08/16/2016 Minutes (2)I
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 16, 2016
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special 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 16, 2016. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
August 10, 2016.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 8:19 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mitch Nickerson, Mark Stelk, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, Linna Dee Donaldson,
Michelle Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, and Mike Paulick. Councilmember Roger Steele and Jeremy
Jones 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.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2016-192 - A�proval of 2016-2017 Fee Schedule. Finance Director Renae Griffiths explained
the following 2016-2017 Fee Schedule changes:
• Building Department — Permit fee increases
• Finance and Utility Services Fees — Increases for returned checks and other fees
• Fire Department — Addition of fee and other increases
• Parks and Recreation — Cemetery fee changes, consolidation/reorganization of fees and
Golf course fee increases
• Public Works — Increase of Engineering and Streets Division fees
• Wastewater Treatment Plant — increase of various fees
Discussion was held regarding the Hall County Fair reduction in fee. Fire Chief Cory Schmid
stated the time involved in the inspections did not warrant a higher fee. Parks and Recreation
Director answered questions regarding the Playground Pals fees.
Motion by Haase, second by Paulick to lower the Playground Pals fee from $15.00 to $10.00.
Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Paulick, Minton, Fitzke, Hehnke, Haase, Stelk, and
Nickerson voted aye. Councilmember ponaldson voted no. Motion adopted.
Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2016-192. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion Concerning 400/210 Funds. Finance Director Renae Griffiths stated they were
moving the transportation revenue to the gas tax fund. Public Works Director John Collins
reviewed the following 2016 planned projects that were in progress:
• Capital Avenue; Webb Road to Broadwell Avenue widening (includes trail)
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• Blaine Bridge Replacement w/culverts
• Stolley Park Road Restriping/Rehabilitation
• Faidley Avenue; North Road east to Irongate Avenue
• South Locust Street and State Fair Boulevard Traffic Signal
• Handicap Ramp CDBG Project (4�' & Sth Streets)
• Pavement Condition Survey
• Wauh Street/Broadwell Avenue relocation
• Faidley Avenue/Diers Avenue Traffic Signal
• 4�'/Sth Street Alley; Locust Street to Pine Street
• Adams Street Paving District No. 1264
• Northwest Flood Control Project
• Altemate 911 Center
• Moores Creek Drain Extension (Old Potash to Edna)
• Webb Road Paving Assessments (City share)
Completed projects for 2016 included: Annual Handicap Ramp Installation; Wheeler Avenue
Bump Out; and the Final Phase of GITV — HD Implementation. Delayed or cancelled projects
were Swift Road Paving District No. 1263 and Capital Avenue Storm Sewer Improvements.
Reviewed were the Capital Improvement Projects 400 Fund funded by Gas Tax money; General
Fund, Keno, and Special Assessments; and Bond Proceeds/Assessments.
The following 2016/2017 Capital Projects were presented:
• Capital Avenue; Webb Road to Broadwell Avenue -$752,000
• Stolley Park Road Restriping/Rehabilitation - $135,000
• Annual Handicap Ramp Installation - $165,000
• Webb Road Paving Assessment (City share) -$131,035
• South Front Street over Sycamore Street Underpass Rehabilitation -$80,000
• Adams Street Paving District No. 1264 -$1,000,000
• Sterling Estates Paving District No. 1262 -$300,000
• Five Points Traffic Signal/Sign Improvements -$350,000
• Northbound Highway 281 (NDOR) - $1,617,500
� Capital Avenue Storm Sewer Improvements -$200,000
• Northwest Flood Control Project - $1,318,870
• Eagle Scout Detention Cell — North of Eagle Scout Lake -$75,000
• Alternate 911 Center - $3,400,000
Total Capital Improvement Projects requested were $9,524,405. Reviewed were the 2017
potential funding sources in an amount of $9,524,405.
Comments were made regarding starting a fund for sidewalks. Mr. Collins stated most of these
projects could be paid for by the 1/2 % sales tax.
Discussion Concernin� Financing for Fire Department Equipment. Finance Director Renae
Griffiths asked for a decision by Council regarding how to pay for the Fire Department
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equipment, whether to finance/bond or pay cash. A lengthy discussion was held concerning the
benefits of both financing/bonding and paying cash for this equipment.
Motion by Donaldson, second by Stelk that we finance the ambulance and fire truck on a 5 year
loan and plan for future purchases. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Fitzke, Donaldson,
Hehnke, Stelk, and Nickerson voted aye. Councilmembers Paulick, Minton, and Haase voted no.
Mayor Jensen cast the sixth and deciding vote in favor. Motion adopted.
Discussion of Possible Food and Beverage Tax Revenue for Parks and Recreation Projects. Parks
and Recreation Director Todd McCoy reviewed the following possible projects that could be
funded by the food and beverage tax:
• Veterans Athletic Complex Phase II -$1.6 million
• Island Oasis Wet Children's Play Area -$1.7 million
• New 100 Meter Range at Heartland Public Shooting Park -$800,000
• Splash Pad - $750,000
• New Large Baseball Field - $750,000
• Complete Sterling Park - $300,000
• Erosion Control at Sucks Lake -$250,000
• George Park Field Upgrade - $200,000
• Replace Grace Abbot Bank Stand -$100,000
• Annual Playground Equipment Replacement - $100,000
• New Irrigation at Lions Park -$50,000
• HikeBike Trail System Upgrades
• Annual Park Asphalt Roads and Parking Updates
• Update Skate Park
• Replace Two Original Slides at Island Oasis
• Add Foul Ball Netting at Complex Fields
Mr. McCoy presented several other projects that had been on the radar for several years: Stolley
Park Arboretum, expand bike trail system, new golf course club house, cemetery expansion,
banquet center at HPSP, second fieldhouse, Stolley Park activities center, and neighborhood
swimming pool as possible future projects.
Comments were made regarding splash pads not requiring more employees. Mentioned was the
Heartland Events Center and setting aside money now for when the city takes it over in 2025.
Mayor Jensen commented on the food and beverage revenue - 25% Nebraska State Fair; 25%
Grow Grand Island; and 50% quality of life projects.
General Discussion on 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Budget. Finance Director Renae Griffiths stated
we had discussed a lot of these figures before. Noted was this did not include the car rental tax or
the $1.00 surcharge. 2020 would show a negative cash balance.
Councilmember Haase commented on the drawing down of funds and not having a designated
revenue stream and that this could not continue. Mayor Jensen invited Council to come and visit
with him with recommendations. He stated decisions needed to be made on economics and not
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politics. Comments were made regarding personnel costs growing faster than revenues.
Mentioned was not replacing vacant positions. Comments were made regarding not cutting
public safety positions.
Councilmember Haase stated staff needed to come up with solutions to give to Council options
on how to fix the problem.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk