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03/19/2002 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION March 19, 2002 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 March 19, 2002. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on March 13, 2002. Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Councilmembers Pielstick, Ward, Seifert, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker and Sorensen. Councilmember Larson and Hornady were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and Finance Director David Springer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Eight individuals reserved time to speak on agenda items. Presentation "Groundwater Guardian Community". Roger Andrews, Chairman of the Groundwater Guardians Committee introduced the following members present: Jack Shafer, Julie Franssen, Kevin McKennon, Gary Mader and LeAnne Doose. Jennifer Nelson, Assistant Director of Groundwater Guardians Foundation spoke briefly regarding the background of the Grand Island Groundwater Guardians. Roger Andrews showed a power point presentation regarding the events of the Groundwater Guardians and spoke about the l4t Annual Children Groundwater event taking place here in Grand Island. Discussion Regarding Ambulance Fees. Jim Rowell, Fire Chief and Larry Nelson, Assistant Fire Chief briefed the Council on the fee schedule for ambulance billing. Councilmember Murray questioned if any study had been conducted to see ifthe new schedule would cover our expenses. Mr. Nelson stated that within 5 years it should. Councilmember Seifert questioned the collections of ambulance fees. Mr. Nelson stated that Grand Island was quite a bit higher than other communities. This item was scheduled to be voted on at the March 26, 2002 City Council meeting. Discussion Regarding Central District Health Department Interlocal Agreement. This item was pulled from the agenda. Discussion Regarding Central District Health Department Building. Sonja Simpson, Health Department Director, stated that the Health Department had been actively seeking improved space for the last five years. Hall County was willing to fund $50,000.00 towards the renovation I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, March 19,2002 of the Hall County Office Building, which currently houses the county attorney staff as well as probation and other legal staff and would become available on November 1, 2002. The anticipated cost of the renovation was $415,516.35. Councilmember Sorensen suggested that the City look into funding more than $50,000.00. Councilmember Pielstick questioned the budget finances and wondered if there would be money available this year and next year in the amount of $75,000.00 each year. Mayor Gnadt suggested that we visit with the County to see if they would be willing to fund at a higher level. Bio-terrorism funding was also discussed, which was money that may be available through the federal government. Tom O'Neill, 804 West Stolley Park Road, spoke in favor of more funding through the City for this project stating it was a quality of life issue. Mr. O'Neill also suggested that this might be a Community Project issue and that maybe there would be funding through the state. Mark J oregensen, President of the Health Department Board spoke briefly. Discussion on Creating Street Improvement District #1240, Grand West 2nd Subdivision. Steve Riehle, Public Works Department Director, reported concerns expressed by area residents regarding the creation of Street Improvement District # 1240, Grand West 3 rd Subdivision. The following three issues were presented and discussed: 1. 2. 3. Westridge Detention Cell Grand West Subdivision Grading and Drainage Plan Creation of a Paving District Timelines were also reviewed. Councilmember Seifert questioned the digging of the detention cell and the de-watering process. Mr. Riehle stated that the specifications had been met by the developer and Olsson Associates had been hired to study the detention cell and de-watering process for the purpose of having a dry detention cell. Councilmember Haase spoke regarding her concerns for the citizens in relation to water problems. Councilmember Walker questioned if the developer had done anything wrong. Mr. Riehle stated no. Mr. Walker asked who was responsible for the problems at the detention cell. Mr. Riehle explained partially Public Works and Diamond Engineering, but not the developer. Mr. Walker asked about the timeline. City Attorney Charlie Cuypers stated the contract was scheduled for completion in October 2002. Delays have cause problems to that timeline. Councilmember Ward questioned what would happen to those properties back yard in the event of a heavy rain. Ron Rockwell representing Rockwell and Associates stated that the standard would be met and the grading is adequate. Rod Hooker, 4525 West Capital Avenue, representing Hooker Construction Company spoke regarding the drainage and that the City had done a good job and the development had been planned correctly and commended the design. Pam Meyer, 4080 Zola Lane spoke concerning the drainage ditch and the 5' elevation of dirt behind their property. Ben Kissler, 4094 Zola Lane I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, March 19,2002 spoke regarding concerns about the dirt elevation. Tom O'Neill, 804 West Stolley Park Road spoke in favor of Street Improvement District #1240. Councilmember Pielstick commended the staff for their hard work on this project. It was the consensus of the Council to bring this forward to the next regular council meeting. Presentation of Consultant Study by CH2MHill for Wastewater Treatment Plant. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that city council approved an agreement with CH2MHill of Denver, Colorado on December 4, 2001 to perform the study. Experienced were operational headaches as well as odor concerns with the sewage sludge handling part of the plant operations. Mr. Riehle stated the technology available to treat the waste, handle the associated sludge and eliminate odors was constantly changing. Tom Heinemann representing CH2MHill reviewed plant operations and worked with staff to identify plant improvements that would address these operational problems and the odors associated with these operations. Processes at the plant presented included: Dewatering Process with Centrifuges and the Belt Press Grit Removal Aerobic Digestors Sludge Lagoon Compost Operation Grease Handling The following three Sludge Handling and Disposal Alternatives were presented: 1. Convert to Complete Composting 2. Convert to Anaerobic Digestion 3. Improve Existing Process Odor was reviewed and the following items had been done to reduce odors: 1. Applied a barrier over the sludge lagoon 2. Reduced turbulence in influent wet well 3. Aerated the primary sludge holding tanks 4. Added ferric chloride to remove sulfides at the primary sludge holding tanks Councilmember Whitesides asked which option would Mr. Heinemann recommend. Mr. Heinemann stated that anyone of the alternatives could be equally beneficial to the odor problem. Councilmember Murray stated that he was pleased to see the odor problem being dealt with and questioned the time line for implementation. Mr. Heinemann stated the Anaerobic Digestion would take 2-3 years, Complete Compo sting would not take as long and to Improve Existing Process would be an on going process. Councilmember Haase questioned what guarantee the City would have that any of these options would work. Mr. Heinemann stated that taking facilities off site would definitely improve the odor, but that there would always be odor of some kind in the City. I I I Page 4, City Council Study Session, March 19,2002 Betty Karle, 4710 Stoneridge asked if any of the Council members had toured the Wastewater Treatment Plant of which all Council members stated they had. Janice Mefferd, 2725 East Seedling Mile Road complemented ConAgra on their public relations and commented on the odor hot line. Quality of life issues were discussed. David Eastlack, 922 East Phoenix spoke very heatedly concerning the odor problem. Ron Miller, 704 South Cherry and Roger Lindly, 923 East Phoenix spoke concerning the smell and felt nothing had been done about it. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, QG}\\~L ~~DL~.)OJ-a RaNae Edwards City Clerk