09/20/2016 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
September 20, 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
September 20, 2016. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
September 14, 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, Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. 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 Miranda Keiper.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Miranda Keiper followed by
the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
General and Financial Information on Food & Bevera eg Occupation Taa�. City Administrator
Marlan Ferguson stated the Food and Beverage Tax had been in place since July 2016 with
estimated revenue of $2 million.
Kent Birnie, 1224 West Anna Street commented on his small business and the impact this tax
would have on his business.
Ron Depue, 208 North Locust Street commented on the Food and Beverage Oversight Tax
Committee meeting last Thursday, September 15, 2016.
Assistant Finance Director William Clingman stated it was the responsibility of the business
owner to consult with a tax professional and/or the Nebraska Department of Revenue when
figuring the food and beverage tax. The Food and Beverage tax rate was 1.5% and was
applicable to food and beverages subject to Nebraska sales tax which included alcoholic
beverages. Returns of the taxes were due by or must be postmarked on the 25�' of the following
month. Late returns were subject to a 10% penalty and interest of 1% for each month they were
late.
Reviewed was the history of the food and beverage tax total receipts since 2008. FY 2015-2016
total receipts were $1,718,878.80 through August 2016. Mr. Clingman gave an example of how
to calculate the tax, what was subject to the ta� and what was non-taxable. Occupation tax was
subject to sales tax. The Finance Department was working with the restaurant owners in making
sure the correct tax was collected.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, September 20, 2016
Currently there were three establishments on payment plans. The following three commercial
establishments were past due: Uncle Ed's Steakhouse, Carnivore's, and McKinney's.
Mr. Clingman stated they had been working with the Health Department in identifying who had
food permits and were required to pay the tax.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy stated his department had a long list of worthwhile
and overdue proj ects that could benefit from the food and beverage tax funding. The following
four major projects were:
Veterans Athletic Field Complex Expansion — expanding the Veterans Athletic Field Complex
would alleviate scheduling conflict with local leagues and provide facilities to keep pace with the
growing demand of area competitive sports teams. With the improvements, the complex would
be a desirable location for state and regional tournaments. It was estimated that the annual
expense to operate the additional fields was approximately $75,000 for staffing, fuel, fertilizer,
electricity, weed control, equipment, etc.
Island Oasis Expansion and Update — in 2004 an Aquatic Master Plan was completed
recommending a dedicated children's play pool be added to Island Oasis. In 2007 the City hired
Water Technology and Olsson and Associates to design a children's area project. Funding had
not been available to complete the project. A budget of $1.7 million was estimated to complete a
dedicated children's wet play area at Island Oasis. It was estimated that the annual expense to
operate the additional expansion was approximately $50,000 for staffing, additional pool
chemicals, natural gas, electricity, and maintenance.
Heartland Public Shooting Park 100-Meter Range — the immediate need to a new range is driven
by the National 4-H Shooting Championships. The National 4-H Shooting Championships has
continued to grow each year. The existing 100-meter range no longer meets their needs. Building
a new range would also make HPSP more attractive to new regional and national events.
Additionally, the range would enhance existing HPSP events like Zombies in the Heartland,
American Marksman, Sportsman Team Challenge, Steel Challenge, and more. Engineers have
estimated the new range to cost near $800,000.
Second Large Baseball Field — the American Legion Baseball Field at Ryder Park is Grand
Island's only true large competitive baseball field. Since the addition of high school baseball and
the explosion of select teams, Grand Island is in need of an additional 90' base field. A new
baseball field would accommodate more teams and take pressure off Ryder and Ashley fields.
The new baseball field project including facilities is estimated to cost $750,000.
Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Department had a number of ongoing needs for park
updates, hike/bike trail expansion, and more. Below is a tentative list of potential projects to be
completed in the next five years.
2016 Fieldhouse Turf $ 170,145
2017 Vet's Soccer Concession/Bathroom Bldg $ 250,000
201 � Lions Park Irrigation $ 50,000
2017 Sterling Parks Phase 3 $ 150,000
2017 Misc: Replace Playground, Parking Lots, etc. $ 150,000
Page 3, City Council Study Session, September 20, 2016
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2021
2021
Phase II Veterans Complex
Replace Original Two Water Park Slides
Island Oasis Expansion
Sterling Park Phase 4
Misc: Replace Playground, Parking Lots, etc.
HikeBike Trail Development
HPSP 100 Meter Range
Seawall Sucks Lake South Bank
Baseball Field Ryder Park
Grace Abbott Band Stand
HikeBike Trail Development
Misc: Replace Playground, Parking Lots, etc.
George Park Field Upgrade
Splash Pad
Skate Park Upgrades
Hike/Bike Trail Development
Misc: Replace Playground, Parking Lots, etc.
Misc: Replace Playground, Parking Lots, etc.
Hike/Bike Trail Development
$1,500,000
$ 300,000
$1,700,000
$ 150,000
$ 150,000
$ 250,000
$ 800,000
$ 200,000
$ 750,000
$ 100,000
$ 75,000
$ 150,000
$ 200,000
$ 400,000
$ 300,000
$ 75,000
$ 150,000
$ 175,000
$ 75,000
$8,270,145
City Administration was recommending the consideration of a ten year $5 million bond to fund
the completion of the four major projects. Annual bond payments were estimated at $541,623.
Conservative estimates show the food and beverage revenue would generate $6.25 million
during the same time period.
Discussion was held regarding the additional cost of maintaining these additional facilities which
would require additional employees. Mentioned was the need for an indoor community pool and
archery range.
Kurt Haecker, 2604 Riverside Drive on behalf of the Executive Committee of Grow Grand
Island presented a brief overview of Grow Grand Island. Their mission was to grow Grand
Island, cultivate bold ideas that create business and quality of life opportunities in our region
through planning, partnering and doing.
The following goals were presented for Grow Grand Island:
• Help Existing Businesses Grow
• Assist & Nurture Entrepreneurial Culture
• Enhance Community Image & Marketing Activities
• Improve Educational Attainment that Align w/Employer Needs
• Continue to Develop our Community Assets
Grow Grand Island, Inc. a non-profit organization was in the process of applying for a 501 c 3
status in order to accept funds from the City.
Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Johnson explained the following Grow Grand Island
(GGI) grant process:
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Page 4, City Council Study Session, September 20, 2016
• GGI finalizes project in committee
• Submits application (growgrandisland.com)
• App. Reviewed by GGI Grant Committee
• Grand Committee recommendation of GGI Exec.
• GGI Exec approves/denies/approves different $$$
• GGI Exec. Reviews finances
� Grant App. Signed by GGI Exec. Chair, Grant Chair, Finance Chair, & authorized City
Official (when applicable)
Ms. Johnson stated there were currently 13 projects at a cost of $1,700,000. She also commented
on the function of the Oversight Committee. It was to advise the public and city officials with
regard to the food and beverage tax; confirm the food and beverage tax revenues are accounted
for in the designated special revenue funds; and confirm the collected funds are being expended
on eligible projects as provided by city ordinances.
Husker Harvest Days was mentioned regarding funding from GGI and what the City could do to
help keep this venue in Hall County.
City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz explained the agreement between the City of Grand Island and
Grow Grand Island, Inc. with regard to the Food and Beverage Tax. He stated the voter-approved
ballot measure directed the occupation tax be used for the following community enhancements:
1. The annual financial commitment to the Nebraska State Fair as required by state law;
2. Promote entertainment, agricultural and livestock shows, trade shows and similar events
that will attract visitors to Grand Island;
3. Ongoing enhancement and development of recreational and athletic facilities such as
hike, bike and recreational trails, ball fields and other community activity needs; and
4. Invest in community development projects and activities that stimulate progress and
growth for Grand Island.
Grow Grand Island, Inc., a Nebraska nonprofit corporation ("GGI"), was organized and
established through the effort of community minded individuals and organizations for the
purpose of promoting, encouraging, and developing projects and programs to promote
entertainment, agricultural and livestock shows, trade shows and similar events that would attract
visitors to Grand Island and to invest in community development projects and activities that
stimulate progress and growth for Grand Island.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
•� � , � i �.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk