04/08/2014 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
April 8, 2014
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular 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 April 8, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
April 2, 2014.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Linna Dee Donaldson, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, John Gericke, Mark
Stelk, Mike Paulick, and Vaughn Minton. Councilmembers Kent Mann, Mitch Nickerson, and
Peg Gilbert were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary
Lou Brown, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Treasurer and Finance Director Jaye Monter, City
Attorney Robert Sivick, and City Engineer and Public Works Director John Collins.
INVOCATION was given by Pastor John Hayes, Grace Baptist Church, 1115 South Vine Street
followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council member Jimmy Riley and board member
Craig Garrett.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Proclamation "Child Abuse Prevention Month" April 2014. Mayor Vavricek proclaimed the
month of April, 2014 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month". Yolanda Nuncio and Donna Helzer
were present to receive the proclamation.
Recognition of Project Hunger for their Easter Basket Extravaganza, April 12, 2014. Mayor
Vavricek and the City Council recognized the volunteers of Project Hunger for their 18th annual
Easter Basket Extravaganza to be held at the Conestoga Mall on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Doug
Winder, Jay Wren, and Jan Vavricek were present for the recognition on behalf of Project
Hunger.
Recognition of the Nebraska State Fair. Mayor Vavricek and the City Council recognized the
Nebraska State Fair. Ken Gnadt presented an aerial picture of the Nebraska State Fair from
September 1, 2013. Janet Krueger, President of the Nebraska State Fair Board of Directors
thanked the Council and citizens for all their hard work in hosting the Nebraska State Fair.
Joseph McDermott presented to the City of Grand Island with a check in the amount of
$100,000.00 to be used toward the Grander Vision Plan.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 3120 W. Old Potash Highway
(Kenneth and Mary Brand). Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger reported that acquisition of a
utility easement located at 3120 W. Old Potash Highway was needed in order to have access to
install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power appurtenances, including lines and transformers for
Page 2.City Council Regular Meeting.April 8,2014
the purpose of providing a three-phase pad-mounted transformer. Staff recommended approval.
No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 3112 W. Old Potash Highway
(Robert and Lois Walker, Trustees). Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger reported that acquisition
of a utility easement located at 3112 W. Old Potash Highway was needed in order to have access
to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power appurtenances, including lines and transformers
for the purpose of providing a three-phase pad-mounted transformer. Staff recommended
approval. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 3200 West Bachman Street in
Wilson Concrete Subdivision (Wilson Concrete Company). Public Works Director John Collins
reported that acquisition of a utility easement located at 3200 West Bachman Street was needed
in order to construct Street Improvement District No. 1260; Webb Road — South Webb Road
extending north from Stolley Park Road to Union Pacific Railroad Tracks. Staff recommended
approval. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Public Right-of-Way in Section 24, Township 11 North, Range
10 (Little B's Corporation). Public Works Director John Collins reported that acquisition of a
public right-of-way located in Section 24, Township 11 North, Range 10 was needed in order to
construct Street Improvement District No. 1261; Westgate Road — North Road east to paved
section of Westgate Road. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
#9482 - Consideration of Creation Sanitary Sewer District No. 532; Westwood Park
Subdivision
Public Works Director John Collins reported that Council action was needed in order to create
Sanitary Sewer District No. 532. A petition was received signed by 26 residents of the
Westwood Park Subdivision. A ten year assessment period was recommended.
Motion by Haase, second by Paulick to approve Ordinance #9482 on first reading only. Upon
roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
#9483 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 22 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Parking
Police Chief Steve Lamken reported that amendments to Chapter 22 would update language in
code, make provisions for the towing of vehicles that create a safety concern, create a provision
for towing a vehicle that has unpaid parking tickets issued to it and to formalize the standards for
the release of vehicles from impoundment.
Motion by Haase, second by Donaldson to approve Ordinance#9483 on first reading only.
Comments were made regarding towing cars after 2 tickets and it being too stringent. It was
mentioned that the statute of limitations for parking tickets was one year.
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Motion by Haase, second by Gericke to amend the 2 unpaid parking tickets to 5 unpaid parking
- tickets. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Paulick, Stelk, Gericke, Hehnke, and Haase voted
aye. Councilmembers Minton and Donaldson voted no. Mayor Vavricek cast the 6 sixth and
deciding vote in support. Motion adopted.
Discussion was held regarding snow routes. Chief Lamken stated there were ordinances that had
specific language to deal with other issues such as this. Mentioned was booting vehicles in the
downtown area as had been done in the past. Chief Lamken did not recommend using a boot as
they could damage cars and the Police Depal tment no longer had a boot.
Upon roll call vote of the main motion, Councilmembers Minton, Stelk, Gericke, Hehnke, Haase,
and Donaldson voted aye. Councilmember Paulick voted no. Motion adopted.
#9484 - Consideration of Vacation of Lots 69, 70, 71 and 84 of Copper Creek Estates
Subdivision
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity reported that Sean O'Connor with the Guarantee Group
LLC as owner, requested the City vacate Lots 69, 70, 71 and 84 of Copper Creek Estates
Subdivision and the easements on those lots. This request would facilitate the replatting of this
property into Copper Creek 7th Subdivision.
Motion by Haase, second by Minton to approve Ordinance #9484 on first reading only. Upon
roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA: Consent Agenda item G-12 was removed to the April 22, 2014 meeting
as it related to Ordinance #9484. Motion by Haase, second by Minton to approve the Consent
Agenda excluding item G-12. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of March 25, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting.
Approving Minutes of April 1, 2014 City Council Study Session.
#2014-73 — Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement located at 3120 West Old Potash
Highway(Kenneth and Mary Brand).
#2014-74 — Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement located at 3112 West Old Potash
Highway(Robert and Lois Walker, Trustees).
#2014-75 — Approving Bid Award for Water Main Project 2014-W-5 — Airport Road &
Academy Drive with The Diamond Engineering Company of Grand Island, NE in an Amount of
$258,295.99.
#2014-76 — Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement located at 3200 West Bachman Street in
Wilson Concrete Subdivision(Wilson Concrete Company).
#2014-77 —Approving Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with Hall County for Use of a County
Road for the Various Locations in Grand Island (Resurfacing) Project.
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#2014-78 — Approving Change Order No. 1 for Fire Station No. 4 (3690 West State Street) &
-- Fire Station No. 3 (2310 South Webb Road) Concrete Pavement Replacement — 2013 with The
Diamond Engineering Company of Grand Island, NE for an Increase of$1,435.00 and a Revised
Contract Amount of$101,239.00.
#2014-79 — Approving Temporary Construction Easement for Street Improvement District No.
1260; Webb Road (Wilson Concrete Company) in an Amount of$7,790.00.
#2014-80 — Approving Acquisition of Public Right-of-Way in Section 24, Township 11 North,
Range 10 (Little B's Corporation).
#2014-81 — Approving Purchase of a New Front-End Loader for the Streets Division of the
Public Works Department from Ziegler Inc. of Minnesota in an Amount of$170,920.00.
#2014-82 — Approving Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Copper Creek Estates 7th
Subdivision. This item was removed from the agenda at the request of Regional Planning
Director Chad Nabity and will be brought back to the April 22, 2014 Council meeting as it was
related to Ordinance#9484.
RESOLUTION:
#2014-83 - Consideration of Approving Contract for Grander Vision Plan. Mayor Vavricek
reported that a task force had been formed to explore a community wide Visioning process for
Grand Island/Hall County. Seven Requests for Proposals were received and reviewed. After
contract negotiations had been held it was recommended to hire Design Workshop, Inc. of
Denver, Colorado in an amount not-to-exceed $103,210. Mayor stated the $100,000 from the
Nebraska State Fair for the Grander Vision Plan had been obtained and no tax payer dollars
would be used.
The following people spoke in support:
• Hall County Board Supervisor Pam Lancaster, 2809 Apache Road
• Ray O'Connor, 611 Fleetwood Road
• Ken Gnadt, 1610 Gretchen Avenue
Kim Jensen, 2207 Woodridge Lane read a statement on behalf of her husband, Jeremy Jensen.
He requested this vote not take place until after the Primary Election and that the Mayoral
candidates serve on the steering committee.
Randy Gard, president of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was
present to answer questions regarding the EDC, Chamber of Commerce, and Convention Visitors
Bureau business plan.
Comments were made regarding the process and funding through the budget. Mentioned was the
importance of supporting both projects and to work simultaneously. City Administrator Mary
Lou Brown stated the city project was a grass roots broad look and would cross over with the
business plan.
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Cindy Johnson, president of the Chamber of Commerce explained that Market Street was hired
to do the business plan for EDC, Chamber of Commerce, and Convention Visitors Bureau. She
stated there would be involvement from city staff and there would be duplication of the two
plans. The city's plan was more extensive.
Mayor Vavricek commented on the private donations and that if the amount was over $100,000
and there were not enough donations, he would pay it out of his pocket. He stated no tax payer
money would be used for this project. Finance Director Jaye Monter stated donations would be
receipted into Special Revenue Fund 295.
Motion by Haase, second by Minton to approve Resolution #2014-83. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Gericke, second by Hehnke to approve the Claims for the period of March 26, 2014
through April 8, 2014, for a total amount of$4,601,511.11. Unanimously approved.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Paulick, second by Hehnke to adjourn to
Executive Session at 8:35 p.m. for the purpose of a strategy session with respect to labor
negotiations with IAFF Local 647. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Minton, second by Gericke to return to Regular
Session at 9:05 p.m. Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
(.fir •
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk