06/05/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 5, 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
June 5, 2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on May 30,
2001.
Councilmember Pielstick 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. Mayor Gnadt was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve
Riehle, Finance Director David Springer and City Attorney Charlie Cuypers.
Discussion Concerning 24 Hour Parking. Charlie Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that the City
Attorney's Office deals with parking issues relating to City Code. Captain Bill Holloway
reported the Police Department has the most complaints reported for over parked vehicles. To
date, 435 complaints have been filed since January 1, 2001. Explained were the procedures for
over parked vehicles. Vehicles towed to date for being over parked were 103.
Councilmember Larson asked Mr. Holloway's opinion regarding over parked vehicles. Mr.
Holloway stated that he feels that there will be more complaints if the code is changed.
Councilmember Seifert asked what other communities are doing regarding this issue. Mr.
Cuypers stated that of the communities that they looked at, each community varied with regards
to a time limit, but all communities had some sort of regulation with regards to parking. The City
of Grand Island ranked in the middle. Councilmember Sorensen asked about permits for some
situations. Mr. Holloway stated that this would be hard to regulate. Councilmember Haase stated
that her concern was with regards to teenagers parking on the street and the difficulty of having
to move vehicles. Ms. Haase would like to see some sort of personal notification. Mr. Holloway
stated that the Police Department does waive some tickets due to certain circumstances. It was
stated that the Community Service Officers have been taking care of these enforcement issues.
Councilmember Hornady questioned the fact that local citizens drive around town and report
over parked vehicles. Mr. Holloway stated that most complaints are reported this way.
Councilmember Sorensen requested that a committee be formed to look further into this issue
and bring it back to Council.
Gerald Spencer, 320 East 21 st Street, stated that he did not want a special permit. Mr. Spencer
then read a statement with regards to his situation. Mr. Spencer requested that homeowners be
allowed to park their licensed, insured, operable vehicles in front of their residence. Excessive
vehicles and neighbors parking in front of other residences should be addressed in the City Code.
Mr. Spencer is not against the 24-hour parking but would like to see some flexibility to the code.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 5, 2001
Councilmember Whitesides stated that he would like to see no changes to the City Code. City
Attorney, Charlie Cuypers, explained the process of notification for these violations. Julio Ibarra,
123 Voss Road, stated that there are no signs posted for the 24-hour parking. Mr. Ibarra stated
that he feels residents should be allowed to park their vehicles in front of their property.
Lewis Kent, 624 Meves, spoke regarding the junked vehicles and questioned why some vehicles
are not towed. He stated that he feels 48-hours would be adequate.
Councilmember Larson responded to the anonymous complaints and felt that this should be
looked into. City Attorney, Charlie Cuypers, recommended that the City take a look at a special
permit relating to handicap parking.
Presentation Regarding Accounting Software Package. David Springer, Finance Director and
Paul Mueller, Accounting Manager, updated the Council on the Financial Software System. The
Finance Department is requesting a consensus from Council to move forward with vendor
negotiations. Paul Mueller reported on the current system, which is 13 years old.
It was a consensus of the Council to move forward with vendor negotiations for the Financial
Software System.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk