04-02-2002 City Council Study Session PacketCity of Grand Island
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
Study Session Packet
City Council:Mayor:
Ken Gnadt
City Administrator:
Marlan Ferguson
City Clerk:
RaNae Edwards
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7:00:00 PM
Council Chambers - City Hall
100 East First Street
Joyce Haase
Margaret Hornady
Gale Larson
Glen Murray
Jackie Pielstick
Larry Seifert
Robert Sorensen
Scott Walker
Tom Ward
Fred Whitesides
City of Grand Island City Council
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
A - SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE ITEMS
Individuals who have appropriate items for City Council consideration should complete the Request for Future
Agenda Items form located at the Information Booth. If the issue can be handled administratively without Council
action, notification will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date
will be given.
B - RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
This is an opportunity for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items to reserve time to
speak. Please come forward, state your name and address, and the Agenda topic on which you will be speaking.
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -1
Presentation by Tobacco Free Hall County
Representatives of the Tobacco Free Hall County group will be presenting a request to the
City Council relative to the establishment of a policy banning smoking in or within 20' of the
entrance to any municipal building, city vehicle, or parks where youth play ball. The request
is being made in conjunction with State Legislative consideration of LB1292 which mandates
this policy.
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
Study Session
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact:
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -2
Presentation of Police Department's Annual Report
The Grand Island Police Department will present its 2001 Annual Report to the City Council
on April 2, 2001. The annual report outlines the accomplishments and activity of the men
and women of the Grand Island Police Department. The report will cover information from
all three divisions of GIPD: Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and the
Administrative Services Division. The report documents the activity of the agency with a
statistical summary and a financial summary as well. Special features of the department are
highlighted in the 2001 annual report that includes, Military Service, Retirees, Gang
Investigation Unit, Honor Guard, Special Weapons And Tactics, Central Nebraska Drug
Court, Kids, Cops, Counselors, and Character, National Night Out and others.
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
Study Session
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Kyle Hetrick
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -3
Discussion Regarding Community Policing
This is an opportunity to discuss the definition of “Community Orientated Policing”, the
history of the COPS philosophy as it relates to the Grand Island Police Department, and how
we use strategies to implement this attitude within the Grand Island Police Department and
our Community.
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
Study Session
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Kyle Hetrick
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -4
NW Grand Island Traffic Improvements Study
Background
Safety concerns on Manchester, Mansfield and Cannon Roads near Westridge Middle School
were first expressed by the Northwest Neighborhood association in March of 1998. The
association believes that the extension of Independence from Manchester south to 13th Street
is the solution. City staff has been hesitant to move forward with the extension of
Independence because the bulk of the project cost would be the taxpayers' responsibility. The
Council approved an agreement with Olsson Associates to perform the following work:
-61623; Perform traffic and circulation analysis for the neighborhood
-61623; Confirm the intersection and roadway design requirements
-61623; Recommend alignments for the proposed roadway improvements
-61623; Determine the impacts to storm drainage and detention cells
-61623; Prepare alternatives to address impacts of proposed improvements
-61623; Determine the right-of-way impacts
-61623; Prepare a preliminary opinion of costs
Olsson Associates will present the results at the April 2, 2002 Study Session.
Discussion
Issues:
1. There is a need for a north-south ½ mile system of collector streets.
2. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is concentrated in front of the school raising safety
concerns.
Solutions:
1. Allow future development to build the network of north-south streets.
2. Improve Manchester, Mansfield and Cannon Roads near Westridge Middle School.
3. Extend Independence from Manchester south to 13th Street.
Pros and Cons:
1. Allowing developers to build the north-south streets saves the taxpayers substantial
dollars. This has always been the past practice of the City and minimizes the cost to the
taxpayers.
2. Improving the existing streets adjacent to Westridge will help with pedestrian and vehicular
safety, but will not reduce the vehicular volumes in front of the school. The costs would be
shared between adjacent property owners and the taxpayers. The property owners receive
credit for the existing street width and would not be assessed for any width over 37'.
3. Extending Independence is expensive with approximately 2/3 of the cost being the
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
Study Session
City of Grand Island
City of Grand Island City Council
responsibility of the taxpayers. It improves the safety in front of the school by reducing the
vehicular traffic volumes in front of the school. The streets adjacent to the school should be
improved regardless of the decision on extending Independence. Taxpayers would be
responsible for approximately 2/3 of the cost.
Recommendation
Olsson Associates was hired to perform the study so that a better sense of the cost/benefit
could be obtained to assist Council in their decision making process. The issue that the city
has been struggling with is a matter of economics. Is extending Independence the most cost
effective solution?
If the Council desires to extend Independence, staff will direct Olsson Associates to continue
with ROW design so the ROW negotiations can begin. Once the ROW is acquired, a street
improvement district can be created. Depending on how well right-of-way negotiations
proceed, Independence could be completed in the fall of 2003.
Financial Implications
If Independence is extended, I believe it will be a matter of choices. Other projects in the
City's capital improvement budget may have to be pushed back to allow funding of
Independence as well as the improvements to Manchester, Mansfield and Cannon Roads
near Westridge Middle School that need to be made.
Staff Contact: Steve Riehle, City Engineer/Public Works Director
City of Grand Island City Council