05/06/2014 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 6, 2014
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 6, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on April 30,
2014.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Vaughn Minton, Mike Paulick, Mark Stelk, John Gericke, Mitch Nickerson, Julie
Hehnke, Chuck Haase, and Linna Dee Donaldson. Councilmembers Peg Gilbert and Kent Mann
were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary Lou Brown,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Robert Sivick, City Treasurer and Finance Director
Jaye Monter, and City Engineer and Public Works Director John Collins.
The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council member John Albers.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Proclamation "Tourism Recognition Month" May 2014. Mayor Vavricek proclaimed the month
of May 2014 as "Tourism Recognition Month". Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive
Director Brad Mellema was present to receive the proclamation and showed a two minute video
of highlights in Grand Island.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Continued Discussion of City Space Needs. City Administrator Mary Lou Brown stated we were
continuing the discussion of the space study needs and introduced Emergency Management
Director Jon Rosenlund who explained the need for an alternate 911 center. He stated the current
alternate 911 center equipment was stored in a closet at Fire Station #1 and takes 30-45 minutes
to mobilize the equipment. The equipment differed from the main center with regards to radios,
phones, etc. and was difficult to test and exercise regularly.
Mr. Rosenlund explained the differences of the current alternate location and the main location at
City Hall. The benefits of a full alternate location would maintain the obligation for continuity of
operations and provide a geo-diverse 911 system for redundancy. A full alternate location would
provide full capabilities for 911 functions and would allow for expanded capacity in a disaster.
The following options were presented:
911 Option A: establish a new, main 911 center. Install a smaller alternate 911 center in City
Hall.
Pros: Cons:
Solves both alternate 911 and EOC needs. Most expensive construction costs.
Provides new 911 with long term potential. Long timeline.
Page 2,City Council Study Session,May 6,2014
Provides City Hall with room to move staff. Most complex planning.
Possibility of higher ongoing costs for
facility.
911 Option B: establish new, improved alternate 911 location.
Pros: Cons:
Provides fully functional alternate 911. Does not provide long-term solution to
current 911.
Moderate cost for renovation/construction. May not solve alternate EOC issues.
Lower ongoing costs for facility than Option A.
911 Option C: improve capabilities of current alternate 911 location.
Pros: Cons:
Cheapest of all options. May not accommodate necessary functions.
Lowest ongoing costs. May not be sufficient in an event.
Quickest immediate impact. No solution to alternate EOC.
Mr. Rosenlund presented the following costs and challenges: new radio system & geo-diverse
911 system; improved network for Spillman; associated equipment (recorder, NAWAS,
printers/copier, fax, etc.); new alarm monitor equipment; purchase/move furniture; and increases
in annual operational budget(phone lines, network connectivity, Internet Service Provider, etc.).
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt presented the needs for replacing Fire Station #2. Chief Schmidt stated
the station was opened in 1957 and currently was the busiest fire station in Grand Island. In 2013
they responded to 1,847 calls which were 41% of all calls. The station was staffed by 5 to 6
Grand Island Fire Department personnel with two ambulances and a fire engine. This station also
served as a tornado shelter for the surrounding area.
Issues with the current station were that apparatus must be backed in off Boradwell Avenue
which required spotters to block traffic placing personnel in a dangerous situation. Traffic backs
up in front of the station from 5 Points. The larger apparatus were harder to back into the station.
The diverse work force and student riders along with dormitory style sleeping quarters with lack
of privacy were mentioned.
Issues with the current station were the increased maintenance costs over the past few years.
Also mentioned was the poor parking access off the alley and a history of vehicle break-ins. The
future needs were: larger truck bay; larger/dedicated classroom; private sleeping quarters;
male/female locker rooms; room for additional apparatus/crews; and increased need for airport
support and response.
Chief Schmidt presented two options for 911/Fire: 1) build new fire station #2 or 2) build joint
facility for both 911 center and fire.
Public Works Director John Collins reported the next step was for the city to go out for Request
for Qualifications (RFQ) to research current practices, assess the City's needs, develop several
concepts with rough estimates, produce plans and specifications, identify potential locations, and
oversee construction.
Page 3,City Council Study Session,May 6,2014
- Robert Meyer, 648 E. Memorial Drive, foliner firefighter with the City of Grand Island,
commented on the June 1980 tornado and spoke of the importance of having a backup 911
system. He also spoke regarding the need for a new Fire Station#2.
Discussion was held concerning funding the current 911 center and money received from the
State of Nebraska Civil Defense to help build the current location at city hall. Mr. Rosenlund
stated the agreement was still in effect and would continue even if the 911 center moved to a
different area.
Annually, land line phones collected $250,000 per year in Revenue Fund 215. Revenue Fund
216 collected about $115,000 used to help fund two employees. Location of a new fire station
was discussed. Mr. Roselund stated his needs would ideally place a 911 center outside of the
flood plain and away from the railroads. There would still be a 911 center in city hall for
redundancy. Mayor Vavricek stated any decision with regards to relocating the 911 center would
have to have the support from the County as they pay for half the 911 center budget.
Discussion was held regarding a new facility and the structure design. Mr. Rosenlund stated the
911 center did not need to be in a basement. City Administrator Mary Lou Brown stated this was
just the first step in looking at a new facility and further discussions would be held concerning
how it would be paid for. Current debt service was mentioned with some bonds ending in the
next few years.
Mr. Rosenlund explained the Interlocal Agreement with Hall County and funding for which the
county was responsible. Currently the city provided the space and the equipment was owned
50/50 between the city and county. There were very few state funds available for 911 centers.
Multi-county alternate location was mentioned.
Ms. Brown stated the next step would be to go forward with the RFQ process.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk