08/21/2012 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 21, 2012
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 21, 2012. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on August 15, 2012.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Larry Carney, Bob Niemann, Kirk Ramsey, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Scott Dugan, Vaughn Minton, and John Gericke.
Councilmember Chuck Haase was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Mary Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Robert Sivick,
Finance Director Jaye Monter and Interim Public Works Director Terry Brown.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Kerrigan Anspauch followed
by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Recognition of the Hall County Historical Society. Mayor Vavricek and the City Council
recognized the Hall County Historical Society for their work on the newly dedicated Hall County
Historical Society memorial, the upcoming relocation of the Leo Stuhr house to Stuhr Museum,
and other projects completed or in progress. Fred Rosier, Ernie Thayer, Ken Gandt, Don
Vedermeier and members of the Historical Society board were present.
Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council member Kerrigan Anspauch.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) 2012-2013 Budget. Regional
Planning Director Chad Nabity reported that the CRA requested a mill levy of $0.026 for FY
2012-2013 with a third of that amount to cover the Lincoln Pool bond. Total expenses requested
for 2012-2013 were $3,180,090 a significant increase over last year due to the Lincoln Pool
bond. Operating expenses, façade improvement, property purchase, and other projects were
down for the current year due to carry over projects. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Proposed Fiscal Year 2012-2013 City of Grand Island Budget. Finance
Director Jaye Monter presented the 2012-2013 proposed budget. Mentioned was that new
revenue would close gaps and a property tax increase could be avoided without diminishing the
existing level of program services for the citizens of Grand Island. To lower crime and increase
the strength of the Grand Island Police Department, additional revenue needed to be determined.
Reviewed were the shortfalls from previous meetings and explanations of the changes creating
no shortfall partly due to the reimbursements from the Nebraska Department of Roads. Total
Capital Improvement Projects 400 Fund request for 2013 was $4,594,067. Mentioned was that
the Jack Rabbit Run Golf Course irrigation system request of $470,000 would be transferred
Page 2,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2012
from the General Fund. Revenue projection for 2013 was $38,470,687. The General Fund's cash
balance for the 2013 Budget was projected to be $7,852,686, or 23% of expenditures (less capital
expenses). A 90 day reserve of General Fund Cash would require a balance of$8.2 million or
25% of personnel and operating expenses. Over the past few years, the City had made an effort
to maintain or increase the cash reserve balance. The General Fund Capital Department requests
for2013 was $1,915,285.
Reviewed was the Police Budget request. Ms. Monter stated that the proposed budget submitted
so far did not include the Police Department's Implementation Plan from the Public Safety
Study. The plan called for an additional 10 Police officers, 5 of which would be brought on staff
in December of 2012 and 5 in December 2013. Community Service Officers (CSO's), one
Administrative and 2 Patrol Division Community Officers in 2013 and 2 Community Patrol
Officers in 2014. Support staff for 2013 included a Records Clerk and a Crime Analysis position.
An Evidence Technician position would be created in 2016.
Reviewed were estimates for the next five years for the Police budget requests. Total request for
FY 2012-2013 was $760,096.
The following Funding Options were presented:
• Cell Phone Occupation Tax Increase
o Increase from 3%to 6% - approximately$486,000
• Property Tax Increase
o Current Mill Levy- .3241
o $325 annual, $27 per month, on $100,000 home
o .01 mill levy generates approximately$250,000
o And would add an additional .83 cents per month for owner of$100,000 home or
$10 per year
• Allocate portion of Cash Reserves
No public testimony was heard.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Ramsey, second by Niemann to approve the Consent Agenda.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of July 24, 23012 City Council Regular Meeting.
A'proving Minutes of July 24, 2012 City Council Study Session.
Approving Minutes of July 31, 2012 City Council Study Session.
Approving Minutes of August 3, 2012 City Council Special Meeting.
OTHER ITEMS:
Review of Proposed FY 2012/2013 City Single Budget and Community Redevelopment
Authority (CRA) Budget. Comments were made regarding the options and suggested reducing
expenses and not having a property tax increase.
Page 3,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2012
Motion by Gilbert, second by Ramsey to remove from the Capital Plan the additions to the Fire
Department: Station #3 - $200, 0000, Pumper Truck - $400,000, Ambulance - $222,000, and
Staff Vehicle - $32,000.
Comments were made regarding a new Fire Chief making the decisions of what equipment was
needed and the Chief's plan for the future.
Interim Fire Chief Russ Blackburn explained the purchases proposed. Vehicle replacement
schedule was mentioned due to the age of the current equipment. Council made comments
regarding not replacing everything on the list at this time.
Motion by Minton to amend the motion to put a maximum on the 2013 budget not to exceed the
2012 forecast. Motion failed due to lacked of a second.
Motion by Carney, second by Niemann to amend the motion and remove Station #3 - $200,000.
Mr. Blackburn explained the$200,000 was to set up separate facilities for the female firefighters.
Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Carney, Niemann, Nickerson, and Donaldson voted aye.
Councilmember's Ramsey, Gilbert, Dugan, Minton, and Gericke voted no. Motion failed.
Councilmember Gilbert withdrew her motion and Councilmember Ramsey withdrew his second.
Motion by Dugan, second by Nickerson to change the Fire and Ambulance Total Capital Fund
request be in the amount of$800,000. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Ramsey, Gilbert,
Nickerson, Donaldson, Dugan, Minton, and Gericke voted aye. Councilmember's Carney and
Niemann voted no. Motion adopted.
Interim Public Works Director Terry Brown answered questions concerning the Capital
Improvement Projects in the 2012-2013 budget.
Comments were made concerning the $100,000 to the Grand Generation Center. Motion by
Ramsey, second by Gilbert to withdraw the Grand Generation allocation in the amount of
$100,000.
Ms. Monter read the Ballot language from the May 11, 2004 Sales and Use Tax Proposal.
Discussion was held regarding what the 1/2 cent sales tax was to be used for. City Attorney
Robert Sivick explained the lease agreements with the Grand General Center and the Racquet
Club.
Mayor Vavricek stated there was a meeting scheduled for August 30th with the Grand Generation
Center Board, three supervisors from the Hall County Board and three City councilmember's.
Motion by Carney, second by Niemann to postpone this vote until after the City/County meeting
occurred. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Carney, Niemann, Nickerson, Donaldson,
Dugan, Minton, and Gericke voted aye. Councilmember's Ramsey and Gilbert vote no. Motion
adopted.
Page 4,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2012
Discussion was held regarding the drop off box for utility payments and Golf course funding.
FTE's were mentioned in the Finance Department with regards to the possibility of outsourcing
the ambulance billing.
Comments were made by Council concerning the importance of the Police Department increase
in employees. Mentioned was the cell phone tax increase to fund the Police Department versus a
property tax increase and spending down the cash reserves.
Motion by Dugan, second by Ramsey to use cash reserves to retire the Wood River Control
Bonds in the amount of$765,000 with the intent to fully fund the Police Department request.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Ms. Brown suggested having a Study Session after the August 28, 2012 council meeting.
Mayor commented on the Grand Generation Center funding.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
OcTh
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk