02/06/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
February 6, 2001
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 February 6,2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
January 31,2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Pielstick, Seifert, Larson, Hornady Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker and
Sorensen. Councilmember Ward was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer,
City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and Steve Riehle Public Works Director.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said followed by an It's About Kids! Assets were presented
by Ryan Homan and Zac Kerr.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Two individuals reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Presentation of Twenty Year Service Award was made to John Mayer, Fire Captain.
Presentation of Life Saving Efforts was Presented to Keysha Foster. Mayor Ken Gnadt and Fire
Chief Jim Rowell presented Keysha Foster with a Service Award for the life saving efforts she
made when a fire broke out in their home and she alerted other members of her family.
Random Acts of Kindness Proclamation. Mayor Gnadt proclaimed February 11-18, 2001 as
"Random Acts of Kindness Week". Gloria Wolbach representing the AOK Ladies presented
information on Random Acts of Kindness Week.
Presentation by McDermott & Miller, for FY2000 City Single Audit and General Purpose
Financial Statements. Mike Wassinger of McDermott and Miller presented the City Single Audit
for Fiscal Year 2000 and stated that the City had received an unqualified opinion which was the
best rating given. Mr. Wassinger thanked the staff for their cooperation.
Presentation by Chad Blushke, Fire Department, Relative to Explorers Post. Chad Blushke, Russ
Bolling and Tom Chapman, presented information regarding the "Explorers Post", which is a
career-oriented initiative for high school students to see first hand what firefighters and
paramedics do. Several students that are involved in the "Explorers Post" were introduced.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, February 6,2001
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Murray, second by Sorensen, carried unanimously
to adjourn to Board of Equalization.
#2001-BE-3 - Determining Benefits for Street Improvement District #1213 - Alley Between
Third Street and South Front Street From Sycamore Street to Pine Street. Steve Riehle, Public
Works Director, reported that in its capacity as the Board of Equalization, it was necessary for
the City Council to consider the assessment of benefits associated with Street Improvement
District #1213.
#2001-BE-4 - Determining Benefits for Street Improvement District #1214 - Alley Between
Third Street and South Front Street From Pine Street to Locust Street. Steve Riehle, Public
Works Director, reported that in its capacity as the Board of Equalization, it was necessary for
the City Council to consider the assessment of benefits associated with Street Improvement
District #1214.
#2001-BE-5 - Determining Benefits for Street Improvement District #1215 - Alley Between
Third Street and South Front Street From Locust Street to Wheeler Street. Steve Riehle, Public
Works Director, reported that in its capacity as the Board of Equalization, it was necessary for
the City Council to consider the assessment of benefits associated with Street Improvement
District #1215.
#2001-BE-6 - Determining Benefits for Street Improvement District #1216 - Alley Between
Third Street and South Front Street From Wheeler Street to Walnut Street. Steve Riehle, Public
Works Director, reported that in its capacity as the Board of Equalization, it was necessary for
the City Council to consider the assessment of benefits associated with Street Improvement
District #1216.
John Wayne, 309 North Pine Street, stated concerns of equal assessment for property owners
regarding Street Improvement District # 1213.
Motion by Murray, second by Whitesides, carried unanimously to approve Resolutions #2001-
BE-3, #2001-BE-4, #2001-BE-5 and #2001-BE-6.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Sorensen, second by Murray, carried
unanimously to return to Regular Session.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement in Alleyway Between Lincoln Street and
Greenwich Street From 2nd Street to 3rd Street (First Church of Christ Scientist) Gary Mader,
Utilities Director, reported that acquisition of a utility easement located in the alleyway between
Lincoln Street and Greenwich Street from 2nd Street to 3rd Street, was required in order to have
access to install a 3-phase pad mounted transformer as part of the downtown underground
project. No public testimony was heard.
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, February 6,2001
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement in Alleyway Between Eddy Street and
Clebum Street From North Front Street to 4th Street (Michael and Beverly Hummel) Gary
Mader, Utilities Director, reported that acquisition of a utility easement located in the alleyway
between Eddy Street and Clebum Street from North Front Street to 4th Street, was required in
order to install a 3-phase pad mounted transformer to serve a new auto repair shop to be located
at this location. No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Sorensen moved that Ordinance #8655 - Consideration of Amendment to
Chapter 32 of the Grand Island City Code Relative to Spreading Snow in Streets, be removed to
a Study Session. Second by Seifert, carried unanimously.
Councilmember Sorensen moved that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days be suspended and that ordinances numbered:
#8656 - Consideration of Establishing Assessment for Street Improvement District #1213
_ Alley Between Third Street and South front Street From Sycamore Street to Pine Street
#8657 - Consideration of Establishing Assessment for Street Improvement District #1214
- Alley Between Third Street and South front Street From Pine Street to Locust Street
#8658 - Consideration of Establishing Assessment for Street Improvement District #1215
- Alley Between Third Street and South front Street From Locust Street to Wheeler
Street
#8659 - Consideration of Establishing Assessment for Street Improvement District #1216
- Alley Between Third Street and South front Street From Wheeler Street to Walnut
Street
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. Councilmember
Seifert seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor: Is there anyone in the audience interested in this ordinance? No testimony was heard.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8656, #8657, #8658 and #8659 on their first reading. All those in favor
of the passage of these ordinances on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye.
City Clerk: Ordinance #8656, #8657, #8658 and #8659 on their final passage. All those in favor
of the passage of these ordinances on final passage, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, February 6,2001
Mayor: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage, Ordinances
#8656, #8657, #8658 and #8659 are declared to be lawfully passed and adopted upon publication
as required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: It was noted that item G-1 a should be deleted as Council approved this
item at the January 23, 2001 meeting. Also submitted to Council were amendments to the
January 23, 2001 minutes. Motion by Pielstick, second by Seifert, carried unanimously to
approve the Consent Agenda.
Approving Minutes of January 23,2001 City Council Regular Meeting with amendments.
Approving Craig Ensley, Doug Fangmeier, Randy Hiatt, Bruce K1eint, Craig Lewis and Dean
Mathis to the Electrical Board.
Approving Norm Nietfeldt, Mike McElroy, Loren Peterson, Craig Lewis and Clark Ka1kowski to
the Gas Fitters and Appliance Installers Board.
Approving Ryan King, Jerome Krolikowski, LaVern Bruha, Craig Lewis and Clark Ka1kowski
to the Plumbing Board.
#2001-37 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement in Alleyway Between Lincoln Street and
Greenwich Street From 2nd Street to 3rd Street. Councilmember Pielstick voted nay.
#2001-38 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement in Alleyway Between Eddy Street and
Clebum Streets From North Front Street to 4th Street.
#2001-39 - Awarding Bid for Building Inspection Department Vehicle Through State Contract
to Husker Automotive Group, Lincoln, Nebraska, in the Amount of$14,799.77.
#2001-40 - Awarding Bid for (20) ISI "Viking" Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Systems to
Heiman Fire Equipment, Ashton, Iowa, in the Amount of $44,143.00.
#2001-41 - Awarding Bid for Commercial Mulching Turf Mower - Cemetery Division to Mid-
West Turf and Irrigation, Omaha, Nebraska, in the Amount of$l1,082.00 including trade-in.
#2001-42 - Awarding Bid for Commercial Mulching Turf Mower - Park Maintenance Division
to Mid- West Turf and Irrigation, Omaha, Nebraska, in the amount of $11 ,282.00 including trade-
m.
#2001-43 - Awarding Contract for Grand Island Dive and Rescue Team for Rescue Services in
Exchange for Inclusion on the City's Liability Insurance Coverage.
#2001-44 - Awarding Extension to Contract for Fly Ash to F1atwater Materials, Inc., Grand
Island, Nebraska.
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, February 6,2001
#200-321 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Street Improvement District #1233,
Juergen Road and Setting Board of Equalization Date for February 27,2001.
#2001-45 - Approving Amendment to Speed Limit on South Locust Between Wood River
Bridge and Highway 34.
#2001-46 - Approving Amendment to Contract with Nebraska Department of Roads Relative to
Installation of Flashing Yellow Lights at Intersection of Locust Street and Highway 34.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2001-47 - Approving Special Election for Zoo. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that
at the City Council Study Session of January 16, 2001, it was recommended that a special
election be set to decide the future of the zoo. Resolution #2001-47 establishes the ballot
language, a statement of intent and sets a date of June 5, 2001 for the Special Election.
Councilmember Seifert felt the $5,000,000 cost for the zoo was an all or nothing choice and was
wondering if there were any other alternatives. Councilmember Whitesides complimented the
committee on doing an excellent job researching this issue and being up front with the figures so
people knew what to they were voting on. Mr. Whitesides also stated that this time we need to do
it right if we are going to do it at all.
Councilmember Sorensen stated he had received several phones calls and was supportive of
putting this to a vote of the people. Mr. Sorensen also stated that he felt it was a bad move to use
sales tax for the zoo and felt we should issue bonds for the complete project.
Councilmember Pielstick wanted it known that Council action was strictly for putting this issue
to a vote of the people, not an indication of whether the Council was for or against the issue.
Councilmember Walker stated that even if the election failed there is nothing in the ballot
language that would close the zoo.
Councilmember Murray questioned whether staff had done projections of what the cost would be
if this issue passes. David Springer, Finance Director, stated that if the bonds were financed over
10 years at 5 percent interest, it would take $610,000 a year to pay the bond debt and interest.
Councilmember Hornady questioned the projected annual attendance figures and felt they were
over estimated and also stated concerns about taking land from Stolley Park. Steve Paustain,
Parks and Recreation Director, stated that he believed the 100,000 figure was very attainable
considering that the city's water park draws 100,000 visitors in 85 days versus the zoo's
proposed year-round operation.
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves, spoke in opposition to the zoo proposal.
Motion by Larson, second by Whitesides, carried unanimously to approve the Special Election
for the Zoo.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
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Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, February 6,2001
Discussion and Council Action Regarding Claim Submitted by Carroll Sheldon. Motion by
Murray, second by Larson to deny the claim submitted by Carroll Sheldon in the amount of
$1,350.00.
Carroll Sheldon, Kearney, Nebraska, spoke in support of paying the claim and felt he had not
been treated fairly regarding his campaign sings. Councilmember Pielstick questioned whether or
not Mr. Sheldon's signs had been taken down. Criag Lewis, Building Department Director,
stated that he had removed Mr. Sheldon's signs along with other signs from other candidates that
did not meet the requirements of City Code.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye.
Motion by Whitesides, second by Seifert, carried unanimously to approve the Claims for the
period of January 24, 2001 through February 6, 2001, claims #100353, #100511, #100664 and
#101623 through #102102 for a total claims amount of$1,201,142.70.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by Whitesides, second by Sorensen, carried unanimously to adjourn to executive session
at 8:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations with the Airport Authority.
Motion by Pielstick, second by Sorensen, carried unanimously to reconvene in regular session at
9:05 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qor\o.L IDw~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk