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05/02/2000 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION May 2, 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 April 26, 2000. Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. Ward was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk Cindy Johnson, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, and City Attorney Charlie Cuypers. Entertainment by Fifth Grade Honors Choir. Presentation of Solid Waste Management Study. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, and Bruce Jones, Solid Waste Superintendent, presented an overview of the Solid Waste Management operations and noted that there had been significant changes in the solid waste industry over the past three years. It was noted that Olsson Associates had been contracted with to provide an analysis of the current operations, including the transfer station and the landfill, and to review development of alternative scenarios and identify future options for the City's solid waste management operations. Shelly Schneider, and Nick Artz, representing Franklin Associates, consultants, reported that they had extensive experience in the solid waste industry and complimented the city staff for their knowledge of the industry and systems, as well as the obligation the Solid Waste Division had to the citizens to provide a quality service. Mr. Artz noted that the total annual cost of operating the landfill and transfer station was $2.3 million with total revenue of $1.9 million with a net loss of $400,000 but that using an alternate scenario there would be $2 million cost with a total revenue of $1.6 for a net loss of $473,000 and that the conclusion was that it would not make economic sense to restrict the use of the transfer station but rather be kept open. Ms. Schneider reported that their recommendations were to implement city-provided collection through contracts or franchise agreements with private haulers or with city crews, continue operation of the Grand Island transfer station for both commercial and self haulers; examine potential cost reduction for transfer station and landfill; consider tip fee increases at the transfer station and landfill; consider special assessment on Grand Island households and businesses; equipment replacement schedules and maintenance costs and contracts should be reviewed; convert to weight based tipping fees; establish a solid waste advisory committee or other options as might be identified such as selling land fill or transfer station; provide volume discounts or actively market outside the area. Councilmember Pielstick questioned whether the City had their own collection service years ago. Councilmember Sorensen noted the City had but there were complaints about high prices and there was no I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, May 2, 2000 competition. Councilmember Pielstick stated it would appear that we would not want to look at this option. Councilmember Murray questioned whether the staff had been aware of the deficit in operations. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, responded that the staff had not been aware of the deficit and had projected $237,000 excess revenues. Mr. Riehle stated that the accounting methods used relative to land costs were different from what the City used. Mr. Riehle added that the staff had already been considering many of the recommendations including staffing, hours, and electronic scales. Councilmember Sorensen spoke in opposition to passing along the entire costs to the citizens. Councilmember Murray questioned whether more specific recommendations would be provided to Council at a future time. Mr. Riehle stated that the study provided good cost information and decisions in the future would be required from both the staff and the Council and that the City had to determine how to maintain the landfill as a business and still operate and provide a cost effective service to our users. Councilmember Pielstick questioned whether a committee could be formed with staff, haulers, and Council. Councilmember Larson questioned the impact of costs to the homeowner if the City got out of the landfill business altogether. Mr. Riehle stated that privatization of the entire solid waste operation from collection through transfer station and landfill worked in some areas because of competition but that there was no competition in this area to ensure the rates remained competitive. Les Woodward, Clark Brothers and Mid Nebraska Disposal, live at Amick Acres in Doniphan, stated he had been in business since 1972 and the City had sold out to seven businesses in Grand Island. Mr. Woodward stated the private sector provided extra services the City might not provide. Presentation of Interlocal Agreement Between the CRA and City for Lighting on South Locust Street. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that during the preliminary planning stage of the reconstruction of South Locust Street from Stolley Park Road to Highway 34, local business and property owners held discussions regarding establishment of a Business Improvement District and development of a comprehensive plan for landscaping and pedestrian lighting in the project area. It was noted that the Community Redevelopment Authority had indicated an interest in assisting with the funding of the pedestrian lighting at a level of $150,000 and that the Business Improvement District #3 would reimburse the City for the energy and maintenance costs associated with the lighting. Mr. Cuypers reported that the issue would be before the Community Redevelopment Authority at their meeting next week. Councilmember Preisendorf questioned the difference between street lighting and pedestrian lighting. City Attorney Cuypers stated that the pedestrian lighting would be lower lighting and would be white metal lights that are 100 watts and spaced appropriately to light the pedestrian walkway about 1400 feet in the air. Councilmember Murray questioned where the funding difference between the CRA funding and the remainder would come from. Mr. Riehle stated that it was part of the project costs and would be paid for out of the general funds. Discussion on Request for Remote Control Car Track at Ashley Park. Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that a request had been made by Ken Fegter on behalf of the Nebraska Scale Auto Racers to use a portion of Ashley Park for a model car racetrack. Mr. Paustian noted that the proposed area was served by underground sprinklers that would need to be relocated in the event that the request was approved and that parking would also have to be addressed. Ken Fegter, 105 North Eddy Street, spoke on the request and stated that there were a number of individuals, youth included, who were interested in the racetrack and were only I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, May 2,2000 asking for watering and electricity from the City and all maintenance would be provided by the Club. Ed Conroy, 2526 Pioneer Boulevard, displayed a remote control car and spoke in support of the racetrack. Councilmember Whitesides questioned the costs of development of the track. Mr. Paustian stated that it appeared the costs would be minimal but that there were other considerations such as mixed use of park, parking and noise. Councilmember Samuelson asked whether the Little League group had been contacted and questioned whether the use would conflict with ball games. Mr. Paustian stated that there could be a conflict due to scheduling, particularly on Sundays. Councilmember Pielstick stated that she believed the racetrack and ball games could be held simultaneously especially because there was existing noise from the trains. Councilmember Preisendorf stated that an area was provided for remote control airplanes along South Locust Street and questioned whether there would be someone from the Club available to monitor the activities. Mr. Fegter stated that there was no provision for that at this time and stated that the noise factor was less than a remote control airplane. Marlan Ferguson, City Administrator, stated that there had been a remote control racetrack in Sidney and he did not recall any problems associated with its location which was right next to the ballparks. Councilmember Murray stated that the use should be consistent with other groups that use City property. Mr. Conroy stated that insurance would be provided by the Club. City Clerk Cindy Johnson stated that insurance was required from other groups that utilize City property in this manner. Councilmember Whitesides asked what needed to be done to move the project forward. Mr. Paustian stated that he would like some indication from the Council on direction for this request. Mike Green, 2124 West State Street, spoke in support of the request and noted that club members could obtain insurance riders and asked for consideration of an indoor facility for winter use. Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves, spoke in opposition to the request and suggested that other places be considered. Councilmember Whitesides requested that this be placed on the agenda for the next City Council Meeting. Update on Wading Pool Replacement. Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director, reported on the process to date on the replacement of existing wading pools at Lincoln , Pier and Grace Abbott Parks. Mr. Paustian noted that three different designs were required for each of the parks due to the individual locations. Councilmember Seifert suggested that a wading pool be considered for northwest Grand Island as well as southwest Grand Island since two of the proposed replacement pools were in close proximity to the water park. Mr. Paustian responded that his original budget request was for five pools but funding limitations did not allow for the construction of five. It was determined that the replacement of the existing pools at Lincoln, Pier and Grace Abbott were a priority. Councilmember Pielstick stated that the original concern with the existing pools was health reasons, particularly ecoli. Mr. Paustian indicated that the costs for the pools, 2,850 feet area, with a reasonable amount of deck would be $32,000 for site preparation, construction costs would be $90,970, and restroom/mechanical room would be $73,800 for total cost per pool of $198,640 plus 10% contingency for a total of $218,500. Mr. Paustian noted that there was a shortage of $200,000 in appropriated funds. Councilmember Whitesides spoke in support of consideration of a budget amendment to allow for the construction of the third and fourth pools. Councilmember Murray asked if there were other capital projects in the Parks Budget that might not be done and would therefore have available funds. Councilmember Murray asked if all three pools could be bid and have two constructed this year and the third next year. Mr. Paustian stated that construction would not begin until July or August so therefore funding could be included in next year's budget. Councilmember I I I Page 4, City Council Study Session, May 2, 2000 Samuelson questioned the maintenance costs for Stolley Park pool. Mr. Paustian stated that there was a substantial amount of personnel and maintenance costs associated with the pools and indicated he would provide a report to the Council. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. SJ!{~ City Clerk