07/01/2014 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 1, 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
July 1, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 26,
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, Peg Gilbert, Mitch Nickerson, Linna
Dee Donaldson, Chuck Haase, and Julie Hehnke. Councilmembers John Gericke and Kent Mann
were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary Lou Brown,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Treasurer and Finance Director Jaye Monter, City Attorney
Robert Sivick, and City Engineer and Public Works Director John Collins.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Rebecca Riley followed by
the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council member Rebecca Riley.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
City of Grand Island Credit Card Purchasing Program. Finance Director Jaye Monter reported
that the first City Credit Card Program for city purchases was established in 2003 for small
purchases and travel. The current card program had become cumbersome and obsolete and did
not utilize the spending power of the City or provide rebates. Request for Proposals were sent out
in March and reviewed by a selection committee. The committee was recommending Bank of
America for the new Credit Card Program.
Senior Accountant Billy Clingman presented a PowerPoint presentation. He stated with the new
program there would be no changes to the city procurement rules and no taxpayer dollars would
be used. In 2013 the City spent roughly $106.6 million with outside vendors. The goal with the
new credit card program was to run $10 million per year through the system with $177,000 in
rebates. This would increase point of sale purchases, utilize the ePayables solution offered by the
bank, have indirect savings of staff time, reduction of paper/records storage & retention, and
have increased fraud controls. The new system would be a shorter process and would integrate
with the City accounting software.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy, Fire Chief Cory Schmidt, and Police Chief Steve
Lamken spoke in support of the change to this credit card system. Discussion was held
concerning fees. Mr. Clingman stated Bank of America does not charge a fee unless we were late
paying the bill. Any fees were paid by the vendor.
Concern was mentioned about paying bills before the Council approved them, fraud, and
training. City Attorney Bob Sivick stated when the City approved the current credit card program
they authorized payment, but the Council could refuse to pay a claim. Misuse of the credit card
would go through the personnel process. Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhoff stated we were
Page 2,City Council Study Session,July 1,2014
— not changing the current procurement code. Discussion was held concerning other cities using
this type of credit card and the elimination of paper.
2014/2015 Proposed Budget Presentation Capital Improvement Project Fund. Public Works
Director John Collins reported that the Capital Improvement Project Fund consisted of a variety
of major capital improvements, capital planning, infrastructure construction, building
construction, renovation and replacement, street and drainage improvements, and other
improvements. These projects were prioritized for the following budget year by taking into
consideration factors such as: availability of funds; need/condition of the asset; community
benefit of project; eligibility for outside (State/Federal) funds; redevelopment patterns; and
public/Council input.
Reviewed were the 2014 planned projects that were in progress, completed projects, and delayed
or cancelled projects. Total Capital request for the 2014 budget was $8,312,393 with a 2014
forecast of$7,288,949.
The following 2015 proposed Capital Projects were presented:
• $40,000 Info. Tech. Offsite Location—Disaster Recovery
• $100,000 Final Phase of GITV—HD Implementation
• $100,000 Annual Grand Generation Center Building
• $250,000 Fire Station 2 & Emergency Center RFQ
• $165,000 Annual Handicap Ramp Installation
• $500,000 Blaine Street Bridge Replacement w/Culverts
• $2,307,990 Capital Avenue: Webb Road to Broadwell Avenue Widening (including
trails)—Reimbursement- $1,293,911
• $600,000 Northwest Flood Control Project—Final Year
• $350,000 Faidley Avenue Connection(North Road to Irongate Avenue)
• $200,000 Faidley&Diers Traffic Signal
• $650,000 Niedfeldt-Sterling Estates Paving(Ebony Lane)
• $250,000 Stolley Park Road Restriping/Rehabilitation
• $1,500,000 Talc Road/Swift Road Connector
• $80,000 Underpass Bridges Engineering, Maintenance & Repair
• $75,000 Cambridge Dewatering Well Replacement
• $400,000 ADA—4th Street & 5th Street CDBG Project
• $30,000 Webb Road—UPRR North to Hwy 30
• $200,000 Fog Seal Project
• $20,000 Hike/Bike Trails—Miscellaneous
• $92,932 State & Capital Connector Trail—Reimbursement- $6,400
• $150,000 Miscellaneous Park Projects
• $150,000 Sterling Park 2015 Phase 1
Island Oasis Water Park:
• $50,000 Audio System Replacement
• $100,000 Pool Painting
• $350,000 Maintenance/Rehabilitation
• $175,000 Ryder Park Tennis Complex
Page 3,City Council Study Session,July 1,2014
• $375,000 Heartland Public Shooting Park—Entry Road
• $50,000 Dog Park Development
• $200,000 Stolley Park Northeast Entrance Relocation
Discussion was held concerning the Grand Generation Center. Mr. Collins stated this year
money was spent on roof repair and parking lot repair. Building Department Director Craig
Lewis answered questions concerning the repairs to the Grand Generation Center. Restroom
compliance was mentioned.
Comments were made concerning the $250,000 Fire Station 2 & Emergency Center RFQ. City
Administrator Mary Lou Brown stated this process would look at all possibilities and would
bring back designs for Council's final decision.
It was suggested that a parking ban be placed on Stolley Park before the State Fair. Mr. Collins
said he would bring this item back to Council for a vote.
Comments were made concerning maintenance of a dog park. Mr. McCoy stated the location
they would propose was Memorial Park which the Parks Department maintained already. Strong
interest from citizens requesting a dog park was the reason this was brought forward. The
majority of the$50,000 requested would be spent on fencing.
Comments were made regarding Wasmer Detention Cell and making it into a park. Discussion
was held concerning Island Oasis and the upgrades it needed. Mr. Collins explained hike/bike
trails and sidewalks throughout the city.
Lewis Kent, 624 Meves Avenue commented on paying off current projects before spending
money on new projects. He spoke in opposition of creating new parks. Gene Dominick, 221 East
1st Street and Mark States, 639 E. Memorial Drive spoke in support of the dog park. Ted George,
18 Via Como spoke regarding funding for improvements at George Park.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Rfl
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk