04/04/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
April 4, 2000
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special 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 April 2, 2000.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Seifert, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, Murray
and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administration Marlan
Ferguson, City Clerk Cindy Johnson, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED:
#2000-16 - Approving Declaration of Emergency for Procurement Processes for Purchase of
Turbine Blades. Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that at the March 27 Council Meeting,
the Council had approved the purchase of new turbine blades for the Turbine at Burdick Station
from low bidder, Preco Turbine & Compressor Services of Houston, Texas at a cost of $40,000.
Subsequently, Preco advised they were unable to meet their quoted price of $40,000 and
requoted at $46,000. Mr. Mader noted that inasmuch as the quote of $46,000 was no longer the
low bid, the Utilities Department was recommending that the purchase of turbine blades be
awarded to the next low bidder, Turbine Services, Ltd., of Saratoga Springs, NY in the amount
of $44,000. Motion by Seifert, second by Larson, carried unanimously to approve.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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lttft '~J V1f/VfLW r ~
Cindy K. Jo son
City Clerk
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 4, 2000
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 Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street.
Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on March 29,2000.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Seifert, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, Murray
and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administration Marlan
Ferguson, City Clerk Cindy Johnson, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
Presentation by Consultant on Downtown Identity and Design Program. Dianne Kelley,
Downtown Development Director, introduced Consultant Marty Shukert who presented the final
Downtown Identity and Design Program. Mr. Shukert reported that the process had begun with a
survey of the stakeholders of the downtown and the results of the survey indicated the downtown
was strong in customer service and user friendliness but weak in public image and quality of the
retail environment. Mr. Shukert stated that the results of the survey indicated that new business
attractions, fa<(ade development, directional information, and the alleyway project were hot
strategies for the downtown. It was noted that government facilities were a major asset to the
downtown however old or vacant buildings and inconvenient or lack of parking was liabilities.
Mr. Shukert reported that his firm identified four areas of potential: market potential (niche
marketing), image, themes and environmental graphics (Your Grand Center), public environment
(alleyways, parking, gazebo, street environment) and management, leadership and organization
(unifying districts, strong events program, brochure on BID, improve regular communication
with stakeholders). Mayor Gnadt complimented Mr. Shukert on the presentation and agreed that
the downtown was approximately 80-85% on its way. Councilmember Murray thanked Mr.
Shukert and his team and noted that this was a complex subject and the firm had set both a vision
and a challenge for the community. Councilmember Larson agreed that the negative perception
of downtown was inaccurate and that these ideas should help in that regard. Councilmember
Ward questioned whether the improvements would bring more tax dollars in. Mr. Shukert
responded that the patterns of shopping were closely ingrained and that downtowns can not
compete with shopping malls however the downtown had an opportunity to strengthen its market
niches for home furnishings and home art with restaurants and entertainment as well as increase
the yield of individual business, developing second and third story businesses, and increasing the
number of people who come into downtown Grand Island. Councilmember Ward stated that he
envisioned the projects as providing an atmosphere where families can help build memories of a
downtown for today's youth. Councilmember Whitesides questioned where the funding for the
$3.4 million anticipated costs could come from. Mr. Shukert stated that the projects could be
phased in but that he would anticipate Community Redevelopment Funds, city participation,
grants or private foundations, as well as downtown business owner assessments paying for the
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, April 4, 2000
improvements. Tom Ziller,324 West 18th Street, spoke in support of the VISIOn. Steve
Rasmussen, Business Improvement Chair, noted that the downtown businesses had enthusiasm
and energy to move the project forward. Maudie Walters, 301 West Third Street, stated that she
had a lot of faith in the downtown. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director, Marv Webb,
Architect, and George Bartenbach, 209 North Locust Street, spoke on the issue.
Demonstration of On Line Burning Permits. Fire Chief Jim Rowell introduced Ann Dunbar who
demonstrated the ease of acquiring a burning permit on line from the City's web site.
Councilmember Murray noted that the process was quick and an opportunity to save residents
time and that the City should continue to look at ways of conducting business in this fashion.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Cindy K. lfh~sod 01-
City Clerk