06/04/2002 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 4, 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
June 4, 2002. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on May 29,
2002.
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 and
Sorensen. Councilmember Walker was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and
Finance Director David Springer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: No individuals reserved time to speak on
agenda items.
Recognition of Kurt Mann, State Championship Winner in Shot Put. The Mayor and City
Council recognized Kurt Mann, Senior High School Student for his State Championship win in
the Shot Put. Shot Put Coach Monty Fyfe was also be present for the recognition.
Discussion Concerning Greenspace Regulations. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director
reported that Greenspace provides a number of benefits to a community. Those benefits ranged
from creating an inviting environment and places for recreation to providing for storm water
drainage. Currently, the City has a landscaping ordinance that applies to new
commercial/manufacturing buildings and uses.
Landscaping along streets is done by individual property owners. Most new city parks are
purchased using general funds budgeted to the Parks Department. Trails are built with federal
and city funds. Parks and greenspace are provided by various means in communities. Landscape
regulations can require property owners to install and maintain landscaping on their property.
The City can charge fees to pay for new parks. Developers can be required to reserve space in
their subdivisions for parks or trails. Combined facilities such as schools and parks lower the
overall cost of providing greenspace. Property owners can donate land for public greenspace.
Subdivision regulations can be written to give density bonuses to developers in exchange for
maintaining greenspace.
Councilmember Larson stated that it seemed like big developers or companies were the ones that
resisted greenspace development and the City makes concessions to get them to locate here. Mr.
Nabity stated not always was that the case. Grand Island's greenspace regulations were not that
hard to meet compared to other big cities.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 4, 2002
Councilmember Ward mentioned the imporlance ofthe hikelbike trails and encouraged their use.
Councilmember Hornady felt that we need to take a good look at those things around us to build
a better quality of life. Councilmember Larson mentioned the changes to South Locust Street and
how much better that looked.
City Attorney Charlie Cuypers stated that the businesses within a Business Improvement District
see the advantages of greenspace and would pay for the costs. Councilmember Murray
mentioned the parks and who pays for them. Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Paustian
reported that a study had been done as to where parks should be located. Budgetary issues were
talked about.
Councilmember Pielstick asked if there was a way we could look at codes from other cities. Mr.
Cuypers stated that this could be done and Grand Island was behind in this area concerning
greenspace.
John Luna, 718 East 8th Street, talked about areas in Colorado and was concerned about the fees.
Mr. Luna felt greenspace was a good idea and a quality of life issue.
Discussion of Agreement with Nebraska Emergency Management Regarding Providing
Hazardous Material Response and Equipment. Jim Rowell, Fire Chief reported that the Nebraska
Emergency Management Agency had received funds through a Department of Justice grant
program to provide equipment to selected emergency responders for hazardous material
handling. Nebraska Emergency Management Agency provides the equipment directly to the City
for use in the community and in other areas when requested. The Memorandum of
Understanding provides the responsibilities for the City of Grand Island and the Nebraska
Emergency Management Agency. Seven other cities across the state had entered into similar
agreements.
Mr. Rowell stated there was $55,000 available in equipment for Grand Island from the Nebraska
Emergency Management Agency. Councilmember Larson asked if we had a choice in the type of
equipment we would receive. Mr. Rowell stated that there may be some equipment that we could
request. Councilmember Piestick asked if we had a Haz Mat team. Mr. Rowell stated that we do
not. This item will come before the Council at the June 11, 2002 regular meeting.
Mr. Rowell updated the Council on the Fire School held here in Grand Island.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk