01/27/2026 Minutes CITY OF
GRAND ISLAND
, I NECity Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
January 27, 2026
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger G. 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 Administrator Patrick Brown, City Clerk Jill
Granere, City Attorney Kari Fisk and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug
Lanfear. Mike Paulick 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 the Grand Island Senior High Unified Bowling Team on their State
Championship
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7. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve CONSENT AGENDA excluding
7f and 7m. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown,Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick.
Motion adopted.
7.a) Approving Minutes of the January 13, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting.
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Minutes
7.b) Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of January 14, 2026 through January
27, 2026 in the total amount of$6,406,998.52.
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Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
Claims
7.c) Approving Councilmember Appointments to Boards and Commission for 2026
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Council Boards and Commissions
7.d) #2026-12 -Approval of Compass Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement
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Map
Plat
Application
Agreement
Resolution
7.e) #2026-13 - Approval of Indianhead Eighth Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision
Agreement
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Proposed Subdivision Map
Indianhead 8th Subdivision Map
Application
Agreement
Resolution
7.f)#2026-14 - Approving Proposal for Pier Park Lake Trail and Water Quality Study
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Agreement
Resolution
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy reported the Pier Park trail adjacent to the lake's
seawall had experienced settlement and surface irregularities. In addition, Pier Park Lake had
exhibited recurring algae blooms, elevated turbidity, and periodic odor concerns reported by
nearby residents in recent years. To address these issues, the Parks and Recreation Department
solicited proposals from qualified engineering and design firms to inspect, evaluate, and develop
conceptual design alternatives for the existing trail and overall water quality of Pier Park Lake.
he proposal from JEO Consulting Group, Inc. of Grand Island,Nebraska is recommended. JEO's
proposal included conducting a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of the existing trail and
lake water quality and then developing alternatives and cost estimates to improve the trail and
water quality. JEO proposed to provide their services for a total fee of$108,445.00.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 7f. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard,
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill,
Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
7.g) #2026-15 - Approving Fire Department Purchase of Mobile Radios
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Quote
Page 3 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
State Contract
Resolution
From Motorola Solutions, Inc. in an amount of$57,221.34.
7.h) #2026-16 - Approving Agreement with Nebraska Department of Transportation
(NDOT) for Grand Island Rail Crossing Study
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Program Agreement
Resolution
Federal funds had been obligated in the amount of $600,000.00, with $75,000.00 being City
responsibility and another $75,000.00 being the responsibility of Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad.
7.i)#2026-17 -Approving Bid Award for Stolley Park Road- South Locust Street to Stuhr
Road Paving Improvements; Project No. 2024-P-4 and Sanitary Sewer District No. 546
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Contract
Resolution
With The Diamond Engineering Company of Grand Island, Nebraska in an amount of
$3,323,770.00.
7.j) #2026-18 - Approving Award of Professional Engineering Consulting Services for
Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Modifications; Project No. 2026-WWTP-2
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Agreement
Resolution
With HDR Engineering, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska in an amount not to exceed $356,313.00.
7.k) #2026-19 - Approving Temporary Construction Easement for Stolley Park Road-
South Locust Street to Stuhr Road Paving Improvements; Project No. 2024-P-4 (Mercado
Gonzalez and Mejia-Perez)
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Mercado Gonzalez Exhibt
Mejia-Perez Exhibit
Resolution
7.1) #2026-20 -Approving Separate System Bond Documents
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Continuing Disclosure Agreement
Certificate of Participant
Resolution
7.m) #2026-21 - Approving the Submission of the 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Community Development Block Grant
program funding to HUD
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2024 CAPER Draft
Resolution
Community Development Administrator Amber Alvidrez reported the Consolidated Annual
Performance & Evaluation Report addressed the funds that were still in use from previous year's
allocations and the 2024 PY allocated CDBG funds used beginning 10/1/2024- 9/30/2025. It also
identified areas of success and barriers towards meeting the community development priority
needs, and objectives stated in the 5-year Consolidated Plan through activities that were
implemented during the Program year as a result of Community Development Block Grant Funds.
Further stated were the many federal funding challenges but did not jeopardize the money.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 7m. Roll Call: Ayes: Ayes: Jack
Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan
O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
8.) PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a) Public Hearing Request from Downtown Industry LLC, dba Sin City Grill, 410 W
3rd Street Grand Island Nebraska,_for a Class "C" Liquor License
111 #2026-22 - Approving Downtown Industry LLC, dba Sin City Grill, 410 W 3rd Street,
Grand Island,Nebraska, for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation
for Ivan Alcantar, 1413 S Lincoln Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska
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Police Report
Map
Resolution
City Clerk Jill Granere reported an application for a Class "C" Liquor License had been received
from Downtown Industry LLC, dba Sin City Grill,410 W 3rd Street, Grand Island,Nebraska. Ms.
Granere presented the following exhibits for record; application submitted to the Liquor Control
Commission and received by the City on December 31, 2025; notice to the general public of date,
time, and place of hearing was published on January 17, 2026; notice to the applicant of date,time
and place of hearing was mailed on January 2, 2026. Also submitted was liquor manager
designation for Ivan Alcantar, 1413 S Lincoln Avenue, Grand Island,Nebraska.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve #2026-22 - Approving Downtown
Industry LLC, dba Sin City Grill, 410 W 3rd Street, Grand Island, Nebraska, for a Class "C"
Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation for Ivan Alcantar, 1413 S Lincoln Avenue,
Grand Island, Nebraska. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
8.b)Public Hearing to Consider Rezoning Property at 501 S. Gunbarrel Road in the N 1/2
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
of the S 1/2 of Section 18, Township 11 North,Range 8 West of the 6th P.M. in Merrick County
from TA Transitional Agriculture and AG-2 Secondary Agriculture to LLR Large Lot Residential
#10,061 - Consideration of Approving request to Rezone Property at 501 S. Gunbarrel
Road in the N 1/2 of the S 1/2 of Section 18, Township 11 North, Range 8 West of the
6th P.M. in Merrick County from TA Transitional Agriculture and AG-2 Secondary
Agriculture to LLR Large Lot Residential
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Proposed Map
Future Land-Use Map
Ordinance
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported an application had been made to rezone
approximately 116 acres of property comprising a North half 1/2 of the Southwest Quarter(SW'/4)
and NW1/4 Northwest Quarter (NW'/4) of Southeast Quarter (SE'/4) of Section Eighteen (18),
Township Eleven (11) North, Range Eight (8) West of the 6th P.M., Merrick County, Nebraska.
located east of Gunbarrel Road and north of Bismark Road from TA- Transitional Agricultural
Zone & AG-2- Secondary Agricultural Zone to LLR- Large Lot Residential Zone. Gunbarrel
Development LLC was proposing a 3-lot subdivision to build single family homes.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to suspend the rules 8.b) #10,061 -
Consideration of Approving request to Rezone Property at 501 S. Gunbarrel Road in the N 1/2 of
the S 1/2 of Section 18, Township 11 North, Range 8 West of the 6th P.M. in Merrick County
from TA Transitional Agriculture and AG-2 Secondary Agriculture to LLR Large Lot
Residential. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick.
Motion adopted.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 8.b) #10,061 - Consideration of
Approving request to Rezone Property at 501 S. Gunbarrel Road in the N 1/2 of the S 1/2 of
Section 18, Township 11 North, Range 8 West of the 6th P.M. in Merrick County from TA
Transitional Agriculture and AG-2 Secondary Agriculture to LLR Large Lot Residential. Roll
Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck
Haase, Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion
adopted.
9.) RESOLUTIONS
9.a) #2026-23 - Consideration of Approval of Gunbarrel Lake Subdivision Final Plat
and Subdivision Agreement
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Map
Plat
Agreement
Resolution
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported the property was located east of
Gunbarrel Road and north of Bismark Road in Merrick County, Nebraska. Since the rezoning
was approved this was a legal subdivision creating 3 lots along Gunbarrel Road. With 4 or fewer
lots along an existing road the developer was not responsible for installing water or sewer line
with the development. The lots were all greater than 3 acres in size so acceptable for well and on
site wastewater treatment based on regulations provided and enforce by the State of Nebraska.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Jack Sheard to approve #2026-23 - Consideration of
Approval of Gunbarrel Lake Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement. Roll Call: Ayes:
Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan
O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
9.b) #2026-24 - Approving Financing and Reimbursement of Certain Expenditures from
Bond Proceeds issued by the City
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Resolution
City Administrator Patrick Brown reported the City of Grand Island proposed to borrow
$23,500,000 to fund various parks projects and improvements to the Heartland Events Center.
These projects aim to enhance recreational facilities, improve community amenities, and upgrade
infrastructure at the Heartland Events Center to support economic development and tourism.
Projects to be funded would include the following. Heartland Event Center improvements:
• Chillers - $1,225,000
• Boilers - $1,975,045
• Arena Lighting - $1,752,079
• Sound System - $1,165,200
• Vestibule - $951,739
• Roof Replacement- $974,203
• Ice Rink Revival - $2,024,195 (less grant of $1,000,000 possibility) net $1,024,195
Contingency - $932,539
Total Heartland Event Center- $11,000,000
• Island Oasis Renovation - $11,500,000
• Refinance of Veterans Sports Complex note - $1,000,000.
Total cost for all renovations and refinancing was $23,500,000. This was all dependent on
revenue sources, future budgets, and other needed capital projects.
Discussion was held regarding the projects and options. It was mentioned that this was solely to
shop for bonds and didn't mean all the projects would be completed and would be brought back
to council.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Chuck Haase to approve #2026-24 - Approving Financing
and Reimbursement of Certain Expenditures from Bond Proceeds issued by the City. Roll Call:
Ayes: Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard,Mark Stelk,Jason Conley,Mitchell Nickerson,Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase,Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting January 27,2026
adopted.
10.) ORDINANCES
•
10.a)#10,062 -Consideration of Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving
Electric Utility Commercial Deposits
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Exhibits
Ordinance
Councilmember Haase spoke in regards to not suspending the rules due to wanting more
information that he didn't think would be able to be answered tonight.
City Attorney Kari Fisk advised if the rules were not suspended it would be first reading only, no
discussion could take place.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to suspend the rules 10.a) #10,062 -
Consideration of Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Electric Utility
Commercial Deposits. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk. Noes: Jack Sheard, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion failed.
City Clerk Jill Granere read Ordinance 10,062 by title for First Reading Only.
11). ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
g',0 A )24
City Clerk
Jill Granere