03/27/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
March 27,2001
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 March 27,2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
March 21, 2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Pielstick, Ward, Seifert, Larson, Hornady, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker
and Sorensen. 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! Asset was presented by
Jenny Codner. Christine Haney, Family Preservation Grant Coordinator made a presentation to
Melissa DeBolt, Mikaela Janecek and Kaitlin Becker, winners of the "It's About Kids!" for the
month of March 2001.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Ten individuals reserved time to speak on
agenda items.
PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Nebraska Community Improvement Program Proclamation. The Mayor proclaimed the City of
Grand Island to be an official entrant in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program for the
year 2001 and pledged full support, endorsement and cooperation in carrying out the
requirements of the NCIP.
Child Abuse Prevention Month. April 2001. The Mayor proclaimed April 2001 as "Child Abuse
Prevention Month". Tami Brown and Brownie Troop #755 handed out Blue Ribbons to the
Council in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month. April 2001. The Mayor proclaimed April 2001 as "Sexual
Assault Awareness Month". Shellie Pointer representing the Crisis Center was present to receive
the proclamation.
Public Health Month. April 2001. The Mayor proclaimed April 2001 as "Public Health Month".
Shirley Terry representing the Health Department was present to receive the proclamation.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, March 27,2001
National Library Week, April 1-7,2001. The Mayor proclaimed April 1-7,2001 as "National
Library Week". Celine Stahlnecker representing the Library was present to receive the
proclamation.
Taiwan Heritage Week, May 7-11, 2001. The Mayor proclaimed May 7-11, 2001 as "Taiwan
Heritage Week".
2ih Annual National Salute to Veterans Essay Contest Winners. Jami Harper, Sara Magwire
and Scott Spontanski, winners of the 2ih Annual National Salute to Veterans Essay Contest read
their essays.
Recognition of Jami Harper. The Mayor recognized Jami Harper for her outstanding community
service. Jami had been chosen as one of Nebraska's top two youth volunteers for 2001 by The
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for
outstanding acts ofvolunteerism.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Sorensen, second by Whitesides, carried
unanimously to adjourn to the Board of Equalization.
#2001-BE-8 - Determining Benefits for 2000 Weed Abatement Program. Charlie Cuypers, City
Attorney, reported that each year it is necessary for the City Council to meet as the Board of
Equalization to consider a resolution relative to the Weed Abatement Program. Mr. Cuypers
noted that this year's total assessment was $640.00 representing five properties. Motion by
Murray, second by Sorensen, carried unanimously to approve Resolution #2001-BE-8.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Sorensen, second by Seifert, carried
unanimously to return to Regular Session.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Utility Easement Located at 617 West 3rd Street (ABE & JALE
Trusts) Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that acquisition of a utility easement located at
617 West 3rd Street, Eakes Office Center, was required in order to have access to install and
maintain a pad-mounted transformer to service the entire block as part of the Downtown Project.
No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Larson moved to approve on second reading Ordinance #8648, seconded by
Ward, carried unanimously:
#8648 - Consideration of Annexation of Property Located North of Husker Highway and
East of North Road (Heartland Lutheran High School) - (Second Reading)
Councilmember Sorensen moved that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days be suspended and that ordinance numbered:
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, March 27,2001
#8663 - Consideration of Creating Water Main District #437, Platte Valley Industrial
Park
#8664 - Consideration of Creating Water Main District #438T, Platte Valley Industrial
Park
#8665 - Consideration of Creating Water Main District #439T, Platte Valley Industrial
Park
#8666 - Consideration of Creating Street Improvement District #1239, Gold Core Drive
in Platte Valley Industrial Park Third Subdivision
#8667 - Consideration of Creating Sanitary Sewer District #499, Platte Valley Industrial
Park Third Subdivision
#8668 - Consideration of Creating Street Improvement District #1234, Juergen Road to
Schimmer Drive
#8669 - Consideration of Assessments of2000 Weed Abatement Program
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 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: Ordinance #8663, #8664, #8665, #8666, #8667, #8668 and #8669 on their first
reading. All those in favor of the passage of these ordinances on their first reading, answer roll
call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye.
City Clerk: Ordinance #8663, #8664, #8665, #8666, #8667, #8668 and #8669, on their final
passage. All those in favor of the passage of these ordinances on final their passage, answer roll
call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye.
Mayor: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage, Ordinances
#8663, #8664, #8665, #8666, #8667, #8668 and #8669, are declared to be lawfully passed and
adopted upon publication as required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Murray requested that item G-6 be removed from the
Consent Agenda. Motion by Pielstick, second by Whitesides, carried unanimously to approve the
Consent Agenda minus G-6.
Approving Minutes of March 10,2001 City Council Special Study Session Retreat.
Approving Minutes of March 13, 2001 City Council Regular Meeting. Councilmember Ward
abstained from voting.
Approving Minutes of March 20,2001 City Council Study Session.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, March 27,2001
#2001-72 - Approving Acquisition of Utility Easement at 617 West 3rd Street (ABE & JALE
Trust). Councilmember Pielstick voted nay.
#2001-73 - Awarding Bid for Wellfield Pump Enclosure to J. Lliteras & Associates, Inc., Grand
Island, Nebraska in the Amount of$76,944.00.
#2001-74 - Awarding State Contract No. CA-5508A for 2001 1i Ton 2 x 4 Chevrolet Truck to
Husker Automotive-Chevrolet of Lincoln, Nebraska in the Amount of$16,139.07.
#2001-75 - Awarding Contract for Wading Pools to Tri Valley Builders, Inc., Grand Island,
Nebraska in the Amount of$631,000.00.
#2001-76 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Bleacher Shade Cover at Ryder Park.
#2001- 77 - Approving Integrated Resource Plan, 2001.
#2001-78 - Approving Amendment to City Council Meeting Schedule to Chan~e Meetings of
the Council Back to Monday Nights. Much discussion was held on the fact that council packets
would not be delivered on Thursday and that Councilmembers would not have time to contact
City staffifthere were questions. City Administrator MarIan Ferguson stated that plans are being
made to have the packet on the web site by the first of June. Mr. Ferguson also stated that there
are times when an item needs to be put on the agenda at the last minute, so an earlier cut off date
was not recommended. Motion by Larson, second by Ward, to approve Resolution #2001-78.
Upon roll call vote, Ward and Larson vote aye. Pielstick, Seifert, Homady, Whitesides, Haase,
Murray, Walker and Sorensen voted nay. Motion failed.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2001-79 - Approving Revision of Policy Regarding Debt Service for Island Oasis Capital
Improvements. Steve Paustain, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that the Parks and
Recreation Department was requesting a modification to the policy regarding debt service for
Island Oasis capital improvements. It was recommended that capital improvements at Island
Oasis be paid by providing 50% of improvement costs to come from the Island Oasis revenues
and the remaining 50% from general fund sources. It was further recommended that no
additional funds from the Aquatic Reserve Fund would be used to reimburse the general fund for
the Lazy River. Motion by Seifert, second by Homady, carried unanimously to approve.
#2001-80 - Approving Donation of Surplus Ambulances. Jim Rowell, Fire Chief, reported that
the Fire Department has declared two ambulances as surplus property and has recommended that
each be sold for $1.00 to the St. Libory Quick Response Team and to Fonner Park. St. Libory
Response Team had requested the City to consider selling to their group the 1982 Ford/Collins
Type III ambulance and Fonner Park was interested in obtaining the 1984 Ford/Collins Type II
ambulance for use during the racing season. Bob Ziller, Captain of the St. Libory Quick
Response Team was present to support this donation. Motion by Seifert, second by Pie1stick,
carried unanimously to approve.
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, March 27,2001
#2001-71 -Approval of Option to Purchase Former City Hall. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney,
reported that an offer to purchase former City Hall had been received from Steve Rasmussen. In
order to resolve issues contingent to the acquisition of the building, Mr. Rasmussen had
requested an option on such purchase until July 2,2001. The proposed agreement setting out the
terms and conditions of the purchase between the City of Grand Island and Steve Rasmussen had
been reviewed by the City Attorney's office.
Councilmember Seifert addressed the Council with questions that he had asked City staff
concerning several issues pertaining to former City Hall. Mr. Seifert read the questions and
answers to Council.
Steve Rasmussen, 2608 Cochin Street, made a presentation regarding the plans of the Civic
Redevelopment Group for Old City Hall. The following people spoke in favor: Glendale Reiss,
910 North Boggs; Ralph Kelly, 2808 Lakewood Circle; John Brownell, 4309 Quail Lane and
Orv Qualsett, 2119 East Stolley Park Road.
Those speaking against were: Tim O'Neill, 1203 South Sylvan; Joe O'Neill, 1732 North Huston
Avenue and Tom O'Neill, 802 West Stolley Park Road. Eliseo Calderoa spoke on behalf ofIloy
Uribe, Rt. 4, Box 100, requesting that they would like to purchase the building for $10,000.
Motion by Seifert, second by Ward, to approve Resolution #2001-71 approving the option to
purchase former City Hall. Upon roll call vote, Ward, Seifert, Larson, Hornady, Whitesides, and
Murray voted aye. Pielstick, Haase, Walker and Sorensen vote nay. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Whitesides, second by Ward, carried unanimously to approve the Claims for the
period of March 14, 2001 through March 27, 2001, claims #100894, #101013, #103073 and
#103680 through #104295 for a total claims amount of $2,713,289.47.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qcf\~m~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk