07/21/2009 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 21, 2009
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Community Meeting Room of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on July 21, 2009. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
July 15, 2009.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following
Councilmember's were present: Gericke, Nickerson, Zapata, Ramsey, Dugan, Haase, Gilbert,
Niemann, and Meyer. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Jeff
Pederson, Deputy City Clerk Paul Briseno, City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, Public Works Director
Steve Riehle, and Finance Director David Springer.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Margaret Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
Presentation of Lincoln Park Pool Study. Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director reported
on the deteriorating condition of the pool that necessitated the study.
Kevin Prior of Olsson Associates presented the Lincoln Park Pool Facility Evaluation and
Recommendations. An analysis of existing facilities included filter system, recirculation system,
chemical treatment, deck area, pool, slide, water features, bathhouse, and site improvements.
Proposed improvement costs included:
Filter System and Chemical Treatment $254,000
Circulation System and Deck $485,000
Zero Depth Addition $153,000
New Pool $1,399,000
New Slide $263,000
Remodel Bathhouse $213,000
New Bathhouse $518,000
Site Improvements (Lions Club Park) $69,000
A number of options for renovation or replacement were outlined.
Renovate Existing Bathhouse and Pool Basin $1,368,000
Renovate Existing Basin with New Bathhouse $1,698,000
New Pool and Bathhouse $2,251,000
Wading Pool Integration $2,251,000
Lions Club Park Relocation $2,320,000
Councilmember's Ramsey, Haase and Meyer questioned the need for a slide. Councilmember
Gilbert asked if the Parks Department could successfully complete three capital projects in one
Page 2, City Council Study Session, July 21, 2009
year and what impact modifying the pool may have on staffing. She further asked of
competition swimming and community partnerships. Steve Paustian stated the Parks Department
can successfully complete all projects. Kevin Prior stated a neighborhood pool and competitive
pool should be two separate facilities.
City Administrator JeffPederson noted that within the proposed city budget capital improvement
plan there is no allocation for the Lincoln Park Pool renovation or relocation. Jeff noted that a
bonding of a park facility would need to come from a referendum.
Councilmember Haase asked if a renovation or relocation would assist in the subsidy amount
currently used to operate Lincoln Park Pool. Steve stated the actual subsidy should stay close the
existing amount.
Councilmember's Dugan, Niemann, Nickerson, and Gericke also commented on the
presentation.
Review of Final Draft Result Maps. Jeff Pederson, City Administrator presented previous work
conducted by International City/County Managers Association Consultants Chris Fabian and Jon
Johnson on the process of Achieving Fiscal health and Wellness. A Special Council Study
Session was held June 1 and 2 to develop idea cards through a retreat exercise that gave guidance
to the result and sub result Maps. The results and sub-results presented included:
Stewardship of the Environment
• Manages and mitigates factors that impact environmental quality and sustainability
• Encourages energy conservation and efficiency through education, incentives and the
provision of alternative solutions
• Controls and abates threats to the environment caused by nature
• Promotes and regulates a clean, orderly and ecologically balanced community
• Provides for the renewal of the environment through recycling and reuse
Safe Community
• Encourages a community that feels safe, accepting and connected
• Proactively prepares, promptly alerts and swiftly responds to emergencies
• Safeguards the physical and environmental health of the community
• Facilitates and enhances safe transportation and mobility options
• Protects its citizens, proactively prevents crime and enforces the law
Quality of Life
• Offers services that foster and sustain the personal health, safety, wellbeing of its citizens
where they live, work and play
• Supports and encourages access to quality employment and educational opportunities to
sustain the community
• Promotes and maintains an attractive place to live
• Provides opportunities and facilities for safe, inclusive and diverse recreational activities
• Promotes cultural enrichment and diversity, supports the arts, and encourages events and
activities that stimulate the community
Page 3, City Council Study Session, July 21, 2009
• Develops and maintains safe, reliable and efficient roadway, storm water and public
transit infrastructure
Strategic, Sustainable and Maintained Development
• Develops, expands and revitalizes a business community that recruits, retains and
regenerates a skilled, quality workforce
• Encourages sustainable and affordable development supported by "first class" city
services and infrastructure
• Promotes well-regulated, strategically planned and future-focused development
• Leverages regional and community partnerships
• Enhances its identity as a regional trade center and encourages tourism opportunities
Governance
• Provides stewardship and manages sustainability over financial, human and physical
assets
• Enhances and facilitates accountability, efficiencies, best practices and trust
• Provides assurance of regulatory and policy compliance
• Responsive to the needs of internal and external stakeholders
• Supports decision making with timely and accurate short term and long-range analysis
Quality Management
• Fosters an environment that is open, accessible and trustworthy
• Provides for an effective, efficient and sustainable organization
• Focuses on results and priorities
• Develops community-oriented, forward-focused leaders
• Cultivates community and regional partnerships that support the City's mission
Councilmember's Dugan, Gericke, Gilbert, Meyer, Ramsey and Mayor Hornady commented on
the proposed result and sub-result maps.
Mayor Hornady suggested changing the result Stewardship of the Environment sub-result to
Mitigates and abates threats to the environment caused by nature. Councilmember Dugan
suggested changing the result Safe Community sub-result to Participates in actions that
Encourages a community that feels safe, accepting and connected. Councilmember Gilbert
commented on a few grammatical errors within the Quality of Life result.
City Administrator Jeff Pederson gave an overview of the next steps following City Council
approval of the result maps. These steps include valuating the results and ranking programs
accordingly.
Councilmember's Dugan and Gilbert commented on the need for technology within one of the
four main results if Governance and Quality Management are not scored by City Council.
Review of Interlocal Agreement Proposal by the Hall County Board. Jon Rosenlund, Emergency
Management Director gave a brief budget summary of the department's four budget areas and
Page 4, City Council Study Session, July 21, 2009
proposal recommended by the Hall County Board. Jon stated that properly budgeting
Emergency Management funds has allowed for increased grant eligibility, more predicable
expenses and growth of special revenue fund balance for larger purchases.
Jon noted the current Interlocal allowed for equal responsibility and expenses of Emergency
Management, Communications and Local Emergency Planning Committee. The County Board
proposed a cost share of 70% (City) 30% (County). The County Board recommended cost share
was calculated by Communications statistics from the Emergency Management Department and
included a time factor for response.
Councilmember's Haase and Dugan noted that Hall County receives a large majority of its tax
revenue from Grand Island residents. Council Haase had concerns of section 8 and 11 of the
Interlocal.
Hall County Board Member's Pam Lancaster and Bud Jeffries stated the county does not have
additional funding for needed additions to the department because of the lid limit.
Councilmember Meyer suggested a change in governance control in favor of the entity paying
the most.
Councilmember's Gericke, Gilbert Niemann and Nickerson also commented on the Hall County
proposal.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
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aul Briseno
Deputy City Clerk