09/19/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
September 19, 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, on
September 19,2000. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on September
13, 2000.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson,
and Sorensen. Councilmember Pielstick and Murray were absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Charlie
Cuypers and Steve Riehle Public Works Director.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) TRAILER PRESENTATION. Glenda
Mason, representing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) reported that because of
the $5,000.00 the City funded through the budget process and other donations through business and
private donations, the Community Emergency Response Team was able to acquire the CERT trailer.
The council took a tour of the CER T trailer. It was noted that a $300,000.00 grant has been granted
for emergency response needs.
DISCUSSION ON LAWN REQUIREMENTS: Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that
Councilmember Seifert had requested this discussion due to complaints from citizens where
homeowners had not planted or sodded lawns. The suggestion was that a city ordinance be adopted
requiring lawns to be planted or sodded in connection with residential construction. Mr. Seifert
distributed a petition signed by 51 homeowners and stated that the City requires businesses to
landscape their properties and felt this was discriminatory not to require homeowners to do the same.
Mr. Cupyers stated that there was a difference, as most businesses would never landscape without a
law, but that there is not usually a problem with homeowners wanting a nice lawn. He also stated that
he is not in favor of "policing lawns" as there is not the staff and the regulations would be hard to
enforce. Mr. Cuypers also stated that he does not want to see an ordinance enforced only by
neighborhood complaints, which is what this would end up being.
Councilmember Sorensen asked if this has been a problem throughout the City. Mr. Cuypers stated
that this particular issue was spurred by complaints from people living near 4019 Lambchop Lane,
otherwise this has not been an issue but weed complaints were more common.
Craig Lewis, Building Department Director, stated that there has not been a need for regulations for
yards on new construction and that it would be difficult to enforce. Councilmember Preisendorf
stated that he did not feel an ordinance was necessary and that there would be a lot of problems
trying to enforce this issue.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, September 19,2000
DISCUSSION ON FREE GRASS CLIPPING DISPOSAL: Steve Riehle, Public Works Director,
reported that the issue of free grass clipping disposal had been brought forward at the request of
Councilmember Seifert. Mr. Riehle stated that a nominal fee is currently being charged at the landfill
for dumping grass clippings which generates between $9,000 to $12,000 each year. He also stated
that most residents handle yard waste by mulching or compo sting their clippings or by paying private
haulers 0 collect yard waste. The recommendation of the Public Works Department was that we not
change the city policy that is in effect.
Councilmember Seifert stated that he would like to see some sort of code card that could be used for
dumping grass clippings, leaves, etc. at the landfill. He also stated that county officials have
complained about garbage bags filled with yard waste being dumped in roadside ditches and felt if
we had a free grass clipping disposal this might help "beautify the county and the city". Betty Curtis,
Clean Community System Director, 205 North Wheeler, stated that she disagrees that this would
solve the problem of dumping in road ditches. She stated people would not likely drive two or three
extra miles to the landfill to dispose oftheir grass clippings in the proper way.
Mr. Riehle stated that if the council chooses to provide free disposal for yard waste it should impose
the following conditions:
1) Service should be limited to private homeowners. Businesses and private haulers
should continue to pay a small fee.
2) Free disposal should be limited to regular transfer station hours to prevent people
from abusing the system and mixing in other trash with grass clipping.
DISCUSSION ON WEATHER RADIOS: Howard Maxon, Emergency Management Director,
reported on "STORM Ready" a National Weather Service program which Grand Island qualifies in
most areas except one area, weather radios. Mr. Maxon introduced Steve Kissner, meteorologist from
the Weather Service out of Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. Kissner reported that by having weather radios,
it provides a means of acquiring additional Community Rating System points assigned by the
Insurance Services Organization (ISO) which might have some insurance benefits for residents.
Mr. Maxon stated he would like to see an ordinance requiring weather radios in government -owned
buildings that are accessible to the public as well as in all homes as this is the quickest possible
notification of severe weather. Council member Larson noted that "Storm Ready" communities are
only required to have weather radios in government-owned buildings. Several Councilmembers
stated that they would like to see weather radios in government-owned buildings, but would have
problems requiring homeowners to buy radios.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk