12/03/2002 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
December 3, 2002
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular 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
December 3, 2002. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on November
27, 2002.
Mayor Ken Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Pielstick, Seifert, Ward, Larson, Hornady, Whitesides, Haase, Murray, Walker, and
Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator MarIan Ferguson, City
Clerk RaNae Edwards, Assistant City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, Public Works Director Steve Riehle
and Finance Director David Springer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said followed by the INVOCATION given by Reverend Jim
Keyser, Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 North Elm Street.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
"It's About Kids!" Presentations by Kyle Baumgartner and Tvler Stecker. Youth Leadership
Tomorrow, "Its About Kids!" assets were presented by Kyle Baumgartner and Tyler Stecker.
Recognition of Kermit Hasselman, Meter Reader/Finance Department for 35 Years of Service. David
Springer, Finance Director presented Kermit Hasselman, Meter Reader/Finance Department
employee a certificate for 35 years of dedicated service to the City of Grand Island.
CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION:
Approving Minutes of November 25, 2002 City Council Special Meeting: Motion by Sorensen,
second by Seifert, carried unanimously to approve.
Approving Minutes of November 26,2002 City/County Joint Special Meeting. Motion by Sorensen,
second by Seifert, carried unanimously to approve.
Approving Minutes of November 26, 2002 City Council Regular Meeting. Motion by Sorensen,
second by Seifert, carried unanimously to approve.
Acceptance of Election Certificate: City Clerk RaNae Edwards reported that State law required the
governing body to formally accept the certificate of election issued by the Hall County Election
Commissioner for the November 5, 2002 City Council and Mayoral election. Motion by Sorensen,
second by Seifert, carried unanimously to approve.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, December 3, 2002
Presentation to Outgoing Mayor Gnadt and Councilmembers Glen Murray. Bob Sorensen and Tom
Ward. Council President Seifert and Mayor Gnadt presented a plaque to Councilmember Glen
Murray, Bob Sorensen and Tom Ward and thanked them for their service to the City of Grand Island.
Council President Seifert presented Mayor Ken Gnadt with a plaque and thanked him for his service
and leadership to the City of Grand Island over the last 8 years.
Comments by Outgoing Mayor and Councilmembers. Councilmember Ward spoke of the vision for
the future, Councilmember Murray thanked his ward and listed 10 issues that had taken place while
he was in office, Councilmember Sorensen said he had enjoyed the years of service. Mayor Gnadt
mentioned the memories over the last eight years and thanked the community and council.
Administration of Oath to Newly Elected Mayor and Councilmembers. . City Clerk RaNae Edwards
administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Mayor Jay Vavricek. Ms. Edwards then
administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Councilmembers Robert Meyer, Mitchell Nickerson
and Don Pauly, and returning Councilmembers Larry Seifert and Gale Larson
Comments by Newly Elected Officials: Councilmembers Seifert, Larson, Meyer, Nickerson, Pauly
and Mayor Vavricek, made comments.
The new City Council was called to order. Mayor Vavricek and Councilmembers Robert Meyer,
Fred Whitesides, Jackie Pielstick, Gale Larson, Mitchell Nickerson, Larry Seifert, Don Pauly,
Margaret Homady, Scott Walker and Joyce Haase were present. Comments were made by Mayor
Vavricek and Councilmembers Meyer, Larson, Nickerson, Seifert, and Pauly..
Election of City Council President: City Clerk RaNae Edwards reported that the City Council was
required to elect one Councilmember to the office of Council President for a term of one year and
that the Council President automatically assumed the duties of the Mayor in the event that the Mayor
was absent or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties. Councilmember Seifert nominated
Councilmember Larson. Councilmember Haase nominated Councilmember Pielstick. Motion by
Seifert, second by Homady, carried unanimously to cease nominations.
City Clerk RaNae Edwards called for the first ballot. It was reported that Councilmember Larson had
received 5 votes and Councilmember Pielstick had received 5 votes. A second round of ballots was
conducted. Ms. Edwards reported that Councilmember Larson had received 5 votes and
Councilmember Pielstick had received 5 votes. Mayor Vavricek exercised his Mayoral right to break
the tie vote by casting his vote for Councilmember Larson.
Motion by Whitesides, second by Seifert, carried unanimously to make the vote a unanimous one for
Gale Larson as City Council President. Councilmember Larson abstained.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Pielstick moved that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title on
three different days be suspended and that ordinances numbered:
#8784 - Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 36 of the Grand Island City Code Relative
to Sign Regulations Along South Locust Street (Second and Final Reading)
#8787 - Consideration of Amendment to the Grand Island City Code 31-35 Relative to Signs
in AC Zoning District
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, December 3, 2002
be considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only and that the City Clerk be
permitted to call out the number of these ordinances on their first reading and then upon final passage
and call for a roll call vote on each reading and then upon final passage. Councilmember Homady
seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor: Is there anyone in the audience interested in these ordinances? No public testimony was
heard.
City Clerk: Ordinance #8787 on first reading. All those in favor of the passage of this ordinance on
first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8784 and #8787 on final passage. All those in favor of the passage of these
ordinances on final passage, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Mayor: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage, Ordinances
#8784 and #8787 are declared to be lawfully passed and adopted upon publication as required by
law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Seifert, second by Homady, carried unanimously to approve the
Consent Agenda.
Approving Appointments of Sister Mary Frances A. Havel and Mary A. Ingram to Grand Island
Public Library Board of Directors to Fill Vacancies Beginning December 9, 2002 and Expiring June
30, 2006.
#2002-371 - Approving Electric Interconnection and Interchange Agreement - Proposed
Amendment #4 with Nebraska Public Power District.
#2002-372 - Approving Change Order #2 - Burdick Station GT-2 and GT-3 Combustion Turbine
Project with The Industrial Company of Steamboat Springs, Colorado for an Increase of$283,515.99
and a Modified Contract Sum of $11,986,513 .42.
#2002-373 - Approving Agreement Between the Nebraska Health and Human Services System
Regulations and Licensure Department and the Grand Island Fire Department Relative to Grant
Funding.
#2002-374 - Approving Bid Award for the Following Police Equipment: Glock Model 21 and 30
Guns, Night Sights, Magazines and Nameplates to OMB Police Supply of Lenexa, Kansas; Leather
Equipment to Law Enforcement Equipment Company of Kansas City, Missouri; Whistle and Collar
Brass to Alamar Uniforms of Omaha, Nebraska; Flashlights to Streicher's of Minneapolis,
Minnesota; and Batons and Police Gear Bags to Jack's Uniform & Equipment of South Sioux City,
Nebraska.
#2002-375 - Approving Subordination Agreement for Property at 931 North Lambert Street.
REQUEST AND REFERRALS:
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, December 3, 2002
Consideration of Appointment of Citv Attorney. Mayor Vavricek reported that the city of Grand
Island has had the position of City Attorney open since October 4, 2002. The process to fill this
position began in June 2002. There were 14 applicants for the position of which 2 withdrew their
applications and one did not meet the minimum requirements. Four finalists were chosen from the
list to be interviewed.
The interview team consisted of the following individuals; MarIan Ferguson, Jay Vavricek, Gary
Mader, David Springer and Brenda Sutherland. The interview team recommended Douglas Walker
for consideration to fill the position of City Attorney. Doug had been practicing municipal law in
Alma, Nebraska for the last fifteen years. His background in municipal law and his association with
the League of Municipalities made him a strong candidate for the position.
Motion by Councilmember Larson, second by Hornady, unanimously approved. Motion' adopted.
Mayor Vavricek introduced Doug Walker who then said a few words.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2002-376 - Approving City Administrator's Appointment and Employment Contract. Mayor
Vavricek reported that City Administrator Marlan Ferguson's initial appointment term expired with
the close of Mayor Ken Gnadt's term of office. Mayor Vavricek recommended Marian Ferguson be
reappointed to the position of Grand Island City Administrator with renewal of his contract. There
were no changes proposed to the contract, except the term would coincide with the term of the
Mayor. Councilmember Seifert stated he appreciated Mr. Ferguson's open door policy and
communication skills.
Motion was made by Councilmember Seifert, second by Pielstick, unanimously approved. Motion
adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Whitesides, second by Haase, carried unanimously to approve the Claims for the period of
November 27,2002 through December 3,2002, for a total amount of$2,983,299.81.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qf\~ ~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk