01-26-2008 City Council Special Meeting PacketCity of Grand Island
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat Packet
City Council:Mayor:
Margaret Hornady
City Administrator:
Jeff Pederson
City Clerk:
RaNae Edwards
S
a
8:30:00 AM
Council Chambers - City Hall
100 East First Street
Tom Brown
Larry Carney
John Gericke
Peg Gilbert
Joyce Haase
Robert Meyer
Mitchell Nickerson
Bob Niemann
Kirk Ramsey
Jose Zapata
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
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
Agenda
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Jeff Pederson
City of Grand Island City Council
City Council Special Study Session Retreat
Saturday, January 26, 2008
8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Law Enforcement Center
111 Public Safety Drive
Agenda
8:30 – 8:40 Welcome/Introduction
Guidance and outline of the day’s activities and purpose
8:40 – 9:15 10 Habits of Highly Effective Councils
What can we take from this?
9:15 – 10:15 Alligator River Story
Values differences in decision making
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:00 Discussion Topics
Small group presentations on selected topics
12:00 – 1:15 Lunch and Tour with County Supervisors and City Department Directors
1:15 – 4:00 Top 3 Challenges/Opportunities for Departments in the Next Five Years
Guidance (15 min. per department, 10 min. to present & 5 min. for discussion, many items
will carry over to the budget planning retreat)
Building Fire Library Public Works
Emergency Management Human Resources Parks & Recreation Regional Planning
Finance Legal Police Utilities
4:00 – 4:15 Wrap Up/Going Forward
Goals Update
Outline of the Follow Up Retreat (Role Clarification, Goals and Pre-budget)
Media Opportunity
Item -2
Welcome/Introduction
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Mayor Margaret Hornady
City of Grand Island City Council
Grand Island Mayor and City Council
Margaret Hornady, Mayor
2708 Arrowhead Road
Grand Island, NE 68801
(308) 385-5444 Ext. 140 (308) 381-7726 (home)
(308) 382-1390 (work) (308) 380-3542 (cell)
mayorhornady@grand-island.com
Term Expires 2010 Term Expires 2008
Ward One Ward One
Jose Zapata Bob Niemann
1515 Warbler Circle 1501 West Louise Street
Grand Island, NE 68803 Grand Island, NE 68801
(308) 382-6737 (home) (308) 382-1604 (home)
(308) 383-1366 (cell) (308) 398-7430 (work)
councilzapata@grand-island.com councilneimann@grand-island.com
rniemann@ccneb.edu
rneimann486772@charter.net
Ward Two Ward Two
Peg Gilbert Tom Brown
3121 Brentwood Drive 1524 Coventry Lane #47
Grand Island, NE 68801 Grand Island, NE 68801
(308) 381-0194 (home) (308) 390-2730 (cell)
(308) 227-0709 (cell) councilbrown@grand-island.com
councilgilbert@grand-island.com
Ward Three Ward Three
Robert (Bob) Meyer Kirk Ramsey
648 East Memorial Drive 813 East Sunset
Grand Island, NE 68801 Grand Island, NE 68801
(308) 384-2832 (home) (308) 384-0639 (home)
(308) 383-5516 (cell) (308) 385-5875 (work)
councilmeyer@grand-island.com councilramsey@grand-island.com
Ward Four Ward Four
Mitchell Nickerson Larry Carney
811 West 9th Street 621 West 10th Street
Grand Island, NE 68801 Grand Island, NE 68801
(308) 382-5489 (home) (308) 440-2731 (cell)
(308) 381-9582 (work)
councilnickeson@grand-island.com councilcarney@grand-island.com
mitch.nickerson@mccain.com
Ward Five Ward Five
John Gericke Joyce Haase
2628 O’Flannagan Street 3024 Colonial Lane
Grand Island, NE 68803 Grand Island, NE 68803
(308) 384-4097 (home) (308) 384-3264 (home)
councilgericke@grand-island.com (308) 381-4829 (work)
councilhaase@grand-island.com
1/22/2008
Ward 4
Ward 5
Haase
Gericke
Carney
Nickerson
Zapata
Niemann
Jose Zapata
Bob Niemann
Peg Gilbert
Tom Brown
Kirk Ramsey
Robert Meyer
Larry Carney
Mitch Nickerson
Joyce Haase
John Gericke
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ramsey
Meyer
Gilbert
Brown
Item -3
10 Habits of Highly Effective Councils
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Jeff Pederson
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -4
Discussion Topics
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Jeff Pederson
City of Grand Island City Council
Council Retreat Discussion Topics
Please select the top three topics you would like to discuss at the council retreat. Once
complete please return to Jeff by the end of the week. This discussion is only a portion of
the retreat.
1. What is council’s role and responsibility to the community as a whole and to
individual citizens? What does council expect from staff to help fulfill this
responsibility?
2. Define “performance measurement” as it pertains to city operations.
3. What does quality of life mean for Grand Island and how do we maintain or foster
its growth?
4. How can we improve communication between councilmember’s and staff to build
a team that is aligned around common goals and objectives?
5. How do we continue to accomplish goals, improve infrastructure, and contribute
to a progressive community with constraints of the budget?
6. What is the significance of Grand Island’s image, both locally and outside of
Grand Island?
7. Should council govern more as a Board of Trustees, a Board of Directors, or as a
Board of Activists?
8. Does the structure of the current city council meeting agenda meet the needs of
councilmember’s and the general public?
Councilmember’s will break up into three groups and discuss each question. Each group
will present their findings.
Item -5
Department Director's Presentations
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact:
City of Grand Island City Council
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
Administration.................................................. City Administrator...................................................Jeff Pederson
385-5444, ext 119
Building ....................................................Building Department Director ...........................................Craig Lewis
385-5444, ext 209
Clerk ...........................................................................City Clerk......................................................RaNae Edwards
385-5444, ext 111
Communications..................................Emergency Management Director....................................Jon Rosenlund
385-5444, ext 309
Finance.................................................................Finance Director ..................................................David Springer
385-5444, ext 169
Fire...............................................................................Fire Chief...............................................................Jim Rowell
385-5444, ext 229
Human Resources......................................Human Resources Director..................................Brenda Sutherland
385-5444, ext 199
Legal.........................................................................City Attorney.....................................................Dale Shotkoski
385-5444, ext 139
Library.................................................................Library Director ................................................Steve Fosselman
385-5333
Parks & Recreation..................................Parks & Recreation Director ........................................Steve Paustian
385-5444, ext 299
Police........................................................................Chief of Police......................................................Steve Lamken
385-5407
Public Works..................................................Public Works Director..................................................Steve Riehle
385-5444, ext 269
Regional Planning ..............................................Planning Director ......................................................Chad Nabity
3854-5444, ext 219
Utilities...................................................................Utilities Director .......................................................Gary Mader
385-5444, ext 289
Item -6
Wrap Up/Going Forward
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Council Retreat
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Jeff Pederson
City of Grand Island City Council
Public Safety
Seek and secure funding for the
development of the Fire Training Facility
No funding was budgeted in the 2007-08 fiscal year for the construction of the facility or the development of a business plan. The
business plan is needed to determine the feasibility and scope of the project in order to identify potential participants and funding
sources.
Complete construction on Fire Station #1 Fire station one is complete and brought into service October.
Complete construction of Police/Sheriff
Law Enforcement Center
The contractor was not able to meet previously set construction completion dates. The date for substantial completion and the transfer
of operations to the new Center is now 1-14 - 08. Final completion will not be until later in 2008 as landscaping has been delayed due
to the onset of winter and will not be done until spring
Secure funding and begin upgrade of
Emergency Communication Center
Preliminary schedule for Communications Center renovation has been set for Feb-Apr. Radio equipment has been ordered and console
workstations are in the RFP process. All radio and workstation expenses are funded by a grant and managed and funded through Hall
County.
Economic Development
Assist in creating and retaining quality jobs
through LB 840 program
Administration and various departments continue to meet with EDC and potential companies as requested.
Assist CRA in identifying and creating new
business redevelopment projects
CRA area 6 and 7 were approved by council. TIF projects can be considered in both of these areas.
Infrastructure
Support infrastructure for sustained
housing/commercial development
Utl - Completed 5-yr major overhaul of PGS, expanded 115/13.8 Substations E and F, 3-yr term contract for coal transport from Wyo.
Coal fields to PGS, natural gas supply contract for CTs, Water Main Dist 455 (Park-view Subdivision), design and award WMD 453T
( helicopter base at the airport), Water infrastructure for new Subdivisions – La Rue, Meadowlark 4th, Westwood Park 10th, Westwood
Park 10th, Woodland Park 6th, CNH fire line. Line construction – completed relocation of circuits for the Capital Ave. widening
project, rebuilt 3-phase line along BNRR, east of Gunbarrel Rd., and onS. Locust from Fonner to Phoenix. Underground service
installed at new Subdivisions – Copper Creek Estates, Pleasant View, Sun Valley, Summerfield Estates 7th, Air Guard Helicopter base.
PW - 12 sanitary sewer projects/districts were assigned numbers in 2007 with 8 completed. 11 paving projects/districts were assigned
numbers in 2007 with 1 completed
Begin incremental implementation of the
Railroad Corridor Study
CRA funding for the project is secured. The City can begin the proposal process and get horns and other improvements installed in the
UPRR corridor from Broadwell Avenue through Oak Street.
Prepare a master plan for infrastructure
development south of Grand Island
CRA - Completed area transmission/substation study. CRA area 7 includes the new industrial park property. TIF from development in
this area could be used for infrastructure extensions. PW - Estimate to improve drainage from the Platte Valley Industrial Park, asphalt
resurfacing and widening of Wildwood Drive from US Hwy 281 to Locust, and extend sanitary sewer east along Wildwood were
prepared. The Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Plan will need updated to reflect future sanitary sewer improvements toward Interstate
80.
Government Efficiency
Seek inter local partnerships that eliminates
duplication and promotes efficiency
The Public Works Department is preparing for an asphalt resurfacing project on Shady Bend Road as a joint project with the Hall
County Surveyor’s office. The city is working with 9 other communities across the state on issues related to our stormwater permit
regarding ordinances on Illicit Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Runoff Control and Post Construction Runoff Control.
City Council Goals 2007-08
(Set by Council on January 20th, 2007)
Complete a comprehensive City Code
review and update
This will be an ongoing process for some time. The chapter by chapter review slowed down due to several factors this year.
Develop a budget with no increase in the
property tax levy
Council approved the budget August 28 with no increase in the tax levy.
Develop criteria for outside agency funding
Quality of Life
Complete construction of the Library
expansion project
After the Grand Opening ceremony on October 14th, library services have returned to normal as the project started to wind down. The
certificate of final completion for the design/build contract was issued in December 2007 and the final bill (which is outside the
contract) will be paid in January 2008.
Construct a children’s play area at Island
Oasis
The design plan of the children’s play area is complete. Approved funding through the budget process will be necessary to complete
this goal.
Continue to support development of the
Heartland Public Shooting Park
The development of all rifle and pistol ranges continue, all ranges are operational. The camp ground design is complete and
construction of the first phase has begun.
Update Parks and Recreation master plan An updated master plan is contingent upon approved funding through the budget process.
Start construction of Aerated Static Pile
facility
Plans for an Aerated Static Pile composting system at the Waste Water Treatment Plant are complete. City staff is working with Swift
on projects that will reduce the loading sent to the city’s WWTP before proceeding.
Implement the Community Appearance
Plan
The PRT has demolished/resolved 8 proble m properties. Only 1 property was resolved using municipal funds. The legal department
and CSO’s have met quarterly to foster a greater understanding of polices and procedures. The CAP web page construction will begin
shortly and citizen request software is under review.
Public Health
Secure funding and begin construction of
the Household Hazardous Waste facility
Notification was given by the Environmental Trust that funding for the facility was denied in 2007 for lack of interlocals and
collaboration with Keep Nebraska Beautiful state master plan. A 2nd construction grant request will be submitted with suggested
changes from the ET in Sept. 2008 and a 5 yr operating grant will be made to the DEQ in Feb 09. Currently in process of obtaining
interlocals, working with KNB, and in constant communication with ET and DEQ for a successful second grant request.
Continue to aggressively address
environmental issues and advocate for
citizens
Develop language for smoking restrictions
to be considered to be placed on the ballot
Language was submitted to administration which mirrored the language that the State was considering in 2007. It was put on hold
pending to watch what the State would do. Legislation will be introduced during the 2008 legislature with more favorable language.