08/15/2017 MinutesI
I�
I�
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 15, 2017
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 15, 2017. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on August 9, 2017.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members 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 Jimenez, City Attorney
Jerry Janulewicz, and Assistant Finance Director William Clingman.
Mayor Jensen introduced Community Youth Council members Katelyn Hill and Abigayle
Weese.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Katelyn Hill followed by the
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITMES:
Review of 2018 Budget to Date: Mayor Jensen commented on past discussions regarding the
City of Grand Island's future budgets. Several articles from the "Grand Island Independent"
were read mentioning the commitment for a balanced budget in 2018.
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson commented on the budget process and discussions over the
last 1%2 years. Mentioned was the 70/30 guideline concerning personnel cost to other
expenditures for the general fund. Past council sessions covered additional potential revenues,
including property tax increase, change to therms from % of revenues for the natural gas
franchise fee, and a rental car occupation tax.
The administration had reduced the number of FTE's recommended to be frozen and added the
wheel tax as a potential revenue source. The Horticulturist position had been added back in, the
Fire Department would have 3 paramedics positions added back in, and the Police Department
would have 2 officers added back. In addition the assistant to the City Administrator position,
currently vacant would be frozen.
Finance Director Renae Jimenez reviewed several options related to personnel reduction and
added revenue. Police Chief Robert Falldorf and Fire Chief Cory Schmidt commented on current
vacant positions.
Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting August 15, 2017
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Minton moved "that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days are suspended and that ordinance numbered:
#9642 - Consideration of Adding Article IX for a Rental Car Occupation Tax to Chapter
23 of the Grand Island City Code Related to Occupation Taxes
be considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only and that the City Clerk
be permitted to call out the number of this ordinance on second reading and then upon final
passage and call for a roll call vote on each reading and then upon final passage."
Councilmember Nickerson seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
Assistant Finance Director William Clingman reported that an estimated ten businesses would be
impacted by the proposed occupation tax. It was estimated this occupation tax would generate
around $150,000 per year. The use of these funds would be dedicated to the lease or purchase of
equipment for the Streets Division. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Paulick, second by Jones to approve Ordinance #9642.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9642 on first reading. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance
on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9642 on second and final reading. All those in favor of the passage of
this ordinance on second and final reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted
aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor Jensen: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon second and final
readings, Ordinance #9642 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2017-219 - A�proval of 2018 City of Grand Island Fee Schedule. Finance Director Renae
Jimenez presented the 2018 Fee Schedule. She commented on the several changes. Fire Chief
Cory Schmidt explained the $500.00 Collision Response fee. Fire Division Chief Fred Hotz
answered questions regarding the Underground Tank Inspection fee. The Senior Golf Course
passes were discussed. Public Works Director John Collins answered questions regarding the
$750.00 Public Event Street closure fee.
Motion by Donaldson, second by Stelk to approve Resolution #2017-219.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Haase to eliminate the $750.00 Public Event Street closure fee.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Page 3, City Council Regulaz Meeting August 15, 2017
Upon roll call vote of the original motion, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2017-220 - Approval of Resolution of Intent for Additional Revenues for the 2018 Bud�
Finance Director Renae Jimenez explained the increase in the Stormwater fee which would go
into the Street fund to offset the property tax in an amount of more than $300,000.00. Natural
Gas Occupation tax would change from a percentage of sales to therms for an increase of more
than $300,000.00 and an increase in the levy to .3715 for approximately $1.4 million increase in
property tax.
Jarret Daugherty representing the FOP #24 opposed the revenue increase to Capital projects. Jay
Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd. commented on the Food & Beverage Occupation tax. He was
opposed to a reduction in Public Safety personnel. Discussion was held regarding a property tax
increase.
Motion by Paulick, second by Minton to approve Resolution #2017-220. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmembers Paulick, Minton, Donaldson, Hehnke, Jones, Stelk and Nickerson voted aye.
Councilmembers Steele and Haase voted no. Motion adopted.
#2017-221 - A�proval of Resolution of Intent for Addition of Wheel Tax for the 2018 Budget.
Finance Director Renae Jimenez explained the wheel tax with a projection of $1.5 million. The
following fees were proposed:
Passenger (Cars, non-commercial trucks) $20.00
Large (Commercial trucks, motor home/RV, bus) $50.00
Motorcycle $10.00
Trailer $ 5.00
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd. cautioned the Council about raising taxes. Discussion was
held regarding where this money would go. Ms. Jimenez stated this money would go to the
Street Department. Explained was how they arrived at the fee.
Motion by Paulick, second by Nickerson to approve Resolution #2017-221. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmembers Paulick, Donaldson, Jones, Stelk, and Nickerson voted aye. Councilmembers
Steele, Minton, Hehnke, and Haase voted no. Mayor Jensen cast the sixth and deciding vote to
approve. Motion adopted.
Council recessed at 9:02 p.m. and reconvened at 9:13 p.m.
#2017-218 - A�proval of 2018 Recommended FTEs for the General Fund. Finance Director
Renae Jimenez reported that a decrease in FTE's was incorporated into the FY 2017-2018 budget
for a total count of 15.85352 to the General Fund and a cost savings of $963,859.
The following people spoke:
• Jarret Daugherty, President of FOP #24 - opposed to reduction in Public Safety
• Phil Thomas, President of IAFF - opposed to reduction in Public Safety
• Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd - opposed to reduction in Public Safety
• Vicki Duell, 2531 Jan Street — supported the Horticulturist position
Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, August 15, 2017
• Kendall Bartling, 607 Plum Road - opposed to reduction in Public Safety
• Bruce Kuhl, 1912 No. Sherman - opposed to reduction in Public Safety
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid stated the FTEs were not a part of the salary
ordinance but were a part of the budget.
Motion by Paulick, second by Minton to postpone Resolution #2017-218 until the August 22,
2017 City Council meeting. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
�O� IQ.� Z..aL.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk