08/16/2011 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 16, 2011
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special 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 August 16, 2011. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
August 10, 2011.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmember's
were present: Chuck Haase, Bob Niemann, Larry Carney, Kirk Ramsey, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Scott Dugan, Randy Gard, and John Gericke. The following
City Officials were present: City Administrator /Finance Director Mary Lou Brown, Assistant to
the City Administrator Shannon Oster, City Attorney Robert Sivick, and Public Works Director
John Collins.
INVOCATION was given by CYC member Kellon Johnson followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNITCATION: No members of the public reserved time to speak during the
meeting. The Mayor introduced CYC members Kellon Johnson and Jordyn Barnett. Both are
new CYC members.
The Mayor congratulated Councilmember Ramsey on his award as the Specialist /Counselor of
the Year and recognition published in the Independent on August 13, 2011. The Mayor thanked
the public for the work during the Community Clean -Up event.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2011 -2012 City Single Budget (Continued). City Administrator
Mary Lou Brown reported that the non -union pay schedule in the proposed budget be a 1.75%
increase. This group received a 0% last fiscal year. This increase is similar to that of the IAFF,
who also received a 0% increase for the current fiscal year. The proposal would also move from
a 8 to 15 step salary table. This is the same change as the new AFSCME contract. Long term,
this change will slow the growth of salaries.
Fees increased include the 2012 Proposed Budget are $268,500 in consumer fees. The proposal
is to withdraw $150,000 generated by the $1.00 payment processing fee. Major fee increases are:
• Parks and Recreation increase fees by $63,000 in revenue by a player participation fee of
$10, and increasing the Island Oasis daily fee ($1) and season pass ($5).
• Fire and Ambulance increase fees by $50,000 through education and fire safety
inspection fees.
• Planning fees of $5,500 are a reimbursement from Community Development for grant
related support services.
Page 2, City Council Special Meeting, August 16, 2011
Brown reported for 2012 Revenue /Expenses that based on Council feedback from the Special
Council Meeting on August 11, 2011 that the revenue target should include: $1,268,500,
$416,841 (use of reserve), and $37,481 to add back Community Service Officers, for a total
revenue target of $1,722,822. Brown stated that a property mill levy adjustment of .0516 would
generate $1,254,618 in revenue, along with $118,500 in consumer fees, and the $350,000 in food
and beverage allocation would meet the revenue target. Brown reported that adjusting the mill
levy results in revenue that is more sustainable. The incremental levy increase would equate to
$4.30 /month for a $100,000 home, and potentially $40% or $300,000 in MEF.
Brown reported on the General Fund Capital in the proposed budget. Most of the requests are
from Police and Fire Departments. Brown recommends the approval of the Capital, but
recommends a vehicle purchasing policy with the completion of the Fire and Police study. The
General Fund Capital is a total of $3,693,172.
Discussion was held on the non -union wage proposal for 2011 -2012 fiscal year. Brown
explained flow a 15 step salary plan would increase at 2.5 %, which is different from the current 8
step salary plan increases of approximately 5 %. Human Resources Director Brenda Sutherland
stated that employees would be placed on the 15 step plan similar to their current step.
Discussion was held on the Fee Schedule in the 2012 Proposed Budget. Planning Director Chad
Nabity stated that the Administrative Fee from the Community Development Division was a
change over years based on the realization that the Planning Department staff provides support
for Community Development.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Gericke to removed the $1 fee from the 2012 fee schedule.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Condition Use Permit fee increase and new fees for the Community Fieldhouse were discussed.
Building Director Craig Lewis explained the number of departments and amount of time
involved in the Conditional Use Permit process.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Dugan to amend the Conditional Use Permit fee from $1,000 to
$500. Upon roll call vote, Haase, Nickerson and Dugan voted aye. Carney, Niemann, Ramsey,
Gilbert, Donaldson, Gard and Gericke voted no. Motion failed
The new block party closure fees were discussed. Public Works Director John Collins explained
the type of barricades used are a required Manual Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which are a
high cost.
Motion by Haase, second by Ramsey to exclude the National Night Out from the Block Party
Fee. Upon roll call vote, Haase, Carney, Ramsey, Gilbert, Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard
and Gericke voted aye. Niemann voted no. Motion adopted.
General Fund Capital was discussed. Vehicles for the Building, Police and Fire departments
were discussed. The Police Department budgeted $134,000 for marked police cars, which would
Page 3, City Council Special Meeting, August 16, 2011
be for four cars, not six. Haase requested a study session on a proposed a vehicle replacement
policy. Brown stated that the vehicle policy would be broader than just replacement schedule.
Public Works Director John Collins reported on the 2012 Capital Projects Budget. Total funding
is $3,254,600 from:
• General Fund: $779,600
• State Gas Tax: $1,323,000
• Keno: $250,000
• Debt Service: $602,000
• Special Assessment: $300,000
Collins briefly reviewed each of the 2012 projects which are:
• Federal Resurfacing projects design in 2012, with construction in 2013.
• Capital Avenue Widening
• Wood River Bridge at Blaine Street
• Husker Highway (NDOR project)
• US Highway 30 (NDOR Project)
• Drainage projects include: Independence Ave Drainage, US 30 Drainage, Northwest
Drainage, Drainway from Central Community College to Wood River,
Integrated /Comprehensive Drainage Plan, and Concrete Lining for Ditches.
• Sidewalk and Trails projects include: Annual Sidewalk Program, Walk to Walnut (Safe
Routes to School), Sate and Capital Connector Trail, Capital to Eagle Scout Trail,
Mormon Island Bridges (Hike /Bike), and Mormon Island Phase 1 & 2.
• Quiet Zone Improvement — Phase 1 will begin construction in 2012
• Lincoln Park Pool Design — year one design cost is $80,000 as a placeholder to ensure
this was addressed by the City.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Gard to remove the Lincoln Park Pool design from the Capital
Budget. Motion to withdraw by Gilbert, second by Gard.
• Annual Miscellaneous Park Projects
• Fiber and Wireless Connections
• City Hall Phone System
• City Hall Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• Infrastructure Emergency Funds — Disaster Recovery
Collins also stated that the North and Capital intersection do not meet the warrants for a signal or
traffic circle.
Council recessed at 9:05pm and resumed at 9:15pm.
Brown stated that the Solid Waste and Wastewater budget presentations would be postponed
until Tuesday August 23, 2011.
RESOLUTION:
Page 4, City Council Special Meeting, August 16, 2011
#2011 -213 — Consideration of Approving Full Time Equivalent Schedule. City Administrator
Mary Lou Brown reported that personnel is the largest portion on the budget. There are six
impacts:
1. There was a 5.3338 FTE reduction in the proposed budget, and that 1.0088 FTE for
Community Service Officers reinstating until the Police and Fire study.
2. Public Works /Fleet Services reorganization would add an engineer to Public Works
and address the ratio of management to support positions in Fleet Services.
3. The Assistant City Administrator /Finance. Director position
4. Reclassification in Human Resources to reflect the work performed and titles found in
comparability. The existing Specialist job functions are changing a salary reduction is
proposed.
5. Reclassification in Solid Waste and Streets to add title of Foreman.
6. Non -union pay recommendation reported in the General Fund presentation
Motion by Nickerson, second by Ramsey to approve Resolution #2011 -213.
Motion by Gericke, second by Haase to amend the motion to not approve the position of the
Assistant City Administrator /Finance Director.
Discussion was held on the Assistant City Administrator position. Brown and Sutherland
reported on the extensive recruitment efforts made for a Finance Director. Recruitment was done
internally by the Human Resources Recruiter. Comments were made on the responsibility and
salary of the proposed Assistant City Administrator /Finance Director position. Sutherland stated
that comparability would be the determining factor of the salary. This position would be an
appointed position, due to state requirement to have a City Treasurer.
Upon roll call vote Haase, Carney, Gilbert, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard, Gericke voted aye.
Niemann, Ramsey and Nickerson voted no. Motion adopted.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Ramsey to approve Resolution #2011 -213. Upon roll call vote
Haase, Carney, Gilbert, Donaldson, Dugan, and Gard voted aye. Niemann, Ramsey, Gericke and
Nickerson voted no. Motion adopted.
#2011 -214 — Consideration of Providing Guidance to City Administration Regarding Property
Tax Levy Adjustment. City Administrator Mary Lou Brown reported that this resolution would
direct the City Administration to adjust the proposed budget with a .0516 mill levy increase for a
total levy of .3241. Approving this resolution would not formally set the mill levy, but the
Council will vote to do that with the budget approval scheduled for September 13, 2011. Brown
reported this is the fill an approximate $1.2 million gap in revenue.
Motion by Gericke, second by Nickerson to approve Resolution #2011 -214.
Discussion was held on the proposed property tax increase. Brown reported that the City will
find out the property valuation from the County around August 20, 2011. Comments were made
that Grand Island would be among the tenth lowest if the mill levy was .3241. Currently the City
is the sixth lowest of first class cities, and Lincoln and Omaha.
Page 5, City Council Special Meeting, August 16, 2011
Upon roll call vote Niemann, Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Gard and Gericke voted aye. Haase,
Carney, Ramsey and Gilbert voted no. Motion adopted.
OTER ITEMS:
Review and Approval of Proposed FY 2011 -2012 City Single Budget
The public hearing for the Proposed FY 2011 -2012 City Single Budget will remain open and
resume on August 23, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
l
Shannon Oster
Assistant to the City Administrator