04/28/2009 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Apri128, 2009
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on April 28, 2009. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
Apri122, 2009.
Mayor Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council members
were present: Councilmember's Meyer, Niemann, Haase, Carney, Dugan, Ramsey, Nickerson,
Zapata, and Gericke. Councilmember Gilbert was absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David
Springer, City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Hornady introduced Community Youth Council
members Austin Witmer and Tyler Koepp. Also mentioned was the National Join Hands Day
event scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2009 at the Grand Generation Center.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public HearingLon Acquisition of Utility Easement Located on Wildwood Drive and 1/2 Mile
West of U.S. Hig_hwa,~Larry and Karen Knuth Gary Mader, Utilities Director reported that
a utility easement was needed on Wildwood Drive and 1/2 mile west of U.S. Highway 281 in order
to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power appurtenances, including lines and
transformers. The easement would be used to place underground cable and conduit next to a
driveway into the property. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on for a Neighborhood Stabilization Community Development Block Grant. Joni
Kuzma, Community Development Administrator reported that the office of Housing and Urban
Development had allocated $19.6 million of stimulus money. Grand Island was applying for
$993,712 for demolishing six blighted structures. Staff recommended approval. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing Concerning Annexation of Property located south of Case New Holland and West of
Highway 281. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director reported that Case New Holland had
petitioned the Council to annex the property located south of Case New Holland and west of
Highway 281. Water and sewer where available to this property. Staff recommended approval. No
public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing Concerning Acquisition of Utility Easements for North Route Transmission Line
Work. Gary Mader, Utilities Director reported that a presentation was made to Council on April
21, 2009 summarizing the finfi dings of the route study. Requested was authorization for the
Utilities Department and Advantage Engineering to take the necessary steps to complete the
North Route Transmission Line project. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony was
heard.
Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, Apri128, 2009
ORDINANCES:
#9214 -Consideration of Annexation of Property Located South of Case New Holland
and West of Highway 281 (First Reading)
This item related to the aforementioned Public Hearing.
Motion by Meyer, second by Niemann to approve Ordinance #9214 on first reading. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
#9215 -Consideration of Lease-Purchase Agreement, Ground Lease and Escrow
Agreement for Building and Related Improvements to Serve as a Recreational Facility for
State Fair Activities (First Reading)
Jeff Pederson, City Administrator reported that with the relocation of the Nebraska State Fair and
Council approval of a $5 million contribution it was necessary to own an asset of commensurate
value. The Lease-Purchase Agreement would be to acquire, construct and lease a 70,000 sq. $.
building. The Escrow Agreement with Wells Fargo would be created for construction costs. The
Ground Lease between Former Park and the City would grant the City use of a site for placement
of the building.
Discussion was held concerning the restrictions of the building, building design, and costs
associated with it. Mentioned was the frustration of the process, cost to tax payers, annual cost of
the lottery match, rent for the ground lease, and increasing costs of the project to the City.
Dale Shotkoski, City Attorney stated the reasons for having the Lease-Purchase Agreement,
Escrow Agreement and Ground Lease all included in this Ordinance was that they were all
needed in order to move forward with the project. This being the first of three readings there was
time to change the agreements before the final reading on May 26, 2009.
Jay Vavricek, 2729 Brentwood Blvd. spoke in support of the State Fair move but had concerns
about accountability, control, and clarity of the agreements.
Motion by Ramsey, second by Zapata to approve Ordinance #9215 on first reading. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Zapata, second by Meyer to approve the Consent Agenda.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of April 14, 2009 City Council Regular Meeting_
Approving Minutes of Apri121, 2009 City Council Study Session.
#2009-94 -Approving; Payment for Services to Platte Valley Communications of Grand Island,
Nebraska for Equipment Transfer to New Police Vehicles in an Amount of $10,770.02.
Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, April 28, 2009
#2009-95 -Approving Neighborhood Stabilization Community Development Block Grant
Application.
#2009-96 -Approving Utility Easement Located on Wildwood Drive and 1/2 Mile West of U S
highway 281 (Larry and Karen Knuth
#2009-97 -Approving Bid Award for Cooling Tower Rebuild - Fall of 2009 -Platte Generating
Station with International cooling Tower, Inc. of Edmonton, Canada in an Amount of
$1,140, 000.00.
#2009-98 -Approval to Proceed with Transmission Line Easement Acquisitions -North Route
Transmission Line Work.
#2009-99 -Approving Agreement with NDOR for Improvements to the US Highway 281
Viaduct over Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad and Nebraska Highway 2 at no cost to the
Citv.
#2009-100 -Approving Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement for Waste Water Comprehensive
Plan Update with CH2M Hill, Inc. of Englewood, Colorado in an Amount not to exceed
$35,038.00 and a Revised Contract Amount of $381,238.00.
#2009-101 -Approving Amendment to Emergency Management/Communications Center
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Hall Count
RESOLUTIONS:
#2009-102 -Consideration of Setting Public Hearing Date for Acquisition of Lease-Purchase
and Ground Lease Site and Building for Recreational Facility for State Fair Activities. City
Administrator Jeff Pederson reported that a Public Hearing was required for both the Ground
Lease with Fonner Park and for the Lease-Purchase Agreement with Wells Fargo for the
recreational facility for State Fair activities.
Motion by Meyer, second by Haase to approve Resolution #2009-102. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Dugan, second by Ramsey to approve the Claims for the period of April 15, 2009
through April 28, 2009, for a total amount of $2,555,411.59. Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk