05/21/2013 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 21, 2013
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 21, 2013. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on May 15,
2013.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Vaughn Minton, Mike Paulick, Scott Dugan, John Gericke, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Julie Hehnke, Chuck Haase, Linna Dee Donaldson, and Bob Niemann. The following
City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards,
Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhof, and Public Works Director John Collins.
A moment of silence was observed for the passing of Finance Director Jaye Monter's husband
Gary Monter followed by the INVOCATION given by Community Youth Council member
Kennedy Martinez followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Vavricek introduced CYC member Kennedy Martinez.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion Concerning Grand Generation Center. City Administrator Mary Lou Brown stated
the object for this discussion was direction from the Council regarding the $100,000 budgeted
for the Grand Generation Center and repairs to the building. Building Department Director Craig
Lewis gave a PowerPoint regarding the history of the Grand Generation Center located at 304
East 3' Street. The building was constructed in 1977-78 with two additions in 1987 and 2004.
Roof repairs were done in 2007 and a kitchen addition was completed in 2010.
The city currently had a lease agreement with the Grand Generation Center which would be
renegotiated to better reflect actual operations and responsibilities.
Presented were the following needs for the building: 1) parking lot and alley drainage; 2) roof; 3)
gutters and down spouts; 4) remodel restrooms; 5) replace stall dividers; 6) HVAC up-date; 7)
ceiling tile; and 8) sanitary drain repairs.
Public Works Director John Collins reported on the parking lot repairs needed. The estimate of
these repairs was $60,000 to $70,000. The Public Works Department had money in their budget
to cover this.
A Request for Proposals had been issued on May 14, 2013 for roof renovations and repairs with
three proposals being received. This was scheduled to come before Council on May 28, 2013.
Theresa Engelhardt, Executive Director of the Grand Generation Center commented on the roof
and parking lot being safety issues that needed to be repaired. There were 150 seniors and 30 day
care clients at the center every day. Pam Lancaster representing the Hall County Board
commented on the leaky roof
Page 2,City Council Study Session,May 21,2013
Comments were made regarding the lease and money budgeted for repairs. It was time to move
forward with the roof repairs and update the lease agreement. Mentioned was the money the City
had spent in the past toward support of the Grand Generation Center.
Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhof commented on the lease agreement. The current lease was
for the Center to maintain the building which was not being done. Comments were made
concerning the need for repair of the alley. Mr. Collins stated this project could be bid out.
Drainage for the alley was reviewed. Mentioned was that the building was owned by the City
and we needed to take care of it.
Concerns were made about the length of time this took to bring this information back to Council.
It was mentioned that the City funds $100,000 to the Center and they should use that money for
the repairs where they saw fit.
Ms. Engelhardt commented on the challenges for the Center. They were currently replacing
several items within the building. Mentioned were cuts to state funds received and lower
contributions.
Ms. Brown recapped what was said by Council, to fix the roof, alley and renegotiate the lease.
Discussion Concerning City Facilities Dominoes. Ms. Brown stated this was the start of looking
at the facilities owned by the City and using them in the most efficient way. Building
Department Director Craig Lewis gave a PowerPoint on moving/expanding the following
departments to different locations:
• Utilities Engineering to One-Stop Building, 1306 West 3rd Street
• Emergency Management/911 to Phelps Control, 700 Bischeld Street
• Information Technology to basement of City Hall, 100 East 1st Street
• Human Resource to former Information Technology area in City Hall
• Finance Expansion to former Human Resources area in City Hall
Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger reported it was proposed that the Utilities Department would
purchase the property formerly known as the One-Stop building located at 1306 West 31-d Street
from the city to relocate the Utilities Engineering Division. An appraised value would be
determined possibly, $450,000 to $850,000. The Utilities Engineering Divisions move to the One
Stop building at 1306 West 3rd Street would require replacing the carpet of 14,000 sq. ft. at a cost
of$20,000 and remodeling 3,280 sq. ft. at a cost of$30,000.
Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund reported the Emergency Management/911
move to Phelps Control would increase the square footage from 1,933 to 3,500. Equipment
upgrade would cost $533,050 and remodeling costs would be $157,500 for a total cost of
$690,550.
Mr. Rosenlund reported on the current situation in the 911 Center and the benefits of the
relocation. Currently all Hall County 911 and Emergency Management operations where within
City Hall. There was insufficient security for emergency 24 hour operations. There also was no
alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC). County EOC was insufficient for all City and
County Departments and the alternate 911 was limited with no true 911 functions (location,
Page 3,City Council Study Session,May 21,2013
— name, mapping), administrative phones only, no recoding of phones or radio, limited
connectivity for CAD, alarm monitoring and equipment stored in a closet.
The benefits for the relocation were: better coordination between 911 Dispatchers, EOC staff and
Phelps Electrical Dispatchers; provided geo-diverse 911 system for redundancy; larger work
areas for 911 and EOC; provided a strong, fully functional alternate 911; exceptional redundant
power; and improved security.
The following were presented as an Alternate 911 in City Hall: backroom equipment remains in
City Hall; move 911 stations into IT training room; four fully functional 911 stations (true 911
capabilities, mapping, CAD, and radio dispatching); and alarm panel monitoring.
The financial benefits of the Phelps relocation were: redundant power; improved security at
Phelps; minor remodeling needed; fiber already exists to tie Phelps and City Hall; General Fund
(400) would fund most of the renovation and new equipment costs; and the General Fund (400)
would be funded by proposed sale of the old One-Stop to Utilities.
Reviewed further were the costs and challenges of moving the Emergency Management/911
Center to Phelps Control. Equipment cost was estimated at $533,050 and a total relocation cost
of$690,550.
Mentioned was the possibility of grants through the emergency Management Program Grant
(EMPG) which would allow for a 50/50 cost match for eligible Emergency Management related
expenses. Grants would be administered through NEMA. Also mentioned was the possibility of
CDBG Grants.
The following costs and funding sources were presented:
Costs Funding Sources
One Stop $ 50,000
Phelps Control $690,550 General Fund–400 Fund $740,875
City Hall: IT $125,645 E911 Landline–215 Fund $200,800
City Hall: HR $ 90,480 E911 Wireless–216 Fund $ 45,000
City Hall: Finance $ 30,000
Total Costs $986,675 Total Funding $986,675
Discussion was held concerning the reasons for the changes. Mr. Rosenlund answered questions
concerning the phone system and other locations for an alternative 911 Center. Comments were
made regarding the Community Meeting Room which could not be used for our 911 Center
because when City Hall was built the State of Nebraska paid $1 million to have an alternate
emergency center for the state.
Mr. Rosenlund commented on funding for the move, equipment, and lease agreement. Additional
operating costs would come from the Landline 215 Fund. No additional operating costs would be
accrued in the General Fund from the County and City.
Mr. Luchsinger stated about a dozen employees would move to the former One Stop building
which would take up the front portion of the building. This move would allow the Utilities
Page 4,City Council Study Session,May 21,2013
Department to grow over the years in the most efficient manner. Comments were made regarding
the upkeep of this building.
Mr. Lewis explained a possible plan for the Human Resources Department. Comment was made
concerning the cost of remodeling the current IT office for 4 employees.
Mayor Vavricek commented on the former One Stop building, alternative 911 Center and
relocation for Utilities.
Mentioned was the option of renting out unused space at the One Stop building. Comments were
made regarding selling the One Stop building to someone other than the Utilities Department.
Mr. Lewis stated the City tried to sell the One Stop building a couple of years ago but there were
no buyers. Discussion was held concerning the process of divesting an asset.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk