04/01/2003 Minutes
I
I
I
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 1, 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
April 1, 2003. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on March 26,
2003.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Nickerson, Pauly, Hornady, Walker and
Haase. Councilmembers Larson and Seifert were absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Madan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works
Director Steve Riehle, City Attorney Doug Walker and Finance Director David Springer.
RESERVES TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: One individual reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
Presentation by Code Compliance Officer Tim Holloway Regarding Problem Resolution Team
(PRT) Report. Tim Holloway, Code Compliance Officer reported that he had been inspecting all
areas of the City of Grand Island for nuisance violations of the Municipal Code. Code violations
included junk vehicles, litter/trash, graffiti and weeds. Inspections had been completed for Ward
#4 and the initial inspections for Ward #3 had also been completed. Comparisons were noted
with a total of complaints in 2002 of 1365 to 2003 of 555.
Councilmember Pielstick questioned whom the public needed to contact with a code violation.
Mr. Holloway stated the public needs to contact the Code Compliance office. It was noted there
were some cases that would be referred to the Health Department. Discussion was had on repeat
offenders.
Mr. Holloway stated he was now in the process of doing follow up inspections for Ward #3.
Once the follow-up inspection of Ward #3 had been completed, Ward #2 would be inspected.
After Ward #2 was inspected, Wards #1 & #5 would be inspected. Follow up with another
inspection of Wards #3 & #4 would be done before the end of the year.
Mr. Holloway stated the Assistant City Attorney had filed petitions on those properties where the
nuisance had not been abated as requested after the initial inspections. For those properties that
were brought into compliance after a petition was filed but prior to the first court date, it had
been the City's policy to dismiss the case if the property owner paid all court costs and service
fees. This process would be followed for all of the Wards in the City. Mr. Holloway stated that
as we get into the summer months and the City receives complaints about unmowed weeds and
grasses, he would inspect those properties when complaints were made and respond to situations
where an obvious violation existed.
I
I
I
Page 2, City Council Study Session, Aprill, 2003
The Problem Resolution Team (PRT) was discussed. Mr. Holloway stated PRT was established
in November 1998 with multi-departmental representation. A total of 193 properties to date had
been looked at of which 16 properties were currently being worked. Salvage yards were
discussed with regards to the City Code changes requiring a Conditional Use Permit. Mr.
Holloway also stated that he spent approximately 95% of his time out of the office to inspect
properties. Discussion was had concerning parking vehicles in front of houses. City staff will
look to see if the City Code allows for this.
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves commented on the mess that Grand Island had before Code
Compliance started. Mr. Kent requested that Mr. Holloway return phone calls instead of the
secretaries. A comment was made about the property at 2nd and Oak Street, which needed to be
cleaned up.
Presentation on Proposed 2004 Railroad Corridor Study. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director,
reported that our community was laid out to serve the railroads. Currently we have Union
Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Nebraska Central railroads going through our city. It
was noted that 70 trains per day go through Grand Island. Discussion was centered on
maintenance of crossings and side-tracks, horn noise, building of new overpasses and
underpasses and the closing of some crossings. Installation of the Directional Automated Horn
System was discussed of which the railroad circuitry needed to be upgraded first. Mr. Reihle
stated the One and Six Year Street Improvement Program had funds planned for a
comprehensive railroad corridor study in 2004.
Mr. Riehle stated the Railroad Corridor Study in 2004 would look at closing crossings, new
underpasses & overpasses, rehab existing underpasses, review AHS directional horns and
improve safety at existing crossings. Discussion was had concerning Broadwell Avenue railroad
crossing. Several Councilmembers questioned spending money on a study of issues that they
were already aware of
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves commented on the rough tracks and stated the railroad needed to
correct this.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qo.\\~ mW~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk