11/14/2000 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 14,2000
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
November 14,2000. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on November
8,2000.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuelson, Murray and
Sorensen. Councilmember Ward, Pielstick and Hosier were absent. The following City Officials
were present: City Administrator, MarIan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney
Charlie Cuypers and Steve Riehle Public Works Director.
Presentation of Proiects for Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Bob Rye, Northwestern
Public Service, presented the City of Grand Island with a check in the amount of $86,000.00 to be
use for economic development. Pat Downs, President, Economic Development Corporation, made a
presentation on projects that have been accomplished and projects that are in progress. Some of the
projects that have proved a challenge or are in progress are: Fonner Expo Center; Better Air Service;
One-Stop Workforce Investment Act comprehensive center, Statewide Law Enforcement Training
Center, Expanding retail base and taxable sales, Great Infrastructure - Water/Sewer/Electric; large
manufacturing project at the Airport; local manufacturing; county manufacturing and
telecommunication company. Mr. Downs emphasized the importance of creating/growing the wealth
in our community and keeping it here.
Councilmember Sorensen asked if there has been any companies looking at coming to Grand Island.
Mr. Downs stated that they spend 85% - 95% of their time working on local businesses to expand.
The New Holland situation earlier this year was discussed with regards to the partnership that was
formed. Foundations were discussed as key components in keeping New Holland in Grand Island.
The Mayor and Councilmember Larsen emphasized the importance of what EDC has been doing
with regards to the return on investment to our community. Curtis Griess, EDC Board member,
spoke with regards to the importance of economic development in this area. John Schultz, President
EDC, spoke of the many partners and the support it takes to be successful. Councilmember Seifert
thanked Mr. Downs for the presentation.
Discussion Concerning Retail Car Lots Relative to Hard-Surfacing Sales Areas. Charlie Cuypers,
City Attorney, reported on the numerous complaints to his office of the appearance of car lots in
Grand Island. Mentioned were the appearance and operations of car dealerships and car repair shops.
Several problems stated were a number of inadequacies of paving, offices, location, maintenance and
size of lot for number of cars. It was recommended by Mr. Cuypers that Council allow the Regional
Planning and Building Departments to change the City Code for any new or current retail sales area
to pave their car lots. It was suggested that the Council consider storage for all retail car lots.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, November 14,2000
Councilmember Seifert asked about the retail lots with regards to new and used car dealers. Mr.
Cuypers stated that there could be a distinction made with regards to new and used car dealers.
Randy Rapien 326 Lakeside Drive, spoke with regards to the expense of having to pave his lot
because of a few businesses that have caused the problem and felt that storage was the real problem.
Carl Mettenbrink, 2200 East One-R Road, spoke with regards to junk dealers and how this would be
handled. Also mentioned was that their lot would not hold asphalt. Bert Niedfelt, 4944 Kearney
Road, spoke with regards to cement not being the answer to the problem and that there are other
problems and we should be looking at.
Roger Roscoe, 3114 West 15th Street, did not feel he should have to be made to pay for
improvements when he was not the problem. Councilmember Sorensen agreed that we should not
penalize the car dealers that are trying to do a good job. Councilmember Murray, Preisendorf and
Whitesides stated they were willing to support part of the request as far as storage but not in paving
of the lots. Councilmember Murray stated that maybe there should be a change in code as to the
number of cars for a lot. Mr. Cuypers stated that this would be hard to police. Councilmember Larsen
stated that neighboring cities and towns all have the same problem and that maybe we should look to
the state licensing board for help.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qcf\ClL rn~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk