05/17/2016 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 17, 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 Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
May 17, 2016. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on May 11,
2016.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mitch Nickerson, Mark Stelk, Jeremy Jones, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, Linna
Dee Donaldson, Michelle Fitzke, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmember Vaughn
Minton was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan
Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Renae Griffiths, City Attorney Jerry
Janulewicz, and Public Works Director John Collins.
Mayor Jensen introduced Community Youth Council member Perla Alarcon.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Perla Alarcon followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Alternate 911 Discussion. Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund stated the
Emergency Management Department had been investigating options to solve the need for an
alternate 911 center. Improved designs for an alternate had been received and recent options
were presented to the Interlocal Committee for their review. Options included the construction of
a full scale center with proximity to the City's fiber optic network, as well as an alternate facility
at Fire Station # 1 that could also serve as a Fire Training Room facility. Additional opportunities
were presented by private businesses and property owners regarding the sale/lease of current
space.
Reviewed were the following cost and design of full scale construction: West Faidley -$3.4
million and West 13�' Street -$3.2 million. An alternate 911 Center at Fire Station #1 was $1.7
million. Cost of a leased Alternate 911 was $562,000. Presented was renovating City Hall
basement to expand the Emergency Management and 911 offices to match capabilities in a full
scale center. This would expand 911 into one wing and the Emergency Management offices into
the Community Meeting Room wing. The estimated costs for the City Hall renovations were
$485,000.
Discussion was held regarding the future use of the Community Meeting Room (CMR) after the
possible renovation of the basement. Mr. Rosenlund stated the CMR would still be used as it was
today. FEMA and NEMA would still have use of CMR and would have to approve the changes
proposed.
The following CYC students spoke in support of the Fire Station 1 alternative:
• Melissa Cuellar, 424 Path Avenue
Page 2, City Council Study Session, May 17, 2016
• Brandies Jensen, 1140 Pleasant View Drive
• Ronald Dvorak, 2014 No. Custer Avenue
• Sarah Salaman, 208 Ponderosa Drive
Buzz Douthit, 1608 Anna Street presented another option at Fonner Court, 1512 South Locust
Street currently rented by Viaero Wireless.
Comments were made about this being the fourth time this issue came before Council over the
last four years. Explained was the Interlocal Committee which was made up of City and County
elected officials. It was requested this committee submit their recommendation to the Council.
Mentioned was that the costs would be split with the County. There was currently $857,000 in
cash reserves and a yearly $365,000 collected from landline and wireless phones. Mr. Rosenlund
stated the cost of a new building would be the responsibility of the City and not shared by the
County as per the Interlocal Agreement.
Discussion was held regarding the size needed for an alternate site. Mr. Rosenlund stated at least
5,400 square feet. Councilmember Nickerson stated he serves on the Interlocal Committee and
updated the Council on those discussions. When asked what the best scenario was for him, Mr.
Rosenlund stated he thought the alternate at Fire Station 1 was the best choice for him and the
Fire Department.
Comments were made regarding building a new full 911 center and having the alternate 911 in
the basement at City Hall. Mayor Jensen stated it would be a good idea to put together an
amortization schedule if the Council would decide to bond this project. Mentioned was that if the
City leased a property the County would be responsible for 50% of the cost of which the citizens
of the City would pay approximately 80% since they pay both City and County taxes. Lease
purchase was talked about as well as fiber optic challenges at certain sites.
Roundabout Education. Public Works Director John Collins introduced Public Works Engineer
Tim Golka who reported that the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department was
always looking for ways to improve traffic flow and provide safe roadways for the public. The
introduction of roundabouts to the City roadways had been brought up in the past.
Reviewed were types of intersections, what a modern roundabout was, key features, and a video
for driving roundabouts. Mentioned was roundabouts were safer than traditional intersections.
Public Works was recommending a roundabout on Adams Street beetween the new Starr
Elementary School and Barr Middle School. Discussion was held regarding pedestrian crossings.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk