06/21/2013 Minutes -- CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
June 21, 2013
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Council 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 June 21, 2013. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
June 19, 2013.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Vaughn Minton, Mike Paulick, Peg Gilbert, Mitch Nickerson, Julie Hehnke, Linna
Dee Donaldson, and Bob Niemann. Councilmembers Chuck Haase, John Gericke, 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.
The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
RESOLUTION:
#2013-186 — Consideration of Providing Responses to Veterans Home Site Selection Committee
Questions and Concerns. Mayor Vavricek reported that on June 14, 2013 the State's Site
Selection Committee came to Grand Island. Cindy Johnson, Chair of the Home for Our Hero's
Committee commented on the site visit.
Councilmember John Gericke was present at 6:10 p.m.
The following areas that were discussed during the site visit and required clarification to the
State:
1. Drainage ditch adjacent to the Veterans Cemetery
2. Potential extension of municipal road on the proposed site
3. Removal of over 45 acres at the proposed site from the flood plain
4. Impact of widening of Veterans Memorial Avenue, hike/bike trail extension along the
Avenue and additional signal
5. Possible usage of a geothermal heating system
6. Abandonment of the potable irrigation well at the proposed site
7. Water contamination and potential movement of contaminants
Public Works Director John Collins commented on the drainage and roads. Ms. Johnson
commented on the hike/bike trail with relation to the Capital Avenue widening project. The Site
Selection Committee looked favorably on the hike/bike trail. Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger
stated our water system was one of the best in the state. Contamination would not be a problem.
1) The drainage swale adjacent to the Veterans Cemetery acts as an overflow to the storm
water detention cell south of Veteran's Memorial Avenue, and usually only contains storm water
runoff during large rain events. A majority of the land around the proposed Veteran's Home site
Page 2,City Council Special Meeting,June 21,2013
had been removed from the flood plain and storm water runoff was not anticipated to impact
development of the site.
There were several options that could be evaluated by the City and DAS to relocate the drainage
around the cemetery, including grading of a new ditch, installing storm sewer, or a combination
of both. Any of these alternates could be designed so that there were no negative impacts to the
proposed Veteran's Home site. The City clarified the funding source for this project was a
portion of the$4 million committed by the Grand Island community.
2) Future street improvements would be subject to State approval and the City would work
with the State in the event the State plans any changes on the proposed site.
3) Regarding the grade elevation of the site, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency
documented in its May 28, 2013 Letter of Map Amendment Determination Document
(Removal), in excess of 45 acres is above the floodplain elevation and, as at any building site,
one to two feet of fill for pad site and general grading for drainage purposes would be necessary.
A natural borrow area would be established onsite to supply borrow material for the project.
4) Regarding the widening project of Veterans Memorial Avenue to five lanes, the hike and
bike trail project along the north side of Veterans Memorial Avenue from Webb Road to
Broadwell Avenue and the pedestrian-activated signal crossing 1,000 feet east of Webb Road,
these improvements were designed to improve vehicular and pedestrian/member safety. In
particular, the hike and bike trail project provided for member access to retail locations to the
west as well as to the south, and leisure activities at Eagle Scout Lake, Veterans Athletic Fields
and United Veterans Club.
5) Regarding the potential for use of a geothermal heating system, such systems had been
successfully used in Grand Island. Fluids in a closed loop system do not interact directly with
each other or the soil or groundwater and therefore, drawing contamination toward the site or
drawing contaminates into the building was highly unlikely. The City would work with the State
to answer any questions if the design for the Veterans Home incorporated a geothermal heating
system; no city permits were required for State building projects on state-owned property.
6) Regarding the potable irrigation well, City water was available and would be used at the
site so the abandonment of the irrigation well may occur and would have no impact.
7) Regarding concern over the possible presence of contamination in the groundwater that
may exist within a portion of the site, the availability of City water would mitigate this.
The following e-mail response was sent by Councilmember Haase to Mayor Vavricek was made
a part of these proceedings:
Mayor Vavricek,
I am out of town and unable to attend the special meeting on Friday, June 21st, however I do
fully support the response to the questions of the State Site Selection Committee members had
and the City of Grand Island's detailed response.
Please include my support of the Resolution considered.
Page 3,City Council Special Meeting,June 21,2013
Council Haase
Ward 5 Representative
Motion by Nickerson, second by Donaldson to approve Resolution #2013-186. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
QC)-4-- ...-c)100■ 11.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk