03/04/2002 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINVTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (RETREAT)
March 4, 2002
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Retreat) of the City Council of the City
of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted at Plum Street Station, 603 North Plum Street, on
March 4, 2002. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on February
26, 2002.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Counci1members Pie1stick, Ward, Seifert, Larson, Homady, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker
and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle and Finance Director David
Springer.
Pat Mader, President of the Hall County Historical Society welcomed the Mayor and City
Council and gave an update about the depot.
OPENING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gnadt made a few statements about the State of the City address. Reviewed was the
foresight of our city fathers and the progress that Grand Island has made over the years. The
Mayor suggested 0% increases in departmental budgets and no new hires for the City.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW/PAST GOALS:
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson briefed the Council on the agenda for the night. Reviewed
were the following 2000-2001 Council Goals:
1. Community Events Center
2. Softball Fields
3. Police Substation in Northwest Grand Island
4. Speed Slides at Island Oasis Water Park
5-6. New Technology Infrastructure
Recreation Vehicle Park
7-10. Expanding Hike and Bike Trails
Improving City Information Technology
Implement Greenspace Regulations
Affordable Housing
Other issues discussed at last years council retreat were reviewed.
FINANCIAL STATUS:
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Page 2, City Council Study Session (Retreat), March 4, 2002
Finance Director David Springer presented an overview of the City's financial condition and
stated that this was a preview to the upcoming budget. The general budget five-year capital and
capital projects were reviewed. Also reviewed were the project list both currently in progress and
those planned for the future.
SALES TAX STATUS:
Finance Director David Springer presented the Sales Tax Analysis for February 2002 and the
tentative budget preparation schedule. Sales Tax was up approximately 7% from October 2001 to
February 2002.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT:
INTEGRATED SOFTWARE UPDATE:
Finance Director David Springer stated that a new integrated technician (IT) was hired and had
started working within the last month. The first of the year the City went on-line with a new
payroll and claims package. The Utilities package is being worked on as far as billing and
databases. Remote locations were discussed in regards to connecting with the City's database.
WEB SITE:
Community Projects Director Cindy Johnson updated the Mayor and Council on the new
website. Ms. Johnson stated that this would always be an evolving project. To keep information
current and assessable to the customers, changes were inevitable.
PAPERLESS COUNCIL PACKETS:
Community Projects Director Cindy Johnson briefed the Mayor and Council on the paperless
packet. The goal was to have the packet assessable through the internet. Ms. Johnson stated that
the City Code would be on-line in the near future and the benefits that would bring.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT:
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson reviewed the Grand Island Economic Development
Projects.
ANNEXATION:
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson mentioned the annexation issues discussed at last years'
council retreat. Reviewed were the possible urban areas that could be annexed and the reasons
for that.
The following 15 sites were reviewed:
1. St. Paul Road from Capital Avenue to Airport Road
2. Airport
3. Pairacres located in the eastern part of Grand Island
Page 3, City Council Study Session (Retreat), March 4,2002
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6&7.
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East lakes located south of the Wood River, west of Gunbarrel Road and north of
the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks
East Bismark Road located north of Bismark Road and east of Stuhr Road
Firethorne and Vanosdall Subdivisions located in the southern part of the City
around Firethorne and Vanosdall Lake
South lakes located in the southeast part of the City
Scheel Subdivision located in the southern part of the City, north of Schimner
Drive and west of the St. Joseph Railroad tracks
South of US Highway 281 located along Cougar Drive, Antelope Drive, Elk
Drive, US Highway 281 and Wildwood Drive
Langenheder Street located in the southern part of the City along Langenheder
Street, north of Husker Highway and west of US Highway 281
Schroeder and Fireside Subdivision located in the southwest part of the City along
Schroeder Avenue, Graham Avenue, Springview Drive, Laura Avenue, Hillside
Drive, Summer Circle, Grassridge Drive and Westview Drive
13. Stolley Park Road and Engleman Road located along Engleman Road, south of
Stolley Park Road
14. Airport Road and North Road located north of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad tracks, west of North Road and south of Airport Road
15. North Webb Road located north of the existing city limits along Airport Road and
south and west of North Road
City Attorney Charlie Cuypers briefed the Council regarding the process of annexation.
DEPARTMENT/PROJECT REPORTS:
City Administrator Marlan Ferguson gave an informative power point presentation regarding
departmental projects.
LONG RANGE PLANNING:
Community Projects Director Cindy Johnson facilitated the discussion on the long range
planning. The following items were brought forward by the Mayor and Council as goals the
Council wanted to work on:
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2.
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11.
Off site study sessions
Communications with the Council and public
Odor Issues
Economic Development
Current Projects not finished
Annexation
Zoo Reuse Plan 1) Theme Playground & Train Rides 2) Arboretum 3) Pavilion 4)
Ice Rink
Rehabilitation Home Grants - Community Wide
Replacement of Fire Station #1
Hike/Bike Trails - 1) Downtown 2) CHAAP Land
By Pass Connection in Eastern Part of Grand Island
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Page 4, City Council Study Session (Retreat), March 4, 2002
12. Planning Infrastructure - sidewalks, sewer, drainage, water, electric, etc.
13. Traffic Controls for Highway 281
14. Community Policing - Proactive
15. Enforce Noise Ordinance
16. Director Accountability
17. Police Department working with Businesses to Deter Crime
18. Economic Development along South Locust to 1-80
19. Heartland Event Center
20. GITV - 1) More Community Events 2) Update Equipment
21. Health Department Facility Needs
22. CommunicationINotification regarding planning issues
23. Drainage
24. 12 Cent Sales Tax - Community Development
25. 12 Cent Sales Tax - Public Safety
26. Air Service
27. Affordable Housing
28. Neighborhood Associations
29. Softball Fields
30. Governmental Facilities Infrastructure
31. Parking Near City Hall (Ramp/Garage)
32. Plate Property
33. Qualified City/County Grant Writer
34. Program to Avoid Duplication - City/County Combine Services
DEVELOPMENT OF COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
City Administrator MarIan Ferguson reviewed facilitated the finalization of the goals.
It was the consensus of the Council that the goals and objectives and those project in progress
from 2001-2002 would continue to be a priority. The following were listed as "givens";
1. Affordable Housing
2. Hike/Bike Trails
3. Softball Fields
4. Parks
5. Heartland Events Center
6. CHAAP Cleanup
7. CHAAP Development
8. Old City Hall
9. Library Expansion - $5 million
10. Replace Fire Station #1
11. Greenspace
The tabulated priorities by the Council were:
1. 12 Cent Sales Tax
2. Promote Heartland Events Center
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Page 5, City Council Study Session (Retreat), March 4,2002
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Solve Odor Issues
Communication with Council/Public
Long Term Planning on Infrastructure
Health Department Building Needs
Community Policing
Development of Zoo Property
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qo.\\09- W(,ill)~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk