06/17/2025 Minutes GRAND ISLAND
City Council Study Session Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
June 17, 2025
6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, City Attorney Kari Fisk and
Finance Director Matthew Gleason.
The following City Council Members were present: Jack Sheard, Jason Conley, Chuck Haase,
Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Mitchell Nickerson. Mark Stelk, Doug Brown, Doug Lanfear
and Maggie Mendoza were absent.
4. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
5. OTHER ITEMS
5.a) Funding Strategies Discussions for Parks Projects and Island Oasis Renovations
Cover Page
City Council Budget Study Session
Island Oasis
Parks Projects and Funding
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy presented an update on major proposed Parks and
Recreation projects approaching and generate direction for funding strategies. Major projects
included renovations to Island Oasis and the Ryder Baseball Field, improvements inside the
Stolley train area, and extending the South Locust Street trail.
Mr. Mccoy reported on the Stolley Train Area, in 2001 the Stolley Park Zoo closed and a
committee of community members developed a vision of the space left in the park. From this,
Kids Kingdom and a large public picnic pavilion were constructed. A renewed group of
community supporters presented the idea for improvements inside the Stolley Park Railroad
which included more usable outdoor park spaces, new train tunnels, children's play areas, a bike
Page 2 of 7,City Council Study Session June 17,2025
pump track, and additional enhancements. The proposed project estimate was $3 million with the
goal of raising$750,000 privately. The committee formed the All Aboard Campaign and reported
they have raised over$800,000 to date. The All Aboard group had hired Olsson to provide design
services for the project. The proposed City funding would be $2,250,000.
Mr. McCoy reported on the Ryder Park Field Renovation: A group of supporters including
representatives from Grand Island Senior High,the American Legion Program,and local baseball
enthusiasts presented a plan to City Council to renovate the field and stadium and begin fund
raising efforts. In September, City Council approved hiring Olsson of Grand Island, Nebraska to
provide Engineering Services for the renovation in the amount of $420,000. Renovation plans
included installing an artificial turf field, new dugouts, lights and stadium improvements. The
total project was estimated at $5 million. The group had reported that they currently have raised
$1.1 of the $1.75 million goal. The proposed City funding would be $3,500,000.
Mr. McCoy reported on the South Locust Trail: On January 23, 2024, via Resolution No. 2024-
11, City Council approved a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with JEO Consulting
Group, Inc. of Grand Island, Nebraska in the amount of $98,925.00 to provide project
management & meetings, topographic survey for the project area, utility coordination, drainage
analysis, bridge concepts/cost opinions, 30% trail design, electrical concepts/cost opinions, and
environmental review.At the June 10th City Council Meeting Council approved Amendment No.
1 to the original agreement with JEO in the amount of$418,365.00 for further design to move
toward full construction of the South Locust Trail in FY26.
Mr. McCoy and Kyle McCawley from Waters Edge presented on Island Oasis Renovations: The
scope of the design was based on a 2022 facility evaluation and master plan which included the
following:
• Separation of the wave pool from other water spaces
• Enhance the lazy river with modern features
•Add more kid friendly play features, including replacement of the existing toddler slide, a youth
play structure, and sprays for toddlers
• Enhance restroom spaces with new mixtures, lighting, and paint
• Add a splash pad that can operate independently from pool
• Consider replacing existing slide with new tube slide
• Add more seating and shade
• Add family restrooms
• Additional indoor office and first aid space
• Opportunity to add a dry recreational component to extend the season and generate additional
revenue
The renovations totaled $15,900,000.
Assistant City Administrator/CFO Patrick Brown proposed tax-exempt municipal bonds with
either a 20-year or 30-year term, depending on Council direction. Under both scenarios, the
underwriting fee was projected at 1% of the par amount ($348,605), resulting in net proceeds of
$34,511,857. Options included the following:
Page 3 of 7,City Council Study Session June 17,2025
• 20-Year Option: With an estimated interest rate of 4.35%, the annual debt service was
projected at$2,534,948.
• 30-Year Option: With an estimated interest rate of 4.55%, the annual debt service was
projected at$2,059,057.
Funding for the annual payments would be derived from the following sources:
• Food & Beverage Occupation Tax: $750,000 annually
• KENO Funds: $250,000 annually
• Capital Improvement Fund (CIP): The remainder would be covered by the CIP Fund,
which would include reallocated General Fund reserves from annual budget savings.
The financing strategy enabled the city to deliver substantial improvements to public amenities
without overburdening general revenues while supporting long-term quality-of-life and
community health objectives.
Discussion was held by the council on bonding verses spending cash reserves.
10. ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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City Clerk
Jill Granere