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04-03-2007 City Council Study Session PacketCity of Grand Island Tuesday, April 03, 2007 Study Session Packet City Council:Mayor: Margaret Hornady City Administrator: Vacant City Clerk: RaNae Edwards T u 7:00:00 PM Council Chambers - City Hall 100 East First Street Tom Brown Carole Cornelius John Gericke Peg Gilbert Joyce Haase Robert Meyer Mitchell Nickerson Jackie Pielstick Scott Walker Fred Whitesides Call to Order City of Grand Island City Council 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. MAYOR COMMUNICATION This is an opportunity for the Mayor to comment on current events, activities, and issues of interest to the community. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Invocation - Reverend Royce Rinehart, Trinity Lutheran Church, 212 West 12th Street This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state law. The City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by state law. City of Grand Island City Council Item -1 Community Appearance Plan Presentation Tuesday, April 03, 2007 Study Session City of Grand Island Staff Contact: Paul Briseno City of Grand Island City Council Council Agenda Memo From: Paul M. Briseño, Assistant to the City Administrator Meeting: April 3, 2007 Subject: City of Grand Island Community Appearance Plan Item #’s: 1 Presenter: Paul M. Briseño, Assistant to the City Administrator Background City Council requested the development of a Community Appearance Plan that will strategically address issues that cause negative appearances of properties throughout the community, primarily residential properties. City Administration, tasked with the development of this plan, conducted a series of discussions with departments that often respond and identify properties which are in violation of the municipal code as they relate to the appearance and maintenance of properties. An analysis of these discussions identified key resources available to municipal departments and citizens. Research of successful appearance plans were reviewed for guidance an inspiration. Preliminary goals and objectives were created by identifying efficient procedures utilized by divisions. In addition, research of the elimination of inefficiencies was done in hopes of creating a more effective approach in addressing issues that cause negative appearances in the Grand Island community. This process will be used as the base formula for the City of Grand Island Community Appearance Plan. The procedure requires staff to identify all resources available within each division, as well as collaborating organizations. The Community Appearance Plan will serve as a central communication distribution of information and resources available for municipal divisions, outside agencies, and citizens for resolution of problem properties. Discussion The preliminary goals and objectives identified serve as an outline for the Community Appearance Plan. Tentative completion dates have been set to correspond with six month and annual benchmarks. An annual progress report will be presented to Council in January 2008. Conclusion This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for questions to be answered and to create a greater understanding of the issue at hand. Furthermore, the Study Session allows Council to set the direction and solidify the goals and objectives of the Community Appearance Plan. Description Lead Division Co-Partners Goals/Objectives Completion Date Continue to address properties that -Meet the requirements of a PRT property -Require immediate attention Problem Resolution Team Members Administration GIPD/CSO Fire Health Dept. Human Society Planning/CRA Legal Building HHS Hall County Sheriff Clean Community System -Ongoing -Ongoing through grants and available budget of the City and outside organizations -October 16, 2007 (1st year coordination of PRT by Administration) -January 2008 Study Session Community Appearance Plan annual report Reduce the number of dilapidated/dangerous properties that cause a nuisance or blemish neighborhoods by utilizing available resources PRT CSO/Police (lead identifying divisions) Building Community Development Health Department Utilities -Completed, needs to be promoted through marketing plan -October 2007 -October 2007 -Ongoing Promote Business Improvement Districts and neighborhood districts City Administration -Ongoing PD/CSO PD/CSO Administration IT Legal -Ongoing -October 2007 -January 2008 -Start May 07 continue every 2 months -Ongoing -June -Ongoing Problem Resolution Team Residential Commercial Code Enforcement Program Community Appearance Plan Goals and Objectives -Pursue abatement/condemnation/rehabilitation of abandoned and dilapidated properties -Establish a funding sources to address PRT properties -Continue to develop an efficient process for resolution of properties that streamline and expedite the process -PRT status of properties reported in the annual Community Appearance Plan report (declared, worked, resolved, benchmarking) -Continue a no bias re-active approach to code enforcement, and work toward a proactive approach -Outline code enforcement process and procedures to be followed -Research technology - research and study the cost/benefit of utilizing software and mobile hardware -Communication - CSO's and Legal Department meetings every 2 months to increase communication/relationship and effectiveness of cases going to court, dismisses, concerns, etc. -Update/review city codes -Conduct an in-house study to evaluate the number of CSO's needed, service areas, and work schedule to create the most efficient CSO program -Report the number of CSO cases resolved without the court assistance -Establish a property standard -Create a list of counter actions/resources available for major problems -Create a system of communication for collaborative efforts -Track resolution of properties and list/identify in the Administrator's Report 3/30/2007 1 Description Lead Division Co-Partners Goals/Objectives Completion Date Community Appearance Plan Goals and Objectives Expedite the abatement process and identify a procedure for reoccurring problem properties Legal CSO/PD -January 2008 Identify funding for immediate demolition and cleanup of properties Building Community Development CRA CCS -January 2008 -January 2009 Housing rehabilitation Community Development -Ongoing Ownership programs Community Development -Ongoing Neighborhood cleanups CCS Public Works -Ongoing Demolition Building -Ongoing Create a single place for residents to find multiple resources available from the city and other agencies Administration City - All -October 2007 Empower Residents - Empower residents to help neighborhoods/community appearance by utilizing resources available, and help facilitate a clean appearance plan for neighborhoods City - All -October 2008 Education - The education of residents is key in the success of this program. Materials in English and other bilingual or easy to understand information Administration -October 2009 Recognition - Create a Clean Neighborhood Award/Certificate for owners who go above and beyond to work with CSO's and other neighbors/organizations to clean their property and neighborhood and promote current programs including the Regional Planning Commission and the Community Beautification Award City - All -October 2010 -Create a process that speeds up the resolution process and eliminates repeat offenders -1 yr. - Identify local, state, and federal funding available, identify resources within community -2 yr. - reevaluate budget for future years Continue to seek funding - Marketing plan Web page GITV Utility Inserts Library List all local, state, and federal resources Residential Resources Repeat Code Violators Cleanup Budget 3/30/2007 2 Item -2 Downtown Main Street Presentation Tuesday, April 03, 2007 Study Session City of Grand Island Staff Contact: City of Grand Island City Council Council Agenda Memo From: Cindy Johnson, Chamber of Commerce Meeting: April 3, 2007 Subject: Downtown Main Street Presentation Item #’s: 2 Presenter(s): Cindy Johnson & K.C. Hehnke Background In its continuing efforts to improve the health of the downtown, the Business Improvement District Board became a "Nebraska Lied Main Street Community", effective January 1, 2007. The Main Street program assists communities to understand the importance of their downtown and to address challenges downtowns may be experiencing with changing business, aging infrastructure, and increased competition from "life style" malls and traditiona l malls. The Main Street philosophy encourages a four pronged approach to downtown redevelopment: 1) organization; 2) economic restructuring; 3) design and 4) promotions. A broad based group of volunteers (not just down town business owners) have been involved in addressing issues associated with these categories. It has been exciting to have renewed interest and involvement in revitalizing downtown. A healthy, vibrant downtown is positive for all of Grand Island and, as the heart of the community, is an important community symbol. Discussion Two years ago, the downtown undertook an extensive visioning process. This process led to a selection of priorities for the downtown that has been the group's focus. Many discussions have been held and actions taken place, leading to enhanced attention to marketing and promotion. There is one issue, however, that is mentioned each time a new event, activity or plan for redevelopment is discussed. Of course that issue is the train noise. The Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee is convinced that now is the time to request a quiet zone in the downtown area. It is our understanding the Railroad Corridor Study (completed last summer) recommends a number of quiet zones or directional horns for several of the crossings in the downtown area. With the railroad upgrading electrical systems on these crossings, the cost for implementing a directional horn has been reduced substantially from when first discussed 10 years ago. We respectfully request a discussion with the City Council on the potential for budgeting funds in the 2007-2008 City Budget for automated horn systems/quiet zones at the crossings in the downtown area. Conclusion This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for any questions to be answered and to create a greater understanding of the issue at hand.