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02/12/2000 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (RETREAT) February 12,2000 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska conducted a special study session (retreat) at the Whooping Crane Trust Facility, 6609 West Whooping Crane Drive. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on February 8, 2000. Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The following members were present: Mayor Gnadt, Councilmember Pielstick, Larson, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. Councilmember Hosier was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk Cindy Johnson and Interim Finance Director Larry Fox. OPENING COMMENTS: Mayor Gnadt reviewed the labor/workforce summary from the 1999 Nebraska Department of Labor and noted that there were more manufacturing than service jobs in Grand Island/Hall County. Mayor Gnadt stated that the city's excellent financial position was the result ofthe one- cent sales tax and prudent budgeting. Mayor Gnadt requested that information be provided on comparisons between Grand Island and other communities on the municipality's total fixed assets. Mayor Gnadt reported that his goals included keeping real estate taxes low, public safety and growth. City Administrator Marlan Ferguson reviewed the 1998-1999 Council Goals and provided a status report on each of the goals. Councilmember Pielstick stated that a primary goal was to solicit higher paying jobs to the community so parents would not have to work two or more jobs to provide for the family, at a detriment to the family and the children. Discussion was held on the need for increased economic developments. Councilmember Preisendorf noted that because the City Council. had opted to reduce property taxes in recent years, some of the needs of the community had gone unattended. City Administrator, Marlan Ferguson, noted that public safety comprised 46% of the general fund budget for a total of 10 million dollars, which was a 16% increase. Discussion was held on the 2.5 percent lid on the City's budget, particularly as it related to additional staff in the public safety field. Mr. Ferguson also noted that administration would be bringing forward a cost benefit analysis of the City's ambulance service. Interim Finance Director Larry Fox reported on the ambulance billing process and status of paid claims. Councilmember Larson questioned I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 12, 2000 whether the City would be hiring a Computer Administrator to ensure that all computer needs were being met. Councilmember Samuelson asked if a walk through of the old City Hall could be scheduled in order to familiarize the council with the current status of the facility. HOUSEKEEPING/PENDING ISSUES Residency for Directors Discussion was held on the eXIstmg requirement for the residency of directors. City Administrator Ferguson stated the staff had asked about amending the residency requirement. Councilmember Preisendorf said that commuting time was more important than miles. Councilmembers Sorenson and Pielstick spoke against changing the residency requirements stating that it was important the Department Directors live within the community. Councilmember Larson suggested that Department Directors should live close enough to recognize the impact the City's rules and regulations have on the City and that they have a sense of what is going on in the community. Councilmember Murray suggested that the residency requirement include the City's zoning jurisdiction. Councilmember Seifert suggested a 30 mile radius. Discussion on Changing Dates and Times of City Council Meetings. Discussion was held on the possibility of changing the City Council Meetings from Monday to Tuesday. It was noted that this modification would allow an extra day for Councilmembers to review the packet and ask questions of staff. A consensus of the council was to move the date of the meetings to Tuesday but keep the time at 7 p.m. Department Reorganization City Administrator MarIan Ferguson, presented a proposal for departmental reorganization in order to develop a cohesive community economic and downtown development function, utilizing existing staff to their greatest capacity. It was noted that the advisory boards would remain in place. The consensus of the Council was to move forward with this proposal. A break was taken from 11 a.m. to 11: 10 a.m. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REPORT: Interim Finance Director, Larry Fox, presented an overview of the City's financial condition. He discussed the City's property tax analysis, the operating analysis and the LID analysis and reviewed the potential increase in revenues based on various tax asking and sales tax revenue projections. It was noted that a salary survey was being undertaken and that adjustments to the wages are anticipated. COMMUNITY SURVEY: Public Information and Records Management Director, Cindy Johnson, reported on the results of the community wide survey conducted the previous week by a Lincoln research firm at the request of the Economic Development Corporation. The results of the survey indicated that the biggest issues in Grand Island today were crime (71 %), economy (17%), taxes (7%), education I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 12, 2000 (6%), youth related activities (3%), all others (16%), don't know (10%). It was also noted that if an election were held today, 61 % ofthose polled would vote for increasing the city sales tax one- half cent and 33% would vote against it. It was noted that the percentage of people who would vote for an additional 'li cent sales tax to be used for public safety, economic development, enhancing the quality of life, and helping keep property taxes low in Grand Island was approximately 62% and that recruiting new industries and keeping existing industries were the highest supported uses for the 'li cent sales tax, followed by hiring additional police and expanding library services and facilities. 68% of the respondents approved of offering businesses cash incentives provided by the 'li cent sales tax to attract jobs and 63% approved of offer cash incentives to keep from losing a quality manufacturer. Discussion was held on moving forward with a 'li cent sales tax issue. It was the consensus of the Council to place the issue of the 'li cent sales tax and the adoption of an Economic Development Plan (LB840) before the electorate at the May primary election. Ms. Johnson stated that the deadline for placing issues on the May ballot was fast approaching and that the issue would be placed on the next Council agenda for action. DEVELOPMENT OF COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES: Marie de Martinez, facilitator, reviewed the necessary components of development of a strategic plan and noted that both external and internal environments must be considered when undertaking the formulation of a plan. The Council was asked to list what they considered to be the community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. From this listing, Ms. De Martinez compiled a listing of opportunities that the Council would utilize in developing goals and priorities. The opportunities included: 1. Improving Internal Information Services 2. Indoor Pool 3. 'li Cent Sales Tax/LB 840 4. Old City Hall Redevelopment 5. Southern Building Use 6. WIA 7. Library Upgrade 8. South Locust Development 9. Maximize Revenue from Non-Lid Sources 10. Solid Waste Industry Changes 11. Power Plant Expansion 12. Water Well Expansion 13. Annexation 14. Infrastructure to Kuester's Lake Area 15. Expand Economic Development Opportunities 16. Expand Manufacturing Base 17. Public Safety/Continue Intergovernmental Cooperation 18. Intergovernmental Cooperation 19. Increase Charitable Foundations 20. Ensure City Government is Developer Friendly 21. Improve Recreational Opportunities for All Ages 22. Improve LE Ray Park I I I Page 4, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 12, 2000 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. Pursue Professional Sports Ensuring accurate Census Count Infrastructure (streets/sidewalks) in Northwest Area Improve City Web Page and Include Applications/Licenses Stolley Park House Wading Pool at George Park Increase Receipt of Community Development Funds Sanitary Sewer Service to All Areas Zoo Providing SNRPPD Building for WIA The tabulated priorities of the Council were: 1. Recreational Opportunities 2. Yz Cent Sales Tax 3. Streets, Power Plant and Water Well 4. Economic Development (Better paying jobs, expand manufacturing base, increase opportunities )/LB840 Infrastructure in Northwest Area (Extension ofIndependence Avenue and Sidewalks) Resolve Zoo Future Combine City/County Services Annexation/Extension of Services Indoor Pool Expand Library/services 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. o ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~dLff ~ (pfvtUu~/ Cindy K. Johnson City Clerk