04/28/2026 Minutes CITY OF
GrRAND; 'ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
April 28, 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: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick.
4. SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
6.) PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
6.a) Recognition of Grand Island Central Catholic Speech Team as the State Class C-1
Runner Up and Recognition of Individual Medalists and State Champions
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6.c) Recognizing City Participation in Nebraska National Guard Boss Flight (This item
was pulled to go before the financial update.
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6.b) City Financial and Budget Update
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Financial and Budget Update
City Administrator Patrick Brown gave an Economic Overview for the City of Grand Island's
FY2027 Budget Process. Mr. Brown mentioned the economic picture is mixed. At the federal
level,the economy is still growing,but at a slower pace than many local governments would prefer
Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
heading into budget season. For municipal budgeting, that means the national economy was not in
recession, but it was also not providing the kind of low-inflation, low-interest-rate environment
that makes budgeting easy. Operating costs, construction costs, insurance, and debt issuance costs
should all be expected to remain under pressure as the City develops its FY2027 financial plan.
Mr. Brown mentioned as Grand Island begins the FY2027 budget process in a stable but cautious
position. Federal inflation and interest rates remain elevated relative to recent years, Nebraska's
labor market remains strong but the State was facing tighter budget conditions, and local taxable
sales continue to show moderate positive growth. Based on the City's adopted FY2026 revenue
assumptions and currently available public data, Grand Island appears positioned to finish FY2026
generally on budget, with the possibility of modest upside in sales-tax-supported revenues.
Accordingly, the FY2027 budget should emphasize conservative revenue forecasting, close
monitoring of inflation-sensitive expenditures, preservation of operating flexibility, and careful
alignment of one-time revenues with one-time costs. Mentioned was with current personnel and
projected 2% cost of living raise, without any new additional FTE's we are currently upside down
of$3,010,016.
Discussion was held on the Good Life District and collections. At this time, it was education as to
making sure retailers were checking the box and no real solution.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve CONSENT AGENDA. Roll Call:
Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie
Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion
adopted.
7.a) Approving Minutes of the April 14, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting
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Minutes
7.b) Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of April 29, 2026 through March 12,
2026 in the total amount of$5,080,873.80.
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Claims
7.c) #2026-99 - Approving Bid Award for State Street/Diers Avenue Improvements;
Project No. 2026-P-1
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Contract
Resolution
With Van Kirk Bros. Contracting of Sutton, Nebraska in an amount of$2,888,826.44.
7.d) #2026-100 - Approving Temporary Construction Easement for State Street/Diers
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Avenue Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Grand Island Joint Venture, LLC)
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Resolution
Exhibit
7.e) #2026-101 - Approving Request from HAL Sports for Permission to Use City
Streets, Hike/Bike Trail, and State Highway for the 2026 Nebraska State Fair Marathons
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2026 Half Marathon Map
2026 Marathon Map
Resolution
7.f)#2026-102 -Approving Interlocal Participation Agreement with Equalis Group
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Agreement
Resolution
7.g) #2026-103 - Approving Asphalt Parking Lot Improvements at Lincoln and George
Parks
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Agreement
Resolution
With J.I.L. Asphalt Co. of Grand Island, Nebraska in an amount of$129,079.00.
7.h) #2026-104 -Approving City Greenhouse Renovations Project
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Contract
Resolution
With Commerce Construction of Grand Island, Nebraska in an amount of$46,465.95.
7.i) #2026-105 -Approving Unspent Capital Funds for HPSP Grass Seeding Project
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Estimate
Resolution
Authorizing Hornady to utilize the unused Storage Building Fees for grass seeding in an amount
of$22,861.98.
7.j) #2026-106 - Approving Amendment to Ryder Park Lease Agreement
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Amended Lease Agreement
111 Resolution
8.) PUBLIC HEARINGS
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
8.a) Public Hearing Request from RC Dumpsters LLC dba Lucky's Bar & Beer Garden,
2303 E Hwy 30, Grand Island, Nebraska for a Class "C" Liquor License
#2026-107 -Approving Request from RC Dumpsters LLC dba Lucky's Bar&
Beer Garden, 2303 E Hwy 30, Grand Island, Nebraska for a Class "C" Liquor
License and Liquor Manager Designation for Andrea Cash,326 Mallard Ln,
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 RC Dumpsters LLC dba Lucky's Bar & Beer Garden, 2303 E Hwy 30, Grand Island,
Nebraska. Ms. Granere presented the following exhibits for record; application submitted to the
Liquor Control Commission and received by the City on April 3,2026;notice to the general public
of date,time, and place of hearing was published on April 18, 2026; notice to the applicant of date,
time and place of hearing was mailed on April 3, 2026. Also submitted was liquor manager
designation for Andrea Cash, 326 Mallard Ln, Grand Island,Nebraska.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve 8.a)#2026-107-Approving Request
from RC Dumpsters LLC dba Lucky's Bar & Beer Garden, 2303 E Hwy 30, Grand Island,
Nebraska for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation for Andrea Cash,326
Mallard Ln, Grand Island, Nebraska. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
8.b)Public Hearing on Acquisition of Public Right-of-Way for State Street/Diers Avenue
Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Grand Island Joint Venture, LLC)
#2026-108-Approving Acquisition of Public Right-of-Way for State Street/Diers
Avenue Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Grand Island Joint Venture, LLC)
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Resolution
Exhibit
Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported a permanent utility easement was needed to
accommodate the improvements to the State Street/Diers Avenue area. All property acquisitions
and negotiations were handled by a third party,Midwest ROW of Omaha,Nebraska,who worked
with the affected property owner to sign the necessary documents to grant the property. Payment
to the affected property owner totals $5,952.00.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 8.b) #2026-108- Approving
Acquisition of Public Right-of-Way for State Street/Diers Avenue Improvements; Project No.
2026-P-1 (Grand Island Joint Venture,LLC).Roll Call: Ayes:Mark Stelk,Jason Conley,Mitchell
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
9.) RESOLUTIONS
9.a) #2026-109 - Approving Award of Proposal for Yard Waste Operations for the Solid
Waste Division of the Public Works Department
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Contract
Resolution
Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Yard Waste
Operations at the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department was advertised in the
Grand Island Independent on February 13, 2026. The RFP was also sent to four (4) potential
proposers by the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. The Solid Waste
Division began accepting grass and leaves with free disposal in 2004 for City of Grand Island
residents. Then with the discontinuation of the residential cleanup program in 2011 tree limbs
and branches were added to the free disposal. Actual cost of operating the yard waste site for
FY25 was $142,967.92, with a budget of$174,000.00 for FY26. One (1) proposal was opened
on March 5, 2026, reviewed and scored.
Mr. Kurz further mentioned the proposal submitted by Smart Soil, LLC of Grand Island,
Nebraska meet the criteria laid out in the solicitation package for yard waste site operations to
continue as is. An agreement in the amount of$94,500.00 had been reached for the term of April
29, 2026- September 30, 2026,which would line up with the City's fiscal year. Subsequent terms
and costs are shown below.
• Term Cost October 1, 2026- September 30, 2027 $94,500.00
• October 1, 2027- September 30, 2028 $95,500.00
• October 1, 2028- September 30, 2029 $97,335.00
After the initial forty-two (42) month contract there was an option to extend in one (1) year
increments for up to two (2) additional terms, with cost negotiated at that time. Any contract
extensions would be brought before City Council for approval. The new yard waste site would
be located 3.2 miles west of the Transfer Station, within 4 miles of City limits, at 366 N 80th
Road,Alda,Nebraska along a paved established collection route having direct,convenient access
to Old Potash Highway away from schools zones, residential development,pedestrian traffic and
traffic congestion. Operating hours would not change from the current Spring/Summer hours of
Monday-Friday; 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am-4pm, with Fall/Winter hours of Monday-Friday;
8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-4pm. The new site would continue to offer free disposal of grass,
leaves, tree limbs and branches for City of Grand Island residents. Commercial yard waste would
also be accepted at this site.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 9.a)#2026-109 -Approving Award
of Proposal for Yard Waste Operations for the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works
Department. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase,Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike
Paulick. Motion adopted.
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
9.b) #2026-110 - Approving Case New Holland Industrial LB840 Application
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Application
Agreement
Resolution
Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation President Mary Berlie reported Case New
Holland Industrial submitted the required LB840 application and supplemental documents,
requesting $388,000 in a reimbursement grant to increase Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees
at their Grand Island facility. Case New Holland Industrial had an employment base of 680 FTEs
and would increase their employment base with 45 new FTEs. This would bring Case IH's
workforce to 725 FTEs at the Grand Island facility.
LB840 Balance as of 4/24/2026:
• EDC Payment ($101,322.00)
• FY26 City Admin Fee ($0.00)
• GIX Logistics (2025) ($457,235.75)
• YWCA-pd. 02/24/2026 payables ($0.00)
• Dramco Tool Company ($102,000.00)
• Business Blueprint($68,803.60)
• GI Expo ($600,000.00)
• Case IH $388,000.00
Balance of$644.52
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 9.b) #2026-110 - Approving Case
New Holland Industrial LB840 Application. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
9.c) #2026-111 - Approving Appointment of Chelsey Steinke as Finance Director/ City
Treasurer
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Resolution
City Administrator announced the choice for appointment of Chelsey Steinke as Finance
Director/City Treasurer. The appointment resolution authorized the current City Treasurer,
Patrick Brown, to maintain the official designation of City Treasurer until such time as the
transition of duties can be fully effectuated at which time he was empowered to surrender that
title in full to Ms. Steinke.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 9.c) #2026-111 - Approving
Appointment of Chelsey Steinke as Finance Director / City Treasurer. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark
Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan
O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
9.d) #2026-112 -Approving Payment of Amounts Due to the Central Nebraska Humane
Society for February and March of 2026
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Animal Intake Spreadsheet February
Animal Intake Spreadsheet March
Resolution
Police Chief Kevin Denney mentioned he was there for any questions.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 9.d) #2026-112 - Approving
Payment of Amounts Due to the Central Nebraska Humane Society for February and March of
2026. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike
Paulick. Motion adopted.
10.) ORDINANCES
10.a) #10,071 - Consideration of Approving Salary Ordinance
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Ordinance
Human Resource Director Aaron Schmid and Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz reported the Water
Shop had an organizational structure where the entirety of the staff reports directly to the
Superintendent position. This type of structure tends to overload the Superintendent position and
leads to inefficiencies in communication and jobsite real-time oversite. Alternatively,the Utilities
Underground and Overhead Departments utilize a Crew Chief position as an intermediate party
responsible for four (4) to five (5) person crews. They were given jobsite authority to carry out
the Superintendents directive, which free's up the Superintendent to focus more on investigating
occurring work, responding to customer inquiries, planning, and managing inventory. With a
pending retirement in the Water Department, it was the Utilities intent to create a Crew Chief
position in order to achieve a structure parallel to that of the Underground and Overhead
Departments. Absent the creation of this position at this time, the Department would be forced to
operate short a position through the summer construction season as the intent would be to revisit
this needed change again during budget discussions in August.The creation of this position would
not be the approval to add an additional employee to the department. The intent was to advertise
the new designation to all Water Shop personnel but limit it to internal staff only in order to
maintain the current staffing level.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to suspend the rules 10.a) #10,071 -
Consideration of Approving Salary Ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug
Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Motion by Chuck Haaswe, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 10.a) #10,071 - Consideration of
Approving Salary Ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack
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Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
10.b) #10,072 - Consideration of Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code
involving Right of Entry Inspection Disconnections
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Ordinance
Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz reported currently any service disconnected for six(6)months or
longer was required to have an inspection prior to reconnection. This revision to Chapter 15-28
of City Code was intended to accomplish the following: Amend the current language to include
a provision to allow for irrigation for agricultural purposes to have a service disconnection of
twelve(12)months before an inspection was required. Maintain the ability for the City to prevent
unsafe connection and allow farmers the leeway to disconnect an irrigation well for the winter
and reconnect the next season with no added risk to the City or Utility.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to suspend the rules 10.b) #10,072 -
Consideration of Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Right of Entry
Inspection Disconnections.Roll Call:Ayes: Mark Stelk,Jason Conley,Mitchell Nickerson,Doug
Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard
and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 10.b) #10,072 - Consideration of
Approving Changes to Chapter 15 of City Code involving Right of Entry Inspection
Disconnections. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike
Paulick. Motion adopted.
10.c) 10,073 - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TAX
SUPPORTED MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2026, OF THE CITY OF
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED
$25,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COSTS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE OWNED BY THE CITY AND TO REFINANCE THE 2016
PROMISSORY NOTE OF THE CITY; PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF SAID BONDS;
PLEDGING FUNDS TO BE RECEIVED BY A SALES AND USE TAX AND PROPERTY
TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID BONDS; PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND
COLLECTION OF SAID TAXES TO PAY THE SAME; PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF
THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF THE BONDS TO THE PURCHASER;
PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF BOND PROCEEDS; AUTHORIZING BOND
INSURANCE FOR THE BONDS; AND ORDERING THE ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN
PAMPHLET OR ELECTRONIC FORM
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Ordinance
City Administrator Patrick Brown reported the City seeks to issue its Tax Supported Municipal
Improvement Bonds, Series 2026, for the purpose of: (i) acquiring and constructing certain
improvements to the City's water park commonly known as Island Oasis, and renovate, improve,
Page 9 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
and equip the City's Heartland Event Center, which improvements to such facilities and
equipment were to be owned and operated by the City; (ii)refinance the City's Promissory Note,
Series 2016, in the original principal amount of$5,000,000 and which was currently outstanding
in the amount of approximately $840,000; and (iii) pay costs of issuing such bonds. The total
anticipated project cost, inclusive of the refinancing of the Series 2016 Promissory Note, was
$21,000,000. The City expected to price and close the Series 2026 Bonds in June 2026.
Gerald Poels spoke in opposition.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to suspend the rules 10.c) 10,073 - AN
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TAX SUPPORTED MUNICIPAL
IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2026, OF THE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA,
IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PAYING THE COSTS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE OWNED BY THE
CITY AND TO REFINANCE THE 2016 PROMISSORY NOTE OF THE CITY;
PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF SAID BONDS; PLEDGING FUNDS TO BE RECEIVED BY
A SALES AND USE TAX AND PROPERTY TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID BONDS;
PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF SAID TAXES TO PAY THE SAME;
PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF THE
BONDS TO THE PURCHASER; PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF BOND
PROCEEDS; AUTHORIZING BOND INSURANCE FOR THE BONDS; AND ORDERING
THE ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET OR ELECTRONIC FORM. Roll Call: Ayes:
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve 10.c) 10,073 - AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TAX SUPPORTED MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT
BONDS, SERIES 2026, OF THE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA, IN THE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PAYING THE COSTS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE OWNED BY THE
CITY AND TO REFINANCE THE 2016 PROMISSORY NOTE OF THE CITY;
PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF SAID BONDS; PLEDGING FUNDS TO BE RECEIVED BY
A SALES AND USE TAX AND PROPERTY TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID BONDS;
PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF SAID TAXES TO PAY THE SAME;
PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF THE
BONDS TO THE PURCHASER; PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF BOND
PROCEEDS; AUTHORIZING BOND INSURANCE FOR THE BONDS; AND ORDERING
THE ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET OR ELECTRONIC FORM. Roll Call: Ayes:
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard and Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
12). ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Page 10 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting April 28,2026
Ci y Clerk
Jill Granere