07/24/2012 Minutes (2) CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 24, 2012
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
July 24, 2012. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 18,
2012.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 9:15 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Chuck Haase, Larry Carney, Bob Niemann, Kirk Ramsey, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Scott Dugan, Vaughn Minton, and John Gericke. The
following City Officials were present: City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Bob Sivick,
Public Works Director John Collins and Finance Director Jaye Monter.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation of 2013 Wastewater Budget. Public Works Director John Collins reviewed the
Wastewater Budget 2013 Enterprise Fund. There were 27 full time and 3 seasonal employees in
the Wastewater Division. Operating revenue funding sources was $29,793,935. General
operations were $3,740,338. Treatment Plant, compost & capital was $7,610,308. Collection and
capital was $15,435,846. Expenditure totals for general, treatment, and collections was
$26,786,492. An ending cash balance was $8,531,981.
Reviewed were the following 2013 Wastewater Capital Projects for a 2013 budget for total
improvements of$18,527,952
• Wildwood Subdivision—Sanitary Sewer District No. 528
• Sanitary Sewer Extension; US Hwy 281 to I-80
• Platte Valley Industrial Park—East
• Lift Station No. 7 Repairs/Improvements
• North Interceptor—Phase 1A, Phase 1B, Phase 2
• South and West Interceptor
• 4th St. to 5th/Eddy to Vine
• Westwood Subdivision
• Husker Highway Sanitary Sewer Extension
• Annual Sewer Rehabilitation
• Sewer Districts
The following Treatment Plant projects for the 2013 budget were presented:
• Capital Outlay
• Aeration Basin
• Headworks
• Final Clarifier Repair
• Third Primary and Fourth Secondary Clarifier
Page 2,City Council Study Session,July 24,2012
• Automation
Mr. Collins gave an overview of the Wastewater Treatment Plant progress. Leadership was in
place. Introduced was Plant Engineer Marvin Strong.
Discussion on Grand Generation Center Funding. Finance Director Jaye Monter reported that
additional funding for the Grand Generation Center (GGC) would change the Capital
Improvement Projects Fund total for the budget year 2012-2013 from $4,744,067 to $4,532,157,
an addition of$38,090 for the Grand Generation Center and a decrease in the cost estimate of the
City Hall HVAC system of$25,000.
Pam Lancaster, 2809 Apache Road spoke concerning the 1/2 cent sales tax and the funding
mentioned in several documents back in 2004. She stated $100,000 would be given annually to
the GGC.
Gary Quandt, 609 West 14th Street spoke in support. He stated he thought the GGC was
receiving $100,000 annually but found out the funding had been decreasing. He said the seniors
were important to the community.
Mayor Vavricek clarified that there had not been a Councilmember approved by the City Council
to serve as liaison for the City on the GGC board for many years.
Comments were made regarding the elimination of funds to all out-side agencies over a 5 year
period of time. Mentioned was that the GGC paid $1.00 per year rent for the building which was
owned by the City. Building Department Director Craig Lewis commented on city staff time
dealing with the GGC building. Comments were made by Council that the City should take care
of the building which would be a capital project.
Mayor Vavricek commented on the historical records in the packet that referenced money spent
and earmarked for the GGC.
Theresa Engelhardt, Executive Director of the Grand Generation Center explained the private
funds for the expansion of the Center. Mentioned was the need for a new roof and parking lot
repair which was more money than the GGC could raise.
Discussion was held regarding the Lease Agreement with GGC for upkeep and maintenance to
the building. Mayor Vavricek suggested Councilmember Carney continue a dialogue with the
County, GGC and the City.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
PArs\\aQ •
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk