12/06/2016 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
December 6, 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
December 6, 2016. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
November 30, 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, Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmember Michelle
Fitzke 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.
Mayar Jensen introduced Community Youth Council member Reid Bednar.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Reid Bednar followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation and Discussion concerning the Grand Island Cemeter� Parks and Recreation
Director Todd McCoy reported that Confluence had examined multiple sites for expansion
possibilities for the Grand Island Cemetery and two sites had been recommended for Council to
consider, Webb Road and Capital Avenue.
Matt Carlile representing Confluence reviewed the two locations. Webb Road was closest to the
existing cemetery which would be able to use the existing maintenance facilities. The property
was currently owned by the City of Grand Island so there would be no acquisition costs. The
irrigation system was in place but would need adjustment for cemetery uses. The challenges of
this location were the existing sports fields were heavily used and well maintained. Relocation of
these sports facilities may not be a cost-effective solution. Large portions had been developed
into parking lots and to remove and remediate, compaction would impact development costs.
Trees would need to be planted immediately to begin to build the desired cemetery character.
Noise from adjacent highway and railroad tracks would need to be addressed. The following
constraints were mentioned: this piece of land was land-locked with US 281 Highway
embankinent to the west and Railroad right-of-way to the north. There were varied industrial
developments on all other sides so future expansion for this site would be limited. The access
points were only available off of South Webb Road. Another access would be preferred if Webb
Road would need to be closed for any reason.
Discussion was held regarding the timeline between phases. Mr. Carlile stated it could be around
20 years in between phases, depending on funding.
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The Capital Avenue cemetery site benefits included: the land had been donated by the State to
the City so there were no acquisition costs. An existing cemetery was on-site, so shared
maintenance facilities and equipment may be possible. This site had a good street presence and
would provide good views. There were multiple access points along both frontage roads and
access through the tree line along Webb Road was also possible. There was plenty of available
contextual land for long-term expansion needs. The challenges mentioned was the traffic along
the roads could cause unwanted notice, tree plantings would need to begin immediately to being
to build the desired cemetery character, and notice from adjacent highway and railroad tracks
would need to be addressed to create a tranquil cemetery setting. Several constraints were
mentioned. The current Veterans Cemetery would need to be incorporated into the future
cemetery design. There was a historic drainage way existing through the site, currently drainage
had been diverted to the perimeter, and there were high-water table issues that would need to be
mitigated for cemetery use, especially in the northern portions of the site.
Drainage at this site was discussed. Mayor Jensen stated on this site he would like to see Phase I
and II started at the same time.
Burial and cemetery trends were reviewed along with burial types.
Each site was planned for a three phase development as follows:
Webb Road Site
Phase 1 $1,377,156
Phase 2 $ 836,825
Phase 3 $ 505,703
Total $2,719,686
Full Build-out: 21 acres
Development Cost per acre: $129,508
Capital Avenue Site
$2,382,704
$1,881,308
$1,137,345
$5,401,357
67 acres
$80,617
Because the Webb Road site was much smaller, future development efforts may mean another
significant investment in 40-50 years. The Capital Avenue site would last 80-100 years and
would require initial investment in a maintenance facility and equipment, but those costs may be
able to be shared with the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery efforts.
Mr. McCoy answered questions regarding the cost moving the soccer fields from Webb Road.
Possible revenue generating opportunities were: increase burial service charges, increase charge
for burial plots, increase charge for permanent maintenance fund, additional plots available for
Green Burials that otherwise would be unsold and occupied by tree plantings, increase in burial
service and plot demand due to the aging of the Baby-Boomer Generation, and increase in
demand if Westlawn is to reach capacity or retire it's burial service business.
Possible opportunities to reduce operating costs included: reduce maintenance expectations and
staffing needs at the existing 90 acre Grand Island Cemetery, maintenance cost sharing
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agreements — between sports field organizations at Webb Road and between the Veterans'
Memorial Cemetery staff, and approach community organizations or clubs to explore volunteer
opportunities to offset some maintenance costs.
Mr. McCoy stated he would work with Administration on how to generate revenue for this
expansion. Mentioned was that the Webb Road ball field 21 acres could be sold to generate
revenue.
Erica Randall, 705 W. Hedde Street spoke in opposition of the Capital Avenue site. Dan
Naranjo, 1328 Hagge Avenue spoke in support of either site but mentioned economics with
regards to the increase of cremations. Jerry Hirschman, 2315 Gateway Avenue spoke in
opposition to the Capital Avenue site.
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson stated this item would come before Council for a final
decision within the next 60 days. Park and Recreation Cemetery Superintendent Mark Sands
commented on cemeteries not being profitable, columbarium's, and the need for more staff.
Council recessed at 8:36 p.m. and reconvened at 8:42 p.m.
Presentation and Discussion concerning Blighted and Substandard Desi�nation at Cornhusker
Army Ammunition Plant. Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity reported that in 2013 the
State Legislators passed LB 66 which gave authority to Cities of the First Class to approve
Redevelopment Plans and use Ad Volorem Taxes (TIF) generated by the project(s) approved in
the plan to pay for eligible expenses under certain proscribed conditions on formerly used
defense sites outside of the corporate limits of and within the same County as the City.
LB 66 did not declare formerly used defense sites blighted and substandard or change the
standards for declaring an area blighted and substandard. It also did not remove or alter the
requirement that an area be declared blighted and substandaxd prior to the approval of a
Redevelopment Plan.
The Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant (CHAAP) is a 20 square mile plant west of Grand
Island built in 1942 for World War II, reactivated for the Korean War from 1950 — 1957,
reactivated for Vietnam in 1965, and was declared excess in 1989. Congress gave local authority
to the Hall County Reuse Committee to determine post plant land uses — ag, industry, no
housing.
In order to use TIF at CHAAP the area must be declared blighted and substandard. This would
not count toward the 35% limit of the City. All, or a portion of the property could be declared
blighted and substandard but must meet statutory criteria for the declaration. All procedures and
hearings must be followed like any other blighted and substandard declaration. If this area was
declared blighted and substandard it could expect TIF proj ects.
Mr. Nabity reviewed the requirements to use TIF at CHAAP and the zoning districts for this
area. He stated the reason this topic was brought up was that Pat O'Neill with O'Neill Wood
Resources had submitted a Blight Study for 285 acres at the northwest corner of Old Potash
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Highway and 70th Road. A second study was likely to be submitted in the near future. He
mentioned that a study could be completed to aid redevelopment of the Husker Harvest Days site
also.
Mr. Nabity explained the process and notification required to bring this before the Regional
Planning Commission and the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk