07/16/2019 Minutes�
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 16, 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
July 16, 2019. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 10,
2019.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mike Paulick, Jeremey Jones, Jason Conley, Clay Schutz, Mitch Nickerson, and
Chuck Haase. Councilmembers Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Vaughn Minton, and Julie Hehnke
were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Jerry Janulewicz,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Patrick Brown, and Public Works Director John
Collins.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said:
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Review Wastewater Division Budget for FY 2019/2020. Public Works Director John Collins
reviewed the Wastewater Division - 10 Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The 10 year
CIP average was $2,485,750 and the 5 year CIP average was $2,909,600.
The Wastewater Division was an Enterprise Fund that relied on revenues collected from
community residents, businesses, and industries to fund all operations and capital improvements.
The average residential bill for 2018 was $31.19. Mr. Collins gave an overview of the
Wastewater Division and the FY 2019 Capital Projects which totaled $3,405,585.
The following projects were presented:
• Lift Station No. 11 Relocation -$400,000 (est.) Carry over from FY 2019
• Facility Security - $50,000 (ongoing)
• Diffuser Replacement -$50,000 (Maintenance — Included in Operating Costs)
• Final Clarifier Rehabilitation -$400,000 (Maintenance — Included in Operating Costs)
• Capital Equipment: Flusher Truck - $350,000
• Capital Equipment: Biosolids Duxnp Truck -$180,000
• Dewatering Model - $150,000
• Assessment Districts (Willow Street Neighborhood & Hanover Subdivision) -$1,570,000
The total 2020 CIP Projects costs were $3,010,000. Reviewed were the 2020 Capital Project
future expenses which totaled $25,482,643 through 2024. Mentioned were several Wastewater
Operation Awards received.
Discussion was held regarding the 5 year Capital Project Future Expenses which were adjusted
3% for inflation for each year. Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Dr. John Menough
Page 2, City Council Study Session, July 16, 2019
answered questions regarding the capacity of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Collins stated
they were looking at a small rate increase over several years.
Review Electrical Enterprise Fund. Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger stated both the electrical
and water were dependent on the weather. Reviewed were the budget guidelines of budgeting
low revenues and high operating costs. They maintain adequate cash reserves and manage
controllable operating expenses and capital expenditures.
Cash reserve considerations were: working capital, replacement power, asset replacement,
Capital Improvement Reserve, and Debt Service Reserve. The proposed Electric Fund budget
was $36,655,000 and the Water Fund budget was $4,123,000 for FY 2019-2020.
The following Electric Capital Improvements were presented with a total Capital Budget of
$13,230,000:
• Transmission and Substation Upgrades - $1,350,000
• Bond payments - $3,225,000
• Distribution improvements - $4,275,000
o $1,150,000 Automated metering/LED lighting
• Power plant maintenance/improvements - $4,340,000
o $2,650,000 Burdick decommissioning/GT modifications
Mr. Luchsinger stated the Burdick Steam Unit had been decommissioned and a Gas Turbine
(GT-1) would be replaced. This would be a 4 to 5 year project at a total cost of $15 to $20
million.
Discussion was held regarding cash on hand, bonding, and upgrades to the Burdick Plant.
Review Water Enterprise Fund. Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger reviewed the following Water
Capital Improvements with a total Capital Budget of $2,405,000:
Bond payments - $305,000
Distribution improvements - $1,740,000
Production improvements $360,000
Review Solid Waste Bud�et for FY 2019/2020. Public Works Director John Collins presented
the Solid Waste Budget for FY 2019/2020.
Mr. Collins stated they received no funding from the General Fund and all revenues were
generated from tipping fees. This was one of the few divisions within the City that had
competition. They served both residents and non-residents. He stated the landfill had 20 years of
life left in the current area which included Cells 1, 2& 3 and approximately 28 years of life were
left in the total Phase 1 area.
Mentioned were notable items in FY 2019 with continued routine capital replacement schedule
within the Transfer Station and Landfill. The Landfill Cell 3 construction project had been
completed and the Transfer Station operations and facility improvement study was progressing.
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Page 3, City Council Study Session, July 16, 2019
The following 2020 Budget Capital expenditures were presented:
• Landfill GPS software and machine display -$70,000
Used dozer for landfill for use as back-up machine and other dirt work -$275,000
Replacement of transfer station wheel loader -$150,000, truck-tractor $110,000 and
transfer trailer - $70,000
Transfer station and landfill concrete replacements
Mentioned was a proposed rate increase for FY 2020. They were looking at a 10% increase at the
transfer station and a 4% increase at the landfill. Solid Waste Superintendent Jeff Wattier
answered questions regarding traffic along Old Potash. Discussion was held concerning future
expansion money and administrative services.
Review Capital Improvement Projects for FY 2019/2020. Public Works Director John Collins
reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects for FY 2019/2020.
The following Capital Improvement Projects for 2019/2020 for a total amount of $7,436,447
were presented:
• Old Potash Highway, North Road to Webb Road -$2,365,000
• Annual Curb Ramp Installation - $154,500
• Broadwell/LJPRR Grade Separation Feasibility Study -$410,000
• North Road, 13�' Street to Highway 2-$3,654,397
• North Road, Old Potash Highway to 13th Street -$100,000
• North Road, US Highway 30 to Old Potash Highway -$90,000
• Five Points Intersection Improvements - $102,000
• South Front Street Bridge Replacement & Sycamore Street Underpass Rehab -$170,000
• Capital Avenue, Moores Creek to North Road -$90,000
• Custer Avenue, Forrest Street to Old Potash Highway -$77,250
• Eddy Street Underpass Rehabilitation - $103,000
• Webb Road Paving Assessment (City share) -$120,000
• Kaufman Detention Cell Outlet - $450,000
• Storm Sewer Mapping - $500,000
• North Moores Creek 80 Wetland Detention Design -$200,00
• North Front Street at Webb Road
Total 2020 Capital Improvement requests were $8,586,447 of which $154,500 was mandated
and $512,000 was funding for Federal Aid projects.
Mr. Collins answered questions concerning a round-a-bout at Five Points intersection. He stated
there would be a public hearing on September 5, 2019 regarding this. Mentioned was the safety
of using round-a-bouts. Comments were made regarding the 1/2 cent sales tax going towards
equipment, street projects, and public safety. Mentioned was the need to fix sidewalks to meet
ADA requirements.
Councilmember Nickerson was absent at 8:45 p.m.
Page 4, City Council Study Session, July 16, 2019
Review FTE Rec�uests for FY 2019/2020. Finance Director Patrick Brown gave the following
overview of the FTE requests by department:
• City Clerk — add Deputy City Clerk/Media Relations to the City Clerk Department (1.0
FTE)
• Library — add three part-time employees (1.5 FTE's)
• Public Information Office — move the Audio/Visual Technician from General Fund to
Information Technology (Internal Service Fund)
• Building — add 0.40 FTE to existing position (moving from 0.35 FTE to 0.75 FTE)
• Police — add (3) Lieutenants and subtract (1) Captain and (2) Sergeants (net zero FTE
change but would impact the General Fund by $7,070)
• Fire — add (6) FTE's for a third advance life support ambulance
• Parks — Cemetery — add 0.50 Seasonal FTE
• Parks — Heartland Public Shooting Park/Fieldhouse — add 0.25 Customer Service
Representative (increasing existing CSR from 0.75 to 1.00)
• Parks — Greenhouse — add (3) seasonal workers for 0.80 FTE
Discussion was held concerning the revenue from Cable TV that went to the General Fund to
help pay for GITV.
Library Director Steve Fosselman introduced Library Board President Ed Meedel, 4258 Augusta
Parkway who spoke in support of the additional employee requests. Mr. Fosselman answered
questions regarding staff. He stated three were bilingual and they had approximately 200
volunteers. Mentioned was the need of a bookmobile or outreach vehicle. It was suggested they
look at the Library Foundation to fund this.
Building Department Director Craig Lewis stated he was requesting an additional 0.40 FTE to
increase the part-time position to provide service for the permit counter, inspection scheduling
and plan processing.
Police Chief Robert Falldorf stated he didn't have much to add from last week's meeting. He
stated by restructuring he would reduce his operating expenses by $20,000.00 to help cover the
extra costs.
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt stated he was requesting an additional six FTE's for a third advance life
support ambulance. Fire Division Chief Russ Blackburn gave a PowerPoint presentation
regarding the history of the ambulance division, changes in Grand Island, call volume over the
years, and reason why calls were increasing due to an aging community.
Discussion was held regarding the new hospital which would increase the number of transports.
The collection rate on ambulance bills was around 80%. 15% of the patients did not have
insurance. Revenues were discussed. Chief Schmidt stated transports were the best alternative to
increase the revenue for the department. Zachery Moul, 503 Johnson Drive spoke in support.
Parks & Recreation Director Todd McCoy stated they were requesting an additional 0.50
seasonal FTE for the Veteran's Cemetery. This position would not be hired until the City took
Page 5, City Council Study Session, July 16, 2019
over the Veteran's Cemetery. Heartland Public Shooting Park/Fieldhouse had grown and they
were requesting 0.25 Customer Service Representative to increase the existing CSR to a full time
position. This position would be used at the Fieldhouse. The Greenhouse was asking for an
additional3 seasonal workers for an additiona10.80 FTE.
The following people from "Friends of the Park" spoke in support of the three additional
employees for the Greenhouse:
• James Truell, 903 West Division Street
• Vicki Duel, 2515 Jan Street
• Cindy Miller, 927 Claussen Avenue
City Administrator Jerry Janulewicz answered questions concerning a paralegal position in the
City Attorney's office. He stated they would be looking for a new City Attorney and would leave
that decision to the new City Attorney.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk