05/16/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 16, 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 May
10,2000.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Seifert, Preisendorf,
Whitesides, Ward, Murray, Samuelson and Sorensen. The following Officials were
present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers, Interim
Finance Director Larry Fox and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
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Discussion on Request for Hotel/Motel Occupation Tax/Fonner Park Exposition and
Events Center, Inc. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that owners/operators of
87% of all the motel rooms in the City of Grand Island had requested that the City adopt
a 2% occupation tax like that current in effect in North Platte, Hastings and Kearney.
Fonner Park General Manager Hugh Miner reported that the occupation tax would be
used to fund design, construction, and maintenance of the proposed Fonner Event Center,
a 6,000 square foot facility that would accommodate activities such as agricultural shows
and conferences, church conventions, concerts, recreational sporting opportunities and
spectator sports. Mr. Miner reported that private donations would be sought to fund the
construction of the facility and that $2.5 million had already been pledged to the effort.
Architect Steve Laughlin of the Leo A Daly firm stated that the facility would receive
great benefit from being associated with Fonner Park including utilizing shared space.
Councilmember Pielstick questioned whether the occupation tax could be extended to
restaurants. Mr. Cuypers responded that the request posed to the Council was for a
hotel/motel occupation tax and that he had honored that request. Councilmember
Whitesides and Councilmember Ward spoke in support of the occupation tax on
hotel/motel occupation and noted that neighboring communities had received substantial
revenues for use in promoting tourism and community attractions. It was noted that the
Ordinance providing for the occupation tax would be considered by the Council at the
May 23,2000 City Council Meeting.
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Presentation by Gale Larson on Goodwill Industries Annual Report. Gale Larson,
Chairman of Goodwill Industries, made a presentation to the City Council on the
activities of Goodwill Industries.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, May 16, 2000
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Discussion on Dewatering Project. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, and Ron
Bishop, Central Platte Natural Resources District Manager, provided an update to the
City Council on the dewatering project that was in existence. Mr. Bishop noted that the
reports from property owners had been very positive. Kevin Prior of Olsson Associates
informed the Council that funding sources had been explored for the dewatering project
and that options included seeking grants, or implementing an assessment district, or a
user fee mechanism. Councilmember Seifert questioned the equity of an assessment
district. Discussion was held on where the groundwater was being pumped. Mr. Riehle
stated that the Council had decisions to make for several issues related to dewatering such
as funding, impact on lakes and ponds, environmental issues, and possible changes to
City Code relative to installation of basements in areas with high groundwater.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~~ui~
City Administrator
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For
Cindy K. Johnson
City Clerk
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