05/23/2023 MinutesCITY OF
GRAND'E�ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
May 23, 2023
1.
CALL TO ORDER 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 May 23, 2023. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand
Island Independent on May 17, 2023.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The following City Council
members were present: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle
Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley
were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Deputy City
Clerk Jill Granere, Interim City Administrator Laura McAloon, Deputy Finance Director Brian
Schultz and Interim Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
2.
INVOCATION Pastor Tim Rust, Destiny Church, 4306 US Highway 30.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
6.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
7.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Recognition of Sergeant Trent Hill for 25 Years of Service with the Grand Island Police
Department.
Mayor Steele and the City Council recognized Sergeant Trent Hill for 25 Years of Service with
the Grand Island Police Department. Police Chief Kevin Denney and Sergeant Hill were present
for the presentation.
b. Recognition of Swearing-In Officer Brandon Otto of the Grand Island Police Department.
Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, May 9, 2023
Police Chief Kevin Denney swore in Officer Brandon Otto.
c. City Financials Update
Assistant Finance Director Brian Schultz Gave an update on the April 2023 Financials. He
reported the Conference Board Economic forecast for the US Economy as of May 10, 2023
forecasted weaknesses emerging in some parts of the economy would grow larger and more
diffuse over the coming months, leading to a recession. Year to date (YTD) Sales tax receipts for
the General Fund for fiscal year 2023 was positive at 5.8% or $547k. This reflected the receipts
of sales tax collections in the month of February. He expected to see sales tax receipts at about a
3-4% growth over the prior year for the rest of this fiscal year.
YTD Property Tax revenue for FY2023 was 7.8% more than the same period last year. YTD
Licenses & Permits receipts were down 10.0% over the same period last year. Motor Vehicle
Sales Tax and Motor Vehicle Tax revenues were still strong at 8.2% growth over FY2022. Food
and Beverage Occupation Tax continued to do well. YTD Food & Beverage Tax was up by
18.1 % or $282k.
Reviewed were the expenses. He stated the operating expenses in the General Fund were
trending as expected. Personnel Services were expected to increase during the upcoming warm
months.
8.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Mike Paulick, second by Doug Lanfear to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll Call:
Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk,
Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
a. Approving Minutes of May 9, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting.
b. Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of May 10, 2023 through May 23 2023 for a
total amount of $7,761,251.92.
c. #2023-128 - Approving Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Prairie Commons
Sixth Subdivision.
d. #2023-129 - Approving Request for Police to Purchase Four (4) Additional APX In-Car
Radios from Motorola Solutions in an Amount of $33,560.00.
e. #2023-130 — Approving Bid Award for Stolley Park Paving Improvements Phase I with
J.I.L. Asphalt Paving Co. of Grand Island, Nebraska in an Amount of $289,088.10.
f. #2023-131 - Approving Amendment No. 3 for Various Locations Drainage Projects with
JEO Consulting Group, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska for an Increase of $55,785.00 and
a Revised Contract Amount of $179,695.00.
Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, May 9, 2023
9.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public Hearing on Zoning Change for property located south of 13th Street between Diers
Avenue and the Moore's Creek Drainway from B2 General Business to RD — Residential
Development Zone (Concord Investments, LLC).
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity reported that Concord Investments, LLC owned 20+
acres and was requesting to rezone 8.2 acres of land south of 13�' Street, between Diers Avenue
and Moore's Creek Drainway from B-2 General Business to RD Residential Development Zone.
The purpose was to build 84 units of housing in one and two unit buildings clustered on 5 lots.
Staff recommended approval contingent upon final inspections. Tim O'Neill, attorney
representing Concord Investments, LLC spoke in support. No further public testimony was
heard.
#9928 — Consideration of Approving Zoning Change for Properties located south of 13�'
Street between Diers Avenue and the Moore's Creek Drainway from B2 General Business to RD
— Residential Development Zone (Concord Investments, LLC).
Motion to suspend the rules was moved by Mitch Nickerson, seconded by Doug Lanfear. Roll
Call: Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark
Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
Moved by Doug Lanfear, seconded by Mitch Nickerson to approve Ordinance #9928 Roll Call:
Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk,
Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
Discussion was held regarding the roundabout at this location and when it would be completed.
Interim Public Works Director Keith Kurz stated they had been working on the design for a
couple of years and should be completed when the construction of this property was completed.
#2023-132 - Approving Preliminary, Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Crane
Valley Tenth Subdivision
Motion by Mark Stelk, second by Doug Lanfear to approve Resolution #2023-132. Roll Call:
Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk,
Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
b. Public Hearing on Acquisition of Sidewalk Easement at 2215 West 2"d Street (Roebuck
Enterprises, LLC).
Interim Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported that as part of the City's annual curb ramp
project, one location did not have quite enough public right-of-way for the installation. The
Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, May 9, 2023
property owner had signed the necessary document to grant a public sidewalk easement as no
cost to the City. No public testimony was heard.
#2023-133 - Approving Acquisition of Sidewalk Easement at 2215 West 2nd Street
(Roebuck Enterprises, LLC).
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Mark Stelk to approve Resolution #2023-133. Roll Call:
Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk,
Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
10.
REQUEST AND REFERRALS
11.
RESOLUTIONS
a. #2023-134 — Consideration of Approving the Expenditure of KENO Funds for Stolley
Park Garden Lights.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy reported that Friends of the Grand Island Parks had
spent $76,113 to revitalize Stolley Garden, with the goal of making it a destination garden for the
citizens of Grand Island, as well as visitors to the community. A projected $100,000 would be
spent on completing the remaining seven themed gardens. In addition to the themed garden, the
project would be completed when the Celebration Circle and Celebration Pavilion become a
reality. To support the Stolley Garden improvement project the Utility Department had indicated
that they would be able to provide six (6) antique light poles currently in their inventory. The
cost to provide and install the lights was approximately $50,000. The City Finance Department
had indicated that there was adequate leftover budget authority from the downtown festoon
project to cover the Stolley Garden light costs. Staff recommended approval.
Vikki Duell spoke in support. Discussion was held regarding the lights. Parks and Recreation
Director Todd McCoy answered questions regarding all the projects going on at Stolley Park.
Interim City Administrator Laura McAllon stated the KENO funds could be used for this project.
Motion by Bethany Guzinski, second by Doug Lanfear to approve Resolution #2023-134. Roll
Call: Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark
Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
b. #2023-135 — Consideration of Approving the Renaming of Kaufman Plaza.
Interim City Administrator Laura McAloon reported that in recognition of Amur Equipment
Finance, Inc. (Amur) contributions and support for this vital and vibrant public space, all of the
parties involved had recommended the renaming of Kaufinan Plaza as Amur Plaza. Staff
recommended approval.
Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, May 9, 2023
Tonja Brown commented on honoring the history of the Kaufman family with a totem/plaque at
the plaza.
Motion by Michelle Fitzke, second by Bethany Guzinski to approve Resolution #2023-135. Roll
Call: Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark
Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
12.
ORDINANCES
13.
OTHER ITEMS
a. Strategy Session Regarding Real Estate
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Michelle Fitzke to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:59
p.m. for the purpose of a strategy session relative to Real Estate. Roll Call: Ayes: Bethany
Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch
Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion adopted.
Councilmember Mike Paulick was absent at 8:40 p.m.
Motion by Michelle Fitzke, second by Jack Sheard to return to Regular Session at 8:45 p.m. Roll
Call: Ayes: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark
Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Maggie Mendoza and Jason Conley. Motion
adopted.
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
�Q� �1L C.�C�L-C,tiG�
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk