08/18/2015 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
August 18, 2015
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Budget 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 18, 2015. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
August 12, 2015.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mitch Nickerson, Mark Stelk, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, Linna Dee Donaldson,
Michelle Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmember Jeremy Jones
was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Interim Finance Director William Clingman, City Attorney Robert
Sivick, and Public Works Director John Collins.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Sarah Salman followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
2016 Budget - General Fund Department Review and Discussion, continued. City Administrator
Marian Ferguson stated we would start off with the Planning Department followed by Library,
Public Works — Engineering, Street and Transportation, and General Government:
Administration, Clerk, Public Information, HR, and Legal. That would be followed by the FTE
discussion and decision.
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity stated the Planning Department budget was similar to
last year except for the increase in personnel costs. An additional item budgeted was for a printer
plotter. Mr. Nabity answered questions regarding the large printer plotter. This had been
budgeted last year but was not needed so they did not buy it. He recommended that this be
bought by the City and not split with the County. This printer would be on the network and
would make the second printer of its size in the building. Reviewed was the Community
Development budget which was the same as last year. They would maintain two positions of
which only one was filled at this time.
Library Director Steve Fosselman commented on the Library budget. Work had been done on the
2020 plan for the Library to be opened more hours per week. Additional cost in the budget was
for staffing 9 more hours a week. Requested was to restore the position of an Assistant Director.
Discussion was held regarding the request for additional FTEs and expanded hours at the
Library. Duties of the Assistant Director were discussed. Mr. Fosselman commented on the
county funding for the Bookmobile and the loss of employees when that program was
eliminated. Explained were the Pioneer Consortium Fund, in which the Grand Island Library was
the fiscal agent of several other libraries within the state, and the Library Trust Fund.
Page 2,City Council Study Session,August 18,2015
Interim Finance Director William Clingman explained the request of FTEs. Two current part-
time positions would be moved to full-time. A net gain of FTEs would be 2.4444. Mr. Fosselman
commented on the different programs offered at the library and compared our library to other
libraries similar in size. He explained the planned programs for the next five years. Mentioned
were the 275 volunteers which amounted to about 1.75 FTE.
Public Works Director John Collins gave highlights of the Engineering budget. Streets and
Transportation budget was reviewed with additional monies to be added for traffic signals and
personnel costs. Discussion was held regarding the two additional positions requested in the
Street Department. Public Works Street Superintendent Shannon Callahan stated the current
maintenance workers would probably be the most qualified to fill the FTE positions requested.
Capital funds were discussed regarding lease purchase agreements.
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid answered questions concerning insurance costs and if
they could be reduced. He stated it could be trimmed a bit, but it was a guessing game not
knowing how claims would come in. Comments were made regarding consolidating funds into
the General Fund.
#2015-217 - Consideration of Approving Proposed FTEs for the 2015-2016 Budget. Comments
were made by Council in favor and in opposition of making a decision at this time in the budget
process of$650,687.00 for the requested FTEs. Mentioned was sustainability of these costs in
the future.
Motion by Paulick, second by Hehnke to approve Resolution#2015-217.
Discussion was held regarding postponing this item until further in the budget process.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Haase to postpone this item until August 24, 2015. Upon roll
call vote, Councilmembers Paulick, Steele, Fitzke, Hahnke, Haase, Stelk, and Nickerson voted
aye. Councilmember Minton voted no. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
ONIM 04... M.)* P
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk