01/28/2003 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 28,2003
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 January 28,2003. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
January 22,2003.
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,
Walker and Haase. Councilmember Hornady was absent. 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said followed by the INVOCATION given by Pastor Cheryl
Lamb, First Presbyterian Church, 21 03 West Anna Street.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: One individual reserved time to speak on
agenda items. .
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
"It's About Kids!" Presentation by Liz Stinson. Youth Leadership Tomorrow, "Its About Kids!"
asset was presented by Liz Stinson.
ADJOURN TO BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Pielstick, second by Walker, carried
unanimously to adjourn to the Board of Equalization.
#2003-BE-1 - Determining Benefits for Sidewalk District 1, 2002. Motion by Pielstick, second
by Whitesides, to approve Resolution #2003-BE-l, carried unanimously.
#2003-BE-2 - Determining Benefits for Street Improvement District #1234, Juergen Road in the
Platte Valley Industrial Park. Motion by Pielstick, second by Whitesides, to approve Resolution
#2003-BE-2, carried unanimously.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Whitesides, second by Haase, carried
unanimously to return to Regular Session.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, January 28, 2003
Public Hearing on Acquisition of Right of Way from Indianhead Golf Club, L.L.C. Located on
North Road in the SE1I4 of Section 26-11-10. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that
a public hearing and council approval was required for all right-of-way acquisitions. Dedication
of a 40' wide right-of-way strip adjacent to North Road was overlooked when the Indianhead
Seventh Subdivision was platted and approved. Holding a public hearing and approving the
acquisition of this right-of-way would remedy the oversight during the platting process. No
public testimony was heard.
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:
#8791 - Consideration of Assessments for Sidewalk District 1, 2002
#8792 - Consideration of Assessments for Street Improvement District #1234, Juergen
Road in the Platte Valley Industrial Park
#8793 - Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 13 of the Grand Island City Code
Relative to Downtown Improvement and Parking District Annual Tax
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
Seifert 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: Ordinances #8791, #8792, and #8793 on first reading. All those in favor of the
passage of these ordinances on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all voted
aye. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8791, #8792, and #8793 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
#8791, #8792, and #8793 are declared to be lawfully passed and adopted upon publication as
required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Whitesides, second by Larson, carried unanimously to
approve the Consent Agenda.
Receipt of Official Document - Civil Service Minutes of November 7,2002.
Approving Minutes of January 14, 2003 City Council Regular Meeting.
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, January 28, 2003
#2003-22 - Approving Acquisition of Right of Way From Indianhead Golf Club, L.L.c.,
Located on North Road in the SE1I4 of Section 26-11-10.
#2003-23 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Sanitary Sewer District #499, Platte
Valley Industrial Park.
#2003-24 - Approving Agricultural Deferral of Assessments in Sanitary Sewer District #499 and
Street Improvement District #1234. (Louis and Virginia Graham)
#2003-25 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Electrical System Improvements at
the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
#2003-26 - Approving Certificate of Compliance with the Nebraska Department of Roads for
Maintenance Agreement 12 for the Previous Calendar Year.
#2003-27 - Approving Renewal of Maintenance Agreement No., 12 with the State of Nebraska
Department of Roads.
#2003-28 - Approving Bid Award for One (1) Minimum 44, 000 GVW Dump Truck for the
Street Division, Public Works Department with Nebraska Truck Center of Grand Island,
Nebraska in an Amount of $60,886.00.
#2003-29 - Approving Bid Award for One (1) Minimum 26,000 GVW Salt/Sand Truck for the
Street Division, Public Works Department with Nebraska Truck Center of Grand Island,
Nebraska in an Amount of$52,143.00.
#2003-30 - Approving Bid Award for Street Sweeper for the Street Division, Public Works
Department with EDM Equipment Company of Lincoln, Nebraska in an Amount of
$110,607.00.
#2003-31 - Approvin~ Bid Award for One Utility Tractor for the Street Division, Public Works
Department with Fairbanks Grand Island of Grand Island, Nebraska in an Amount of
$40,950.00.
#2003-32 - Approving Grant Application to the US Department of Justice on Behalf of the
Crisis Center for Safe Haven.
#2003-33 - Approving Continuation of Confidentiality Agreement for Electric Generation -
MEAN/HU Proiect.
#2003-34 - Approving Change Order #3 for General Contract Work - Burdick Station GT-2 and
GT -3 Combustion Turbine Proiect with The Industrial Company of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
for an Increase of $325,537.00 and Modified Contract Amount. of $12,312,050.42.
Councilmember Pielstick voted no.
#2003-35 - Approving Agreement for Grant Funding for Exercise Equipment - Fire Department.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, January 28, 2003
#2003-36 - Approving Renewal of Contract with Fonner Park Relative to Stand-By Ambulance.
#2003-37 - Approving Support for Establishing a Base for the Nebraska Army National Guard
Apache Helicopter Unit. Mayor Vavricek explained the importance of this issue and that on
February 13, 2003 the National Guard would be in Grand Island to receive the City's proposal. It
was mentioned that possibly by the first week of March the National Guard would have a
decision made.
REQUESTS AND REFERRALS:
Approving Referral of One and Six Year Street Improvement Plan to the Regional Planning
Commission. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that adoption of a One and Six Year
Street Improvement Program was required by State law as part of the requirements to receive
approximately three million dollars of state gas tax funds each year.
Mr. Riehle stated one major project for the year 2003 construction season related to the
improvements on South Locust Street. The improvements from Highway 34 to Stolley Park
Road had been completed and were now preparing for improvements between Stolley Park Road
and Fonner Park Road. This project included concrete patching, concrete driveways, asphalt
resurfacing, roadway and pedestrian lighting, storm drainage, sidewalks and landscaping.
Construction for the Wood River Floodway project would be completed this year. Other roadway
improvements in 2003 included right-of-way acquisition and commencement of roadway
construction for Independence Avenue, and the paving of Gold Core Road (1 mile) in the Platte
Valley Industrial Park.
The Nebraska Department of Roads was building the Locust Street 1-80 interchange, with
completion scheduled in 2004. Some significant projects beyond the 2003 construction season
included the widening of Stolley Park Road from Locust Street to the Fonner Park Events Center
entrance, and the continuation of various segments of the Hiker/Biker trail construction. Also
planned during this period was the construction of two northbound bridges on Locust Street over
the Platte River channels, and the commencement of roadway construction for the northbound
lanes of Locust Street between the 1-80 interchange and the south city limits. The continuation of
the four-lane roadway construction on East Highway 30 from Stuhr Road to the Merrick County
line was scheduled for 2004 or 2005.
Motion by Larson, second by Walker, to refer the One and Six Year Street Improvement
Program to the Regional Planning Commission for their review at their February 5, 2003
meeting. Unanimously approved.
Request of Gary Smith to Amend Subdivision Agreement for Lot 2, Clark Brothers Subdivision
by Eliminating Requirement to Connect to Public Water and Sanitary Sewer. Steve Riehle,
Public Works Director reported that when the area was subdivided, the Subdivision was platted
per the design of the subdivider, and infrastructure hookups were agreed to by all parties. Gary
Smith had requested that the City amend the Subdivision agreement to allow them to build upon
lot number 2 without hooking to City water and sewer main.
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, January 28,2003
In 1996, Council made the extension of water and sewer systems to all areas of the City one of
its primary goals. The City had made a focused effort to meet that goal over the last seven years,
spending substantial monies for system extensions. This request was in opposition to the
Council's intent to have municipal water and sewer service to all properties in the City. Public
Works, Utilities and Building Departments recommend that Council deny the request.
Mr. Riehle state that if the request was denied, the Subdivision agreement stands as is. If the
request were approved, staff would bring an amendment to the Subdivision forward for Council's
consideration at the next Council meeting.
Motion by Seifert, second by Whitesides, to approve this request. A lengthy discussion was held
concerning connecting to City water and sewer. The cost for Mr. Smith to connect was
approximately $36,000. Council discussed extending the current agreement for 5 years. John
Amick, 410 Amick Avenue, Doniphan representing Gary Smith spoke in support.
Councilmember Seifert offered a friendly amendment to include a 5-year extension to the
subdivision agreement to hook up to City sanitary sewer and water. Councilmember Whitesides
agreed to the amendment. Gary Smith stated he approved with the amended motion.
Upon roll call vote, Councilmembers Whitesides, Larson, Nickerson, Seifert, Pauly, Walker and
Haase voted yes. Councilmembers Meyer and Pielstick voted no. Motion adopted.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2003-38 - Approving Change of City Council Meeting Dates for the Months of February and
March 2003. City Administrator Marian Ferguson reported that on January 14, 2003, City
Council approved Resolution #2003-21 setting the City Council meeting dates for 2003. The
February and March Regular Meetings were scheduled for the 11th and 25th for both months and
the Study Sessions were scheduled for the 4th and 18th for both months. It had been
recommended that the following changes be made to the City Council meeting schedule:
February 4, 2003 - Regular Meeting
February 11, 2003 - Study Session
February 18, 2003 - Regular Meeting
February 25,2003 - Cancelled
March 4, 2003 - Regular Meeting
March 11,2003 - Cancelled
March 18, 2003 - Regular Meeting
March 25,2003 - Study Session
This would allow Council members and staff to attend the League of Nebraska Municipalities
Midwinter Conference on February 24th & 25th and the Chamber Banquet on the evening of
February 25th. This would also allow Council members to attend the National League of Cities
Congressional Conference in Washington, D. C. on March 11 tho
Motion by Seifert, second by Whitesides. Unanimously approved.
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Page 6, City Council Regular Meeting, January 28, 2003
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Whitesides, second by Haase, carried unanimously to approve the Claims for the
period of January 15, 2003 through January 28,2003, for a total amount of$2,755,141.36.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QS\~ W~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk