10/18/2022 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 18, 2022
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
October 18, 2022. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on October
12, 2022.
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, Bethany Guzinski,
Mitch Nickerson, Michelle Fitzke, and Maggie Mendoza. Councilmembers Vaughn Minton and
Chuck Haase were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Jerry
Janulewicz, Deputy City Clerk Jill Granere, Finance Director Patrick Brown, City Attorney
Laura McAloon and Interim Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation on Veteran's Home Cemetery Headstone Strai htenin� Project Update• Todd
McCoy, Parks and Recreation Director gave an update on the Grand Island Veteran's Home
Cemetery Headstone Straightening Project. McCoy mentioned the City had hired Wegner
Monument Company from Central City in the amount of $27,820.00 who will pour a new
concrete base and will straightened each marker which includes five large markers and sixty-four
small white markers. The project is being funded from the Veteran's property farm lease income.
Presentation on Water Park Master Plan Studv. Lauren Ozburn with Waters Edge Aquatic
Design gave a presentation on the Comprehensive Facility Evaluation and Master Plan for Island
Oasis Water Park. Reviewed were the Study Components. �
Mentioned were the following components:
• Good Condition with ongoing maintenance (typical of its age)
• Decreasing Attendance & Revenue
• Hiring Lifeguards Challenges
• Market Competition & Interest in New Amenities
Mentioned were the 11 facilities in the market area (20 mile radius)
• 1 Splash Pad (GI)
• 3 Wading Pools (GI)
• 1 Indoor Pool (GI YMCA)
• 6 Outdoor Pools — Lincoln Pool, Wood River, Aurora, Cairo, Capital Heights, Riverside
Mentioned were outside market area:
Hastings
Aurora
Page 2, City Council Study Session, September 20, 2022
• Central City
• York
• St. Paul
� Cairo and others
Mentioned were the public meetings on June 15th at Island Oasis, August 4th at City Hall and the
online survey on June lst- June 25th which consisted of 489 surveys. The overall satisfaction of
Island Oasis was 38% saying it was very good and good, 46% were neutral and 16% saying poor
and very poor.
Mentioned were the top four reasons people don't visit Island Oasis:
• 39% said the Facility Lacks Amenities
• 32% said they use pools outside of Grand Island
• 20% said they had safety concerns
• 15% said the Facility does not meet the needs of their households
Mentioned were Important Amenities:
• Kids Area
• Lazy River
• Large Waterslides
• Active Features
• Open Swim Space
• Shade
• Splashpad
• Wave Pool
• Lap Lanes
Mentioned were Programs of Interest:
• Lap Swimming (88%)
• Dive team/programs (88%)
• Pool rentals/parties (87%)
• Special programs (83%)
• Senior programs (82%)
• Swim Lessons (76%)
• Water fitness (67%)
• Toddler/baby swim (58%)
• Adult hours (46%)
Mentioned were immediate attention prior to the 2023 season with the magnitude of cost being
$163,000 -$195,000:
• Paint portion of zero-depth
• Safety barrier on wave pool
• Replace backwash valve controls
• Add emergency stops for waterslides
• Replace aged flow meters & pressure gauges
Page 3, City Council Study Session, September 20, 2022
• Add ADA chair lifts
• Replace grates
Mentioned were basic needs over the next 20 years with the magnitude of cost being $2.2 -$2.7
Million:
• Replace filters, pumps, strainers, etc.
• Increase backwash tank capacity
• Cover chemicals
� Concrete deck repair & replacement
• Repair cracks & paint lazy river
• Replace speed slide tower railings
• Replace concession stand equipment
• Other repairs around the facility
Mentioned were enhanced and significant upgrade ideas with the magnitude of cost being $12 —
17.5 Million by doing the following:
• Focus on positive user experience
� Right mix of amenities
• Create space for young kids and families
• Increase opportunities for programs
• Maximize Revenue potential
• Continue to offer affordable pricing options
• Offer longer-season amenities
Mentioned were fees for season/daily passes and programs along with the projected performance
as follows:
• Revenue: $450,000 - $620,000
• Expenditures: $520,000 - $670,000
• Cost Recovery: 80% - 100+%
• Attendance: 80,000 — 100,000 annually
Lauren Ozburn made the following recommendations:
� Make improvements to continue to operate for the next 20 years
• Increase interest and participation by enhancing the facility with new and updated
features
• Use the business plan or variation of it to maximize use and cost recovery potential
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
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J' 1 Granere
Deputy City Clerk