended for Council to consider annexation with nominal
upfront costs to the City:
Area Water
Sewer
• Eagle Scout Park $100,000
NE Interceptor
• Vanosdal Fields $180,000
$200,000
• Rainbow Lake Area
$700,000
• 281 and Husker Highway
• North and Old Potash
• 13th and North
Discussion was held concerning the timeline to put in infrastructure. Mr. Nabity stated it would
depend on if districts were created.
The following County Industrial Parks were presented:
• Aurora Coop /Island Supply
• Platte Valley Construction
• Diamond Engineering
• Hornady
Discussion was held on the advantages of having a business in a County Industrial Park. Mr.
Nabity stated they don't have to pay City sales tax. County Industrial tracts could be formed
today. Mentioned was that these tracts receive all the services of being in the City including EDC
funding. Fire Chief Troy Hughes explained that Grand Island Fire Department has responded to
fire at Hornady since part of the building is within the City Limits and part in the County
Industrial tract.
Utilities Director Gary Mader answered questions concerning Eagle Scout area and extending
water service and the cost. The Utilities Department could handle the cost of $100,000 and
$180,000 with a few years planning. Oversized lines for future growth would be paid by the
water utility. Explained was the process of electric service to an annexed area that was served by
a Rural Electric service.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, March 15, 2011
Storm sewer, black top streets, and curb and gutter were mentioned. Impact fees were discussed.
Mr. Nabity stated we would not be able to use impact fees as it was not allowed by State
Statutes. Those communities that had Home Rule Charter were able to use an impact fee.
East Lakes area was reviewed. Mr. Nabity stated with the number of people in this area
(approximately 1,000) would affect the redistricting of the Council Wards. Mentioned was the
cost to the homeowners to connect to water. Fire Chief Troy Hughes stated the Fire Department
responded to the East Lakes only on EMS services through an Interlocal, but not fire services.
Mr. Nabity explained the process if a property owner requested annexation and they were
contiguous to the City they could be annexed. Mentioned was that the Comprehensive Plan
included these areas as potential areas to be annexed.
Interim City Administrator Mary Lou Brown commented on the Councils part in setting policy
for City staff to move forward with annexation.
The following eight areas that were not recommended due to cost to the City were presented:
Councilmember Gard stated that Bismark Road was no cost to the City and should be included in
the annexation plan. Councilmember Gilbert commented on eventual expansion west to the
Cornhusker Industrial Plant and the need for that to be included in the plan.
Mr. Nabity stated he would bring a Resolution to Council for the March 22, 2011 meeting for
Council to identify which areas they wanted to move forward with annexation and a Resolution
to have Hall County look at the County Industrial Parks as per State Statutes.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
Area
Water
Sewer Electric
•
Airport Road
$ 260,000
NE Interceptor $150,000
•
Webb Road
NE Interceptor
•
St. Paul Road
$ 150,000
NE Interceptor
•
East Lakes Area
$2,700,000
NE Interceptor
•
Bismark Road
•
Wellfield Area
No Estimate
•
Schroeder Subdivision
$ 780,000 $500,000
•
Stolley and Engleman
$ 140,000
$1,400,000
Councilmember Gard stated that Bismark Road was no cost to the City and should be included in
the annexation plan. Councilmember Gilbert commented on eventual expansion west to the
Cornhusker Industrial Plant and the need for that to be included in the plan.
Mr. Nabity stated he would bring a Resolution to Council for the March 22, 2011 meeting for
Council to identify which areas they wanted to move forward with annexation and a Resolution
to have Hall County look at the County Industrial Parks as per State Statutes.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk