05/17/2011 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 17, 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
May 17, 2011. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on May 11,
2011.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmember's
were present: Chuck Haase, Larry Carney, Bob Niemann, Kirk Ramsey, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Scott Dugan, and Randy Gard. Councilmember John Gericke
was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary Lou Brown,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Interim City Attorney Jason Eley, and Public Works Director John
Collins.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Vavricek followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council
members Brandon Pfeifer and Jackson Buck. Mentioned was a regional event sponsored by the
Joslyn Institute partnering with Central Community College to host a conference on Nebraska's
environment on May 261H
OTHER ITEMS:
Presentation of Parkview Groundwater Control Issues. Interim City Attorney Jason Eley
commented on two areas with groundwater contamination. A third region was identified.
Introduced was Bradley Vann with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
who presented a PowerPoint explaining the Parkview Well Superfund Site located in the
southwestern portion of the City. Overviews of the two areas of groundwater contamination were
presented. The Southern Plume which started at 3304 Engleman Road South running east and the
Northern Plume which started at 3445 West Stolley Park Road running east.
Remedial action by the City Council would be to enact an institutional control ordinance
designating a Groundwater Control Area where groundwater use would be restricted to prevent
human exposure and consumption of contaminated groundwater. This would also prohibit the
installation of new wells supplying water for human consumption in the plume areas.
Mr. Vann stated migration of the contaminated water was about a foot and a half per day to the
east. Groundwater pump and treat system (i.e., air strippers) were working to clean the
contaminated water. Mentioned was the ordinance proposed for Council approval would be in
effect until the contaminated water was cleaned up. Projected date of the dewatering system
would be a minimum of 10 years which started in August of 2010. Mr. Vann stated there was no
cost to the City for the cleanup.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, May 17, 2011
Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger commented on City wells which were closed due to
contamination.
Water Main Extension Remediation Plan for UP/NE Solvents. Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger
gave a PowerPoint presentation concerning the former Nebraska Solvents Company facility
located at 1200 East Highway 30 owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. Contamination from this
facility had migrated several miles to the east into Merrick County and contaminated private
wells in several subdivisions around the Gunbarrel and Fort Kearney Road area.
Union Pacific had enrolled in a voluntary remediation program administered by the Nebraska
Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to develop a corrective plan. The remediation
plan was to replace the private wells in that area by extending the City's water system. The
Union Pacific would reimburse the City for the engineering, material, and construction costs
associated with the extension.
The following was proposed by Union Pacific:
• Water Main Engineering
• Design
• Construction Specifications
• Field Inspection
• Water Main Construction
• Materials
• Installation
• Monthly invoicing of costs
Union Pacific would provided the Homeowners with the following:
• Bottled /Treatment until City water available
• Within six months of water main completion
• Water service connection
• Abandon well or disconnect from house service
• After six months all costs by homeowner
• Water usage cost by homeowner
The following schedule was projected:
• Water Main Engineering — Summer /Fall 2011
• Award Water Main Bids — Winter 2011
• Water Main Construction — Spring /Summer 2012
• Project Complete — Winter 2012
Doug Ferguson, 102 Lynn Lane spoke in support of the project and requested the City look into a
sanitary sewer system for this area also.
Public Works Director John Collins commented on the potential creation of a sanitary sewer
district in this area. He stated the RFQ for the Northwest Interceptor would take that into
consideration. Mr. Luchsinger stated there were about 150 houses affected by this extension.
Comments were made about annexation and services to people outside the city limits.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, May 17, 2011
Union Pacific Railroad would bring forward an agreement for Council consideration. The area in
Merrick County was within the two mile zoning jurisdiction. City Administrator Mary Lou
Brown commented on administration cost /overhead for the project would be included in the
agreement.
Update on Extending City Sanitary Sewer along US Highway 281 to Interstate 80 Public Works
Director John Collins gave a PowerPoint presentation updating the City Council on extending
City Sanitary Sewer along US Highway 281 to Interstate 80. Several meetings had been
conducted between the City and the interested parties. Within the last two weeks the Village of
Doniphan had expressed an interest in connecting to this line. An increase in pipe size would
have to be planned.
The total cost of the project was estimated at $2.2 million, with funding available from the
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) at
3.5% interest for 20 years. The funding was expected to be repaid through tap fees, via an
Interlocal Agreement for Sanitary Sewer Improvement District.
The following Next Steps were presented:
1. Complete the concept
2. Develop estimate
3. Calculate cost for each participant
4. Calculate buy in rate for non participating property owners
5. Develop agreement
Lewis Kent, 624 Meves Avenue spoke in opposition due to the cost. Charles Staab, 3430 So.
Blaine Street spoke in support.
Discussion was held concerning Domphan's request to hook -up to this project. Surcharge outside
the city limits was mentioned as was providing services within the city limits. Mr. Collins
commented on the process and timeline. July 1, 2011 a plan had to be in place or the businesses
along Interstate 80 would not be in compliance with the NDEQ.
Ms. Brown commented on the progress of this project. Cost to the City would be $400,000.
Within six weeks there would be more information on this project. Highway Hotels, USA Inns,
Nebraska Game and Parks — Mormon Island and Sapp Brothers were the active participants
along Interstate 80 outside of the city limits and possibly Doniphan would pay for this project.
Potential participants were Diamond Truck Wash, Bosselmans, and other adjacent property
owners. Extension of the July 1, 2011 deadline and financing options were discussed.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk