11/27/2001 Minutes
I
I
I
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPEICAL STUDY SESSION
November 27, 2001
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Study Session ofthe City Council ofthe City of
Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted at the Edith Abbott Memorial Library, 211 North
Washington Street, on November 27,2001. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island
Independent on November 21,2001.
Mayor Ken Gnadt 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. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers, Public Works Director Steve Riehle
and Finance Director David Springer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
Presentation of Short Term Renovation Plans for the Library. Steve Fosselman, Library Director,
reported that Clark Enersen Partners architectural firm had been hired to conduct a feasibility
study of short-term improvements at the library. Jerry Bryant, Library Board President, was
introduced. A tour of the library was given by Steve Fosselman, Library Director and Jerry
Bryant.
Greg Newport, representative from Clark Enersen Partners, presented the short-term needs of the
library. The following suggestions were recommended:
· Remodeling the current conference room into a combination of office space for the
assistant director and workroom space to alleviate current staff workspace congestion
· Creation of an enclosed computer lab (with space for six students and one instructor)
in the reference section to maintain the library's computer class services that have
been conducted in the conference room using a make-shift mobile lab
· Creation of an enclosed small study room in the reference section with space for six
to eight people
· Division of the current meeting room into two spaces with the addition of a modular
partition, in order to make the room usable as one or two rooms as needed
· Various other minor improvements to make the best use of current library facilities
Total cost would be approximately $100,000. Much of the construction work would be done
after hours and on weekends, with a construction time of approximately three months. The
Library Foundation fund was discussed. Councilmember Pielstick suggested that the Library
Foundation help financially with this project.
The consensus of the council was to proceed with the project.
I
I
I
Page 2, City Council Study Session, November 27,2001
Discussion Relative to Emplovee Handbook. Brenda Sutherland, Personnel Director, reported
that the Council had been in the process of reviewing the proposed Personnel Rules for the
employees of the City of Grand Island.
Councilmember Pielstick stated the only area of concern she had was the residency requirement.
Discussion was had on the reasons why the residency requirement was different for Directors
and employees. The main reason was to have a greater area to draw from for the Police
Department and Fire Department applicants. Current residency requirement is two miles, with
the change to be ten miles.
Ms. Sutherland reviewed the bilingual pay and employee grievance changes. It was suggested
that the residency requirement be voted on at the December 4, 2001 council meeting and the
complete Employee Handbook be voted on at the December 18, 2001 council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Q[\~ CCQ-~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk