02/21/2009 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION (RETREAT)
February 21, 2009
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Study Session (Retreat) of the City Council of
the City of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted at the Law Enforcement Center, 111 Public
Safety Drive on February 21, 2009. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on February 11, 2009.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Gericke, Nickerson, Zapata, Ramsey, Dugan, Haase, Gilbert,
Niemann, and Meyer. Councilmember Carney was absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, and Assistant to the City
Administrator Paul Briseno.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Hornady followed by the pledge of allegiance.
INTRODUCTION:
Mayor Hornady welcomed the council and gave a brief outline of the day's activities and
purpose.
Councilmember Carney was present at 8:45 a.m.
BUDGET OVERVIEW:
City Administrator Jeff Pederson commented on the fiscal health of the general fund. Finance
Director David Springer gave an overview of the budget. Mentioned was the declining amount in
the general fund. Reviewed was the general fund revenues with property tax being the only item
council had control over. Sales tax was the number one source of revenue for the city. Mr.
Springer reviewed the top 25 revenue sources. Mentioned were the possibility of receiving grants
and stimulus monies to increase revenues. Discussion was held concerning the ambulance fees
with collection around 60%. Medicare was part of the 40% not received by the city.
Mr. Springer reviewed the general fund operating expenses. Questions were answered regarding
the Spillman contract and connectivity. Police Chief Lamken stated this system had led to better
efficiency within the Police Department. Personnel expenses were reviewed with the majority of
expenses related to union contacts. Mr. Springer stated with the cash balance declining there was
no money to fund capital projects in the upcoming budget. Other sources of revenue such as the
gas tax could be used in the capital projects fund. Keno and special assessments were currently
going to the capital projects fund.
Discussion was held regarding possible stimulus package monies which could be used for capital
projects. Police and Fire pension funds were mentioned. Mr. Pederson commented on programs
versus infrastructure. Mr. Springer commented that the council needed to look at capital projects,
Page 2, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2009
revenues and expenses including personnel costs. City Attorney Dale Shotkoski commented on
options to raise revenue regarding personnel costs. Human Resources Director Brenda
Sutherland explained the process of Court of Industrial Relations (CIR). Also mentioned was
when the City of Grand Island reaches the 50,000 population mark, this would put the city in an
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which would increase personnel costs regarding arrays.
DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS:
Department Director's were asked to list two areas/activities that were high priority for their
departments that had been handled effectively. They were also asked to list one area that was
important to their department but was not as effective due to lack of resources.
The following Department Directors briefly presented areas/activities for their departments:
Building Department, Craig Lewis - 1) continue to facilitate the construction and completion of
major projects; Good Samaritan Village -mechanical system; Grand Island Public Schools -
Shoemaker; Global Industries; Walgreens; Case New Holland; St. Francis Hospital and State
Fair buildings review and construction; 2) complete building permit, inspection reporting and
posting electronic conversion; 3) substandard housing demolition.
Emergency Management, Jon Rosenlund - 1) alternate 911 Center; 2) community preparedness
- Citizen Corps; 3) capital replacement -narrow band upgrades for 2013 and warning systems.
Finance, David Springer - 1) the reading of metered usage and the billing, collection, and
customer service for electric, water, and wastewater utilities; 2) self insurance program for the
City's commercial insurances, particularly the Worker's Comp large deductible plan, which has
saved the City over $1.5 million during the last four years alone versus a full premium plan; 3)
upgrading of wireless communications between city departments and locations and expanded
Spillman and IT support for the Police Department.
Fire, Troy Hughes - 1) regional collaboration with other fire departments, emergency
management, and support agencies; 2) staff professionalism, readiness to respond, wellness and
fitness; 3) emergency response vehicle replacement schedule.
Human Resources, Brenda Sutherland - 1) risk management; 2) compliance; 3) automation.
Legal, Dale Shotkoski - 1) revenues -feasibility and legality of new revenue streams, protecting
and preserving existing revenue streams, and shifting revenue streams to other purposes; 2)
assets -acquisition of assets including both real and personal property; disposition or sale of
assets; and property use and expenditure of reserve funds: 3) expenditures -union negotiation
strategies may need to be revisited and grievances and other forms of opposition to changes in
working conditions or employment.
Library, Steve Fosselman - 1) general customer use functions; 2) basic literacy/learning
enrichment programming functions; 3) specific customer service functions.
Page 3, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2009
Parks & Recreation, Steve Paustian - 1) maintenance of existing facilities and grounds; 2)
recreational programming; 3) capital improvement funding, i. e. Lincoln pool replacement,
children's wet play area at Island Oasis and potentially insufficient funding for relocation of
athletic fields slated to be eliminated for the State Fair.
Police, Steve Lamken - 1) self evaluation of services, systems, and tasks to identify efficiencies
and increase productivity; 2) target known criminal offenders to stop their criminal activity; 3)
implement a proactive, problem oriented policing approach in the department.
Public Works, Steve Riehle - 1) managing design and construction project -from funding,
through design to managing the construction; 2) maintenance of expanding infrastructure and
increasing regulations; 3) funds for an aging infrastructure.
Regional Planning, Chad Nabity - 1) respond to citizen concerns and requests; 2) combine
funding sources for department funding and projects; 3) proactive planning for development,
neighborhoods and redevelopment areas.
Utilities, Gary Mader - 1) reliability; 2) cost; 3) issues pending: future electric volatility,
regulations, future water supply, and customer outreach.
Administration, Jeff Pederson -technological improvements and performance measurements.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN/FUNDING:
City Administrator, Jeff Pederson stated he had staff put together a priority list of Capital
Improvement Projects (CIP) for the next three years. Regional Planning Director, Chad Nabity
explained the process of scoring each project. Public Works Director Steve Riehle presented the
following projects that were prioritized for the next three years:
2010
• Resurfacing US Hwy 34/281 from north of I-80 to UPRR/Old
Remove and Replace NB lanes of US 281 from Old Potash to Capital
• Construction of NW GI Flood Control Project
• Quiet Zone - UPRR Corridor -Lincoln, Broadwell & Blaine/Custer
• Nebraska Veteran's Home Property -Athletic Field Development
• Miscellaneous Parks Projects
• Stolley -Locust to Former/HEC/Fair Entrance
• Stolley -Former/HEC/Fair Entrance to Stuhr Road
2011
• Construction of NW GI Flood Control Project
• Integrated/Comprehensive Drainage Plan
• Miscellaneous Parks Projects
• Lincoln Park Pool
Hwy 30 Overpass,
Page 4, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2009
2012
• Construction of NW GI Flood Control Project
• Miscellaneous Parks Projects
• Independence Avenue Ditch -Design
• Blaine Bridges over WR -Design and ROW
• Trail West of Locust - US Hwy 34 to Stagecoach
• Broadwell Avenue/LJPRR -Final Design & ROW Appraisal
• Locust Trail -Superstructure over 2 Platte River Bridges
• PVIP North Drainage Project
• Update Moores Creek Drainage Plan
• Round-A-Bout at Capital Avenue & North Road
• Build Drainway from CCC to Wood River
• Wet Play Area at Island Oasis
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the State Fair move to Grand Island and the $5 million
funding obligation the City was responsible for. Concerns were mentioned regarding the next
$2.5 million due by July 1, 2009 and who would pay it. Mayor Hornady explained the
background of the State Fair move. Dale Shotkoski updated the council on events surrounding
the State Fair and stated further action would need to be taken by the council in the near future.
Lottery match funds for the State Fair were mentioned.
Mr. Pederson stated Council needed to give staff direction on the Lincoln Park Pool. Steve
Paustian, Parks & Recreation Director stated they were looking into what could be done with the
Lincoln Park Pool. State Health Department codes would need to be met once any remodeling
begins. Mr. Paustian wanted council direction and stated $1.6 million would build a new pool.
He would look into renovation costs of the current pool.
GOAL SETTING:
City Administrator Jeff Pederson asked that council take a look at goal headings which would
identify areas of major priorities from each councilmember. The following areas were identified:
• Citizen Participation -Transparent
• Sanitary/Storm Water
• CIP Funding -Adequacy
• Financial Stability to Sustain City Programs
• Groundwater Mitigation/Maintenance/Expansion
• Technology for Efficiency
• State Fair Resource Needs/Management
• Quality of Life Programs/Facilities -Build Out & Expansion
• No Cash Deficits in Funds
• Public Safety -Posture
• Code Compliance Mission/Adequacy
• Community Beautification
• Operational Funding for Programs/Facilities
Page 5, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2009
• Energy Efficiency/Environment Stewardship
• Infrastructure Growth/Strategic & Sustainable
• Affordable Housing/Impact Costs
• Customer Improved Government
• Prioritizing Resources
• Long Range Focus/Planning
• Integrated Solid Waste Management
Mr. Pederson thanked the council and stated further meetings would be held to further prioritize
these goals.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
G?~~ ~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk