06/19/2018 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 19, 2018
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
June 19, 2018. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 13,
2018.
Mayor Jeremey L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following
Councilmembers were present: Mitch Nickerson, Jeremy Jones, Chuck Haase, Linna Dee
Donaldson, Michelle Fitzke, Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmembers
Julie Hehnke and Mark Stelk were absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Assistant Finance Director William
Clingman, City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz and Public Works Director John Collins.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Discussion on Estimated Revenues FY 2019. City Administrator Marlan Ferguson reported that
on June 12, 2018 the City Council passed a resolution approving a balanced budget for the
general fund. In order to do that it was estimated that the base 2018 budget plus 2% increase
would be allowed. The administration had been meeting with the Department Directors on their
proposed budgets.
Interim Finance Director William Clingman stated the projected revenues for 2019 was
estimated at $40,889,399.65. He stated there was a$400,000.00 increase in the Municipal
Equalization Funds over last year. Questions were answered regarding the Fire Departments
revenues. The increase in property valuations would increase the revenues the City would
receive.
Further Discussion on Balanced Bud�et Spreadsheet and Pie Chart. Assistant Finance Director
William Clingman reviewed the updated pie chart to date. Projected ending cash balance for
2018 was $10,757.763.00.
Mayor Jensen mentioned that Administration had worked hard getting this information out to the
Council. Mr. Clingman stated they had met with all the Department Director's and everyone held
close to the 2% increase in their budgets. There were only 2 new FTE's planned for the General
Fund. Mayor stated the expenses and revenues submitted were sustainable.
Discussion was held concerning the 1/2 cent sales tax. Mr. Clingman stated it could possibly
bring in between $5 to $6 million dollars which could offset Capital projects. The easiest way to
use those funds would be to offset the Capital equipment funds which would include Public
Safety equipment. Mentioned was that the wheel tax would sunset in a few years.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 19, 2018
Comments were made concerning open positions in the Police Department. Police Chief Robert
Falldorf stated there were two reductions in the force last year and they had two open positions
now. There were three in training. Three officers were on light duty which made the Patrol
Division down ten officers to date. He stated they could hire officers ahead of time but had to
wait for the Training Center for a class to open up.
Mentioned was a cop's grant that was awarded last year but wasn't used. The grant was for three
years and could be extended. Chief Falldorf commented on overtime. He stated typically when
you were down officers there was more overtime. Holiday pay was considered overtime.
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid answered questions concerning the open positions for
the Police Department and the turn-over. Hiring Police Officers was a lengthy process especially
if they had to go through training. Comments were made by Council about hiring two more
Police Officers. Mr. Schmid stated they could be more proactive if employees would give them
at least a 60 day window before they retired so they could hire a new person for that position.
Police Chief Falldorf stated the cost of training for a Police Officer was $4,000.00 to $5,000.00.
Mentioned was Airport Security had to be covered by a sworn certified Nebraska Officer for
each flight which took up several hours of the Officers time taking him/her off the street. The
City was reimbursed but didn't cover the cost. Mayor Jensen suggested using retired officers for
this security.
Comments were made that in order to hire a certified officer the City could consider looking at
paying at a higher step or a lateral move. Kearny paid a hiring bonus which worked welL Mr.
Schmid explained the process of hiring a Police Officer. These positions go through several Civil
Service Committee meetings. Mayor Jensen stated that both the IAFF and FOP union contracts
would be coming up for negotiation next year. There were currently four union contracts up this
year.
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt commented on his department. He stated in the past he had asked for
more personnel and would continue to do so to staff a third ambulance. They were seeing more
calls and would have to call in off duty personnel. They were doing the best they could with
what they had. Last year IAFF froze their salaries to keep positions from being cut from the
budget.
Discussion on Non-Departmental Fund and Transfers Out. Mr. Clingman presented the transfers
out for a total of $3,835,000.00.
Discussion was held regarding the wheel tax which was designated to the Street Department.
Proposed for 2019 was $1.5 million.
Comments were made concerning ending cash balance and reserves. Mayor Jensen cautioned the
Council of spending down the cash reserves. Reviewed were personnel services in the next four
years. Mr. Schmid commented on the health insurance fund. Mr. Clingman stated the self-
insurance fund was doing well and should finish strong at year end.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, June 19, 2018
Utilizing Food and Beverage Tax for New Ballfield Maintenance. Parks & Recreation Director
Todd McCoy reviewed the tentative capital projects in his department. The biggest project was
the Veterans Athletic Complex construction. Mentioned were the maintenance issues at Island
Oasis which needed to be addressed in the next three years at a cost of $1 million. With the
expansion of the Veterans Athletic Complex they would need more employees.
Mr. Clingman reviewed the Food & Beverage cash that had been collected and what was
projected for the next ten years.
Comments were made by Council concerning taking care of what we have before we start new
proj ects.
Public Works Director John Collins answered questions concerning recapturing consulting fees.
Council complimented staff on the process of this year's budget and seeing the numbers in
advance.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk