Loading...
08/21/2014 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING August 21, 2014 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special 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 August 21, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on August 15, 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, Peg Gilbert, Mitch Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, and Kent Mann. 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 Public Works Street Superintendent Shannon Callahan. INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Sarah Salman followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Vavricek introduced Community Youth Council member Sarah Salman and board member Danna Burchess. RESOLUTIONS: #2014-233 - Consideration of Approving Project Implementation Agreement with Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation - Platte Valley Industrial Park East - Community Development Block Grant Phase 2. Finance Director Jaye Monter stated this resolution was to ask the Council for approval to direct City staff to pursue negotiations with GIAEDC to draft a Project Implementation Agreement and present to the City Council at the October 14, 2014 City Council meeting. The Project Implementation Agreement would outline the responsibilities of both the City and GIAEDC for the $925,000 Phase 2 Community Development Block Grant that was applied for by the City on behalf of the GIAEDC and awarded in March 2011 to develop the infrastructure of 280 acres of land owned by the GIAEDC known as the Platte Valley Industrial Park East. The reason City staff was seeking the Project Implementation Agreement with the GIAEDC were the same reasons the Project Implementation Agreement was created back in 2009 for Phase 1. The intent of City staff and GIAEDC in 2009 was to create a Project Implementation Agreement for Phase 2 similar to the Phase 1 project. Ms. Monter explained the agreement created in 2009. The concern of City staff was who would be responsible for the $925,000 LB 840 funds if the 37 jobs were not created by April, 2016. Viewed was a video clip of the City Council meeting of July 27, 2010 approving the GIAEDC application for $750,000 of LB 840 funds for development at the Platte Valley Industrial Park East indicating a Project Implementation Agreement between the City and GIAEDC would come forward for Council approval outlining the responsibilities of both the City and GIAEDC. Page 2,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2014 Randy Gard, GIAEDC President stated the City owned tangible assets in the water system, sewer system, and paved Blaine Street to the Platte Valley Industrial Park which amounted to approximately $2 million. The City would receive sewer and water revenue when businesses hooked up and tap fees from the EDC in an amount of over $400,000 and tap fees from other businesses. He stated the continued negotiation was detrimental to their efforts to recruit business to Platte Valley. He recommended the Council postpone this request. Mayor Vavricek stated the City was trying to seek compliance of the City Council action back in July 2010. This impacted the long range planning discussion and future budgets for the City and items on the August 26, 2014 Council meeting. City Council was being asked for direction to have closure on this item. Motion by Gilbert, second by Haase to deny Resolution#2014-233. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted. SPECIAL ITEMS: Discussion Concerning the Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2014-2015 City of Grand Island and Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) Budgets. Ms. Monter stated this was a continuation of the 2014-2015 budget. ICMA Public Safety Study Fire Update. Fire Chief Cory Schmidt gave an update on the ICMA Public Safety Study for the Fire Department. The Fire Department had incorporated a compressed air foam system (CAFS) in the last two fire engine purchases which reduces water damage to structures and had proven to be more effective in fire operations. A vehicle replacement plan would replace ambulances on a 12 year schedule and replace engines/aerial at 35% maintenance to cost threshold. The department hired a life safety inspector in 2013 to increase fire prevention efforts. They changed the organizational structure to mirror similar departments by eliminating one division chief and adding shift commanders. They also added Mobile Data Terminal to all front line vehicles, started the accreditation process, evaluated turnout time, and improved training direction and focus. The Fire Department would continue to work on accreditation, Community Risk Assessment, Standard of Coverage, internal documentation and review (2-3 year process), and implement a customer feedback system (update website). Comments were made concerning the shift in work from fire calls to medical calls. Chief Schmidt explained the changes and why fire trucks were taken to calls. He commented on the number of calls per station. Division Chief Tim Hiemer explained the maintenance schedule on the fire trucks. Chief Schmidt commented on training at the Airport. Collections were discussed. The average patient transported was 67 years old and on Medicare. Request for Proposals for a new billing system was issued this week. 2014-2015 General Fund Cash Analysis. Finance Director Jaye Monter reviewed the Unrestricted General Fund Cash Balance. The forecast for September 30, 2014 was $9,697,703. Explained were the revenues and expenses which was an increase of $817,863 for the unrestricted cash 2014 forecast. Page 3,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2014 _,_. Municipal Equalization Fund Revenue Discussion. Finance Director Jaye Monter reviewed the Municipal Equalization Fund (MEF) Revenue. Payments were made by the State to Cities based on a formula. Explained was the mill levy increase in future years in order to receive 100% of the MEF funds. The current valuation certified to the City on August 20, 2014 was $2,658,000,000. The proposed mill levy was 0.3241. Comments were made concerning the increase in property valuation. Building Department Director Craig Lewis stated the City was about $10 million ahead of last year in building permits. Ms. Monter recommended the Council increase the mill levy to receive the MEF funding at 100%. No action occurred from Council. Council recessed at 9:08 p.m. and reconvened at 9:18 p.m. Councilmember Questions. Finance Director Jaye Monter answered the following questions submitted by Council: Q: What is the extra $125,000 for Economic Development for? Q: Where is the budget for life safety funding as presented by the Downtown Business Improvement District? A: 2014-2015 Budget for Economic Development account 10011102-85454 actually went up $105,000 from $420,000. $100,000 for Downtown Life Safety Program and $425,000 State Lottery Match program. Q: Travel and training for Information Technology Department is high and not been used for the last 2 years—over$1,000/person. A: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Budget $10,000 $10,000 $8,500 $8,500 Actual/Forecast $ 2,652 $ 5,391 $6,500 N/A Q: What are the new administrative services for health insurance? A: Account 61550023-85221 set up in 2013-2014 budget to account for incentive contributions to employees for new Health Savings Account for employees participating in new High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. Q: HR operating increased in 2014 due to all the union contracts. For the 2014-2015 budget, it did not go down much—where is this new spending going: A: There is a $10,000 contingency in the 2014-2015 budget in case one of the 6 labor agreements currently being negotiated isn't settled until 2014-2015. If all 6 agreements are settled before 9/30/14, the contingency won't be needed. There are also dollars to cover the cost of recruiting a new City Administrator in the 2014-2015 proposed budget. Q: Why is operating expense of Council up almost 1/3 since 2013? A: The 2014 Forecast was $12,632 and the 2015 Budget request was $12,991. Q: Life Safety Inspector. A: Best use of resources possible Engineering—plans must include sprinklers and other built-in components Enforcement—must conduct inspections Page 4,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2014 Education — change mentality of business owners and occupants, process will still have issues if this doesn't occur Workload is too much for one inspector and it is inefficient to have engine crews perfouni inspections Discussion was held regarding grills on decks at apartment complexes with no sprinklers. City Code does not allow this type of use. Q: Has any thought been given to the location of the dog park being moved to LE Ray? A: LE Ray is on the list for possible locations Each location has pros and cons LE Ray may be good for large dogs and not so good for small dogs Park is currently used for multiple activities and the required fencing may disrupt those Riverside golfers may also have issue with noise Humane Society has approached the City with a possible alternate and shared cost idea $50,000 is just a placeholder for now, Council will make final approval of location and any contract(s) Q: Please remind me of the specific upgrades/remodels of Island Oasis for the $350,000 requested in the budget. A: The $350,000 for the water park will be earmarked to update the wave machine, restore exterior woodwork, remodel bathrooms, replace the roof on the building and, if money is left, make waterslide improvements. $150,000 will also be used for a sound system and pool painting improvements. Q: What was the cost of operating Lincoln Park pool this year? Revenue appears to be around $51,000? A: The updated forecast for Lincoln Pool at year end is revenue of$45,750 and expenses of $52,500. Q: What is the purpose of the Recreation van? A: The recreation van is primary used by the Recreation Division. It is a very useful vehicle because it has good load capacity for supplies and people. • Used on a daily basis in the summer to transport children's program games and craft supplies to the various locations for parks programs • Transportation for supervisor staff and supplies to/from swimming pools • Used at the Fieldhouse for outside trips; sports equipment, t-shirt vendors, hardware store, trophy vendors, outside meetings, City Hall, etc. • Used for special events to transport staff and supplies: Grand Island Games • Summer Concert Series, Winter Rally Volleyball Tournament • Because this van can carry up to six people it is commonly used by other City departments for out of town meetings or city tours/assessments Ms. Monter mentioned the Ryder Park Tennis Complex was budgeted at $175,000. This was to replace the existing courts and add three additional courts. The total project was estimated at $350,000; dependent upon the Grand Island Tennis Association contract modification. Page 5,City Council Special Meeting,August 21,2014 Parks & Recreation Director Todd McCoy stated this could be bid out late fall and start the project in the spring of 2015. A contract would be brought to Council for approval after the budget process Motion by Haase, second by Paulick to add $20,000 to the City Clerk's budget for the Food & Beverage Occupation Tax Special Election. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted. 400 Fund Capital Improvements. Discussion was held regarding the fire station and Emergency 911 Center study. Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund stated the $50,000 would go toward design and location of a new 911 Center. Fire Chief Schmidt commented on the needs of the Fire Stations. Mentioned were Fire Station 2 and the coverage area. Discussion was held regarding moving the E-911 Center to Burdick Station. Mr. Rosenlund stated his department budget was joint with the City and Hall County. Mayor Vavricek commented on the Enterprise Fund and General Funds that related to this issue. Mr. Rosenlund stated that if the new location was City owned the County should not fund this study. Motion by Donaldson, second by Gilbert to reduce the $250,000 for the Fire and Emergency 911 to $50,000 for the relocation of the 911 Center. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Stelk, Gilbert, Nickerson, Hehnke, and Donaldson voted aye. Councilmembers Minton, Paulick, Gericke, Haase, and Mann voted no. Mayor Vavricek cast the sixth and deciding no vote. Motion failed. Motion by Donaldson, second by Paulick to amend the Capital Improvement budget to include $250,000 to reconfigure the intersection and drainage at Kaufmann Park. The $150,000 forecast for this year be moved forward and the $100,000 come from the General Fund. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted. Budget Schedule. Finance Director Jaye Monter reviewed the 2014-2015 budget meeting schedule. The August 26, 2014 Council meeting would include the salary ordinance. The September 9, 2014 Council meeting included the following: public hearing to conclude; mill levy tax asking; fee schedule; Board of Equalization for Business Improvement District; and final approval of the 2014-2015 budget. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:34 p.m. Pon Q-Q-- RaNae Edwards City Clerk