03/05/2019 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 5, 2019
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
March 5, 2019. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on February
27, 2019.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mike Paulick. Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Vaughn Minton, Clay Schutz, Julie
Hehnke, Mitch Nickerson, and Chuck Haase. Councilmembers Jeremy Jones and Jason Conley
were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Brent Clark, City
Clerk Pro Tem Aaron Schmid, Finance Director Patrick Brown, City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz
and Public Works Director John Collins.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Infrastructure Needs. Public Works Director John Collins reported that historically each budget
year $4,000,000.00 was allocated to the Public Works Capital Improvement Program for Gas
Tax Funded projects. This was often supplemented with state and federal grants. Reviewed was a
project list, 10 year plan and fiscally constrained roadway projects.
Mr. Collins explained how projects were selected. Factors include the Long Range
Transportation Plan (LRPT) and local needs/concerns. Collins discussed how solutions to
problems are determined. Budget considerations were reviewed. Council asked questions about
the ability to fund projects considering half-cent sales tax.
Wastewater infrastructure needs were presented. Needs included; physical facilities, plant
operations, project studies, collection system rehabilitation, lift station and system upgrades,
assessment and tap districts and sanitary sewer conflict mitigation. Council followed with
discussion of annexation in regards to assessment and tap districts.
Streets & Drainage Projects. A list of projects was displayed. Mr. Collins went into specific
discussion of projects currently under review including Old Potash Highway and North Road.
Council asked clarifying questions about the projects currently under review. Pat Brown,
Finance Director, explained capital projects projections over the next ten years. Council
followed with inquiries regarding impact of new sales tax and project needs beyond large
projects presented in tonight's discussion. Discussion from Council about potentially closing
entrances on portions of Diers Avenue. Further discussion on coordination of multiple projects
and the impact on the community.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, March 5, 2019
Roundabouts. Mr. Collins reviewed how a roundabout operates and safety considerations.
Shane King, Olsson Associates, reviewed traffic signal history, traffic signal concepts, a
February 2017 intersection design study and observations, ApriUMay 2017 Safety Fund Request
to NDOT and October 2018 LPA Project NTP,
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Group Discussion.
Councilmember Chuck Haase presented. The intent of this discussion group was to review the
TIF process and see if there are opportunities to enhance the public accountability with a Council
recommendation and policy. The group presented the following guidelines for consideration;
definition of TIF intent, reverse blighting implementation, transparency of activities, presenting
TIF project to Council, review of the "but for" clause, length of TIF projects and review of
attachments. Council discussion followed regarding the guidelines. Discussion committee will
come forward with a policy to consider at a future date.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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Aaron Schmid
City Clerk Pro Tem