04/02/2019 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Apri12, 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
April 2, 2019. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on March 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, Jeremey Jones, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Vaughn
Minton, Julie Hehnke, Mitch Nickerson, and Chuck Haase. Councilmember Clay Schutz was
absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Brent Clark, City Clerk
RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Patrick Brown, City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz and Public
VVorks Director John Collins.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Veterans Home Campus Update. Mayor Steele stated he brought this topic forward to update the
Council and the community regarding the Veterans Home property.
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity gave a history on the 640 acres that was designated as
the Central Nebraska Veterans Home over 130 years ago. He stated the Veterans Club had a 99
year lease on their 10 acres of property.
City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz answered questions regarding the Veterans Cemetery. He said
the Council would have to approve a Memorandum of Understanding for the City to take over
the care of this cemetery.
Reported was that the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) had estimated their costs
for utilities and ground maintenance at approximately $1,000,000 annually. The City of Grand
Island was waiting on State approval of a Memorandum of Agreement for the transfer of the
Veteran's Cemetery for the care and maintenance of the Cemetery. The Parks and Recreation
Department would care for and maintain the cemetery beginning this spring.
City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz reviewed the Programmatic Agreement and Memorandum of
Agreement for the potential transfer of the former Grand Island Veterans Home (GIVH) Phase 2.
The Programmatic Agreement was completed in 2015 and imposed upon the State certain
obligations regarding the GIVH site. Elements of the Programmatic Agreement included:
A Historic Property Identification and Site Survey
1. Resource count and description of property
2. Site map
Page 2, City Council Study Session, Apri12, 2019
3. History
4. Recommendations for placement on Historic Property Registry
5. Historic resources to be considered as part of the reuse plan
DHHS and DAS would ensure the continued maintenance of all facilities and support resources
through the duration of the Programmatic Agreement.
Reviewed was the Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Nebraska and the City of
Grand Island regarding the transfer of the Central Nebraska Veterans Home lands and buildings.
Prior to the Phase I transfer funding for building demolition was discussed, there was no legally
binding commitment by the State to provide funds. After Phase I, DAS informed the City there
were no State funds to accompany the transfer of the property to the City.
It was not reasonable or responsible for the City to assume financial responsibility for the
campus. The farm income from the Phase I transfer was insufficient to pay campus utilities,
building maintenance, and other operating expenses.
The Nebraska Department of Administrative Services informed the City of the following
Disposition Plan:
l. DAS would transmit a Request for Information and Proposals (RFI/RFP) to potential
developers
2. DAS would review responses and select adequate responses to proceed for consideration
by a redevelopment team
3. A DAS appointed redevelopment team would review and prioritize proposals
4. DAS would host a community input session on the proposal selected by the
redevelopment team; and
5. The selected proposal would be sent to the City for review
City Administration offered to assume responsibility for the Veterans Cemetery through a
Memorandum of Agreement between the State and DAS with the City. Due to the uncertainty of
the development process the State and the United Veterans Club entered into a new long term
lease agreement for the 10 acre tract used by the club for parking and ball parks.
The City of Grand Island was seeking redevelopment of the Veterans Home in a manner that
would accomplish the following goals:
1. Provide a sustainable, positive economic and social impact for the immediate area and
the City
2. Provide a benefit to veterans, such as house, social services or meeting other needs; and
3. Avoid a negative impact on the City's budget
Discussion was held regarding the timeline for this property. Mr. Janulewicz stated DAS wanted
to get rid of the property as soon as possible because of the cost. DAS would put together a RFP
and go out for bids for the sale of this property. It was possible a developer could come in with a
plan to redevelop this property but there would be costs associated with any development.
Mentioned were environmental assessment on the property, asepsis, lead paint, and inspections.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, Apri12, 2019
DAS would not give the City the opportunity to walk through the buildings to see the condition
they were in.
The following people spoke:
• Paul Wicht, 1708 Jerry Drive
• Mike Gloor, 2120 Barbara Avenue
• Gary Quandt, 609 West 14�' Street
• Phil Beckett, 2110 East Stolley Park Road
• Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd
• Ron Grabowski, 1621 Summeriield Avenue
• Dennis Wagoner, 1310 Dodge Street, Wood River
• Kayleen Riley, 421 East 14t" Street
The Mayor and Council thanked those who attended and those who served our country.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
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