07/18/2023 Minutes StudyGc�RAND�ISLAND
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City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
Study Session (Budget) of July 18, 2023
6:00 PM
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget) 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 18, 2023. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 12, 2023. Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The following
City Council members were present: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike
Paulick, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Lanfear, and Jason Conley. Councilmembers
Maggie Mendoza and Michelle Fitzke were absent. 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.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
a. Mavor, City Council, Administration, Legal and Clerk Bud�et Presentation
City Administrator Laura McAloon reported that the Mayor and City Council personnel
expenses would increase 6.62%. There was 0% change to compensation since that was
established by Article 2-II of the Grand Island City Code and a recommended increase to
$10,000 for travel, training and other expenditures.
The Administration budget total operating expenses would increase 97.4%. 45% would be
personnel services with 1.7 new FTE and 1 transferred FTE. The Assistant City
Administrator/Chief Finance Officer would be +.70 FTE; and addition of 1 FTE for
Communications and Marketing Manager; and 1 FTE moved from Finance to Administration.
The Legal department budget would have an operating expense increase of 4%. Personnel was
fully budgeted for two FTE Attorneys and a Legal Administrative Assistant. Requested was one
FTE Paralegal and .12 Legal Intern. There would be a 70% reduction in legal library expenses.
The City Clerk's budget would have a net operating expense increase of 2% with the reduction in
Election costs driven by the election cycle and offset by increases to travel and training.
Page 2 of 3, City Council Study Session, July 18, 2023
b. Human Resource Budget Presentation
Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid reported the personnel services would increase
24.76%. They were expecting one retirement in January 2024. The increase includes one FTE for
a Recruiter position. Operating expenses would decrease .68% due to consolidating contract
services and computer services into one line item and minor rebalancing of line items.
Discussion was held regarding the recruiter's position and pay. Training was mentioned.
c. Finance Department Budget Presentation
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown reported personnel services would
increase 4.0% to include 30% increase in personnel for the Assistant City Administrator position.
Operating expenses would decrease by 3.7%.
d. Information Technology Bud�et Presentation
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown reported personnel services would
increase 11 %, which would include the reclassification of two Computer Tech positions to
System Tech positions. Operating Expenses (capital) would increase 70.7% which would include
PC replacement -$190,000; add GIPD & EM911 to City Network -$250,000; replace main
battery back-up at City Hall -$40,000; and the replacement of Phone System (GF Dept.) -
$185,000. They were recommending a one-time transfer of General Fund funds of $600,000 or
increase the internal charge out of computer services to all other departments, which would
increase charge costs to department by 21.4% and would not benefit some of the departments.
IT Manager Stephanie Gosda explained the request for $250,000 for the GIPD & EM911 to City
Network.
e. Fire & Ambulance Bud�et Presentation
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt reported the following Fire Department personnel services would
increase — Ambulance — 9.5% and Fire 7.4%. Operating expenses would increase $114,800 for
the following: vehicle maintenance -$38,240; station maintenance -$29,000; diesel -$14,400;
natural gas -$12,200; PulsePoint -$8,000; EMS billing fees -$8,000; and misc. -$4,960.
Mentioned were Capital Projects for Fire Station #3 — 4,000,000, Capital Equipment — P025
Portable Radios -$680,000; Ambulance -$409,000; Bunker Gear -$230,000; Spillman/Phoenix
Interface Module -$61,000; replace four overhead door -$40,000; replace hose lines and nozzles
on fire engines -$30,000; and mobile repeater -$26,000.
Fire Chief Schmidt explained the PulsePoint application and how it worked and would benefit
the community. Discussion was held regarding the need for a ladder truck/fire truck. Chief
Schmidt stated they would look at it in the next budget.
Page 3 of 3, City Council Study Session, July 18, 2023
f. Police Department Budget Presentation
Police Chief Kevin Denney reported personnel services would increase 12.7% (89 sworn
personnel) with reclassification of one Records Supervisor and three FTE's to two Lieutenants
and one Sergeant. He explained the reasoning's for these reclassifications. Operating expenses
would increase 53.1% due to technology and subscription increases, increased ammo cost,
additional training requirements, new hire equipment purchases, testing, advertising and
marketing costs, and equipment cost inflation. He also mentioned the Humane Society contract
had moved from Non-Departmental to Police for $407,925.
Capital projects for a total of $2,556,000 included: training/vehicle storage annex building -
$1,900,000; security upgrades to auto pound -$56,000; security upgrades to Police Department -
$150,000; and replacement for LEC HVAC units -$450,000. Capital Equipment included
vehicles - $726,108.
Discussion was held regrading the Humane Society contract that would come due in the near
future and was in the process of being negotiated. Chief Denney explained the vehicle requests
and the reasons for needing them.
g. FY24 Budget Detail
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown stated this information was
included for the Council and if they had any questions to email him. Ms. McAloon updated the
Council on upcoming dates for the budget discussion and final approval.
3.
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk