03/17/2009 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 17, 2009
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 Community Meeting Room of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on March 17, 2009. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
March 11, 2009.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following
Councilmember's were present: Nickerson, Ramsey, Carney, Haase, Gilbert, and Niemann.
Councilmember's Gericke, Zapata, Dugan and Meyer were absent. The following City Officials
were present: City Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Dale
Shotkoski, and Finance Director David Springer.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Margaret Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
Discussion Concerning Groundwater. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director updated the council
on the following water issues:
• Historical Ground Water Elevations: reviewed were historical ground water elevations
from 39 observation wells from 1998 to the present. Charts showed rainfall amounts in
relation to ground water elevations.
• Well Drawdown: information was presented to show the theoretical and actual drawdown
curves of operating city wells.
Discussion was held concerning the results of the drawdown from wells in the Stolley Park and
Parkview areas.
Contamination Plume: Kevin Prior representing Olsson Associates presented a model
showing movement of the plume from the operation of the Stolley Park drinking water
well and the Parkview drinking water wells #1 and #2.
Mr. Prior stated the groundwater would eventually flow to the Platte River, he also commented
on the width and direction of the plume. Paul Wicht, 319 Cardinal Drive commented on the
locations of decontamination wells to be put in by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Gary Mader, Utilities Director answered questions concerning private wells being used in the
Parkview area. Mr. Mader also commented on discussions with the EPA and work being done by
each entity. He cautioned the Council that the decontamination wells would not alleviate the
groundwater problem especially during heavy rains.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, March 17, 2009
Tim White, 1709 Rio Grande Circle asked how long the wells had been turned off. Mr. Mader
answered they had been turned off for the last eight years. Periodically they are turned on for
testing.
• Stolley Drainage: information was presented on a 24" storm drainage pipe under Stolley
Park Road west of Blaine Street. Also presented was a drainage system from north of
Central Community College to the Wood River.
The following findings and recommendations were presented:
• Existing storm system is operating similar to planned system
• Need additional detention in the system similar to planned system with future
development
• Adding an additional 24" into the Stolley system will have some adverse effects:
• Raise hydraulic grade line in Stolley Drainage system
• More flooding issues created in other areas with the basin area
• Hinder future development of drainage areas presently undeveloped
• Potentially add to groundwater problems in Stolley Park area
• Recommend to develop drainway to Wood River as called for in 1978 drainage study
Detention cells west of Highway 281 were discussed along with outlets to move the water to the
Wood River. Mr. Riehle stated the NRD and the City would need to enter into an interlocal to
dump the water into the Wood River. Estimated costs were stated at $420,000 to $430,000. It
was stated currently there was $250,000 in the budget.
Discussion was held concerning cleaning out the detention cells.
Vern Rempe, 1739 South Arthur asked questions concerning sewer backups and what had
happened to people dewatering directly into the city sanitary sewer system. Mr. Riehle
recommended an out-of--town consultant be used to fmd those people who are illegally pumping
water into the city sanitary sewer system. Dave Goedeken, Engineer with the Public Works
Department commented on his experience working with the City of Columbus regarding this
issue.
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves Avenue spoke in support of spending money to fix the water
problems within the city instead of spending money on the State Fair.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
R~~~~~~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk