08-20-2013 City Council Study Session Packet
City of Grand Island
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Study Session - Updated Packet
City Council:
Linna Dee Donaldson
Scott Dugan
John Gericke
Peg Gilbert
Chuck Haase
Julie Hehnke
Vaughn Minton
Mitchell Nickerson
Bob Niemann
Mike Paulick
Mayor:
Jay Vavricek
City Administrator:
Mary Lou Brown
City Clerk:
RaNae Edwards
7:00 PM
Council Chambers - City Hall
100 East 1st Street
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City of Grand Island Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Call to Order
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.
Invocation
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.
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City of Grand Island
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Study Session - Updated
Item -1
Discussion Concerning the Grand Island Veterans Home
Staff Contact: Mayor Jay Vavricek
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Council Agenda Memo
From:Jay Vavricek, Mayor
Meeting:August 20, 2013
Subject:Grand Island Veterans Home
Item #:1
Presenter(s):Jay Vavricek, Mayor
Background
On February 12, 2013, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution #2013-40 -
Consideration of Support for Community Proposal to Continue Service for Veterans in a
New Facility in Grand Island. The purpose of this Resolution was to state the City’s
support for the team of volunteers working on a community proposal to continue its
service to honor and care for veterans in its new facility in our community.
On May 28, 2013, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution #2013-167 -
Consideration of Funding the Community Offering and Approving Authorized Official to
Retain the Grand Island Veterans Home. The purpose of this Resolution was to approve
the City’s $3 million financial commitment of funding and to approve the Mayor as the
authorizing official.
The community offering was submitted to the State on June 11, 2013. A site visit with
the State’s Site Selection Committee and its advisers occurred Friday, June 14, 2013. The
Site Selection Committee was tasked with evaluating and recommending a site for the
new Central Nebraska Veterans Home.
On June 21, 2013, Resolution 2013-186 - Consideration of Providing Responses to
Veterans Home Site Selection Committee Questions and Concerns was unanimously
approved by the City Council. The purpose of this Resolution was to formally address
matters raised during the site visit and to confirm information and fully meet the needs
and expectation of the State.
Discussion
The purpose of the study session is to promote greater openness, more citizen awareness
and more public engagement of a decision that may likely affect generations to come.
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Council leadership should have ample time to gain a greater understanding of the
community’s desire for potential engagement of efforts that may occur to alter the State’s
recommendation to move the Grand Island Veterans Home to Kearney. An understanding
how this request may affect the City of Grand Island, our community, the State of
Nebraska, and the Grand Island Veterans Home members should result.
A funding request seeking tax payer funds in the amount of $5,000 to research options
has been tendered by the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce to the City of Grand
Island in conjunction with the Home for Our Heroes Committee.
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.
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