01/24/2023 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 24, 2023
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 January 24, 2023. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent
on January 18, 2023.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle
Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, Doug Lanfear and Jason Conley. Councilmember Maggie
Mendoza was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Clerk RaNae Edwards,
Finance Director Patrick Brown, City Attorney Laura McAloon and Interim 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.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Presentation and Discussion Regardin� Allocation ARPA Funds. Finance Director Patrick
Brown reported that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress adopted
the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal
Recovery Fund (SLFRF). The City of Grand Island (City) had received its second tranche of
ARPA funding in the amount of $4.5 million. Together with the remaining funds from the first
tranche of funding, the City had approximately $5.5 million available for allocation to eligible
projects.
Mr. Brown explained what the ARPA and SLFRE Funds could be used for such as: public health
response costs; government infrastructure funding for water, sewer or broadband services;
government employee retention and replacement; and replacement of lost governmental revenue.
Administration had come to the conclusion that the SLFRF funds should be used to satisfy the
Council's commitment to provide infrastructure funding to the Conestoga Marketplace
redevelopment project. This recommendation was based on the following:
1. The $5,500,000 investment in the Conestoga Marketplace redevelopment would qualify
for an ARPA funding expenditure. The $5.5 million, as agreed to in the redevelopment
agreement, would be spent on infrastructure of the mall property, including but not
limited to water, sewer, electric, and road construction.
2. If we use General Fund cash reserves to pay for the Conestoga Marketplace investment,
then we would need to find another project or projects to spend SLFRF funds. In essence,
the General Fund reserves would decrease by the $5.5 million investment in Conestoga
Marketplace and $5.5 million for the SLFRF project totaling an $11 million reduction in
Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2023
General Fund cash reserves. By using SLFRF funds for the Conestoga Marketplace
project, City Council now has the option of using or not use cash reserves for another
proj ect.
Mr. Brown stated the General Fund had significant cash reserves which made the two options
listed above viable. However due to the high cost of inflation, interest rate hikes, and supply line
issues, it might be in the best interest of the City to hold on to those cash reserves and spend
those reserves on projects in the future when costs start easing.
Reviewed was a list of other projects that would eventually need to be done. Jay Vavricek, 2729
Brentwood Boulevard commented about this item being under Presentations and Proclamations.
He suggested the Council ask the public where they would like the $5.5 million to go towards.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearin og n Request from Duvsen Enterprises, LLC dba The Upper Deck, 2110 West 2nd
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 Duysen Enterprises, LLC dba The Upper
Deck, 2110 West 2nd Street. Ms. Edwards presented the following exhibits for the record:
application submitted to the Liquor Control Commission and received by the City on December
22, 2022; notice to the general public of date, time, and place of hearing published on January
14, 2023; notice to the applicant of date, time, and place of hearing mailed on January 4, 2023.
Staff recommended denial based on the Police Department report of an active warrant for Mr.
Duysen's arrest in the State of Minnesota. No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Fitzke moved "that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title on
three different days are suspended and that ordinance numbered:
#9915 - Consideration of Vacation of Public Right-of-Way in Section 12-11-10; North of
State Street, East of North Road (Parcel No. 400523168)
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 this ordinance 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, a11 voted aye. Motion
adopted.
Public Works Department Interim Director Keith Kurz reported that to allow access during
construction of the North Road- 13�' Street to Highway 2 Roadway Improvements; Project No.
2019-P-5 the City of Grand Island acquired right-of-way north of State Street, east of North
Road. With the project complete there was no need for the City to retain this parcel. Ownership
of the vacated right-of-way would revert to the adjacent property owner directly south of Parcel
No. 400523168.
Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2023
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Motion by Haase, second by Paulick to approve Ordinance #9915.
City Clerk: Ordinance #9915on 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 #9915 on second and final reading. All those in favor of this 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 #9915 is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by
law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Consent Agenda items G-11, G-12, G-13, G-14 and G-15 (Resolutions
#2023-24, #2023-25, #2023-26, #2023-27, and #2023-28) were pulled for further review Motion
by Paulick, second by Stelk to approve the Consent Agenda excluding item G-11, G-12, G-13,
G-14 and G-15. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
A�proving Minutes of January 10, 2023 Citv Council Regular Meetin�
Approvin� Councilmembers Appointments to Boards and Commissions.
#2023-16 - Approving Budget Software Annual Renewal with SHI International Corp for the
OpenGov Budget Software in an Amount of $49,019.34.
#2023-17 - A�proving Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Ben R Davis Subdivision. It
was noted that LBE Family Limited Partnership, owner, had submitted the Final Plat and
Subdivision Agreement for Ben R Davis Subdivision located south of Anderson Avenue and east
of Pine Street for the purpose of creating 2 Lots on 31 acres.
#2023-18 - A�provin� Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for The Orchard Third
Subdivision. It was noted that The Orchard LLC c/o Hoppe Homes, owner, had submitted the
Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for The Orchard Third Subdivision located south of 19tn
Street and east of Peach Street for the purpose of creating 63 Lots on 7.630 acres.
#2023-19 - A�provin� the Certificate of Compliance with the Nebraska Department of
Transportation for Maintenance Agreement No. 12; Calendar Year 2022.
#2023-20 - A� roving Maintenance Agreement No. 12 Renewal with the Nebraska Department
of Transportation for Calendar Year 2023.
#2023-21 - Ap roving Bid Award for 18th Street - Moores Creek Drainway to Diers Avenue;
Project No. 2022-P-8 with The Diamond En ing eering Company of Grand Island, Nebraska in an
Amount of $1,149,288.25.
Page 4, City Council Regulaz Meeting, January 24, 2023
#2023-22 - Approving Bid Award for Custer Avenue - 13th Street to State Street Roadway
Rehabilitation; Project No. 2022-P-5 (Phase III) with The Diamond En ing eering Compan ��of
Grand Island, Nebraska in an Amount of $1.109,367.45.
#2023-23 - A�provin� Change Order #1 for PGS Bottom Ash System Up�rade with UCC
Environmental of Waukegan, Illinois for an Increase of $2,163,776.00 and a Revised Contract
Amount of $4,144,476.00.
#2023-24 - Approvin� Purchase of Ryder Park Playground from Creative Sites, LLC of Omaha,
Nebraska in an Amount of $1,236,356.00. Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy reported
that the City was approached by students and staff from the Central Community College
Occupational Therapy Class with the idea of raising funds to building a new community
inclusive playground. The City would purchase the equipment but it would be 100% covered by
the CCCF and they had secured a total of $1.1 million in cash and pledges to date. Comments
were made by Council that this was a good project.
Motion by Haase, second by Nickerson to approve Resolution #2023-24. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2023-25 - Approving Purchase of Bucket Truck for Parks Operations from Altec Industries,
Inc. of St. Joseph, Missouri in an Amount of $155,669.00. Parks and Recreation Director Todd
McCoy reported that the Parks Division had budgeted this year to replace one (1) 1995 Chevy
3500 Cheyenne Bucket Truck. The replacement truck was necessary as the current unit was
becoming less dependable and the new unit would be more efficient as it does not require down
rigging. Mr. McCoy answered questions regarding the reasons this size of bucket truck was
needed.
Motion by Guzinski, second by Conley to approve Resolution #2023-25. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2023-26 - A� roving Prelimina�i�n of West Connector Trail Extension with JEO
Consultin G�roup, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska in an Amount of $29,900.00. Parks and
Recreation Director Todd McCoy reported that extending the current trail system and connecting
gaps was listed as a priority from public input in the Grand Island Metropolitan Area Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan. The Parks and Recreation Department was proposing to design the West
Connector Trail Extension. The trail project would construct a trail from the intersection of
North Road and Old Potash Hwy to the City Water Tower Park on Engleman Road. The new
trail would be 10' wide and approximately 1.4 miles long.
Mr. McCoy explained what the engineering would provide. He stated it would be a conceptual
design for a possible grant. Interim Public Works Director Keith Kurz answered questions
regarding the engineering design.
Motion by Sheard, second by Lanfear to approve Resolution #2023-26. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
Page 5, City Council Regulaz Meeting, January 24, 2023
#2023-27 - Approving CDBG Sub-recipient Agreement with Central Nebraska Communitv
Action Partnership. Amber Alvidrez, Community Development Administrator reported that the
Community Development Division recommended awarding $25,000 of the CDBG annually
allocated funds to the Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership (CNCAP) to implement
an Emergency Payment program. CNCAP would use these funds in order to aid low to moderate
income residents within the City of Grand Island. The main goal of this program would be to
help residents of our community with one time aid to avoid homelessness. Council thanked Ms.
Alvidrez for bringing this forward.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Guzinski to approve Resolution #2023-27. Upon roll call vote,
all voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2023-28 - Approvin�A�plication for the Grand Island Fire Department to A�plv for FY22
Assistance to Firefighters Grant to Purchase 70 P25 Compliant Radios. Fire Chief Cory Schmidt
reported that the Grand Island Fire Department was requesting to apply to the FY22 Assistance
to Firefighters Grant for funding assistance for the purchase of seventy P-25 compliant radios.
Discussion was held regarding the different types of radios. Chief Schmidt stated these were the
radios that would qualify for grant funding. Police Captain Jim Duering explained the difference
in their request for radios and the Fire Department radios. Emergency Management Director Jon
Rosenlund explained the difference and how these would tie together.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2023-28. Upon roll call vote,
all voted aye. Motion adopted.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2023-29 - Consideration of Request from Duysen Enterprises, LLC dba The Upper Deck, 2110
West 2nd Street for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation for Aaron
Duysen, 1507 West 1 st Street. This item was related to the aforementioned Public Hearing. Staff
recommended denied based on the Police Department report.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Stelk to deny Resolution #2023-29. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmembers Conley, Lanfear, Nickerson, Stelk, Fitzke, Sheard, Haase, and Guzinski voted
aye. Councilmember Paulick abstained. Motion adopted.
#2023-30 - Consideration of Approving Letter of Support for Essential Air Service (EAS) to the
Department of Transportation (DOT� Mike Olson, Executive Director of the Central Nebraska
Regional Airport gave a presentation regarding Essential Air Service (EAS). On January 18,
2023 the Hall County Airport Authority conducted a public meeting to discuss the bid for
Essential Air Service to Grand Island, Nebraska. The Hall County Airport Authority was
recommending American Airlines to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for air service for
the Central Nebraska Regional Airport under the Essential Air Service Program. Staff
recommended approval to accept the recommendation of the Hall County Airport Authority
Board submitted by American Airlines and authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the
Department of Transportation expressing support of such proposal.
Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2023
Motion by Lanfear, second by Haase to approve Resolution #2023-30. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
#2023-31 - Consideration of A�proving City Council Study Session Schedule for 2023. City
Attorney Laura McAloon reported that City Administration recommended the advance
scheduling of Study Sessions for the remainder of calendar year 2023 for the lst and 3rd Tuesday
at 7:OOpm. Administration was not recommending Study Sessions on Ju1y 4(legal holiday) or
during the months of November and December when the Council's regular meetings were
scheduled for the lst and 3rd Tuesday due to the holidays.
Motion by Haase, second by Stelk to approve Resolution #2023-31. Upon roll call vote, all voted
aye. Motion adopted.
#2023-32 - Consideration of Approving Police Portable Radio Purchase Proposal. Police Chief
Kevin Denney reported that the Police Department had budget authority of $150,000 under
Capital expenditures to replace current portable radios purchased in 2013 and 2014. Reviewed
were three alternatives differing in purchase cost, future cost and operational considerations.
Staff recommended the Council approve Option 3 for the purchase of 75 APX8000 model 1.5
portable radios, support equipment, and programming for a total cost of $547,281.00. Finance
Director Patrick Brown explained how this purchase would be paid for.
Motion by Sheard, second by Paulick to approve Resolution #2023-32 Option 3. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Fitzke, second by Paulick to approve the payment of claims for the period of January
11, 2023 through January 24, 2023 for a total amount of $7,181,073.54. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
•• . . ' i '�
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk