01/24/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 24, 2000
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. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January 19, 2000.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward,
Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. Councilmember Larson was absent. The following City
Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk Cindy Johnson,
Interim Finance Director Larry Fox, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers, and Assistant Public
Works Director Bud Buettner.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said followed by an It's About Kids! Asset.
PRESENTATIONS:
Presentation by KPMG Relative to Fiscal Year 1999 Electric and Water Audit Reports. Interim
Finance Director, Larry Fox, introduced Michelle Stromp of KPMG LLP who presented the
Electric and Water Department audited financial statements for Fiscal Year 1999. Ms. Stromp
stated that the Utilities had received an unqualified opinion and that three areas had been
identified by the staff for improvement.
Presentation by McDermott and Miller for Fiscal Year 1999 Single City Audit and General
Purpose Financial Statements. Mike Wassinger of McDermott and Miller presented the City
Single Audit for Fiscal Year 1999 and stated that the City had received an unqualified opinion.
Mr. Wassinger thanked the staff for their cooperation and noted that the Finance Department
had been working on a cash receipt system and grants coordination system.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located to the North of Schimmer Drive
and West of Locust Street. Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that acquisition of a
utility easement located to the north of Schimmer Drive and west of Locust Street, was
required in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power appurtenances,
including lines and transformers and that this easement would be used to locate underground
cables and a pad mounted transformer. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement from Larry D. and Janet K. Cook Located
Behind 517 West 4th Street. Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that acquisition of an
easement located behind 517 West 4th Street, was required in order to have access to install,
upgrade, maintain, and repair power appurtenances, including lines and transformers and that
this easement would be used to locate a pad mounted transformer to serve a new machine shop
to be located in the building at 517 West 4th Street. No public testimony was heard.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement from Bosselman, Inc. Located East of
Highway 281 and South of Stolley Park Road. Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that
acquisition of a utility easement located east of Highway 281 and just to the south of Stolley
Park Road, was required in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair
power appurtenances, including lines and transformers and that the easement would be used to
locate new underground primary and padmount transfer to handle the increased load by Pump
and Pantry at this location. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Request of Sotos, Inc., dba Viva Mexico, 224 East Fourth Street, for Class
"D" Liquor License. Cindy Johnson, City Clerk, reported that Frank Alexander Soto Leon,
President, representing Sotos, Inc., dba Viva Mexico, 224 East Fourth Street, had submitted an
application with the City Clerk's Office for a Class "D" Liquor License. Ms. Johnson submitted
the following exhibits for the record: Application for Class "D" Liquor License submitted to the
Liquor Control Commission and received by the City on January 11, 2000, notice to general
public of date, time, and place of hearing published on January 14, 2000, notice to applicant of
date, time, and place of hearing mailed on January 11, 2000, Chapter 4 of City Code and
departmental reports as required by City Code. Jimmy Soto, spoke in support of the application.
No additional public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES
Councilmember Sorensen moved that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by
title on three different days be suspended and that Ordinances numbered:
#8557 - Creation of Street Improvement District #1226, Alleyway from Walnut Street
to Wheeler A venue, Between Second Street and Third Street.
#8558 - Creation of Street Improvement District #1227, Alleyway from Wheeler
Avenue to Locust Street, between Second Street and Third Street.
#8559- Creation of Street Improvement District #1228, Alleyway from Locust Street to
Pine Street, between Second Street and Third Street.
#8560- Creation of Street Improvement District #1229, Alleyway from Pine Street to
Sycamore Street, between Second Street and Third Street.
#8561 - Creation of Street Improvement District #1230, Alleyway from Sycamore
Street to Kimball Avenue, between Second Street and Third Street.
be considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only and that the City
Clerk be permitted to call out the number of the ordinances on their first reading and then
upon final passage and call for a roll call vote on each reading and final passage. Second by
Samuelson. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor: Is anyone in the audience interested in any of these ordinances? Any discussion?
There was no discussion.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8557, #8558, #8559, #8560, and #8561 on their first reading. All
those in favor of the passage of these ordinances on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon
roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
City Clerk: Ordinances #8557, #8558, #8559, #8560, #8561 on their final passage. All those
in favor of the passage of these ordinances on final passage, answer roll call vote. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage,
Ordinances #8557, #8558, #8559, #8560, and #8561 are declared to be lawfully passed and
adopted upon publication as required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Pielstick requested that item G-3 a and b be removed
from the Consent Agenda. Motion by Samuelson, second by Seifert, carried unanimously to
approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of G-3 a and b.
Receipt of Official Documents, Including Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of December
26, 1999 and application of Central Waste Disposal for Garbage Hauler's Permit.
Approving Minutes of January 10, 2000 City Council Meeting, January 17, 2000 City Council
Study Session and January 18, 2000 Joint City Council/County Board Study Session.
Councilmember Pielstick noted that she had left the January 18, 2000 meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Approving Request of Tri City Signs, Inc., on Behalf of Middleton Electric for a License
Agreement for Construction of an Awning in the Public Right-of-Way at 715 West Anna
Street.
#2000-15 - Approving Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Paradise Lake Estates Third
Subdivision. It was noted that Michael J. and Beverly E. Nolan, Jeffrey Scott and Jane Louise
Richardson, Christopher P. and Natilie H. Meister, John P. and Patricia J. Meister, and
Randy L. and Jan E. Dye, owners, had submitted the final plat for Paradise Lake Estates
Third Subdivision, located approximately 1/2 mile south of Bismark Road and immediately
west of Gunbarrel Road and that this plat proposed to amend lot boundaries between four
existing lots and create one additional residential building lot.
#2000-16 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement Located to the North of Schimmer
Drive and West of Locust Street.
#2000-17 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement Located behind 517 West Fourth
Street.
#2000-18 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement Located East of Highway 281 and Just
to the South of Stolley Park Road.
#2000-19 - Awarding Bid for Construction of Police Impound Building to Chief Industries,
Inc., Grand Island, Nebraska, in the Amount of $102,116.
#2000-20 - Awarding Bid for Tree Trimming Contract 2000-TT-1 to Sheffield Tree Service,
Grand Island, Nebraska, in the Amount of $16,150 and to Asplundh Tree Expert Company,
Pella, Iowa, in the Amount of $77,687.
#2000-21 - Awarding Bid for Tree Removal Project 2000-TT-2 to Sheffield Tree Service,
Grand Island, Nebraska, in the Amount of $31, 13 5.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
#2000-22 - Awarding Bid for Half Ton Pickup for Utilities Department through State Contract
to Lincoln Dodge, Inc., in the Amount of $18,456.30.
#2000-23 - Awarding Bid for Wrecker Unit to Zips Truck Equipment, New Hampton, Iowa,
in the Amount of $63,625 Including Options.
#2000-24 - Awarding Bid for Health Department Vehicle Through State Contract to Park
Place Chevrolet, Lincoln, Nebraska, in the Amount of $14,197.77.
#2000-25 - Awarding Bid for Tree Planting, Beltline Hike/Bike Trail, to Cloudburst Lawn
and Sprinker, Grand Island, Nebraska, in the Amount of $16,400.
#2000-26 - Approving Funding for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day III the
Amount of $3,000.
#2000-27 - Approving Amendment #1 to Agreement with Nebraska Public Power District
Relative to Transformer Replacement and Use of U.S. Treasuries as the Interest Rate for these
Transactions.
#2000-28 - Approving Modification to Speed Limit on South Locust Street, From Highway 34
to 100' North of the South Corporate Limits and 25 Miles per Hour from 100' North of the
Corporate Limit to the South Corporate Limit in Conjunction with the Wood River Floodway
Bridge Project.
#2000-29 - Approving Assignment of Cable Television Pole Agreement to Bresnan
Communication Company, LLC.
#2000-30 - Approving Amendment to Waiver/Fine Schedule.
#2000-31 - Approving Change Order to Supplemental Agreement with State of Nebraska,
Department of Roads, to Contract for Construction of South Locust Street from Highway 34 to
the Wood River Floodway.
Consideration of Request of Sotos, Inc., dba Viva Mexico, 224 East Fourth Street, for Class
"D" Liquor License. Motion by Pielstick, second by Sorensen to forward the application to
the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission with no recommendation based on concerns raised
by Building Department Director. Councilmember Murray requested that Mr. Lewis
summarize the concerns raised. Mr. Lewis stated that the owner of the property had not been
responsive to communications from City Hall relative to landscaping, parking regulations,
building permits and other issues and that at this time the building was not eligible for a
certificate of occupancy. City Attorney Charlie Cuypers suggested that the motion be
amended to reflect the concerns of the City. Amended motion by Pielstick, second by
Sorensen to forward the application to the Liquor Control Commission with no
recommendation explaining that the premises were not eligible for a certificate of occupancy
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
and were not suitable for a business at this time. Motion was adopted unanimously upon roll
call vote.
Consideration of Request of Gonzalo Soto Vera for Liquor Manager Designation for Sotos,
Inc., dba Viva Mexico, 224 East Fourth Street. Motion by Pielstick, second by Sorensen to
forward the application with no recommendation. Upon roll call vote, motion was adopted
unanimously.
REQUESTS AND REFERRALS:
Approving Referral of One and Six Year Street Improvement Plan to Regional Planning
Commission. Bud Buettner, Assistant Public Works Director, reported that State law required
that cities adopt a Six Year Street Improvement Plan on an annual basis in order to maintain
eligibility to receive state gas tax revenues and that an updated plan had been developed by the
Public Works Department for referral first to the Regional Planning Commission and then to
the City Council. Motion by Sorensen, second by Preisendorf to approve. Councilmember
Seifert questioned the inclusion of extension of Independence Avenue in the Plan. Mr.
Buettner stated that Independence A venue was included under the Northwest Transportation
Improvements category. Upon roll call vote, motion to forward to the Regional Planning
Commission was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2000-32 - Approving Interlocal Agreement Relative to Airport Marketing Plan. Charlie
Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that at the City Council Meeting of December 20, 1999, the
City Council adopted Resolution #99-410 providing $20,000 to assist in the ongoing air
service development and attract both airlines and passenger traffic to the Central Nebraska
Regional Airport. It was noted that the City of Hastings had approved funding in the amount
of $7,500 for these efforts and Adams County had approved $5,000. Mr. Cuypers stated that
approval of the Interlocal Agreement setting for the responsibility of all parties was
recommended. Motion by Sorensen, second by Pielstick, carried unanimously to approve.
Bill Stovall, Airport Authority Manager, thanked the Council for their support.
#2000-33 - Approving Renewal of Contract with Office of National Drug Control Policy for
Participation in the Midwest HIDT A Program. City Attorney, Charlie Cuypers, reported that
the State of Nebraska had received a grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy
for use by various state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in the fight against drug
trafficking and that this High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDT A) Grant provided
funding for such activities. It was noted that the City of Grand Island had participated with
other agencies in a number of efforts made possible by the HIDT A Grant and that Resolution
#2000-33 authorized the City to execute documents associated with the grant activities and to
participate in other related efforts as may be necessary. Motion by Sorensen, second by
Pielstick, carried unanimously to approve.
#99-375 - Consideration of Interlocal Agreement for the Application of a Community
Development Block Grant for Infrastructure Development at the Central Nebraska Regional
Airport. This item was removed from the agenda at the request of the Airport.
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Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
PA YMENT OF CLAIMS: Motion by Samuelson, second by Seifert, carried unanimously to
approve the Claims for the period of January 11, 2000 through January 24, 2000, claims #86086,
#86283, #86226, #86427, #86418, #86290, #86391, #86392 and #86459 through #87010, with
the exception of Claims # 86481, #86482 and #86745 which had been removed by the Finance
Department, for a new disbursement total of$1,767,146.21.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
{Yndul--f<, ~
Cindy K. Johtfson
City Clerk