11/05/2024 Minutes GGRAND' ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
November 5, 2024
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
The following City Officials were present, City Clerk Jill Granere, City Administrator Laura
McAloon, Assistant City Administrator/CFO Patrick Brown, Finance Director Matthew
Gleason, Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhof and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present: Maggie Mendoza,Bethany Guzinski, Chuck
Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason
Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent.
4. SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
6. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
6.a) Recognition of Benjamin Arrants, Ryan Rathbun and Kevin Sheeks for 25 Years
of Service with the City of Grand Island Police Department.
7. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
ADJOURN TO BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Mark Stelk, second by Michelle
Fitzke to adjourn to Board of Equalization. Motion adopted.
7.a) #2024-BE-6 - Consideration of Determining Benefits for Parking District #3
(Offstreet Parking)
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Credits List
Resolution
Finance Director Matthew Gleason reported property owners within the District would be charged
a special assessment based on the entire square footage of their buildings. The square footage was
based on the information obtained from the County Assessor; however, if square footage was not
Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
available from the Assessor, then a calculation was done based on outer building dimensions and
the number of floors. The total square footage for Parking District#3 was 1,639,997. The special
assessment charge for the 2023-2024 year to be collected in 2024-2025 fiscal year was $80,032 or
$0.0488/square foot. Property owners who have parking within their property that is open to the
public, customers or users of the building can apply for a $/space credit. The credit could reduce
the amount owed for that property or other properties owned by the same owner within 300 feet
down to a minimum of$0. Any excess that cannot be used would not be paid out to the property
owner or credited to other properties more than 300 feet away. Using the same $15 credit Council
provided the prior year, Parking District #3 would have an estimated credit amount of$10,012,
leaving $70,020 of the special assessment amount collectible.
Motion by Bethany Guzinski, second by Mike Paulick to approve #2024-BE-6 - Consideration
of Determining Benefits for Parking District #3 (Offstreet Parking). Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie
Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, and
Jason Conley. Abstain: Mark Stelk and Mitch Nickerson. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion
adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Jason Conley to return
to Regular Session. Motion adopted.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Michelle Fitzke to approve CONSENT AGENDA excluding
item 8d. Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike
Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was
absent. Motion adopted.
8.a) Approving Minutes of the October 22, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting
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Minutes
8.b) Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of October 23, 2024, through
November 5, 2024, for a total amount of$5,169,424.50.
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Claims
8.c) Approving Appointment of Council President Mark Stelk to the Central District
Health Board.
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8.d) #2024-285 -Approving the City of Grand Island's Conflict of Interest Policy.
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Policy
Resolution
This item was pulled to be discussed at November 12, 2024, Study Session.
Page 3 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
8.e) #2024-286 -Approving Purchase of a new Backhoe for the Streets Division of the
Public Works Department.
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Pictures
Resolution
From Murphy Tractor&Equipment Company of Grand Island, Nebraska in an amount of
$116,500.00.
8.f) #2024-287 - Approving Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to the Preliminary
Engineering Services Agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company for Grand Island West
Connector Trail.
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Agreement
Resolution
Exhibit
8.g) #2024-288 - Approving Purchase of a new Salt Truck for the Streets Division of
the Public Works Department.
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Pictures
Resolution
With Hansen International of Grand Island,Nebraska in an amount of$141,640.61.
8.h) #2024-289 - Approving Award of Professional Engineering Consulting Services
for Stolley Park Road; South Locust Street to Stuhr Road Paving Improvements; Project No.
2024-P-4.
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Agreement
Resolution
Exhibit
With Olsson, Inc. of Grand Island,Nebraska in an amount not to exceed$327,600.00.
8.i) #2024-290 - Approving Annual FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance
Grant for Emergency Management Agency.
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Resolution
An interlocal agreement between the City of Grand Island and Hall County for the local match
to be split 50/50 between the two entities with salaries funding requested in local match funding
for FY25 from the City of Grand Island. FY25 EMPG Funding Grant award$96,358.50 with
local match$96,358.50
8.j) #2024-291 - Approving Contract for the Electrostatic Precipitator Transformer-
Rectifier.
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
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Resolution
With NWL Transformer, Inc. of Bordertown,New Jersey in an amount of$140,485.00.
8.k) #2024-292 -Approving Bid Contract for Tree Removal Contract 2025-TR-1.
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Resolution
With Leetch Tree Service of Grand Island,Nebraska.
8.1) #2024-293 -Approving Lease Agreement for Bobcat Excavator.
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Contract
Resolution
With Bobcat Excavator in an amount of$9,137.50.
8.m) #2024-294 - Approving the Addendum to the Professional Tailored Services
Agreement between Farmers National Company and City of Grand Island.
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Service Agreement
Resolution
9. REQUEST AND REFERRALS
9.a) Request from Don Shuda to transfer land north of Veteran's Cemetery to the United
Veteran's Club
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Don Shuda gave a presentation on their plans for the use of the land.
10. RESOLUTIONS
10.a) #2024-295 -Approving Grand Island Public Library Agreement with Midwest
Tape's Hoopla Digital Media Platform
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Agreement
Resolution
#2024-295 -Approving Grand Island Public Library Agreement with Midwest Tape's
Hoopla Digital Media Platform
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
Library Director Celine Swan reported that hoopla was a very popular database with our patrons.
Hoopla's price model is pay-per-use therefore with increased use the cost of providing the service
has gone up. To purchase up to$80,000 dollars per year in hoopla services through Midwest Tape
by and through the New York State Contract would be good for three years, through the end of
fiscal year 2027, resulting in a contract price not to exceed$240,000 through fiscal year 2027.
Motion by Mitchell Nickerson, second by Michelle Fitzke to approve #2024-295 - Approving
Grand Island Public Library Agreement with Midwest Tape's Hoopla Digital Media Platform.
Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase,Jack Sheard,Mike Paulick,
Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent.
Motion adopted.
10.b)#2024-296 -Approval of Parks &Recreation Master Plan Amendment#1
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Supplemental Agreement
Resolution
#2024-296 -Approval of Parks &Recreation Master Plan Amendment#1.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy reported with the recent approval and opportunities
associated with the Good Life District(GLD),City Administration was recommending additional
master planning services for potential future Parks and Recreation facilities and programs as they
relate to the GLD. Confluence had proposed to provide additional master planning services
supplemental to the existing agreement to include the GLD area. The City provided Woodsonia
Real Estate, Inc. the opportunity to provide input on the scope of work for this amendment and
would include Woodsonia fully in the planning process and development of recommended design
and land use for the City's property, including the existing Veteran's Sports Complex. One major
request from Woodsonia was that all design work under this amendment be completed within 60
days from contract execution and Confluence had committed to meeting that deadline. This
planning process would be able to incorporate the significant public outreach and input that the
City had received during the Master Planning process for Parks and Recreation, the concepts
proposed by Woodsonia in its Good Life District application and reach a final design that would
facilitate expedited construction of the many amenities desired by the City and its residents in the
Good Life District. Confluence had proposed additional master planning services to include GLD
in the amount of$68,800.00 for a new contract price of$256,270.00.
Gearld Poels spoke in opposition.
Discussion was held on getting involved in the planning process and future possible amendments.
Motion by Jason Conley, second by Mark Stelk to approve #2024-296 - Approval of Parks &
Recreation Master Plan Amendment#1. Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Chuck Haase, Jack
Sheard,Mike Paulick,Michelle Fitzke,Mark Stelk,Mitchell Nickerson,and Jason Conley.Noes:
Bethany Guzinski. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion adopted.
11. ORDINANCES
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
11.a)#9999 - Consideration to add City Code Chapter 27 Article VI to Authorize Certain
Contracts under the Political Subdivision Construction Alternatives Act
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Ordinance
Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhof reported the Nebraska Legislature approved the Nebraska
Political Subdivisions Construction Alternatives Act which allows Cities to adopt a procedure by
which certain, very limited, design-build or construction management at risk contracts may be
entered into. These agreements were heavily restricted by the Act and were available only on
certain limited project types that involve no federal funding but may have some limited utility to
the City for water, wastewater, utility, or sewer construction. The ordinance would create a
statutorily compliant process by which Public Works or Utilities could use certain construction
alternatives in the construction of certain water,wastewater,utility,or sewer construction projects.
These construction alternatives were not available for most construction work the City does, and
must follow a very specific procurement and evaluation process. Adopting this Construction
Alternatives ordinance would make that tool available should Public Works or Utilities encounter
this type of construction alternative might be appropriate for.
Gerald Poels spoke in opposition.
Motion by Mike Paulick, second by Michelle Fitzke to suspend the rules-#9999 -Consideration
to add City Code Chapter 27 Article VI to Authorize Certain Contracts under the Political
Subdivision Construction Alternatives Act. Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany
Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell
Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion adopted.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Mike Paulick to approve -#9999 - Consideration to add City
Code Chapter 27 Article VI to Authorize Certain Contracts under the Political Subdivision
Construction Alternatives Act. Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck
Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason
Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion adopted.
11.b) #10,000 - Consideration of Approving Assessments for Parking District#3
(Offstreet Parking)
Cover Page
Requested Credits List
Ordinance
Finance Director Matthew Gleason reported that property owners within the district would be
charged a special assessment based on the entire square footage of their buildings. The square
footage is based on the information obtained from the County Assessor. The total square footage
for Parking District#3 is 1,639,997. The special assessment charge for the 2023-2024 year to be
collected in 2024-2025 fiscal year is $80,032 or $0.0488/square foot. Using the same $15 credit
Council provided the prior year, Parking District #3 would have an estimated credit amount of
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting November 5,2024
$10,012, leaving $70,020 of the special assessment amount collectible.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Mike Paulick to suspend the rules -#10,000 - Consideration
of Approving Assessments for Parking District#3 (Offstreet Parking). Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie
Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, Mark
Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion adopted.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Michelle Fitzke to approve #10,000 - Consideration of
Approving Assessments for Parking District #3 (Offstreet Parking). Roll Call: Ayes: Maggie
Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke, and
Jason Conley. Abstain: Mark Stelk and Mitchell Nickerson. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion
adopted.
12. OTHER ITEMS
12.a)Executive Session to Discuss Strategy related to the Transfer of Heartland Event
Center
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Motion by Mike Paulick, second by Mark Stelk to adjourn to executive session. Roll Call: Ayes:
Maggie Mendoza,Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase,Jack Sheard,Mike Paulick,Michelle Fitzke,
Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent. Motion adopted.
Adjourned to executive session at 8:32 p.m.
Motion by Mitchell Nickerson, second by Bethany Guzinski to return to regular session. Roll
Call: Ayes: Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski, Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick,
Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, and Jason Conley. Doug Lanfear was absent.
Motion adopted.
Returned to regular session at 9:07 p.m.
13. ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
, ta -
rty Clerk
Jill Granere