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12/10/2002 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 10, 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 December 10, 2002. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on December 4, 2002. Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Larson, Nickerson, Seifert, Pauly, Homady, Walker and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle and Finance Director David Springer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said. Update and Presentation by Subcommittees on Comprehensive Plan Goals. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director reported that as part of the update of the Grand Island Comprehensive Plan eight subcommittees were formed to study and recommend goals, policies and objectives regarding a variety of issues. Mr. Nabity explained the process and purpose of the subcommittees. The following subcommittees made presentations: Streets and Transportation: Tom Pimie and Ray Stander presented the committees report. The mission of the Streets and Transportation committee was to plan for safe and improved vehicular and pedestrian traffic movement. The goals and objectives were divided into two categories: Capital Projects and Policy Enhancement. Capital Projects: . Improve Traffic Flow: North/South Street Connections, Build Union Pacific Railroad Overpasses and Underpasses, Widen US Highway 30 on Second Street between Grant and Greenwich, Improve traffic flow through East/West Improvements, Build East Beltway around City, Build South Locust Street Four Lanes to 1-80, Widen US Highway 30, Reduce Vehicle/Pedestrian Conflicts, Install Strobe Cross Walk Lights where Shoemaker Trail crosses 13th Street, Build a trail along Capital west of US Hwy 281, Move trail crossing to Anna/Bismark and Locust Street intersection, Improve railroad crossing safety, Prepare for impact of Heartland Events Center, Widen Stolley Park Road, Improvements on Stolley will tie into East Bypass, Prepare for traffic impact of CNH, Increase access to downtown, Improve access for ag related products. I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, December 10, 2002 . Change Policies: Improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians in Grand Island, More left turn arrows, Flashing yellow advance warning lights, Control access points to arterial streets, and Revise policy to improve driveway safety. Counci1member Seifert asked Public Works Director Steve Riehle how the safety lights worked. Mr. Riehle explained the strobe light effect. Directional railroad horns were discussed also. Counci1member Meyer questioned the bypass recommendation on Highway 281 and the increased congested traffic flow. Discussion was had concerning Stolley Park Road being four lane instead of three lane. Traffic flow and speed limits were discussed concerning Highway 281 along with flashing yellow lights. South Locust Corridor U.S. Highway 34 to 1-80: David Faimon, Brian Vahle and Tom Ward presented the committee report. The mission of this committee was to make the South Locust corridor attractive for visitors, residents and businesses. The committee defined the South Locust Corridor as that area between Hwy 34 and Camp Augustine Road and between Blaine Street and Stuhr Road. The committee recommended high quality, aesthetically pleasing development within the South Locust corridor, efficiency in moving pedestrian, bicycle, truck, commuter and business traffic between Interstate 80 and Highway 34, encouraged the redevelopment of the tree lined vista, extend sewer and water along the South Locust corridor, inform the traveling public of the products, services and opportunities, and protect the Grand Island Municipal Well Fields. John Luna, 712 East 8th Street questioned the size of the commercial development. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director explained the total width was approximately 2 miles. Hazard Mitigation: Dianne Miller, Paul Gomes, and Pat O'Neill presented the committees report. The mission of this committee was to lessen the effects and cost of disaster to the community through hazard mitigation projects, policies and regulations. Mentioned were the Project Impact program, education, monitoring and response staff, Standard Emergency Operating Guide, protection of public facilities, disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous products, decommissioning abandoned wells, groundwater levels, public awareness to natural hazards, and truck and rail traffic transporting hazardous materials. City Image and Community Beautification: Marvin Webb and Mark Allen presented the recommendations of this committee. Included were: marketing the community, Capitalize on the assets of Grand Island, Support existing efforts such as code enforcement, create an atmosphere which nurtures a thriving and progressive community, enhance entrances into Grand Island, and enhance green space development and efforts. John Luna, 712 East 8th Street, mentioned concerns about code enforcement, neglecting 4th Street, and money spent going south of town instead of in town. Land Use/Zoning: Mike Yost stated the mission statement of this committee was to encourage regulations for the use of the land, which provide flexibility while protecting infrastructure and quality development. Recommendations mentioned were Land Use Planning, Zoning and Infrastructure Planning, balance existing prescriptive based zoning and subdivision criteria, promote multiple uses for drainage to create green space, and encourage school sites to be multiple use. I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, December 10, 2002 Economic Development: Ernie Thayer, Carol Nowka and KC Henke presented the committees report. The mission statement of this committee was to facilitate the creation of jobs and economic opportunities for the region, by stimulating the expansion of existing business and attracting new enterprises, while enhancing our quality of life. Recommendations were: secure a continuous source of funding for incentives and improvements, education/training system to provide skilled and diversified workforce, recruit new workers, affordable owner occupied housing, infrastructure to support new and expanded industries, diversified economic base, cooperation between the city and county, transportation systems, cooperation between the communities in the Tri-cities area, and community pride and awareness. John Luna, 712 West 8th Street, made a comment concerning accountability. Public Safety, Facilities and Utilities: Duane Donaldson presented the recommendations of this committee. Recommended were: upgrading all public facilities and utilities, security for all public facilities, increase revenue with public enterprise projects, better quality of life, and preserve and protect the historical integrity of buildings in Grand Island. Discussion was had concerning acquiring addition land for a buffer zone with regards to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Parks, Recreation and Leisure: Chuck Lentz presented the committees recommendations as follows: provide parks to impact every citizen of Grand Island, work with schools to provide mutual benefits in development of new sites, proactive in land acquisition for development of future parks and hike/bike trails, prioritize development of new parks, incorporate the hike/bike trail to connect to park facilities, schools and shopping centers, detention cell be used for recreational use as well as storm overflow control, and prioritize funding to provide for continued growth. Mr. Nabity state these recommendations would be forwarded to JEO Consulting Group and the Steering Committee for the Grand Island Comprehensive Plan. The Steering Committee and JED would prioritize the goals as the comprehensive plan developed. These goals and the plan would be presented to the Hall County Regional Planning Commission and the Grand Island City Council for adoption early in 2004. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9: 1 0 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Qf\ALffi~ RaN ae Edwards City Clerk