07/19/2016 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 19, 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
July 19, 2016. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 13,
2016.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mitch Nickerson, Mark Stelk, Julie Hehnke, Linna Dee Donaldson, Michelle
Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmembers Jeremy Jones and
Chuck Haase were 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 Maricela Paramo.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Maricela Paramo followed by
the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Utilities Budget Presentation. Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger explained what an Enterprise
Fund was. Both the electric and water budgets were dependent upon the weather. Budget
Guidelines were for a conservative (low) revenue forecast and conservative (high) operating
costs. They had to maintain an adequate cash reserve and manage controllable operating
expenses and capital expenditures.
Cash reserve considerations were: working capital, replacement power, asset replacement,
capital improvement reserve, and debt service reserve. The electric fund cash reserve threshold
was $30,200,000 and the water fund was $4,600,000. Electric and Water Master Plans had
recently been completed. Presented were the 5 year capital improvement budget forecasts.
The Capital Budget for the Electric fund proposed was $13,410,000 for the following projects:
• Transmission line improvements - $1,000,000
• Bond payments - $2,975,000
• Distribution improvements - $4,000,000
• Power plant maintenance/improvements - $2,895,000
• Distribution Service Center improvements - $300,000
Engineering Center improvements - $450,000
Presented was the Water fund budget. Total Capital Budget was $6,360,000 for the following
projects:
Bond payments - $580,000
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• Elevated Water Storage Reservoir - $4,000,000
• Distribution improvements - $950,000
• Production improvements - $140,000
Mr. Luchsinger stated they were proposing a 10% revenue increase for the elevated storage
reservoir debt service. Discussion was held regarding the elevated storage reservoir and the 10%
increase in rates. The increase would take place all at once instead of over several years.
Presented was the utility rate comparison which Grand Island was comparable in both electric
and water.
Solid Waste Bud�et Presentation. Public Works Director John Collins introduced Solid Waste
Superintendent Jeff Wattier. Mr. Wattier stated the Solid Waste Budget was an Enterprise Fund
which received no funding from the General Fund. All revenues generated were from tipping
fees and was one of the few divisions with competition. They severed both residents and non-
residents. The current landfill site had 5 to 6 years life left in the current area. There were
approximately 31 years of life left in Phase I.
They continued to replace capital equipment. The proposed 2016/2017 budget was: personnel -
$1,044,044; operations -$1,017.491; and capital -$1,170,000. They were requesting a new
landfill compactor -$820,000; two new ground water monitoring wells at the landfill -$20,000;
and Cell 3 engineering services -$250,000. This year they were not asking for any new FTE's
and there was no rate increase proposed. They had not increased their rates for the past 12 years.
Rates in Grand Island for the Transfer Station and Landfill were presented comparing with other
cities.
Discussion was held regarding recycling. Mr. Wattier stated they were not seeing any increase.
Mr. Wattier stated they were currently debt free.
Wastewater Budget Presentation. Public Works Director John Collins introduced Wastewater
Superintendent Marvin Strong. Mr. Strong reviewed the funding sources with regards to revenue.
Expenditures were for staff -$2,683,200, operating -$3,914,923; debt service -$2,940,757; and
capital -$13,284,496 for a total of $22,823,381.
Mr. Strong stated they now had sanitary sewer to I-80. Reviewed were the major capital projects
over the last 4 years which came in within budget. Explained was the reduction in Hydrogen
Sulfide due to Lift Station #19 abandonment which increased the life expectancy of the
infrastructure. Reviewed were the 2016/2017 Wastewater Capital projects for a total of
$12,764,496. Proposed was $520,000 in wastewater vehicles for a combination sewer cleaning
unit and van for sample collection.
Councilmember Nickerson commented on the great job and leadership the Wastewater
Treatment Plant employees had done.
Jackrabbit Run Golf Course Budget Presentation. Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy
stated Jackrabbit Run Golf Course was an 18 hole golf course with land which was owned by the
Airport. Reviewed was the number of rounds of golf. Mentioned was the impact of weather on
Page 3, City Council Study Session, July 19, 2016
revenue. There were 26,173 rounds of golf played in 2015. Presented was the financial history
and five year projection of the golf course. Mr. McCoy stated they were recommending a rate
increase in the 2016/2017 budget.
Mentioned was the Pine Wilt disease which was affecting the golf course. They had to remove
60 trees this year, but had planted 125 trees in the last five years. Recent improvements included:
Clubhouse — bathrooms, asphalt, tables and chairs, windows, paint and irrigation, golf cart lease,
and new mower.
General Fund Discussion Cont. Finance Director Renae Griffiths reviewed the General Fund
projection. Proposed new revenues were to add a rental car occupation t� and a drainage
surcharge.
Councilmembers Donaldson and Paulick stated they were not comfortable with reducing Police
Officers and Community Service Officer's (CSO's) in the Police budget. Councilmember
Nickerson stated he felt every department needed t{� share the cuts in their budgets and needed to
look forward to the next five years. Mentioned was that we needed to find sustainable revenues.
Ms. Griffiths stated they were not proposing a levy increase in this budget.
Mayor Jensen asked Council for solutions to the roblems of this budget and the next several
years' budgets. Personnel costs and expenses in he next few years would leave the city in a
deficit by 2020.
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson commented on the personnel costs. He thanked staff for
their hard work on this budget. He stated they wo ld be looking at a 1/2 cent sales tax and bring
that issue back to Council the first part of August f r a possible vote at the General Election.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned ajt 8:35 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk