08/13/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
(BUDGET WORK SESSION)
August 13,2001
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget 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 August 13, 2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on August 7, 2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Pielstick, Ward, Seifert, Larson, Homady, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker
and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator MarIan Ferguson,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, and Finance Director David
Springer.
Presentation by Tricia Been, Hall County Convention Visitors Bureau. Tricia Been, representing
Hall County Convention Visitors Bureau, was present to request $10,000 for the Hall County
Convention Visitors Bureau. Ms. Been explained the funding and projects associated with the
Convention Visitors Bureau. Over the last few years the 2% lodging tax has declined. Ms. Been
stated that Grand Island has fallen behind in being able to house the larger conventions due to the
size of our facilities. She stated that the Events Center would help bring conventions back to
Grand Island.
Councilmemeber Pielstick stated that she felt that since we have not funded the Hall County
Convention Visitors Bureau in the past, she did not see where we would be able to fund the full
$10,000.
REVIEW OF PROPOSED FY 2001-2002 ANNUAL BUDGET
MarIan Ferguson, City Administrator, and Paul Mueller, Accounting Manager, reviewed the
proposed changes to date for the FY 2001-2002 Annual Budget.
Public Works Department. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, reported that property services
in the Streets & Transportation budget has increased due to gas and utility services. Gas Tax
dollars from the State were reviewed. Counci1member Haase asked if 25% of the gas tax was
being used for the streets. Mr. Riehle stated that most street projects are paid for by the gas tax
dollars. This year the City is expecting $3,000,000 in gas tax dollars. The Solid Waste budget
was reviewed. Mr. Riehle stated that he has been reviewing the fee schedule with the haulers.
The Waste Water Treatment Plant budget was reviewed. Noted was that money had been set
aside to work with the odor problem. Discussed were the Odor Committee and projects that had
been done so far for the odor problem.
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Page 2, City Council Budget Session, August 13,2001
Utilities Department. Gary Mader, Utilities Director, reported that the Utilities Department
recommended not changing the electric rates. It was noted that these rates have not been raised
for 21 years. The new generators were discussed briefly, which the Council recently approved.
Councilmember Seifert asked about rebates for homes that change over completely to electric.
Mr. Mader stated that the Utilities Department had looked into this. Line Construction
Equipment in the amount of$531,000 was discussed in detail.
The Water Utility budget was discussed with the recommendation of no rate change. Copper
ruling was discussed briefly. It was noted that there are approximately 13,000 water customers
with 11,000 of those residential. It was stated that the rate structure would support the proposed
expenditures.
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, stated that the City Hall budget had increased its budget
due to building repair work for the heating and air conditioning system. Building Department
Director Craig Lewis, reviewed the proposed plans for this repair.
Finance Director David Springer, reviewed the Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Funds,
Internal Service Funds, Agency Funds and Pension & Trust Funds.
Family Preservation Grant budget and Neighborhood Association Grants were discussed.
Councilmember Whitesides stated that he wanted to see the Neighborhood Association grants
continued.
Councilmember Seifert stated that he felt that GITV should have more staff due to the increase in
work load.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk