02/07/2017 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
February 7, 2017
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
February 7, 2017. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on February
1, 2017.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mark Stelk, Jeremy Jones, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, Linna Dee Donaldson,
Michelle Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, and Roger Steele. Councilmembers Mitch Nickerson and Mike
Paulick were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan
Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Renae Griffiths, and Public Works
Director John Collins.
Mayor Jensen introduced Community Youth Council members Cynthia Serrano and Hanadi Isa.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Cynthia Serrano followed by
the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Public Works D�artment. Public Works Director
John Collins presented a high level overview of the Public Works Department. He stated the
Public Works Department was responsible for constructing and maintaining the City's
infrastructure. This is a 24/7/365 operation with numerous Federal and State mandates. There
were 85 positions in the following 8 divisions: Administration, Engineering Services, Fleet
Services, Transit, MPO, Solid Waste, Streets, and Wastewater.
Mr. Collins stated that just less than 20% of the City's $214 million budget was for the Public
Works Department. The 2017 budget was $41,919,385. Reviewed were staffing levels in each
division. There were almost 30 square miles in the city and 83.61 lane miles which was an
increase from 2006-2016.
Solid Waste Division: Mr. Collins stated the Solid Waste Division was an enterprise fund which
received no funding from the General Fund. All revenues were generated from tipping fees and
were one of the few Divisions with competition. The Solid Waste Division serves both residents
and non-residents and is utilized by both commercial haulers and the general public. Waste is
hauled from the transfer station to the landfill located at 5050 West Old Potash Highway (one
mile west of City limits) for disposal.
The Yard Waste site accepts grass, leaves, and trees from residents for free year-round. Screened
compost is sold for $5.00 per cubic yard and wood chips are sold for $1.50 per cubic yard. This
facility is located adjacent to the transfer station property.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, February 7, 2017
Landfill: Mr. Collins stated the landiill is used mainly by commercial haulers and is located at
the Ha1lBuffalo County line approximately 18 miles west of Grand Island. Hand unloading of
materials was not allowed. Reviewed was the regulatory permits/compliance for both the
Transfer Station and Landfill along with staffing.
Explained was the Landfill Cell 3 expansion project. The restricted fund was expected to cover
the entire cost of this project. The engineering/design was scheduled for this current fiscal year.
Ce113 would provide disposal for the next 15-20 years.
Wastewater Division: Mr. Collins stated the plant was located at 3013 E. Swift Road. There were
14 lift station, 225 miles of pipe, and 4,300 manholes. The Wastewater Division was also an
enterprise fund and received no funding from the General Fund. Revenues were generated by:
user fees, televising pipes, bonds, septage, grease, credit card rebate, permit fees, assessment
fees, Clean Water Sate Revolving Fund (SWSRF), and laboratory. Reviewed were rates from
other cities, staffing, and regulatory permits/compliance.
Fleet Services Division: The Fleet Services Division is located at 1111 W. North Front Street.
This included the Fleet Services office and shop garage. This division was competitive with
private shops. Mentioned were the improvements made at the facility over the past few years.
Reviewed were staffing, budget, and revenues.
Grand Island Area Metropolitan Plannin�Organization (GIAMPO� Mr. Collins stated the MPO
was required in urbanized areas with a population of over 50,000 and it was regulated by Federal
Law. It was federally funded 80% by USDOT (FHWA/FTA) for transportation policy-making
and planning. MPO was responsible for regional transportation planning and coordination.
Explained was the GIAMPO Policy Board which was comprised of elected and appointed
officials representing local, state, and federal government agencies. This board sets regional
long-term transportation policy and approves work products. The GIAMPO Technical Advisory
Committee was an advisory body to the Policy Board which provides technical support and
recommendations. It was comprised of staff-level officials of local, state and government
agencies.
The GIAMPO staff provides information and support to the Policy Board and Technical
Advisory Committee. They prepare the required state and federal documents, manage the
planning process, and coordinate transportation studies and projects. Mr. Collins explained the
funding sources which was 80% from the Federal government and 20% from the local
government.
Streets Division: responsible for: streets & alleys; drainage; right-of-way; snow and ice removal;
traffic control; and bridges. The Streets Division Office and main yard are located at 1111 W.
North Front Street on leased property from the Union Pacific Railroad. The "West Yard" is
located at 2124 Old Lincoln Highway. Reviewed were staffing, budget, revenues, equipment,
and programs.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, February 7, 2017
En ing eering Services Division: provide technical services and assistance for public improvement
projects as well as review plans for developer proposed projects. They give technical support to
the Streets Division for planned maintenance projects, provide engineering and project
management support to the Wastewater Division, and collect data for inventory and asset
management for GIS. They also develop project concepts and budgets, projects to maintain or
repair existing infrastructure, manage paving and sewer districts from request to implementation,
and respond to public requests. Explained were the Federally mandated Stormwater Management
Program (SWMP) requirements. Also mentioned were the duties performed for the downtown
parking lots and downtown parking ramp.
Transit Division: Mr. Collins gave a brief history and stated this division was created because of
a federal requirement that the City be the agency receiving FTA funds for MSA designated areas.
This was formally handled by Hall County. The Transit Division prepares and manages state and
federal grant applications, submits required federal reports, oversees transit related programs,
ensures compliance with FTA Annual Certifications and Assurance and the FTA Triennial
Review, and manages transit operations contract.
Discussion was held concerning staff vacancies in the engineering department. Mr. Collins
commented on the difficulty of getting qualified applicants. He answered questions regarding in-
house vs out-sourcing project designs. He stated in-house was more cost effective.
Public Works Manager of Engineering Services Terry Brown commented on the process of
Request for Proposals (RFP's)/Request for Qualifications (RFQ's) and all standards within the
Public Works Department. Discussion was held regarding street sweeping. Street Superintendent
Shannon Callahan answered questions concerning Fleet Service activities and equipment
replacement. Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Marvin Strong answered questions
concerning sanitary sewer pipes. Solid Waste Superintendent Jeff Wattier answered questions
concerning landfill rates.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk