04/15/2003 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 15,2003
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 15, 2003. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on April 9,
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,
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.
RESERVES TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: No individuals reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
Discussion on Litter, Mandatory Garbage Service and Nuisance Garbage. Steve Riehle, Public
Works Director, Betty Curtis representing Clean Community Systems, Area Sanitation
Companies, Grand Island Solid Waste Division, Central District Health Department, and Grand
Island Code Compliance, had met to discuss the issues of litter, mandatory garbage service and
nuisance garbage. A power point presentation was presented for the council.
Betty Curtis representing Clean Community System briefed the Council on what was being done
concerning litter. Mentioned were: Adopt a Road Program, Neighborhood Clean Ups, Volunteer
Group Pick Ups, Schools, Individuals and Trash Bash. New ideas included: RCC (Residential
Cleanup Card), Continued education, Bagging of all garbage, Bag loose trash at construction
sites, Lids connected to trash containers, Dumpster lids being closed, and Greater enforcement of
existing litter ordinances.
Kevin McKennon, Solid Waste Superintendent with the Solid Waste Division of the Public
Works Department presented the following collection solution: Curb side collection only, no
alley collections. Discussion was had concerning curb side collection only. Current form of
disposal in the City was by a licensed hauler or individual disposal.
Jeremy Collinson representing the Central District Health Department presented nuisance
garbage complaints. Stated were 244 litter/refuse issues for Fiscal Year 2001-2002, with 546
follow ups and a total of 790 visits to problem sites. Of those, 10 were sent back for legal action.
Options for nuisance garbage mentioned were receipt required showing disposal and problem
properties where two or more violations occur, require 12 month prepaid garbage disposal and/or
$500.00 fine per subsequent violation.
The committee recommended the following changes to the City ordinances:
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, April 15, 2003
. Bagging of all garbage
· Bag loose trash at construction sites
· Lids connected to trash containers
. Dumpster lids being closed
. Required form of disposal
· Greater enforcement of existing litter ordinances
· Eliminate the ability to dispose at residence
· Increased fines
· Environmental Court
Presentation on Parliamentarian Procedures. A presentation on Parliamentarian Procedures was
given by the Wood River High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Parliamentarian Team along with their teacher, Sandy Olson. The students did a mock meeting to
show how the correct use of Roberts Rules and Orders keeps the meeting focused and flowing.
Parliamentarian Procedures have been use in organizations community-wide and could be
intimidating to people. Discussed was learning how to use the rules and why, to allow people to
be stronger members (those who speak up) when in meetings where Parliamentarian Rules guide
the process.
Discussion Concerning Proposed Park Development at Shoemaker School Site. Steve Paustian,
Parks and Recreation Director, reported that the Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction
with the Grand Island School System and Shoemaker School was proposing the development of
a neighborhood park on 5 acres of property currently owned by the Grand Island School District.
The proposed plan would allow for open play space, playground equipment and access to the
Shoemaker Hike/Bike Trail. Staff and the Parks and Recreation Director met with the Shoemaker
School Principal, several interested parents and students of Shoemaker School to devise the plan
of the proposed park. The Parks and Recreation Director presented a detailed plan.
Discussed was green space at the time of new developments.
Discussion Relative to Use of Credit Card for Purchasing Purposes. David Springer, Finance
Director, reported that the City currently had a limited number of credit cards that were used for
purchases at firms that do not have an account with the City of Grand Island or do not take
purchase orders. Credit card use was also authorized for travel arrangements, including hotel
reservations, airline tickets, and conference fees. Currently, the credit cards were maintained in
the Finance Department and may be signed out by other departments as needed. This centralized
location had proven to be both cumbersome and inefficient.
The City's Procurement Committee had been reviewing this policy for improvements. The City
of Kearney had an existing policy for credit card use that had been reviewed by the State
Auditor's Office, and had been used as a pattern to revise our policy. The City's Procurement
Committee recommended that the existing policy be modified to allow for departmental credit
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Page 3, City Council Study Session, April 15, 2003
cards. A set number of cards would be issued to each department; accountability for use of the
credit cards would be the responsibility of the Department Director. A monthly credit card limit
of $10,000 had been recommended. This policy would facilitate travel arrangements, purchases
of items not readily available locally, reduce paperwork and processing, and also allow for more
price comparisons, through internet means.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QS\~ W~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk