05/01/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 1, 2001
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
May 1, 2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on April 25,
2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Pielstick, Ward, Seifert, Larson, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker and
Sorensen. Councilmember Hornady was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Marian Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards and City Attorney Charlie Cuypers.
Presentation by Tim Keelan, Hanna:Keelan on Community Planning. Cindy Johnson,
Community Projects Director, introduced Tim Keelan from Hanna:Keelan. Presented by Mr.
Keelan was the Human Services Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Plan for Grand Island.
Mr. Keelan has been involved with community planning for 23 years. He stated community
planning and the 1-80 corridor are important areas which could influence change. Redevelopment
planning is another area of importance. Human services planning, physical needs planning,
redevelopment planning and land use planning are necessary for accessibility to services to
enhance the quality of life in a community.
Presentation by Linda Fettig, Department of Economic Development on Target Industry Study.
Ms. Fettig serves 21 counties in Nebraska. The Targeted Industry Study was discussed. The
following six areas were targeted in this study:
1. Agribusiness
2. Financial Services
3. Metal Products
4. Biotechnology
5. Electronics Manufacturing
6. Software Development
Presentation by Mike Bacon on Gothenburg's Economic Development Success with Community
Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Bacon spoke about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) which is a
tool to enhance development. Tax increment financing is a tool to use money in blighted or
substandard areas. This area must be within the city limits. Presented were TIF projects which
Mr. Bacon had worked on. TIF projects spurs growth, through consolidated taxes, real estate
valuation, tax base, housing, jobs and businesses.
Review by Kevin Siebert on Tax Increment Financing Process. Kevin Siebert spoke about the
process of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The community of Grand Island has been involved in
community development for the past several years. The following steps have to take place:
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, May 1, 2001
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Community Redevelopment Authority is created
Studies are done to declare blighted and substandard areas
Redevelopment plan is created
TIP Projects can be started
Mr. Siebert stated that TIF projects are not a risk to the City. Councilmember Seifert asked what
would happen ifthere was not enough parking in a TIP project and had to go outside the blighted
and substandard area, who would make that decision. Mr. Siebert stated that the Community
Redevelopment Authority could make that decision with approval of the Council, which would
have to be in the blighted and substandard area, but that condemnation is an option.
Councilmember Haase questioned relocation costs. Mr Siebert stated that relocation costs are
covered through relocation assistance.
Discussion by Fred Hoppe. Developer. Fred Hoppe, Real Estate Developer from Lincoln, spoke
regarding projects that he has been involved with relating to affordable housing in Lincoln.
Mentioned was the Nebraska Housing Resource, Inc. a non-profit organization developing
affordable housing. Presented were pictures of the houses built in the affordable housing projects
in Lincoln and upcoming projects.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk