07/25/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
July 25, 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, on July 25, 2000. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
July 19,2000.
Mayor Ken 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,
Samuelsonn, Murray and Sorensen. Councilmember Ward was absent. The following City
Officials were present: City Administrator Marian Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards,
Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and Public Works Director
Steve Riehle.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: 4 individuals reserved time to speak on
agenda items.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
CHAUTAUQUA MUSICAL CONTEST
Musical Contest Winner, Christie Murman played several musical selections on her fiddle.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Request of Riverside Inn for Renewal of Conditional Use Permit for
Entrance Sign at 3200 South Locust Street Craig Lewis, Building Department Director,
reported that renewal of a Conditional Use Permit was required for Riverside Inn for continued
placement of a sign at 3200 South Locust Street to mark the turn off to their business. This
request had been reviewed by the Building, Legal, Utilities, Regional Planning and Public
Works Departments. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Request of CXT/LB Foster Company for Renewal of Conditional Use Permit
for Temporary Placement of Office Buildings at 710 East US Highway 30 Craig Lewis,
Building Department Director, reported that renewal of a Conditional Use Permit was required
for CXT/LB Foster Company for continued placement of temporary placement of office
buildings at 710 East US Highway 30. This request had been reviewed by the Building, Legal,
Utilities, Regional Planning and Public Works Departments. No public testimony was heard.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
Public Hearing on Request of Scott Montgomery 2607 Waugh Street, for Conditional Use
Permit for Construction of a Detached Two Car Garage Craig Lewis, Building Department
Director, reported that a Conditional Use Permit was requested by Scott Montgomery for
construction of a detached two car garage at 2607 Waugh Street. This request had been
reviewed by the Building, Legal, Utilities, Regional Planning and Public Works Departments.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance for this request at their July 11, 2000
meeting. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Declaration of a Site in the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, as Blight and
Substandard Area #3 Cindy Johnson, Community Projects Director, reported that a blight
and substandard study was prepared by Hanna:Keelan Associates P.C. for an area referred to
as "Redevelopment Area #3". The Redevelopment Area #3 contains approximately 8.7 acres
located in southeast Grand Island near the South Locust Corridor. Substandard factors were
found throughout the Redevelopment Area. Specifically, deterioration or dilapidated structures,
age and obsolescence of structures, and the existence of conditions which endanger life or
property by fire and other causes. The request had been reviewed by the Regional Planning
Commission. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Proposed Grant Application to Department of Economic Development
Relative to Community Development Funding for Updated Planning Study Cindy Johnson,
Community Projects Director, reported that the Nebraska Department of Economic
Development accepts applications through the Community Development Block Grant Program
for grant funding to assist in the development and distribution of a housing study. A housing
study was last completed in 1995. It is recommended that these studies be updated every five
years. The City's request to CDBG is for funding in the amount of $21,000; total cost of the
project is anticipated to be approximately $26,000. A request will be made to the Community
Redevelopment Authority to provide the remaining $5,000 required as matching funds. This is
the second of the two required Public Hearings, the first Public Hearing was held on June 27,
2000. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement North Side of State Street and West of
Lawrence Lane (Raymond J. and Jennifer S. O'Connor) Gary Mader, Utility Director,
reported that acquisition of a utility easement located on the north side of State Street and west
of Lawrence Lane on the U-Save Lot, was required in order to have access to install, upgrade,
maintain, and repair power appurtenances. This easement will be used to locate primary cable
and pad mounted transformer to serve a new sign just north of this location. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement East of Juergen Road and North of
Wildwood Drive (Nebraska Truck Center, Inc.) Gary Mader, Utility Director, reported that
acquisition of a utility easement located east of Juergen Road and north of Wildwood Drive,
Platte Valley Industrial Park, was required in order to have access to install, upgrade,
maintain, and repair power appurtenances. This easement will be used to locate primary cable
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
and pad mounted transformer to serve Nebraska Truck Center development. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 1) Gary Mader, Utility Director, reported that
acquisition of a utility easement located on the west side of Ada Street and north of Stolley
Park Road was required in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power
appurtenances. This easement will be used to locate two new transformers along with primary
cable and secondary boxes to serve new apartment complexes at this location. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 2) Gary Mader, Utility Director, reported that
acquisition of a utility easement located on the west side of Ada Street and north of Stolley
Park Road was required in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power
appurtenances. This easement will be used to locate two new transformers along with primary
cable and secondary boxes to serve new apartment complexes at this location. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 3) Gary Mader, Utility Director, reported that
acquisition of a utility easement located on the west side of Ada Street and north of Stolley
Park Road was required in order to have access to install, upgrade, maintain, and repair power
appurtenances. This easement will be used to locate two new transformers along with primary
cable and secondary boxes to serve new apartment complexes at this location. No public
testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Chapter 33-12 of the Grand Island Subdivision
Regulations Relative to Standards for Median, Street Widths Chad Nabity, Planning
Director, reported that an amendment to Chapter 33-12 of the Grand Island Subdivision
Ordinance would limit access from streets designated as collector or arterial streets; to define a
minimum lane width for streets with medians; and to remove the wording requiring Public
Works Director approval before Planning Commission and Council can consider streets
narrower than 37 feet. The purpose of these changes is to set standards for placing medians in
the public right of way and to define who can approve that streets can be built to lower than
minimum standards. This recommendation has been approved by the Regional Planning
Commission at their July 5, 2000 meeting. This proposal has been reviewed by the Public
Works and Fire Departments. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Chapter 36-36 of the Grand Island Zoning
Regulations Regarding Construction of Standard Two Car Garage as an Accessory Use Chad
Nabity, Planning Director, reported that an amendment to Chapter 36-36 of the Grand Island
Zoning Regulations would allow for construction of a standard 2 car garage as an accessory
use on any residential lot provided all coverage and set back requirements can be met. This
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
proposal has been approved by the Regional Planning Commission at their July 5, 2000
meeting. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Grand Island Comprehensive Plan Regarding
Designation of a Collector Street Along the Independence Avenue Corridor Between Capital
Avenue and 13th Street Chad Nabity, Planning Director, reported an amendment to the
Grand Island Comprehensive Plan relative to the designation of one-half mile as a collector
street along the Independence Avenue Corridor between Capital Avenue and 13th Street.
Concerns about pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic congestion created by Westridge
School has led to this request. This proposal has been approved by the Regional Planning
Commission at their July 5, 2000 meeting. No 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:
#8607 - Consideration of Creation of Sanitary Sewer District #495, Gosda Subdivision
#8608 - Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 17 of the City Code Relative to Solid
Waste Flow Control
#8609 - Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 33-12 of the Grand Island Subdivision
Regulations Relative to standards for Medians, Street Widths
#8610 - Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 36-36 of the Grand Island Zoning
Regulations Regarding Construction of Standard Two Car Garage as an Accessory Use
#8611 - Consideration of Issuing Electric Revenue Bonds
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 then upon final passage. Second by
Larson. Upon roll call vote, motion was adopted unanimously.
Mayor: Is there anyone in the audience interested in any of the Ordinances?
Councilmember Pielstick questioned Ordinance #8611 - Electric Revenue Bonds, as to whether
the City could have put aside money for this project. Gary Mader, Utilities Director explained
the financing of the project and the purpose of the $6,030,000.00 bonds. Councilmember
Whitesides questioned the interest rate on the bonds, which is 4.94%. Discussion was had
regarding the use of reserve funds for projects such as this. Bill Beavers, Bond Agent from
Ameritas, explained the bonds and the AA rating that the City of Grand Island has received.
Councilmember Murray questioned Ordinance #8608 relative to the Solid Waste Flow Control.
Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, explained that this ordinance would amend Chapter 17 of
the City Code relative to garbage or refuse processed at a Materials Recovery Facility operated
pursuant to a permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
Clerk: Ordinances #8607, #8608, #8609, #8610 and #8611 on first reading. All those in favor
of the passage of these ordinances on first reading answer roll call. Upon roll call vote, motion
adopted unanimously.
Clerk: Ordinances #8607, #8608, #8609, #8610 and #8611 on final passage. All those in favor
of the passage of these ordinances on final passage, answer roll call. Upon roll call vote, motion
adopted unanimously.
Mayor: By reason of the roll call votes on the first reading and then upon final passage,
Ordinances #8607, #8608, #8609, #8610 and #8611 are considered to be lawfully passed and
adopted upon publication as required by law.
Motion by Samuleson, second by Larson to approve Salary Ordinance #8606 - Salary
Ordinance. Discussion was had regarding this being the second reading and whether or not the
statutory rules could be suspended and that this ordinance be read on second and final reading.
Samuleson withdrew his motion and Larson withdrew his second.
Councilmember Sorensen moved that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days be suspended and that ordinance numbered 8606 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 ordinance on its second reading and then upon final passage and call
for a roll call vote on each reading and then upon final passage. Second by Murray. Upon roll
call vote, Larson, Hosier, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuleson, Murray and Sorensen voted aye.
Pielstick and Siefert voted nay. Motion failed.
Motion by Samuelson, second by Larson to approved Salary Ordinance #8606 on second
reading. Councilmember Seifert questioned why some positions received a raise and others did
not. City Administrator Marian Ferguson explained the salary survey done by John Cripes,
Capital Concepts. The Salary Ordinance was read by title by the City Clerk. Discussion
followed. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney explained the salary survey regarding comparability.
Upon roll call vote, Larson, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuleson, Murray and
Sorensen voted aye. Pielstick voted nay. Motion adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA:
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, noted that item G-5c should read Water Main Project 2000-W-2,
Water Transmission Line instead of Well Field Expansion. Also noted was amended minutes for
the July 11, 2000 meeting which had been provided to Council.
Councilmember Pielstick requested that items G-9 and G-4b be removed from the Consent
Agenda. Motion by Pielstick, second by Whitesides, to approve the Consent Agenda and the
amended minutes, excluding items G-9 and G4b. Motion carried unaninously.
Approving Minutes of July 11, 2000 City Council Regular Meeting. Councilmember Samuelson
abstained from voting.
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Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
Approving Minutes of July 18, 2000 City Council Special Meeting.
Approving Deanna Frankforther and Tammy Slater to the Hall County Board of Health.
Approving Alicia Haussler and Beverly Biggs to the Community Development Advisory Board.
Approving Renewal of Conditional Use Permit for Riverside Inn Entrance Sign at 3200 South
Locust Street.
Approving Conditional Use Permit for Scott Montgomery, 2607 Waugh Street to Construct a
Detached Two Car Garage.
#2000-208 - Approving Bid for Technical Support for Scanner for Utilities Department to
National Computer Systems of Eagan, Minnesota in the Amount of $747.43.
#2000-209 - Approving Bid for Downtown Alley Improvements - Phase II and Electrical
Project 2000-UG-1 to Diamond Engineering Company of Grand Island, Nebraska in the Amount
of $747,099.69.
#2000-210 - Approving Bid for Water Main Project 2000-W-2 - Stuhr Road and the Wood
River Floodway to Diamond Engineering Company of Grand Island, Nebraska in the Amount of
$211,361.20.
#2000-211 - Approving Bid for Human Services Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Plan,
CYC to Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.c. of Lincoln, Nebraska in the amount of $30,000.00.
#2000-212 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement North Side of State Street and West of
Lawrence Lane (Raymond J. and Jennifer S. O'Connor).
#2000-213 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement East of Juergen Road and North of
Wildwood Drive (Nebraska Truck Center, Inc.)
#2000-214 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 1 ).
#2000-215 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 2).
#2000-216 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement West Side of Ada Street and North of
Stolley Park Road (Kenneth W. Staab - Lot 3).
#2000-217 - Approving Declaration of a Site in the City of Grand Island, Nebraska as Blight and
Sustandard Area #3.
#2000-218 - Approving Proposed Grant Application to Department of Economic Development
Relative to Community Development Funding for Updated Planning Study.
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Page 7, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25,2000
#2000-220 - Approving Budget for Business Improvement District #3, South Locust Street, and
Setting Date for Board of Equalization.
#2000-221 - Approving Speed Limits Upon the Streets of the City of Grand Island Relative to
Section 22-51 of the City Code.
