10/02/2001 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
October 2, 2001
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special 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 October 2,2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
September 26,2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Ward, Seifert, Larson, Hornady, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker and
Sorensen. Councilmember Pielstick was absent. 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.
A videotape of "God Bless America" was shown.
Musical Presentation bv Violinist Jared Stoeger. Larry Maupin, Grand Island Senior High String
Program Teacher introduced Concert Master Violinist, Jared Stoeger. Mr. Stoeger played two
selections for the audience.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing on Heartland Events Center. Marlan Ferguson, City Administrator, introduced
the purpose of the public hearing by giving background and history of the Heartland Events
Center. Mentioned was the Council retreat in March at which time the Council voted top priority
to the events center. Council directed staff to search the avenues of bringing an events center to
Grand Island. Mr. Ferguson stated that approximately 7.5 million dollars would be funded by the
City.
Councilmember Larry Seifert explained the process that had been taken to come to this point.
Mr. Seifert mentioned the foresight of former Council members in bringing the Water Park to
Grand Island. Mentioned was the revenue that would be brought to Grand Island with an events
center.
Hugh Miner, Fonner Park President, made a presentation on the events center. Mentioned were
the prior attempts to build an events center and what is being done differently this time. Some of
the items listed were: research, comprehensive study, advanced architectural plans, a 2% lodging
tax and the development of the 1-80 Exit on South Locust Street. Currently 5.5 million dollars
has been raised. A City proposed public/private joint venture to fund construction of the Events
Center was recommended.
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Page 2, City Council Special Meeting, October 2,2001
Brian Hamilton, President of Fonner Park Exposition Center, Inc. spoke about the investment of
$7.5 million for the City and the revenue that would be created by an events center.
Doyle Hulme, Co-Chairman of the Fund Raising Effort for the Heartland Events Center, spoke
about recruiting and team efforts. A lease/purchase agreement would be entered into with the
City. Mr. Hulme spoke about a community effort that would benefit not only Grand Island but
the surrounding areas.
Keith Sinor, 4403 Calvin Drive, spoke about the importance of this project and about the
problems that were encountered before. Mr. Sinor stated Fonner Park has a track record for
managing a facility such as this and it is well worth the investment.
Mr. Ferguson stated that the City was not interested in owning or managing the Events Center.
He stated that Fonner Park would manage the Events Center.
Kathy Carmichael, 4246 Branding Iron Court, spoke against this project. She felt there needs to
be more jobs created before we have a place to play. She stated that this has been voted on twice
and has been voted down.
Monty Montgomery, President of the Grand Island Economic Development Corporation,
responded to the comments of Ms. Carmichael. Mr. Montgomery stated that this Events Center
would create more jobs in Grand Island and how important that is in a community. A proper
infrastructure in a community would bring good quality jobs.
Steve Kuzman, Chairman of the Economic Development Corporation (ED C) board, spoke
concerning the 409 jobs that the community and EDC had created, generating sales tax, new
homes, property tax, etc.
The folllowing people spoke in support of the Evenets Center:
Pete Kortum, 1718 South Blaine Street
Linda Wilhelmy, 1222 North Eddy Street
Tom Brown, 2510 Commerce Avenue
Jim Sanders, 218 North Harrison Street
JodyNe1son, 2521 Commerce Avenue
Jackie Burnett, 1740 South Blaine Street
Lana Wilhelmy 1222 North Eddy Street
Gene Dominick 221 East First Street
Bill Tolle, 622 North Washington Street
Jan Meffed, 2725 East Seedling Mile Road
Willie Skala, 323 Mallard Lane
Raymond McCarty, 1720 North Park Avenue
Julio Ibarra, 123 Voss Road
City Clerk RaNae Edwards read a letter from South Locust Street Business Improvement District
#3 in support
Community Projects Director Cindy Johnson read a letter from David Black of Community
Youth Council
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Page 3, City Council Special Meeting, October 2,2001
Renee Seifert, Executive Director of Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, spoke in
support and explained lodging tax comparisons with surrounding communities
Dan Thayer, 2605 Cottonwood Road
Harold Rosenkotter, 3115 Goldenrod Drive
Mayor Gnadt stated that there would be no tax increase and no decrease in Police and Fire
services. He also stated that the City Council would take action at their next Regular Meeting
which will be held October 9,2001 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
OJ\o.L- ru(,Q~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk