06/18/2013 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 18, 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
June 18, 2013. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 12,
2013.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mike Paulick, Scott Dugan, John Gericke, Peg Gilbert, Mitch Nickerson, Julie
Hehnke, Chuck Haase, Linna Dee Donaldson, and Bob Niemann. Councilmembers Vaughn
Minton and Scott Dugan were 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 Public Works Director John Collins.
INVOCATION given by Community Youth Council member Ashley Bykerk followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Recognition of 20132-2013 Community Youth Council. Public Information Officer Wendy
Meyer-Jerke introduced Emma Kreutzer and Miranda Wieczorek who gave an update and video
of activities the CYC students participated in over the past year. The Mayor and City Council
recognized the following Community Youth Council (CYC) members: Sophomores — Kennedy
Martinez; Juniors — Kerrigan Anspauch and Jordyn Barnett: Seniors—Ashley Bykerk, Stephanie
Chandler, Emma Kreutzer, Josh Sugita, Alex Trejo, and Miranda Wieczorek: and Board
Members — Erin Blauhorn, Jennifer Cramer, Craig Garrett, Maria Lopez, Randy See, and Roy
Swan. Those not present were: CYC students: Sophomores — Bethany Hollman, Marlena
Ramirez, and Rebecca Riley: Senior — Danny Gamboa: and Board Members — Jared Stockwell
and Elizabeth Mayfield. The "Above and Beyond Award" was presented to Emma Kreutzer and
Miranda Wieczorek.
Mayor thanked the CYC students and Public Information Officer Wendy Meyer-Jerk for their
work over the past year.
Discussion Concerning Water Related Issues. Public Works Director John Collins stated his
department received frequent complaints of water related issues. A PowerPoint presentation was
given covering groundwater levels, water in basements, standing water in yards, ditches &
detention cells, overgrowth of vegetation in ditches and detention cells, and neighbors pumping
water or blocking drainage.
Water in basements was usually due to one or more of the following conditions: ground water,
lot drainage, subdivision drainage, city drainage or structure error such as roof drain, poor seals,
etc.
Page 2,City Council Study Session,June 18,2013
Standing water on property and in ditches could be due to: lot drainage, subdivision drainage,
city drainage, crop irrigation, lawn sprinklers, ground water discharge— from pumping, blocked
drainage—ditches and/or storm sewers, inadequate detention, and poor ditch grades, pipe grades,
and culvert slopes.
Overgrowth of vegetation in ditches with regards to maintenance difficulties were mentioned due
to: standing water, inadequate equipment/insufficient staff, inappropriate design or construction,
and confusion over who was responsible (Streets, Department of Roads,private owner, etc.).
Reasons for standing water in detention cells mentioned were: city drainage, ground water
discharge from pumping, crop irrigation, lawn sprinklers, block drainage from ditches and/or
storm sewers, poor ditch grades, pipe grades, and culvert slopes, inadequate outlet, inadequate
capacity, too deep, and vegetation.
The following maintenance difficulties with overgrowth of vegetation in detention cells were:
standing water, inadequate access, inappropriate design or construction and confusion over who
was responsible (Streets, Parks, private owner, etc.). It was mentioned that several detention cells
are owned privately.
The following solutions were presented: citywide dewatering system, individual dewatering, city
drainage construction, subdivision drainage construction & regulation, lot drainage regulation
and proper infrastructure maintenance.
The Public Works Department had performed a number of maintenance activities over the last
two years to access the condition of the City's drainage system and the effectiveness of various
corrective methods. They partnered with the Wastewater Division Collections Unit to clean
storm sewer, resetting ditch grades, setting a higher priority for existing catch basin cleaning, and
testing specialized equipment.
Discussion was held on limiting where homes with basements could be built due to high ground
water. Sewer backups were mentioned.
Public Works Engineer Terry Brown commented on an RFQ development for a Drainage Master
Plan. Reviewed were numerous ongoing projects throughout the city. Street Superintendent
Shannon Callahan reported on system assessment.
The current Streets staff handled pavement repair, pothole patching, crack sealing, mowing,
sweeping, and seasonal drainage work. The Traffic & Drainage staff handled traffic signals,
signs, and striping as well as cleaning catch basins and detention cells, and adjusting the drainage
system to flow properly. The Traffic & Drainage crew was staffed at a level to handle the traffic
function or the drainage function, but not both. Existing equipment was geared more for traffic
work. Public Safety and the law required that the traffic work be given priority over drainage.
The following recommended division changes were presented:
• Separate the functions of traffic and drainage among two crews
Page 3,City Council Study Session,June 18,2013
• Re-establish existing Traffic and Drainage crew into a dedicated Traffic crew
• Create a new Drainage crew
• Budget will include recommendations for additional FTE
The Drainage crew's areas of responsibility would be: flush culverts and storm sewer pipes;
reestablish ditch grades and reset culverts; remove spoil and fill low areas in ditches and
detention cells; repair manholes; remove debris and trim vegetation in ditches and detention
cells, repair storm water pumps; remove debris and flush under bridges; and install liners in
ditches and detention cells.
Discussion was held regarding seasonal employees vs. full-time employees, detention cell safety
issues and chemical maintenance, and cost of city wide drainage.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk