07/11/2023 Minutes (2)C1TY OF
GRANDE ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
July 11, 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 July 11, 2023. Notice of the meeting
was given in The Grand Island Independent on July 5, 2023.
Council President Mike Paulick called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The following
City Council members were present: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck
Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mayor Roger G. Steele and Jason Conley. The following City
Officials were present: City Administrator Laura McAloon, City Clerk RaNae Edwards,
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown and Interim Public Works
Director Keith Kurz.
2.
INVOCATION Pastor Sheri Lodel, Calvary Lutheran Church, 1304 North Custer
Avenue.
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. City Financials Update
Finance Director Patrick Brown gave an update on the 2023 Financials. He reported the
Fed Chair foresees additional rate hikes, U.S. leading economic index falls again, and
new home construction surges. Year to date (YTD) Sales Tax receipts for the General
City Council Regular Meeting, July 11, 2023
Fund for fiscal year 2023 was positive at 4.9% or $5977k. This reflected the receipts of
sales tax collections in the month of April. 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 3.7% more than the same period last year.
YTD Licenses & Permits receipts were up 3.2% over the same period last year. Motor
Vehicle Sales Tax and Motor Vehicle Tax revenues were still strong at 9.2% and 1.8%
respectively over FY2022. Food and Beverage Occupation Tax continued to do well.
YTD Food & Beverage Tax was up by 16.8% or $344k. Interest rate revenue had
increased from $134k YTD in June of 2022 to $925k YTD in June of 2023.
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
summer months.
Mr. Brown reviewed the City audit report. The City grew by $34 million and the City
was in great shape. Discussion was held on where the excess money would be spent.
Mr. Brown stated there were lots of Parks projects that the Food & Beverage money
would be used for. Other funds were mentioned that were directed to specific projects.
Revenue from the casino was estimated at $60,000 per month. Decisions on where to
spend the extra funds would be decided by Council during the budget meetings.
b. Presentation to NTV's Kent Boughton for his Dedicated Service
City Administrator Laura McAloon and the City Council recognized Kent Boughton for
his dedicated service to NTV and our community with a key to the city. They
recognized his upcoming retirement as of Friday, July 14, 2023. Mr. Boughton was not
present for the recognition.
8.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Doug Lanfear to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll
Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike
Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear. Absent:
Jason Conley. Motion adopted.
a. Approving Minutes of June 27, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting.
b. Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of June 28, 2023 through July 11
2023 for a total amount of $11,724,271.95.
e. Request from Hall County Livestock Improvement Association dba Fonner
Park, 700 E. Stolley Park Road for a Deletion of a Portion of Class "CK-78819"
Liquor License.
d. #2023-166 — Approving Bid Award for Delivery of Infield Soil Conditioner for
Veterans Sports Complex with Dakota Transport, Inc. of Hampton, Minnesota
in an Amount of $163,500.00.
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City Council Regular Meeting, July 11, 2023
e. #2023-167 — Approving Bid Award for Stolley Park Irrigation System
Installation with Tilley Sprinkler Systems, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska in an
Amount of $95,100.00.
f. #2023-168 — Approving Purchase of Pad-Mount Distribution Transformers from
Dutton-Lainson of Hastings, Nebraska and Fleming Electric, Inc. of Tequesta,
Florida for various amounts.
9.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public Hearing on Request from Axe Holes, LLC dba Axe Holes, 2300 N Webb
Road, Suite 109 for a Class "C" Liquor License
City Clerk RaNae Edwards reported that an application for a Class "C" Liquor License
had been received from Axe Holes, LLC dba Axe Holes, 2300 N Webb Road, Suite
109. Ms. Edwards presented the following exhibits for the record: application submitted
to the Liquor Control Commission and received by the City on June 16, 2023; notice to
the general public of date, time, and place of hearing published on July 1, 2023; notice
to the applicant of date, time, and place of hearing mailed on June 16, 2023. Also
submitted was a Liquor Manager Designation for Eric Christensen, 2610 S Engleman
Road. Mr. Christensen had completed a state approved alcohol server/seller program.
Staff recommended approval contingent upon final inspections. No public testimony
was heard.
#2023-169 - Approving Request from Axe Holes, LLC dba Axe Holes, 2300 N
Webb Road, Suite 109 for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation
for Eric Christensen, 2610 S Engleman Road, Grand Island, Nebraska.
Motion by Mitch Nickerson, second by Doug Lanfear to approve Resolution #2023-
169. Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard,
Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitch Nickerson, and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Jason Conley. Motion adopted.
10.
REQUEST AND REFERRALS
a. Consideration of Request Amending City Code Chapter 39 Relative to Cigar
Lounge
Jeff Berggren and John Gannon presented their request regarding opening a cigar
lounge and the possibility of emending City Code Chapter 39. Presented was a
PowerPoint explaining the reasons for the change in City Code Chapter 39. Reviewed
was the Nebraska Clean Air Act regarding Cigar Shop exceptions. Mentioned was other
cigar bars in Hastings, Kearney, and Omaha.
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City Council Regular Meeting, July 11, 2023
Discussion was held regarding the exhaust system required in cigar bars. City
Administrator Laura McAloon stated if the council wanted to go forward with this
request, an ordinance would need to come before the council for a vote.
11.
RESOLUTIONS
12.
ORDINANCES
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
�. , , • � !_
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
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