01/07/2003 Minutes (2)
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 7, 2003
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
January 7,2003. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January 1,
2003.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Larson, Nickerson, Seifert, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
MarIan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, City
Attorney Doug Walker and Finance Director David Springer.
Year-End Financial Update. David Springer, Finance Director reported that it was appropriate
that after the city's financial books were closed for the fiscal year, that a brief summary be
presented to council. A short overview of the budget book was provided. Schedules reviewed
were:
Cash Balance History, all funds - Ended the fiscal year 2002 at $13,081,126. Revenues came in
as budgeted and expenses were below what was budgeted.
Operating Summary, all funds - Break even for FY 2001-2002. Transfers in are entirely gas
taxes. It was explained that the revenues are growing slower than our expenses.
General Fund Revenue Detail - Sales tax was very strong, up 4.8% and property tax valuation
was also up. Sales tax and property tax accounts for 57% of the revenue. Biggest decline was
interest income and looked like this year would be less than what was budgeted. So far this year,
sales tax was down 3%. Ambulance billing was discussed regarding uncollectable bills, time of
billing, etc.
General Fund Expense Summary - Approximately 1712% increase in spending due to hiring
more police offices, firefighters, ambulance, fire truck, etc. Personnel costs made up a big part of
the budget. Other items mentioned were street paving, old city hall, Police and Parks
Departments, etc. Discussed were the capital fund projects and the need to cut expenses in those
areas.
Performance Graphs - General Fund Personnel Costs graph were reviewed with Public Safety
and Total General Fund with the biggest increase. General Fund Operating Costs graph showed
Public Works with the biggest increase. General Fund Capital Expense graph show the biggest
increase in Public Works and Public Safety.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, January 7, 2003
Self Insurance Summary's - Workers compensation was reviewed with increases in claims.
Health Insurance costs had continually escalated. It was mentioned that costs would continue to
increase and council might have to look at having the employees pick up part of that cost.
Update Regarding CHAAP Shooting Sports Facility/Trail Easements, etc. Steve Paustian, Parks
and Recreation Director reported that the City of Grand Island had acquired several hundred
acres of easements and outright ownership of land at the former Cornhusker Army Ammunition
Plant. A power point presentation was provided by the Parks and Recreation Director to provide
Council an update of the land now under City control. Details included site overview, City land
ownership and easement locations, existing and proposed uses and funding spent and received to
date on the proj ect.
To date the City has spent a total of $459,000 on CAAP land and easement acquisition for trails
and multi-use site. Total revenues received were $125,000 from the Edgar Reynolds Foundation
and $50,000 from the Kauffinan-Cummings Foundation.
Kent Coen, 2604 South Stuhr Road, President of the Grand Island Skeet and Clay Sporting Club
spoke in support of the proposed shooting sports facility. Discussed were the advantages and
draw of people to a facility like this.
Councilmember Meyer asked Police Chief Hetrick what their needs were and if this met their
needs. Chief Hetrick explained the different training techniques and range sizes, which were
currently unavailable at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. Tim Zeleski, 4354
Cambridge Road representing the Nebraska State Patrol spoke about the plans, cost and time
frame of this project. Mr. Zeleski suggested the city sit down and prioritize this project. He also
stated that money would possibly be available through the Horne Land Security fund for ranges
like this.
Council asked how this project could be moved along. Mr. Paustian stated that he would corne to
council in the near future for a request of $39,000 to demolish the military houses at the site and
future requests to begin plans for the shooting sports facility.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qof\aJL ffiw~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk