05/26/2026 Minutes CITY OF
GRAND; ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
May 26, 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 Clerk Jill Granere, City Attorney Kari Fisk, e and
Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason
Conley and Mike Paulick.
4. SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Doug Lanfear to approve CONSENT AGENDA. Roll Call:
Ayes:Jack Sheard,Mark Stelk,Mitchell Nickerson,Doug Brown,Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill
and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
6.a) Approving Minutes of the May 12, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting
Cover Page
Minutes
6.b) Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of May 13, 2026 through May 26, 2026
in the total amount of$7,798,263.50.
Cover Page
Claims
6.c) #2026-124 - Approving Temporary Construction Easement for State Street/Diers
Avenue Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Conestoga North, LLC, Mehring/Robertson/Irwin
and Centris Federal Credit Union)
Cover Page
Resolution
Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
Conestoga N Tract 10- TE Exhibit
Conestoga N Tract 11 & 13 TE Exhibit
Mehring-Robertson-Irwin TE Exhibit
Centris Federal Credit Union TE Exhibit
6.d)#2026-125 -Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Tree Removal at North
Broadwell Avenue
Cover Page
Engineer's Certificate of Final Completion
Resolution
With B-D Construction, Inc. of Columbus,Nebraska for a total amount of$88,363.20.
6.e) #2026-126 - Approving Public Works Dell Computer Equipment Replacement
Cover Page
Dell State Contract
Dell Quote
Resolution
In an amount of$62,778.00.
6f)#2026-127 - Approving JBR Subdivision Final Plat Subdivision Agreement for JBR
Subdivision
Cover Page
JBR Subdivision Aerial Map
JBR SUB GI Final Plat
JBR Subdivision App
JBR Subdivision Agreement
Resolution
6.g) #2026-128 - Approving La Luc Second Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision
Agreement for La Luc Second Subdivision
Cover Page
La Luc 2nd Subdivision Aerial Map
La Luc 2nd Final Plat
La Luc 2nd Subdivision Application
La Luc Subdivision Agreement
Resolution
6.h)#2026-129-Approving Ross Third Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement
for Ross Third Subdivision.
Cover Page
Ross 3rd Subdivision Aerial Map
Ross 3rd Subdivision Final Plat
Ross 3rd Subdivision App
Ross 3rd Subdivision Agreement
Page 3 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
Resolution
6.i) #2026-130 - Approving Shearer Subdivision Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement
for Shearer Subdivision
Cover Page
Shearer Subdivision Aerial Map
Shearer Subdivision Plat
Shearer Subdivision App
Shearer Subdivision Agreement
Resolution
6.j)#2026-131 -Approving the purchase of nine(9)APX8500 P25 Compliant in car radios
from Motorola Solutions for the Police Department's new 2026 patrol fleet vehicles upfit.
Cover Page
State Contract for Radios Award
Quote
Resolution
In an amount of$82,858.41.
6.k) #2026-132 - Approving the purchase of a one year contract with LexisNexis Risk
Solutions for the Accurint Crime Analysis Dashboard
Cover Page
Agreement
Resolution
In an amount of$9,000.00.
6.1) #2026-133 - Approving the purchase of nine (9) M500 Watchguard in car video
systems with V700 Body Worn Camera from Motorola Solutions for the Police Department's new
2026 patrol fleet vehicles upfit
Cover Page
Quote
State Contract
Resolution
In an amount of$125,178.00.
6.m) #2026-134 - Approving the Nebraska State Radio System Interlocal Agreement
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Agreement
Resolution
6.n) #2026-135 -Approving Purchase of a Security System for Heartland Events Center
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Quote-Cameras
Quote-Access Control
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
Resolution
From CEI Security and Sound in the amount of$135,165.00.
7.) PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a) Public Hearing Request from Caguama Station, LLC, dba Caguama Station, 2105 W.
2nd Street,chand Island,Nebraska for a Class "C°.`....Liquor_Lice se
#2026-136 - Approving Request from Caguama Station, LLC, dba Caguama Station2105
W. 2nd Street, Grand Island, Nebraska for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor
Manager Designation for Amanda Sanchez, 504 Kennedy Place, Grand Island, Nebraska
Cover Page
Map
Police Report
Resolution
City Clerk Jill Granere reported an application for a Class "C" Liquor License had been received
from Caguama Station, LLC, dba Caguama Station2105 W. 2nd 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 May 4,2026;notice to the general public of date,
time, and place of hearing was published on May 16, 2026; notice to the applicant of date, time
and place of hearing was mailed on May 4, 2026. Also submitted was liquor manager designation
for Amanda Sanchez, 504 Kennedy Place, Grand Island, Nebraska.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 7.a)#2026-136-Approving Request
from Caguama Station, LLC, dba Caguama Station2105 W. 2nd Street, Grand Island, Nebraska
for a Class "C" Liquor License and Liquor Manager Designation for Amanda Sanchez, 504
Kennedy Place, Grand Island, Nebraska. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck
Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
7.b) Public Hearing on Request from VenuWorks of Grand Island LLC, dba VenuWorks
(Heartland Events Center), 690 East Stoney Park Rd for a Catering Designation to their Class 'Ti
Liquor License
#2025-137 -Approving Request from VenuWorks of Grand Island LLC, dba VenuWorks
(Heartland Events Center), 690 East Stolley Park Rd, for a Catering Designation to their
Class "I" Liquor License
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Resolution
City Clerk Jill Granere reported an application for a Catering Designation to their Class "I"Liquor
License had been received from VenuWorks of Grand Island LLC, dba VenuWorks (Heartland
Events Center), 690 East Stolley Park Rd, Grand Island, Nebraska. Ms. Granere presented the
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
following exhibits for record; application submitted to the Liquor Control Commission and
received by the City on May 5,2026;notice to the general public of date,time, and place of hearing
was published on May 16, 2026; notice to the applicant of date, time and place of hearing was
mailed on May 5, 2026.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 7.b)#2025-137-Approving Request
from VenuWorks of Grand Island LLC, dba VenuWorks (Heartland Events Center), 690 East
Stolley Park Rd, for a Catering Designation to their Class "I" Liquor License. Roll Call: Ayes:
Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
7.c) Public Hearing on Acquisition of Permanent Utility Easements for State Street/Diers Avenue
Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Conestoga North, LLC, Mehring/Robertson/Irwin, and
Centris Federal Credit Union)
#2026-138 -Approving Acquisition of Permanent Utility Easements for State Street/Diers
Avenue Improvements; Project No. 2026-P-1 (Conestoga North, LLC,
Mehring/Robertson/Irwin, and Centris Federal Credit Union)
Cover Page
Resolution
Conestoga N PE Exhibit
Mehring-Robertson-Irwin PE Exhibit
Centris Federal Credit Union PE Exhibit
Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported this project was part of the overall Claude Road/Diers
Avenue improvements of several roadways in the City of Grand Island. It was anticipated that
these projects would occur over several years at a pace dictated by budgets, development growth
and need. A Claude Road extension from just north of Faidley Avenue to State Street, which had
been completed, was the major focus of this project. This roadway was built with plans to build
several connections to Diers Avenue guided by an existing City of Grand Island concept plan. This
project allowed for improvements to the Diers Avenue corridor intended to control access and
improve traffic performance and safety. Permanent utility easements were needed to accommodate
the improvements to the State Street/Diers Avenue area. Payment to the affected property owner
totals $23,761.00.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Doug Lanfear to approve#2026-138 - Approving Acquisition
of Permanent Utility Easements for State Street/Diers Avenue Improvements; Project No. 2026-
P-1 (Conestoga North, LLC, Mehring/Robertson/Irwin, and Centris Federal Credit Union). Roll
Call: Ayes: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
7.d)Public Hearing to Consider Rezoning 40 acres west of IIwy 281 and south of Guenther
Road from TA Transitional Agriculture to CD Commercial. Development Zone and Consider the
preliminary and final plat for Guenther SID Subdivision in the Grand Island ETJ
#10,074 - Consideration of Approving Rezoning 40 acres west of Hwy 281 and south of
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
Guenther Road from TA Transitional Agriculture to CD Commercial Development Zone
#2026-139 - Approving the preliminary and final plat for Guenther SID Subdivision in the
Grand Island ETJ
Cover Page
Proposed Aerial Map
Proposed zone change map
Guenther SID Preliminary Plat
Final Plat
Development Plan
Building Design
Building Site Plan
Guenther Rezoning CD Final App
Guenther Subdivision Agreement
Ordinance
Resolution
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported an application had been made to rezone
40 acres west of Hwy 281 and south of Guenther Road from TA Transitional Agriculture to CD
Commercial Development Zone and Consider the preliminary and final plat for Guenther SID
Subdivision in the Grand Island ETJ. The stated purpose of this rezoning was to allow the applicant
to subdivide the property for commercial development such as retail and lodging. The applicant
was in the process of creating a Sanitary and Improvement District (SID) to finance the cost of
infrastructure improvements.
Michael Stesson spoke in favor.
Jim Majerius spoke in opposition.
7.d) #10,074 - Consideration of Approving Rezoning 40 acres west of Hwy 281 and south of
Guenther Road from TA Transitional Agriculture to CD Commercial Development Zone. (First
Reading Only)
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 7.d) #2026-139 - Approving the
preliminary and final plat for Guenther SID Subdivision in the Grand Island ETJ. Roll Call: Ayes:
Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
7.e)Public Hearing to Consider Rezoning Lot 2 of Sterling Estates Ninth Subdivision from
RI) Residential Development Zone to an amended RD Residential Development Zone to
reconfigure the buildings and units permitted on the lot.
#10,075 - Consideration of Approving Rezoning Lot 2 of Sterling Estates Ninth
Subdivision from RD Residential Development Zone to an amended RD Residential
Development Zone to reconfigure the buildings and units permitted on the lot.
Cover Page
Sterling Future Land-use Map
Prelim Site
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
Shive Elevations
Phase 2 Development plan
Sterling Rezone App
Ordinance
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported an application had been made to amend
the development plan for Lot 2 of Sterling Estates Ninth Subdivision. This property was located
south of Capital Avenue and west of the Moore's Creek Drainway. Changes approved in 2016
altered the original plan were as follows: changes to the development plan would combine the two
(10 unit) buildings on the northeast side of the lot into a single building with 30 units. This would
allow for the creation of an additional 46 parking spaces on the property. The number of units in
the second phase of this development changed from 140 as originally approved to 150 units. Sixty
units of these approved with second phase (2016) were built and are in the building on the west
side of the property. The central portion was approved for 90 units in 7 buildings in 2016. All of
the proposed changes were in this central portion on lot 2. The new proposed plan would include
4 building on lot 2 with 30 apartments in each unit. These buildings could be substantially similar
to the Sterling apartment buildings immediately to the east (Phase 1 of this development).
Deborah Kline spoke in favor.
7.e) #10,075 - Consideration of Approving Rezoning Lot 2 of Sterling Estates Ninth Subdivision
from RD Residential Development Zone to an amended RD Residential Development Zone to
reconfigure the buildings and units permitted on the lot. (First Reading Only)
8.) RESOLUTIONS
8.a) #2026-140 - Approving Real Estate Option Agreement with Nebraska Game and
Parks Foundation for Camp Augustine
Cover Page
Camp Augustine Purchase Agreement
Resolution
City Attorney Kari Fisk reported on October 31, 2023 the City of Grand Island purchased Camp
Augustine from Overland Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc. The intent at the time of
the purchase of the City was to preserve, maintain, and enhance into a City park. Camp Augustine
is roughly 156.27 acres in size. Immediately east of the property is approximately 40 acres of
Federally owned land and to the south is 348 acres of Nebraska Game and Parks land that includes
Mormon Island State Recreation Area. The City and the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation
are now both in the position to execute a purchase agreement whereby the City would sell its
interest in Camp Augustine for inclusion into the Nebraska State Parks system for a total amount
of$2,150,000.00.
Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Doug Brown to approve 8.a) #2026-140 - Approving Real
Estate Option Agreement with Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation for Camp Augustine. Roll
Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan
O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
Page 8 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
8.b) #2026-141 - Approving Wastewater Cost of Service Based Rates
Cover Page
Grand Island Wastewater Presentation
Resolution
WW Division FY2027-FY2030 Fee Schedule
John Krajewski with JKEC Consulting reported the Wastewater Division of the Public Works
Department was an enterprise fund with no property tax dollars used to support the division. The
entire budget comes from wastewater customers through sanitary sewer bills. The sewer bill for a
residential customer is based on usage and standard strength for residential sewage. The sewer bill
for commercial and industrial customers was based on usage plus an extra strength component. A
cost of service based rate study looks at all costs for the operation and allocates those costs of
service to the customer classes according to the costs of providing service. Rates are then designed
to equitably cover those costs. The current sanitary sewer rates are based on Resolution No. 2024-
130,which was approved by City Council on June 11,2024. On November 8,2022,via Resolution
No. 2022-315, Grand Island City Council approved award of the proposal by JK Energy
Consulting of Smithfield, Nebraska for a Cost of Service and Rate Design Study and Integrated
Resource Plan for utilities (electric, water, and sanitary sewer) in the amount of$119,500.00.
The final wastewater cost of service based rate study report was now complete and ready for
council approval. The final report includes average recommended rate increases for fiscal years
2028 through 2030,with effective dates as follows. The rate for FY2027 was proposed in the prior
rate study (approved via Resolution No. 2024-130) and was verified and is still recommended.
• October 1, 2027- 4.00%
• October 1, 2028- 4.00%
• October 1, 2029- 4.00%
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 8.b) #2026-141 - Approving
Wastewater Cost of Service Based Rates. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck
Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
9.) ORDINANCES
9.a) #10,076 - Consideration of Approving Water Cost of Service Based Rates
Cover Page
Graph
Attachments A-H
GIUD 2026 Water COS Report
Ordinance
9.a) First Reading Only
10.) OTHER ITEMS
Page 9 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting May 26,2026
10.a) Closed Session to Receive Update on Pending Litigation, Litigation Which is
Imminent as Evidenced by Communication of a Claim or Threat of Litigation and to Review,
and Potentially Authorize, the Preparation of a Proposed Settlement of a Regulatory Matter by
the City Attorney.
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Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Ryan O'Neill to adjourn to executive session 11.a) Closed
Session to Receive Update on Pending Litigation, Litigation Which is Imminent as Evidenced by
Communication of a Claim or Threat of Litigation and to Review, and Potentially Authorize, the
Preparation of a Proposed Settlement of a Regulatory Matter by the City Attorney. Roll Call: Ayes:
Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
Adjourn to executive session at 8:03 p.m.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to return to regular session 11.a) Closed Session
to Receive Update on Pending Litigation, Litigation Which is Imminent as Evidenced by
Communication of a Claim or Threat of Litigation and to Review, and Potentially Authorize, the
Preparation of a Proposed Settlement of a Regulatory Matter by the City Attorney.Roll Call:Ayes:
Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and
Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley and Mike Paulick.
Returned to regular session at 9:10 p.m.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Ryan O'Neill to make a Motion to authorize the City Attorney
to develop and submit a proposed settlement of a regulatory matter and to execute any documents
which may be necessary. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear. Absent: Chuck Haase, Jason Conley
and Mike Paulick.
12). ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
City Clerk
Jill Granere