#2000-222 - Approving Proposed Amendment to Grand Island Comprehensive Plan Regarding
Designation of a Collector Street Along the Independence Avenue Corridor Between Capital
Avenue and 13th Street. Councilmembers Preisendorfand Samuleson voted nay.
Approving Conditional Use Permit Renewal of CXT/LB Foster Company for Temporary
Placement of Office Buildings at 71 0 East US Highway 30. Motion by Pielstick, second by
Larson to approve the renewal of a Conditional Use Permit to CXT ILB Foster Company with a 3
year term instead of 2 years. Councilmember Murray stated that that the City Zoning code does
not allow for an extended term. Craig Lewis, Building Department Director agreed, stating that
the Code would need to be changed in order to allow for an extended term. Motion by Pielstick
to amend her original motion on the condition that the fee is waived for the last year. Second by
Sorensen. Councilmember Preisendorf questioned whether the fee could be waived. Clarification
was made by Charlie Cuypers City Attorney, that the fee can be waived for the last year with
Council approval. Wayne Williams, Plant Manager was present on behalf of CXT /LB Foster Co.
Upon roll call vote, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, and Sorensen voted aye. Murray,
Samuelson, Larson and Whitesides voted nay. Motion failed. Motion by Murray, second by
Samuelson carried unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for 2 years.
#2000-219 - Approving Budget for Business Improvement District #2, Downtown, and Setting
Date for Board of Equalization. Motion by Samuelson, second by Sorensen to approve the
budget for Business Improvement District #2, Downtown, and Setting September 12, 2000, for
Board of Equalization. Maude Walters, 301 West Third Street, spoke concerning the budget for
support staff. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, Cindy Johnson, Community Projects Director and
Councilmember Murray, explained the budget and the changes within the Downtown
Development Department. Upon roll call vote, Larson, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides,
Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen voted aye. Pielstick voted nay. Motion adopted.
REQUESTS AND REFERRALS:
Reconsideration of Request of Central Nebraska Airport to Discharge Storm Sewer Water From
Airport Property into the Capital Avenue Outfall Ditch. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director,
presented the reconsideration to Council. He explained that this request was denied at the July
11,2000, City Council Meeting and that a Councilmember who voted against the original motion
may bring it back for reconsideration. Motion by Hosier, second by Whitesides that Council
reconsider the request of Central Nebraska Airport to Discharge Storm Sewer Water from
Airport Property into the Capital Avenue Outfall Ditch at their August 15, 2000 meeting. Ron
Depue, 3002 Colonial Lane, Attorney for the Hall County Airport Authority, and Bill Stovall,
Executive Director for the Airport spoke in favor of the motion to reconsider. Ned Meier, 720
Third Road, Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves Avenue and Donald Frauen, 1821 Fifth Road spoke in
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Page 8, City Council Regular Meeting, July 25, 2000
opposition. Upon roll call vote, Larson, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuleson, Murray and
Sorensen voted aye. Pielstick and Hosier voted nay. Motion adopted.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2000-223 - Approving Consideration of Budget Amendment. David Springer, Finance
Director, reported that on August 16, 1999, the City council adopted the 1999-2000 Annual
Budget Statement with Ordinance No. 8503. It is appropriate to amend the budget from time to
time to address priorities that arise during the fiscal year. The budget amendment reallocates
appropriation of $38,270.00 within the general fund for the purpose of providing for the
replacement of a low power UHF Transmitter for GITV. Motion by Murray, second by Siefert to
approve. Upon roll call vote, motion was adopted unanimously.
#2000-224 - Approving Bid for Low Power UHF Transmitter. Cindy Johnson, Community
Projects Director, reported on behalf of GITV that a request had been submitted for awarding a
bid for a low power UHF Transmitter. A State Contract is available through EMCEE Broadcast
Products of White Haven, Pennsylvania in the amount of $38,270.00. Motion by Siefert, second
by Whitesides to approve. Upon roll call vote, motion was adopted unanimously.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: Motion by Samuelson, second by Whitesides, carried unanimously
to approve the Claims for the period of July 12, 2000 through July 25, 2000, Claims #93650
through #94218 and voided Claims #81030, #82778, #92899 and #93269. Councilmember
Seifert abstained from voting on Claim #93816.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk