09/10/2019 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
September 10, 2019
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular 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 September 10, 2019. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island
Independent on September 4, 2019.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Mike Paulick, Jeremy 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 Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Patrick
Brown, Interim City Attorney Stacy Nonhof, and Assistant Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
INVOCATION was given by Father pon Buhrman, St. Leo's Catholic Church, 2410 South
Blaine Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to adjourn to the Board
of Equalization. Motion adopted.
#2019-BE-6 (B)- Consideration of Determinin� Benefits for Railside Business Improvement
District Finance Director Patrick Brown reported that the City Council in its capacity as the
Board of Equalization was required to determine the benefits for Railside BID. Special
assessments were for the amount of $119,256.08 (70%) or $119,986.62 (100%). Presented were
two Resolutions with the 70% and 100% assessment for owner occupied residents. Staff
recommended approval of the 70% assessments.
Motion by Stelk, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2019-BE-6 (B). Upon roll call vote,
all voted aye. Motion adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Minton, second by Jones to return to Regular
Session. Motion adopted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Setting the Property Tax Request for FY 2019-2020. Finance Director Patrick
Brown reported that LB 103 was signed into law in 2019. If the City of Grand Island seeks to set
its property t� request at an amount that exceeds its property tax request from the prior year, it
may do so after holding a public hearing and by passing a resolution or ordinance. The 2019
valuations for the City of Grand Island increased over the 2018 valuation by $106,550,320 or
3.41%. If the City applied the FY2018-2019 mill levy of 0.3979 to the current valuation of
$3,231,585,947, the City's Property Tax revenue would be $12,858,610, a tax increase of
$423,968 over the prior year. Staff made no recommendation. No public testimony was heard.
Page 2, City Council Regulaz Meeting, September 10, 2019
Public Hearin� on Downtown Improvement Parkin� District #2 (Ram�) Budget A�propriation
for FY 2019-2020. Finance Director Patrick Brown reported that the Downtown Improvement
District #2 (Ramp) was not requesting an increase in Property Tax thereby reducing the mill levy
from 0.0174 to 0.0171. The Downtown Improvement District #2 (Ramp) Property Tax revenue
request was $8,080. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on FY 2019-2020 Annual Sin l�y Bud�et and the Annual A�ropriations
Bill. Finance Director Patrick Brown reported that State Statute Sections 13-501 to 13-513
required the governing body meet for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism,
suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget. The City Council must
pass an ordinance by majority vote to adopt "The Annual Appropriations Bill." Staff
recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
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:
#9747 - Consideration of Approving FY2019-2020 Annual Single City Budget and the
Annual Appropriations Bill
#9748 (B) - Consideration of Approving Assessments for Railside Business Improvement
District
#9749 - Consideration of Vacation of a Portion of Waugh Street, Garfield Avenue, and
Grant Avenue within Scarff's Addition to West Lawn Subdivision
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 Hehnke seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
#9747 - Consideration of Approving FY2019-2020 Annual Single City Budget and the
Annual Appropriations Bill
This item was related to the aforementioned Public Hearing.
Motion by Paulick, second by Jones to approve Ordinance #9747.
Comments were made regarding this year's process of the budget, declining cash balance and not
compliant with fiscal policies. Spending was increasing and revenues were decreasing.
Discussion was held regaxding the 7.75 FTE's and the impact of funding or not funding those
positions. Mayor Steele stated he had created a committee to work on the budget and instituted a
hiring freeze. He encouraged the Council to reduce the appropriations for the 7.75 FTE's that
were approved on August 6, 2019. Discussion was held regarding voting on Resolution #2018-
284 before a vote on Ordinance No. 9747. Councilmembers Paulick and Jones withdrew their
motion and second.
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Page 3, Ciry Council Regulaz Meeting, September 10, 2019
RESOLUTION:
#2019-284 (B) - Consideration of Settin� the General Propertv Tax Request for FY 2019-2020.
This item was related to the aforementioned Public Hearing.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Haase to approve Resolution #2019-284 (B).
Discussion was held regarding valuations, property tax increase, tax rate, and LB 103. After
much confusion regarding the motion Councilmembers Nickerson and Haase withdrew their
motion and second.
#2019-284 (A) - Consideration of Setting the General Propertv Tax Request for FY 2019-2020.
Motion by Paulick, second by Jones to approve. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Nickerson,
Hehnke, Minton, Conley, Stelk, Jones, and Paulick voted aye. Councilmember Haase voted no.
Motion adopted.
Mayor Steele vetoed the General Property Tax increase in the amount of $423,968 as stated in
Resolution #2019-284 (A). Mayor Steele stated his reason for the veto was that we do not have
an income problem we have a spending problem due to the 7.75 FTE's the Council approved on
August 6, 2019.
Motion by Paulick, second by Nickerson to override the Mayor's veto of Resolution #2019-284
(A). Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Nickerson, Hehnke, Minton, Conley, Jones, and
Paulick voted aye. Councilmembers Haase and Stelk voted no. Motion failed.
#2019-284 (B) - Consideration of Setting the General Property Tax Request for FY 2019-2020.
Discussion was held regarding what would happen if the Council did not approve this
Resolution. Interim City Attorney Stacy Nonhof explained LB 103 and that if there was no
decision on this item the City would not be able to receive any money. The deadline to be
submitted was October 13th. Mr. Brown stated the budget had to be in to the state by September
20t".
Motion by Haase, second by Minton to approve Resolution #2019-284 (B). Upon roll call vote,
Councilmembers Haase, Nickerson, Hehnke, Minton, Conley, Stelk, and Jones voted aye.
Councilmember Paulick voted no. Motion adopted.
Ordinances:
#9747 - Consideration of Approving FY2019-2020 Annual Single City Budget and the
Annual Appropriations Bill
This item was related to the aforementioned Public Hearing.
Page 4, City Council Regulaz Meeting, September 1Q 2019
Motion by Minton, second by Stelk to approve Ordinance No. 9747.
Motion by Minton, second by Haase to amend the motion to include the reduction of the
property tax request of $423,968. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Haase, Nickerson,
Minton, Conley, and Stelk voted aye. Councilmembers Hehnke, Jones, and Paulick voted no.
Mayor Steele made the sixth and deciding vote. Motion adopted.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Stelk to amend the motion to reduce the FTE's by 7.75 as
approved on August 6, 2019. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Haase, Nickerson, Hehnke,
Minton, and Stelk voted aye. Councilmembers Conley, Jones, and Paulick voted no. Mayor
Steele made the sixth and deciding vote. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9747 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 Haase, Nickerson,
Hehnke, Minton, Conley, Stelk, and Jones voted aye. Councilmember Paulick voted no. Motion
adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9747 on second and final reading. All those in favor of the passage of
this ordinance on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Haase,
Nickerson, Hehnke, Minton, Conley, Stelk, and Jones voted aye. Councilmember Paulick voted
no. Motion adopted.
Mayor Steele: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon second and final
readings, Ordinance #9747 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
#9748 (B) - Consideration of Approving Assessments for Railside Business Improvement
District
This item was related to the aforementioned Board of Equalization.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Stelk to approve Ordinance No. 9748 (B).
City Clerk: Ordinance #9748 (B) on iirst 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 #9747 (B) on second and final 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.
Mayor Steele: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon second and final
readings, Ordinance #9747 (B) is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required
by law.
Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting September 10, 2019
#9749 - Consideration of Vacation of a Portion of Waugh Street, Garfield Avenue, and
Grant Avenue within Scarff's Addition to West Lawn Subdivision
Public Works Director John Collins reported that to allow for the continued development of
Grand Island Senior High Stadiuxn the City has received a request to vacate a portion of Waugh
Street, Garfield Avenue, and Grant Avenue, which were located within Scarff's Addition to West
Lawn Subdivision. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Haase, second by Hehnke to approve Ordinance #9749.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9749 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 #9749 on second and final 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.
Mayor Steele: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon second and final
readings, Ordinance #9749 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Paulick, second by Conley to approve the Consent Agenda.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approvin� Minutes of August 27, 2019 City Council Regular Meetin�.
Approving Appointment of Michelle Fitzke to the Animal Advisory Board.
#2019-268 - A�proving Certificate of Final Completion for Water Main Project 2018-W-8 -
Riverside Drive and Holcomb Street with The Diamond En in�eer'�n�Companv of Grand Island,
Nebraska.
#2019-269 - A�proving the Coal Su�plv for Platte Generatin� Station for 2020 - 2022 with
Cloud Peak Ener�v.
#2019-270 - A�proving the Renewal of Utilities Property Peril, Fire and Terrorism Insurance
with Factory Mutual Insurance Companv of St. Louis, Missouri for 2019-2020 in an Amount of
$447 617.00 and Terrorism Insurance Covera�e in an Amount of $24,474.00.
#2019-271 - A�proving Certificate of Final Completion for Lift Station No. 20 Up�rade and
Force Main Rehabilitation & Lift Station No. 14 Abandonment; Project No. 2017-5-1 with The
Diamond En in�eering Companv of Grand Island, Nebraska.
#2019-272 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Curb Ramp Project No. 2019-CR-1
with The Diamond En ing eering Companv of Grand Island, Nebraska.
Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, September 10, 2019
#2019-273 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Chip Seal Project No. 2019-CS-1
with Topkote, Inc. of Yankton, South Dakota.
#2019-274 - Approving Chan�e Order No. 2 for Sugar Beet Ditch Drainage; Project No. 2019-
D-1 with Starostka Group Unlimited, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska for an Increase of
$19,013.11 and a Revised Contract Amount of $116,331.84.
#2019-275 - A�provin� Bid Award for Drainage Ditch Grading, Excavatin�, and Haulin 2g 019=
2020 with Harders Dozer & Scraper, LLC of Cairo, Nebraska.
#2019-276 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Curb Ramp Project No. 2019-CR-2
CDBG with Galvan Construction, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska.
#2019-277 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for 13th Street Pavin� Improvements;
Project No. 2018-P-1 and 13th Street Water Main Improvements; Project No. 2018-W-5 with
Blessing Construction of Kearney, Nebraska.
#2019-278 - A�proving Alterations of New Bucket Truck/Sign Truck for the Streets Division of
the Public Works Department with Altec Industries, Inc. in an Amount of $7,423.00.
#2019-279 - A�proving 2019 GIPD and HCSO Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Application and
Fundin�. Councilmember Jones abstained.
#2019-280 - A rovin�Fiscal Year 2019-2020 VOCA Grant Award.
#2019-281 - Approving CDBG Project 2018-6 Sub-Recipient Agreement with Hope Harbor.
#2019-282 - A�provin� Bid Award of (7) 500 E ATA Trap Machines with Wobble Options for
the Heartland Public Shooting Park with MCS Trap of Smithville, Missouri in an Amount of
$44,015.00.
#2019-283 — A�proving Bid Award for Tree Grinding and Haulin� with O'Neill Wood
Resources, LLC of Alda, Nebraska in an Amount of $108,100.00.
RESOLUTION:
#2019-285 - Consideration of Settin� the Downtown Improvement Parking District #2 (Ramp�
for FY 2019-2020. This item relates to the aforementioned Public Hearing.
Motion by Minton, second by Hehnke to approve Resolution #2019-285. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
Page 7, City Council Regular Meeting September 10, 2019
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Minton, second by Jones to approve the payment of claims for the period of August
28, 2019 through September 10, 2019 for a total amount of $4,787,785.67. Upon roll call vote,
all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
�, , . � � �-
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk