12/12/2023 Minutes Study12/13/23, 11:24 AM
December 12, 2023 City Council Study Session
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December 12, 2023 City Council Study Session Minutes
December 12, 2023
i)
CALL TO ORDER
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 December 12, 2023. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island
Independent on December 6, 2023.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3)
ROLL CALL
The following City Council Members were present: Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack
Sheard, Mike Paulick, Mark Stelk, and Mitchell Nickerson. Maggie Mendoza Michelle
Fitzke, Doug Lanfear and Jason Conley were absent.
The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Laura McAloon, Deputy
City Clerk Jill Granere, Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown, City
Attorney Kari Fisk and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
4)
SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5)
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
6)
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
6.a) Economic Development Tools
Cover Page ''�"' .}:
Grand Island Good Life District '°��
Mike Rogers with Gilmore & Bell, P.C. reported on Good Life District. He mentioned
establishing a Good Life District does one thing and that it reduced the State's sales tax
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December 12, 2023 City Council Study Session
rate from 5.5% to 2.75%. He reported that it does not create a new legal entity, no entity
had control over development by applying, the State's sales tax was not sent anywhere else
and the City's local option sales tax was not reduced.
Establishing a Good Life District Requirements were as follows:
*Anyone can apply
*Area shown on the map included on the application would designate as the District if the
application was approved
*District area cannot exceed 2,000 acres
*The "Project" must be described in the application (cannot include a racetrack or gaming
operator)
The applicant must demonstrate the following:
*Total new development cost would exceed $100 million;
*Project would directly or indirectly result in creation of 50 new jobs;
*At least 20% of sales at the project would be made to persons residing outside the State
of Nebraska; and
*Through an economic impact analysis, who that the State would break even or come out
ahead from new sales tax revenues in an amount to make up what was lost from existing
businesses when the State cuts its rate from 5.5% to 2.75%.
Rogers reported applications must be submitted by December 31, 2024. Rogers mentioned
the District would be terminated after 10 years unless 75% of the $500 million threshold
had ben met.
Rogers reported the purpose is to promote and incent additional sales tax revenues, so
development would be the legislature's goal.
6.b) Island Oasis Presentation
Cover Page ��� �'�,
Island Oasis Lnprovement Options ����,
Evaluation and Master Plan Report ��
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy presented an overview of the Master Plan
Study. Mentioned were immediate attention areas that have been completed.
• 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
• 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
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12/13/23, 11:24 AM
December 12, 2023 City Council Study Session
• 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
McCoy 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
6.c) Creative District Presentation
Cover Page `�Y=.��,
Creative District�Workbook "�
Proposed Grand Island Creative District Map `��,�
Grand Island Creative District Strategic Workplan �`��
Ryan Hand reported Grand Island Creative District came together for an initial planning
meeting in February, 2022 in which had held several meetings, worked with community
members to reach business leaders, and held two strategic planning sessions. Members
participating in the Strategic plan development were Michelle Simmons - Economic
Development; Raul Arcos Hawkins - Multicultural Coalition; Kay Grimminger -
Warehouse Gallery; Norma Hernandez - City of Grand Island; Rashad Moxey - City of
Grand Island; Dana Jelinek - Grand Island Convention and Visitors Bureau; Alma
Rawlings - 4th Street business owner; Melissa DeLaet - Greater Grand Island Community
Foundation; Sherry Siwinski - Railside BID; Tom Ziller - Ziller Tile; Amos Anson -
FAmos Construction; AJ Fructl - Pinnacle Bank; Bethany Guzinski - Grand Island City
Council; Sandra Barrera Fuentes - UNL Extension Office; Kayla Schnuelle - Mission
Matters; Andy Gdowski - Equitable Bank; Jim Pirnie - GIX Logistics; and Ryan Hand -
Eakes Office Solutions.
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December 12, 2023 City Council Study Session
Upon completion of the process, a committee comprised of inembers representing the 4th
Street District and the Railside District came together to develop the action plan based on
the strategic directions set by the larger committee. These members were Augustine
Sanchez and Kay Grimminger, representing 4th Street; Ryan Hand and Dana Jelinek,
representing Railside; and Melissa DeLaet (District Administrator). This committee would
work to implement the action plan, develop committees, and also develop and implement
measurements of success. While some goals are tangible in nature, others will need to be
assessed by attendance or growth.
Hand mentioned the Creative District Goals as follow:
1. Develop a Strong and Sustainable Administrative Structure with a time frame of 2023-
2028 with a total annaul cost of $40,000.
2. Support and elevate the 4th Street Cultural Festival with a time frame of 2024-2028
with a total annual cost of $40,000.
3. Support a Bridge Concert between Railside and 4th Street in coordination with Hear
Grand Island/Multicultural Coalition Welcoming week with a time frame of 2024-2028
with a total annual cost of $15,000.
4. Telling the Story of Us Project with a time frame of 2023-2028 for a total annual cost of
$2,500.
5. Develop and implement a unified marketing campaign with a time frame of 2024-2028
for a total cost of $130,000.
6. Combine 4th Street Festival and HEAR Grand Island into a weekend long food, culture,
and entertainment festival with a time frame of 2027 for a total cost of $75,000.
7. Incorporate music into the district by way of speakers with a time frame of 2025 for a
total cost of $75,000.
7) ADJOURNMENT at 8:58 P.M.
. �
Ji Granere �
Deputy City Clerk
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