08/11/2020 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 11, 2020
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 August 11, 2020. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on August 5, 2020.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Mike Paulick, Justin Scott, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Vaughn Minton,
Julie Hehnke, Clay Schutz, Mitch Nickerson, and Chuck Haase. Councilmember Jeremy Jones
was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Jerry Janulewicz, City
Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Patrick Brown, Interim City Attorney Stacy Nonhof and
Public Works Director John Collins.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Minton, second by Nickerson to adjourn to the
Board of Equalization. Motion adopted.
#2020-BE-2 - Consideration of Determining Benefits for Sanitary Sewer District No. 543;
Willow Street. Public Works Director John Collins reported that Starostka Group Unlimited, Inc.
of Grand Island, Nebraska was hired to perform work on Sanitary Sewer District No. 543 in the
amount of $402,798.85. Work was completed at a price of $365,223.08; with additional costs of
$57,172.63. The costs for this project would be assessed to the adjacent property. Staff
recommended approval.
Motion by Stelk, second by Schutz to approve Resolution #2020-BE-2. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Schutz, second by Hehnke to return to Regular
Session. Motion adopted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearin o� n Request from Amy J Schutte dba Bella Design & Decor, 110 East 3rd Street
for a Class "C" Liquor License. City Clerk RaNae Edwards reported that an application for a
Class "C" Liquor License had been received from Amy J. Schutte dba Bella Design & Decor,
110 East 3`d Street. Ms. Edwards presented the following exhibits for the record: application
submitted to the Liquor Control Commission and received by the City on July 20, 2020; notice to
the general public of date, time, and place of hearing published on August 1, 2020; notice to the
applicant of date, time, and place of hearing mailed on July 27, 2020. Staff recommended
approval contingent upon final inspections. 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:
Page 2, City Council Regulaz Meeting August 11, 2020
#9780 - Consideration of Amending Grand Island City Code Section 2-21 - City Council
Members Compensation
#9781 - Consideration of Salary Ordinance
#9782 - Consideration of Approving Benefits for Sanitary Sewer District No. 543;
Willow Street
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 Nickerson seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
#9780 - Consideration of Amending Grand Island City Code Section 2-21 - City Council
Members Compensation
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid reported that a wage survey was completed in 2019
which included a review of Council compensation. Array responses indicated the midpoint
compensation should be adjusted to eight thousand four hundred dollars ($8,400.00). The
proposed increase would become effective the first regular Council meeting in December with
the seating of the next Council. Under current law, the filing fee for city council was based upon
the salary in effect for council members as of November 30 of the year preceding the election.
Staff made no recommendation.
Motion by Minton, second by Nickerson to approve Ordinance #9780.
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Boulevard spoke in opposition. It was mentioned that there had
been only 2 increases in the past 19 years. Several comments were made about this not being the
right time for an increase.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9780 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 no. Motion failed.
#9781 - Consideration of Salary Ordinance
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid reported that a Salary Ordinance was presented each
year as a part of the budget process. Wage changes presented were for baxgaining units according
to their respective labor agreements and negotiated wages. Average union changes range from
zero to three percent. The Ordinance also included changes to the non-union positions. Changes
reflected a one and one half percent increase along with classification specific adjustments. The
adjustments were part of a three year plan to bring compensation closer to comparability of array
cities. A one-half percent increase in pension contribution had been factored into the non-union
rate calculations. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to approve Ordinance #9781.
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Boulevard spoke in support.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9781 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.
Page 3, City Council Regulaz Meeting, August 11, 2020
City Clerk: Ordinance #9781 on second and final reading. All those in favor of the passage of
this ordinance on second and final 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 #9781 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
#9782 - Consideration of Approving Benefits for Sanitary Sewer District No. 543;
Willow Street
This item was related to the above Board of Equalization item. Staff recommended approval.
Motion by Paulick, second by Minton to approve Ordinance #9782.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9782 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 #9782 on second and final reading. All those in favor of the passage of
this ordinance on second and final 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 #9782 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Consent Agenda item G-3 was removed for further discussion. Motion
by Paulick, second by Hehnke to approve the Consent Agenda excluding item G-3. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of July 27, 2020 Joint Health Department Meetin�.
Approving Minutes of Julv 28, 2020 City Council Regular Meetin�
Approving Request of Fonner Park Ex�osition and Events Center, Inc. (Heartland Events Center)
for Ratification of Nomination and Election of Board of Directors. City Clerk RaNae Edwards
reported this was item was done yearly to ratify the nomination and election of the Board of
Directors or the Heartland Events Center Board. Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Boulevard spoke
in support.
Motion by Stelk, second by Schutz to approve. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
#2020-181 - A�proving Request from Amy J Schutte, LLC dba Bella Design & Decor, 110 East
3rd Street, for a Class "C" Liquor License.
#2020-182 - Approvin� Bid Award - Electrostatic Precipitator Controls Upgrade with The
Babcock & Wilcox Company of Newport News, Vir�inia in an Amount of $177,790.80.
Page 4, City Council Regulaz Meeting, August 11, 2020
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#2020-183 - Approving Bid Award - Precipitatar Bottom Ash & Industrial Cleaning at Platte
Generatin� Station - Fall 2020 with AIMS Com�anies of Scottsdale, Arizona in an Amount of
$163,346.25.
#2020-184 - Approving PGS Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Groundwater Services - Task
#15 with HDR En in�g, Inc. in an Amount no to exceed $35,600.00.
#2020-185 - A�provin� Memorandum of Understanding between the Citv of Grand Island and
the Union Local No. 1597, IBEW, AFL-CIO (Utilities Department�
#2020-186 - Approving Annual Papment for Utility Billing Software Su�port with N. Harris
Computer Corporation dba Advanced Utilit�ystems of Chicago, Illinois in an Amount of
$86,270.69.
#2020-187 - Approving Amendment No. 2 to En ing eering Consulting A�reement for SanitarY
Sewer Collection System Rehabilitation— Downtown; Project No. 2019-5-1, Phase II with
Olsson, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska for an Increase of $35,888.00 and a Revised Contract
Amount of $178,801.00.
#2020-188 - Approving 2019 Communitv Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response
Amendment.
#2020-189 - Approving Subordination Request for Tom and Cind,�Tjaden located at 114
Cherokee Avenue.
RESOLUITONS:
#2020-190 - Consideration of A� roving FY 2020-2021 Annual Budget for Railside Business
Improvement District and Setting Date for Board of Equalization. Finance Director Patrick
Brown reported that the City had received the 2020-2021 budget that provided for a total special
assessment of $119,985.06 within the Railside Business Improvement District. It was
recommended that the Board of Equalization on the proposed assessments be set for September
8, 2020.
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Boulevard spoke in support. Amos Anson representing the
Railside Business Improvement District answered questions regarding what effort had taken
place on the north side of the tracks. He explained they would have to create a district or expand
the Railside district. Cara Lemburg, 1507 West 1 St Street stated since the pandemic they had lost
3 businesses downtown. Cindy Johnson representing the Chamber of Commerce commented on
the changes since COVID-19 and the challenges for all businesses in Grand Island.
Motion by Hehnke, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2020-190. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2020-191 - Consideration of Approving FY 2020-2021 Annual Bud�et for Fonner Park
Business Improvement District and Settin� Date for Board of Equalization. Finance Director
Patrick Brown reported that the City had received the 2020-2021 budget that provided for a total
special assessment of $49,490.00 within the Fonner Park Business Improvement District. It was
Page 5, City Council Regulaz Meedng, August 11, 2020
recommended that the Board of Equalization on the proposed assessments be set for September
8, 2020.
Motion by Minton, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2020-191. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2020-192 - Consideration of Approvin� FY 2020-2021 Annual Bud�et for South Locust Street
Business Improvement District and Settin� Date for Board of Equalization. Finance Director
Patrick Brown reported that the City had received the 2020-2021 budget that provided for a total
special assessment of $93,233.00 within the South Locust Street Business Improvement District.
It was recommended that the Board of Equalization on the proposed assessments be set for
September 8, 2020.
Motion by Paulick, second by Minton to approve Resolution #2020-192. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Minton, second by Conley to approve the payment of claims for the period of July 29,
2020 through August 11, 2020 for a total amount of $4,778,117.91. Upon roll call vote, all voted
aye. Motion adopted.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Review of Capital Equipment, Parks Projects, and Overall Bud�et Discussion. Finance Director
Patrick Brown presented the Capital Improvement 400 Funds. Public Works Capital projects
totaled $1,585,500.00. The 410 Fund included Capital equipment which was for computers -
$50,000.00; Fire -$1,202,000.00; Police — 524,315.00; Emergency Management — 87,000.00;
Streets Capital equipment -$877,702.00; Library — 720,000.00; and Parks Department Capital
equipment and golf -$393,300.00 for a total of $3,854,317.00 in the 410 Fund.
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt answered questions regarding Fire Station 2 expansion which was for
dorms. He stated on August 26, 2020 there would be an open house at the new Fire Station 4.
Library Director Steve Fosselman answered questions regarding the new HVAC system that was
needed at the library.
Reviewed were the Parks projects for 2021 totaling $1,612,500; 2022 -$1,475,000; and 2023 -
$1,050,000. Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy answered questions regarding adding
roads to the old cemetery. He stated asphalting the new cemetery was pretty much done. The
plan for Stolley Park was to replace the wading pool with a splash pad in 2022. Mr. Brown stated
sales tax was down 7.3% for July. All revenues were down for the month of July but not as much
as expected which was encouraging.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
�, ,, � . �_
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk