03/15/2016 Minutes-- CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 15, 2016
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 Coimcil Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First SVeet, o�
March ] 5, 2016. Notice of the mee[ing was given in the Grand !s[and lndependent on March 1 Q
2016.
Mayoc Jeremy L. Jensen called Che meering to oxdex at 7:00 p.m. The �£ollowing Councilmembers
wexe present: MiCCh Nickerson, Mazk Stelk, Chuck Haase, Linna Dee Donaldson, Michelle
Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, and Roger Steele. Councilmembe�s Mike Paulick, Julie Hehnke, and
Jeremy Jones were absent. She following City Officials were present Ciry Adminishator Marlan
Ferguson, Ciry Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance DirecYOr Renae Griffiths, Ciry Attomey Jerry
Janulewicz, and Public Works Director John Collins.
Mayoi 7ensen introduced Community Youth Council membec Sazah Sugita.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Saza Sugita followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion Re¢ardine Creatine a Tree Boazd. Pazks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy
reported that a Tree Boazd was a group of people responsible for overseeing management of the
comi�mnity trees; also known as the urban forest, This board was usually created by ordinance. It
would be made up of municipal staff, local citizens and/or tree care professionals. Grand Island
had a Tree Board over 30 years ago.
The Tree Board would assess the community urban forest situation using some type of imentory
to determine short-and Iwgaange program goals and objectives. They would develop and
review annually a comprehensive community forestry plan and would advise the Mayor, CiTy
Council, and various departmen[s on matters conceming trees and related resources.
Rewmmendations from the Tree Boazd may include policy changes and specific urban forestry
projects.
The Tree Board would also educate residents o� matters conceming the betterment of trees and
related xesources along with coordinate or conducY special projects for the beYtexment of the
urban foresL Such projects should be included in ammal plans. They also would keep abreast of
current trends and issues in urban forestry through appropriate training and development.
_ Mr. McCoy stated issues facing Grand Island with regard to urban forestry was the need for
planning and education regarding ]ooming diseases and threats to trees in Grand Island. The
Emerald Ash Borer, Pine Wilt, Oak Wilt, and other diseases had or soon would have a dramatic
impact tio our commtuury's urban forest. The City was not heavily involved in promoting or
Page 2, City Council S[udy Session, Mamh 15, 2016
— managing street trees which the Tree Board could help with. The City did not have a recenUy
updated tcee inveutocy which conld be a responsibility of the Tree Board. It was important to
stazf increasing species diversity with regaxds to streeC and park trees in Grand Island.
Justin Everton representi�g the Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska State Arboretum
encouraged the Ciry to create a Tree Board. Kelly Mazkhazn, ll5 Lakeview Drive #1t8 asked
wt�aT the teans of the boazd would be. Mr. MeCoy stated the details would be worked out when
the Counci] approved the board by ordinance.
Discussion was held conceming the boards scope of wark and that they would submit
recommendations to the Council. Planning for the Emerald Ash Borer was mentioned. Mr.
McCoy stated this would be a volunteer board and there would be no fundiug at this time for the
Tree Board but they could apply for grants. Mr. McCoy stated there were several people
interested in serving on the Tree Boaz�d. Comments were made concerning replacement oF trees,
preventive measuxes, and inventory of the tcees in Grand Island.
Grand Island Electric Generation Undate. UtiliUes Director Tim Luchsinger gave a background
on the UHlities DepartmenYs current and planned electrie generation plans. T6e EPA Clean
Power Plan was one of the primary dxivers of elech�ic generaAO� strategy in Che United States.
Tl�e purpose of this regulation was to reduce cubon dioxide emissions by about 30 percent by
2030.
The Clean Air Act Section 11 ](d) Clean Power Plan rule was published in August, 2015 which
established greenhouse gas emission goals by state, 40% reduction was proposed for Nebraska.
The state's plan was to be submitted to EPA by September, 2016 for achieving emission tazgets
for 2020-2029 and 2030+. This rule was cun�ently stayed by the Supreme CouR.
The Clean Power Plan was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the following "buildi�g
blocks°:
• Improve existing coal power plant efficiencies
• Increase natural gas combined cycle generation
• Increase use of renewable energy sources (Renewable Energy Credits)
• Implementation of demand-side energy reduction programs originally proposed but not in
final rule
Currently the Grand Island Utiliries Departxnent (GND) had wind participation with NPPD
Power Purchase Agreements with Ainsworth, Elkhorn Ridge, Lazedo Ridge, Broken Bow, and
Springview. Future pazticipation planned was wi[h Prairie Breeze III for March of 2016 and
Antelope County proposed for the end of 2016. The Power Purchase Agreements were for a term
of 25 years with commexcial opeiation by the 4'h quartec of 2016. These had a firm energy cost
with annual escalation and the cos[ was paid on energy produced with no upfront cost The
Power Purchase Agreements were executed by GIUD and Invenergy.
Page 3, Ciry Council Study Session, March I5, 2016
— Mr. Luchsinger reviewed [he following capaciry additions:
Yeaz Capacity Cost
Platte Generating Station 1982 100 �I4V $80M
IIurdick Gas Turbines 2& 3 2003 68MW $SOM
Nebraslta Ciry Unit 2 2009 35MW $40M
Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 2011 15MW $40M
Mr. Luchsinger stated in the future they would fike to have 1/3 renewables and 2/3 fossil fuels to
eomply with regulations. Discussion was held concerning development in the future. Cuaently
we were over capacity and Platte Generating Station (PGS) was being used Less due to t6e lower
operating wsts in natural gas. Discussed were the compazison costs of eoaL, gas, and wind.
Mentioned was that in the fut�re PGS may be Caken off line a few months out o�£ the yeaz. PGS
had a possible ]ife through 2030.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Ra1� ��-
RaNae Edwards
Ciry Gerk