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07/17/2001 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION July 17, 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 July 17, 2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 11, 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 Marian Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, Finance Director David Springer and City Attorney Charlie Cuypers. Invocation was given by Reverend Joel Schroeder, Associate Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1515 South Harrison. Review of Proposed FY 2001-2002 Annual Budget. Marlan Ferguson, City Administrator, presented the 2001-2002 Annual Budget with regards to the General Fund and Capital Funds. My. Ferguson stated that this Study Session was to get input from the Council and gave a brief overview of the upcoming budget sessions. The Council reviewed the General Fund Five Year Capital. Fire Department. Jim Rowell, Fire Chief, updated the Council on Project hnpact which deals with disaster resistance within a community. The Community Projects Department has budgeted $25,000 for this project. Reviewed were the additions to the Fire Department Budget relating to additions to building improvements, machinery and equipment, office furniture and vehicles. Councilmemeber Murray questioned the $200,000 budgeted for 2003 for a new fire station and asked where this would be located. Mr. Ferguson stated that at this time it was not decided. Police Department. The Police Department's budget was reviewed. Councilmember Pielstick asked how many Police Motorcycle Officers we have. Captain Pete Kortum stated that there were two full-time and three part-time with four motorcycles. Councilmember Pielstick felt that we should buy one motorcycle a year instead of two. Councilmember Murray questioned the status of the police dispatch and software. Mr. Ferguson stated that at the next regular meeting an interlocal agreement would be before the Council and that this was budgeted in the 400 funds. Public Works Department. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, reviewed the budgets for Engineering and Street and Alley funds. GIS, right-of-way acquisition, motor grader, vehicles and storm cell improvements were discussed. Councilmember Sorensen asked about the shape of storm sewers. Mr. Riehle stated that the age and conditions of the existing storm sewers and some storm sewers that were not adequate needed to be budgeted in the future. Underpasses were I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, July 17,2001 discussed also. Councilmember Seifert asked about an update on the detention cell at Westlawn School. Mr. Riehle explained the process the Public Works Department was working on. Councilmember Hornady commented on the number of weeds within the City. Capital Improvement Fund 400 Mr. Ferguson presented the Capital Improvement Fund 400. Presented was the renovation of the One Stop building in the amount of $300,000. David Springer, Finance Director, stated that the Police software had been budgeted in FY 2000-2001. Public Works Director Steve Riehle, discussed the capital costs for storm drainage projects. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Paustain, presented the projected numbers for FY 2001- 2002 for the Parks Department and reviewed the projects in progress. Councilmember Walker asked about the use of the soccer fields and if they were kept up after use. Mr. Paustain stated that in the most part they had been. Discussed were the specialized groups and the number of groups causing coordinating each of the fields a challenge. Councilmember Whitesides questioned the aquatic reserve fund of which proceeds from the water park are deposited. Councilmember Larson asked if there had been any money set aside for the closing of the Zoo. Mr. Paustain stated that three months had been budgeted for closing the zoo. Final determination of the property had not been made and deterioration of the property should not be a problem. Expansion of the water park was discussed. Councilmember Whitesides questioned with the expansion of the water park, if we had enough land. Mr. Paustain stated that we are in good shape. Public Works Director Steve Riehle reviewed street construction projects. Concrete repair was budgeted at $200,000 and Grand West Paving at $350,000. Councilmember Larson stated that he was under the understanding that concrete streets were supposed to hold up better than asphalt. Comparing the costs and conditions of our concrete streets, he was wondering if this is the case now. Mr. Riehle stated that when the concrete streets were poured it was cheaper, but asphalt has improved over the years and may now be cheaper. Councilmember Murray commented on the upkeep of the streets and that he felt we need to keep up with the conditions of the streets, especially after last winter. Reviewed was the South Locust Project budgeted at $179,000. Proposed bonded street and storm sewer projects were reviewed for a total budgeted amount of $4,512,000. Councilmember Larson commented on Faidley and Old Potash and why the State did not put in left turn arrows to begin with. Mr. Riehle agreed. Councilmember Whitesides questioned the street lights for 3rd Street. Riehle stated that the Utilities Department had budgeted for this. Lighting on Hike/Bike Trails were discussed. Outside Agency Requests Councilmember Seifert commented on the Capital Heights Swim Pool and that only people living in that area could swim in the pool. Mr. Ferguson stated that he had a meeting with representatives from that area and felt that this would be ironed out. Councilmember Pielstick I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, July 17,2001 stated that she had visited with a representative and they assured her that this would be open to everybody. Ms. Pielstick stated that the Grand Island Convention Visitors Bureau did a good job, but felt that the City could not afford to fund $10,000. Councilmember Whitesides asked what the Keno funds were that we received. Approximately $250,000 is available for property tax reduction and community improvements. Mr. Whitesides stated that the total amount asked for from the Outside Agencies was $176,320. He also questioned why the City was not funding JASP. Councilmember Pielstick stated that this is being taken care of through other agencies. Pastor Joel Schroeder, 1504 Rosemont Avenue, spoke with regards to the Community Humanitarian Resource Center (CHRC) request. To date 114 people had been served in the transitional program. Mr. Schroeder stated that 68% of all the people served by CHRC are citizens from Grand Island. CHRC requested $4,500 from the City. Councilmember Whitesides asked how many homeless individuals there were in Hall County. Carol Petersen, CHRC Treasurer, stated that a 1994 survey reported between 50 to 100 a day and felt that that figure had increased. Councilmember Hornday mentioned the budgeting training through the shelter. Ms. Hornday questioned the success rate. Ms. Petersen stated that typically they do not return for services. Councilmember Murray asked what the total budget of CHRC is. Ms. Petersen stated that CHRC budget is $130,000. Councilmember Sorensen stated that he felt they should not budget any money for the Grand Island Convention Visitors Bureau. Councilmember Pielstick stated that they are supported by other outside funding and Hall County and would like to see this money go to CHRC. Councilmember Larson stated that he feels this is an investment to our community. Councilmember Seifert agreed with Larson and felt this would bring money to the City. It was a consensus to include CHRC in the FY 2001-2002. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Qr\oL tQwwA RaNae Edwards City Clerk