03/10/2026 Minutes CITY OF
GRAND
ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
March 10, 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, Mike Paulick
and Doug Lanfear.
4. SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
9.) RESOLUTIONS
9.a) #2026-58 - VenuWorks Annual Report and Funding Request
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VenuWorks HEC 2026 Annual Report
HEC Budget Shortfall Memo
Resolution
Kyler Tarwater from Venuworks reported HEC's operating loss for FY25 was -$645,096 vs. a
budgeted loss of -$499,812. While the current fiscal year was on track to meet or exceed the
operating budget, it was unlikely they would make up enough ground to fund the entire shortfall
from FY25. We are formally requesting $145,284 to fund the FY25 operating shortfall.
Mentioned were the revenue and expense variances that impacted the FY25 budget.
Efforts to secure a naming rights sponsor and finalize signage agreements were unsuccessful
during FY25, primarily due to timing constraints. By January 2025, the majority of prospective
partners had finalized their annual budgets and requested that discussions be revisited during their
2026 budget cycle.
Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
Kyler announced that Big Iron Auction had agreed to naming writes for$2.1 million for a 15 year
contract.
Total expenses at Heartland Events Center were $228,334 under budget, which represented a
12% reduction. Unfortunately, this was not enough to offset the total revenue variance.
Personnel Expenses
Labor costs for the first year were $156,039 under budget due to the strategic utilization of
existing team members and support from VenuWorks' corporate staff Looking ahead, we plan
to increase full-time staffing to better support our current employees, improve workload balance,
and maintain overall operational efficiency.
General/Administrative and Services/Operations
General/Administrative, and Services/Operations expenses were in line with budget, with a few
notable exceptions. Supplies (office, operational, and custodial) exceeded budget by
approximately $10,000 due to having no preexisting inventory. Contracted Services exceeded
budget by $58,647, driven by the unplanned use of overnight security services, as well as
corporate support during the first several months of operations while we looked to fill open
positions.
Occupancy and Food & Beverage Expenses
Building Repairs & Maintenance and Food & Beverage Maintenance were over budget by a
combined $74,720, primarily due to the age and condition of the building which resulted in
unplanned repairs. These included chiller repairs ($14,318), electrical repairs ($13,562), cooler
repairs ($12,206), separation of the fire alarm system from the Fonner building ($3,114), oven
repairs ($2,778), overhead door repair ($1,547), fire sprinkler repair ($1,100), elevator repair
($800), and a roof repair ($450).
Event Related Expenses
Event-related expenses came in 28% under budget, in correlation with the reduction in event-
related revenues.
Food& Beverage Expenses
Food & Beverage expenses exceeded budget by $109,199, driven by several key factors. First,
unreliable equipment resulted in excess food spoilage and higher replacement costs of$59,321.
VenuWorks allocated $300,000 in capital investment toward the improvement and expansion of
HEC's Food & Beverage department.
FY26 was budgeted for 64 events with projected attendance of 102,249 patrons, representing a
strong increase over FY25 activity levels. To date, 49 events (77% of budgeted total) have been
confirmed, with an estimated combined attendance of 97,724 (96% of projected attendance),
placing us ahead of pace compared to the same point last year.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 9.a)#2026-58 -VenuWorks Annual
Report and Funding Request. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug
Lanfear. Motion adopted.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Mark Stelk to approve CONSENT AGENDA excluding 6.c.
Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Page 3 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
Chuck Haase,Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill,Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
6.a) Approving Minutes of the February 21, 2026 City Council Study Session (Council
Retreat).
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Minutes
6.b) Approving Minutes of the February 24, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting.
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Minutes
6.c) Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of February 25, 2026 through March
10, 2026 in the total amount of$3,959,898.62.
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Claims
Councilmember Haase made a Motion to Amend Payment of Claims removing $7,903.28 for
monthly charges for shelter and care services for an amended total of$3,951,995.34, seconded
by Councilmember Jack Sheard.
Discussion was held on the contract with Central Nebraska Humane Society and placement of
animals by city or public drop offs and how many nights/days were being charged.
Roll Call on amendment removing $7,903.28: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick
and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Doug Borwn to approve amendment 6.c) Approving Payment
of Claims for the Period of February 25, 2026 through March 10, 2026 in the total amount of
$3,951,995.34. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick, Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted.
6.d) #2026-49 - Approving Bid Award for Curb Ramp Project No. 2026-CR-1.
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Location Map- 2026-CR-1
A Plus Contracting, LLC Contract
Resolution
With A Plus Contracting, LLC of Sutton,Nebraska in an amount of$136,520.50.
6.e) #2026-50 - Approving Bid Award for Curb Ramp Project No. 2026-CR-2 CDBG.
With A Plus Contracting, LLC of Sutton, Nebraska in an amount of$70,777.50.
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Location Map- 2026 CR-2 CDBG
A Plus Contracting, LLC Contract
Resolution
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
6.1)#2026-51 -Approving Temporary Construction Easement for Stolley Park Road-
South Locust Street to Stuhr Road Paving Improvements; Project No. 2024-P-4 (Burson, Coble,
Helmer, Garcia, Robb and B & B Street Motive, LLC)
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Burson TE Exhibit
Coble TE Exhibit
Helmer TE Exhibit
Garcia TE Exhibit
Robb TE Exhibit
B & B Street Motive TE Exhibit
Resolution
6.g) #2026-52 - Approving Bid Award for Tree Removal at North Broadwell.
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B-D Construction, Inc. Contract
Resolution
With B-D Construction, Inc. of Columbus, Nebraska in an amount of$88,288.00.
6.h) #2026-53 - Approving Konexus 2026 Alertsense/IPAWS Renewal.
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Renewal Quote
Resolution
For a three year contract in an amount of$22,350.00 with 50%reimbursement from Hall County.
6.i) #2026-54 - Approving Bid Award - Boiler Inspection and Repair - Spring 2026.
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Contract
Resolution
With Locke AMI, LLC of Olathe, Kansas in an amount not to exceed $333,518.00.
6.j) #2026-55 - Approving Amendment to Purchase of Truck with 55 Foot Articulating
Aerial Device for the Electric Underground Division.
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Change Order
Resolution
With Terex Utilities, Inc. of Watertown, South Dakota in an increased amount of$2,248.00.
7.) PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a) Public Hearing Request from 3rd Street Trees LLC dba 3rd Street Trees, 305 N
Broadwell Avenue fora Class ''D" Liquor License
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
#2026-56 -Approving Request from 3rd Street Trees LLC dba 3rd Street Trees, 305 N
Broadwell Avenue for a Class "D" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation for
Melissa Fieldgrove, 1424 Huston Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska
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Police Report
Police Report
Map
Resolution
City Clerk Jill Granere reported an application for a Class "D" Liquor License had been received
from 3rd Street Trees LLC dba 3rd Street Trees, 305 N. Broadwell, Grand Island, Nebraska. Ms.
Granere presented the following exhibits for record; application submitted to the Liquor Control
Commission and received by the City on February 4, 2026; notice to the general public of date,
time, and place of hearing was published on February 28, 2026; notice to the applicant of date,
time and place of hearing was mailed on February 4, 2026. Also submitted was liquor manager
designation for Melissa Fieldgrove, 1424 Huston Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska.
Recommendation from the Grand Island Police Department was to deny this application and liquor
manager for Melissa Fieldgrove. Nebraska State Patrol also advised they would request a show
cause hearing from the liquor commission.
Melissa Fieldgrove spoke in favor.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Doug Lanfear to deny #2026-56 - Approving Request from
3rd Street Trees LLC dba 3rd Street Trees, 305 N Broadwell Avenue for a Class "D" Liquor
License and Liquor Manager Designation for Melissa Fieldgrove, 1424 Huston Avenue, Grand
Island, Nebraska. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted.
7.b) Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement - 2805, 2811, 2903, 2909, 2915
Good Samaritan Place (The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society)
#2026-57 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement - 2805, 2811, 2903, 2909,
2915 Good Samaritan Place (The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society)
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Resolution
Map
Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz reported the City of Grand Island Utilities Department had
discovered an omitted utility easement along the East side of Good Samaritan Place in Grand
Island,Nebraska. This said infrastructure supplies electric service to the empty lot addresses listed
above. The proposed new easement tract would allow the Department to install, access, operate,
and maintain existing electrical infrastructure at this location.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Jack Sheard to approve 7.b) #2026-57 - Approving
Acquisition of Utility Easement - 2805, 2811, 2903, 2909, 2915 Good Samaritan Place (The
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason
Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
8.) REQUEST AND REFERRALS
8.a) Consideration of Referring a Blight and Substandard Study for Proposed
CRA Area 42 to the Hall County Regional Planning Commission
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Grand Island Area 42 Habitat Blight Study
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported a Substandard and Blight Study was
prepared for Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity. The study for proposed CRA Area No. 42
in northeast Grand Island. The study was prepared for 16.5 acres of property south of Capital
Avenue and east of Saint Paul Road. The study prepared and submitted indicated that this
property could be considered blighted and substandard. Council shall decide whether to send the
study to the Planning Commission for its review and feedback. If the item was not sent to the
Planning Commission, the Council cannot declare the area blighted and substandard. Planning
Commission will meet April 1st and will have a recommendation ready following that meeting.
Once an area had been declared blighted and substandard, the CRA could accept redevelopment
proposals for the area. They were interested in redeveloping this property for residential uses and
the property was currently zoned for residential uses.
Zach Butz and Lindsey Jurgens spoke in favor.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Doug Brown to forward the Study to the Planning
Commission. 8.a) Consideration of Referring a Blight and Substandard Study for Proposed CRA
Area 42 to the Hall County Regional Planning Commission. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark
Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan
O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
8.b) Consideration of Referring a Blight and Substandard Study for Proposed
CRA Area 43 to the Hall County_Regional Planning Commission
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Grand Island Area North Road Blight Study
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported a Substandard and Blight Study was
prepared for The Tree Folks.The study for proposed CRA Area No.43 in northwest Grand Island.
This study was approximately 172.5 acres of property east of North Road between Nebraska
Highway 2 and Capital Avenue. The study prepared and submitted indicated that this property
could be considered blighted and substandard. Council shall decide whether to send the study to
the Planning Commission for its review and feedback. If the item was not sent to the Planning
Commission, the Council cannot declare the area blighted and substandard. Planning
Commission will meet April 1st and will have a recommendation ready following that meeting.
Once an area had been declared blighted and substandard, the CRA could accept redevelopment
proposals for the area. As of February 28, 2026, 26.43% of the City had been declared blighted
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
and substandard. Area 43 would add 172.5 acres to the total of blighted and substandard property
and would, if approved, add 0.88% to the total area declared blighted and substandard bringing
the total to 27.31%.This was further modified, as allowed by statute, by reducing the total by the
amount that was also declared extremely blighted or within a good life district 1649 acres or
8.46%. The net blighted and substandard area in Grand Island was 18.85%, well below the 35%
maximum. It does not appear that the declaration of Area 43 would significantly impact the City's
ability to declare other areas blighted and substandard. If both Areas 42 and 43 were approved
the net blighted areas would be 18.86%.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Doug Brown to forward the Study to the Planning
Commission. 8.b) Consideration of Referring a Blight and Substandard Study for Proposed CRA
Area 43 to the Hall County Regional Planning Commission. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark
Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan
O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
8.c) Cross Street Banners on Utility Power Poles
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Pictures
Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz reported Grand Island Utilities had a recent history of hanging
cross street banners for nonprofit entities across both 2nd Street and 3rd Street on Cedar Street.
The historic nature of this process was unknown to current staff. At this time the number of
entities requesting banners being put up and taken down had reached eleven (11). The banners
attach to existing wood power poles that also hold up primary power cables, secondary power
cables, telecommunication cables, pole top switches, and a streetlight. The banners average 2' in
width and are 30'-40' long. Mr. Schmitz further reported the banners present two (2)real issues.
First, the banners create the equivalent of an 80 sq. ft. area which, when exposed to wind and/or
ice, adds an additional external force that the wood power poles must resist. This added force had
the ability to break or shorten the life of the wood power poles over time. The loss of these poles
would create a fault putting the center of town in a power outage as these poles support a main
electric feeder which transports power to several hundred customers. Secondly, we do not
currently charge a fee to hang up or take down the banners. The task requires a lineman crew (4
people), a bucket truck, and a pickup truck one hour to complete. Total cost is approximately
$465 to hang each banner and $465 to take them down. Additionally, at times, banners come
loose in a storm and must be addressed. Mr. Schmitz mentioned he was seeking guidance from
Council in regard to this practice. Options include (A) continue hanging banners for free at the
request of any organization (B) Stop hanging banners altogether or (C) Begin charging a fee for
this service. City Legal does not recommend continuing this practice. There were insurance
coverage and liability issues that were not previously an issue. There were also potential First
Amendment issues with the current practice.
Councilmember Haase spoke in favor of continuing to hang the signs.
Councilmember Nickerson spoke in opposition and not continuing it.
Councilmember O'Neill discussed the fees, rates and liability issues.
Councilmember Sheard spoke in favor of continuing to hang the signs but charging a fee and
figuring out the insurance liability.
Page 8 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
Councilmember Brown spoke in favor but charging a fee.
Councilmember Paulick spoke in regards to the liability and making sure that is covered.
10.) ORDINANCES
10.a) #10,063 - Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Electric
Utility Commercial Deposits
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Ordinance
Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz reported on February 10th, 2026, a revised Ordinance was
brought before Council regarding changes to Chapter 15 of City Code. The Ordinance was
intended to include more narrow language in regard to the number of future customers that would
be affected. It was recently discovered that the Chapter 15 Ordinance language included in the
February 10th, 2026 Council Packet was the original version rather than the intended revised
edition. The revisions to Chapter 15 of City Code were intended to accomplish the following:
Amend the current commercial language to require deposits of two times the estimated monthly
usage, a deposit refund after two (2) years of good payment standing. Hold the deposits of
customers on Contracted rates (Cogen, Interruptible, and Economic) for the duration of the
Contract.Allow Surety Bonds and Irrevocable Letters of Credit as an alternative to a cash deposit.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to suspend the rules 10.a)#10,063 -Approving
Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Electric Utility Commercial Deposits. Roll Call:
Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase,
Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Chuck Haase to approve 10.a)#10,063 -Approving Changes
to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Electric Utility Commercial Deposits. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack
Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie
Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
10.b) #10,064- Consideration of Vacation of A Portion of Easement in Northwest
Gateway Second Subdivision (3019 & 3023 Colorado Avenue)
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Ordinance
Access Easement Vacation Exhibit
Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported an access easement within Northwest Gateway
Second Subdivision was filed with Hall County Register of Deeds on January 9, 2023. The
request was to vacate an existing access easement within Northwest Gateway Second and Third
Subdivisions due to there being no need for it, as both 3019 & 3023 Colorado Avenue had access
from Colorado Avenue.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to suspend the rules 10.b) #10,064-
Consideration of Vacation of A Portion of Easement in Northwest Gateway Second Subdivision
Page 9 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting March 10,2026
(3019 & 3023 Colorado Avenue). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick
and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 10.b) #10,064- Consideration of
Vacation of A Portion of Easement in Northwest Gateway Second Subdivision (3019 & 3023
Colorado Avenue). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted.
11.) OTHER ITEMS
11.a) Executive Session to Receive Litigation Status Updates from City Attorney and to
Discuss Strategy regarding Purchase, Sale, and Contract Negotiations of Real Estate
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Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Doug Lanfear to adjourn to executive session 11.a) Executive
Session to Receive Litigation Status Updates from City Attorney and to Discuss Strategy
regarding Purchase, Sale, and Contract Negotiations of Real Estate. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard,
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Adjourn to executive session at 8:39 p.m.
Mike Paulick left the executive session at 9:28.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to return to regular session 11.a) Executive
Session to Receive Litigation Status Updates from City Attorney and to Discuss Strategy
regarding Purchase, Sale, and Contract Negotiations of Real Estate. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard,
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Returned to regular session at 9:48 p.m.
12). ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
Gra-rye-K.-
C'ty Clerk
Jill Granere