08/29/2017 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 29, 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 29, 2017. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on August 23, 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, 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 Jimenez, City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz, and Assistant Public
Works Director Keith Kurz.
Mayor Jensen introduced Community Youth Council member Celeste Thompson.
INVOCATION was given by Community Youth Council member Celeste Thompson followed
by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion Concerning Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Citv of Grand Island and Communitv
Redevelopment Authoritv (CRA Budgets• Finance Director Renae Jimenez gave a summary of
the budget from previous meetings. The property tax was figured at .37154 (.04744 increase) and
motor vehicle fee to streets used to reduce amount streets needed in property tax in the amount of
$1.5 million. Golf operations had been added to the general fund and the CRA budget reduced its
mil levy from .26 to .23 (approximately $87k decrease) and added $100,000 to land sales. With
the changes from the last meeting estimated total revenue were $38,947,398, expenses were
$38,376,070 and an ending cash balance of $10,562,713.
Ms. Jimenez stated the approval of the budget would be held at the September 12, 2017 meeting.
The budget had to be sent to the state by September 20, 2017.
Amos Anson, 4234 Arizona Avenue spoke in support of the CRA budget.
Discussion was held regarding the general fund projection which included the golf operations
including approximately $660,000 in revenues. Parks & Recreation Director Todd McCoy
answered questions concerning the $660,000. He stated he thought that money was for cemetery
expansion/redevelopment.
Motion by Haase, second by Paulick to remove the $550,000 from the Cemetery Trust Fund.
Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Paulick, Minton, Fitzke, Donaldson, Hehnke, Haase, Jones,
Stelk, and Nickerson voted aye. Councilmember Steele voted no. Motion adopted.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, August 29, 2017
Assistant Public Works Director Keith Kurz was unable to answer questions concerning the
Street and Alley Capital equipment.
Motion by Paulick, second by Haase to remove the street sweeper in the amount of $202,000 and
the dump truck in the amount of $96,000 from the Street and Alley budget. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmembers Paulick, Donaldson, Hehnke, Haase, Jones, and Stelk voted aye.
Councilmembers Steele, Minton, Fitzke, and Nickerson voted no. Motion adopted.
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson commented on reduction in overtime in most departments.
Workers Compensation was also going to be focused on in the upcoming year.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Minton moved "that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days are suspended and that ordinances numbered:
#9646 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 22 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Motor Vehicle Fee
#9647 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 23 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Natural Gas Fees
#9648 - Consideration of Adding Section 40-38 for a Storm Water Fee to Chapter 40 of
the Grand Island City Code Related to Storm Water Management
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 these ordinances 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.
#9646 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 22 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Motor Vehicle Fee
Finance Director Renae Jimenez reported that on August 15, 2017 the City Council approved
Resolution #2017-221 with the intent to add a motor vehicle fee (wheel t�) to the City Code
with an estimated revenue of $1.5 million. After visiting with the Hall County Treasurer it was
determined to implement this fee on November l, 2017 with a 2% collection fee to the County
Treasurer as allows by State Statute. The following fees were proposed:
Motorcycle $12.50
Passenger $22.50
Large/Commercial $52.50
Staff recommended approval.
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd. opposed any increase in any taxes. He recommended this
money be ear marked to the General Fund and this Ordinance be read at three difference
Page 3, City Council Regulaz Meeting August 29, 2017
meetings. City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz stated the state statutes referred to this t� as a motor
vehicle fee and the state statutes required how the money was to be used. Only persons and
businesses within the City would pay this fee. Discussion was held concerning a sunset on this
tax if the 1/2 cent sales tax was approved in 2018. Mayor Jensen stated the 1/2 cent sales tax
ballot issue would be brought back in 2018.
Motion by Paulick, second by Fitzke to approve Ordinance #9646.
Jerry Poels 3418 South De Ann Road wanted to see bigger trucks charged at a higher rate
because of the damage they do to city streets.
Motion by Jones, second by Haase that the Motor Vehicle fee sunset on September 30, 2019.
Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Fitzke, Donaldson, Hehnke, Haase, Jones, Stelk, and
Nickerson voted aye. Councilmembers Paulick, Steele, and Minton voted no. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9646 on first reading. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance
on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Paulick, Minton,
Fitzke, Donaldson, Hehnke, Jones, Stelk, and Nickerson voted aye. Councilmembers Steele and
Haase voted no. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9646 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,
Councilmembers Paulick, Minton, Fitzke, Donaldson, Hehnke, Jones, Stelk, and Nickerson
voted aye. Councilmembers Steele and Haase voted no. Motion adopted.
Mayor Jensen: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon second and final
readings, Ordinance #9646 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
#9647 - Consideration of Amending Chapter 23 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Natural Gas Fees
Finance Director Renae Jimenez reported that the City currently charged a natural gas
occupation tax that was based on 3% of gross receipts. If the occupation tax was based on therms
instead of gross receipts it is believed there would be a little more consistency in the amount
received. An estimate based on therms info showed that a 3 cent fee on residential and
commercial customers, with exception of only 1 cent fee on transport customers, would yield an
estimated increase of $370,000. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Donaldson, second by Jones to approve Ordinance #9647.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9647 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.
Page 4, City Council Regulaz Meeting, August 29, 2017
City Clerk: Ordinance #9647 on second and final reading. All those in favor of the passage of
this ordinance on second and iinal 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 #9647 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
#9648 - Consideration of Adding Section 40-38 for a Storm Water Fee to Chapter 40 of
the Grand Island City Code Related to Storm Water Management
Finance Director Renae Jimenez reported that the City of Grand Island currently had a
responsibility to regulate discharges to the City's storm drainage system as required by federal
and state law. Based on the number of water utility accounts, it was estimated this fee would
generate around $300,000 per year. The use of these funds would be dedicated to pay drainage
costs incurred by the Streets department along with the City's share of projects such as Moore's
Creek drainage extension, reducing the amount of resources needed from the general fund.
Proposed was $1 per month for residential, $5 per month for commercial, and $10 per month for
industrial. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Hehnke to approve Ordinance #9648.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9648 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 #9648 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 #9648 is declared to be lawFully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Donaldson, second by Paulick to approve the Consent
Agenda. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approvin�Appointment of Hector Rubio to the Interjurisdictional Plannin� Commission.
#2017-239 - A�rovin� Authorizing Clean Water State Revolvin Fg und (CWSRF) Loan.
OTHER ITEMS:
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to adjourn to
Executive Session at 8:29 p.m. for the purpose of a strategy session with respect to Labor
Negotiations with IAFF and IBEW - Utilities. Unanimously approved.
Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, August 29, 2017
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to return to Regular
Session at 9:21 p.m. Unanimously approved.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion and Possible Action re ag rding IAFF Collective Bar ag inin�greement. Human
Resources Director Aaron Schmid reported that the recommendation was a tentative labor
agreement between the City of Grand Island and the International Association of Firefighters
(IAFF). The current agreement was to expire September 30, 2017. The recommendation was for
a wage freeze for two years and a staffing level of 63 FTEs.
Phil Thomas, IAFF President stated they had a straw pole of the membership and there was
support from the Firefighters for this agreement.
Motion by Donaldson, second by Stelk to establish staffing levels for the Fireiighter/EMT,
Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Captain and Shift Commander at 63 FTEs for fiscal years ending
September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2019 contingent upon the IAFF's agreement that contract
pay steps remain at the present values throughout the same fiscal years. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk