07/15/2003 Minutes (2)
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 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
July 15,2003. Notice ofthe meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 9,2003.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Seifert, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker, and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, City
Attorney Doug Walker and Finance Director David Springer.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Two individuals reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
Update Regardin~ Wasmer Detention Cell. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported this
item was to discuss a future storm water detention cell at the old Wasmer School located
adjacent to South Broadwell Avenue. A power point presentation was presented.
Presented was the option of using old Wasmer School Property for construction of a detention
cell. Benefits of a cell at this location would alleviate flooding on Second Street. A cell could be
designed to not raise water level into basements, minimize amount of time it is wet, and would
be the best option to improve Second Street drainage.
Councilmember Walker questioned the time line of this project. Mr. Riehle stated the school was
not currently using the property and the State of Nebraska had plans for 2nd Street and Public
Works would like to see this project built before 2007. Formal action by the Council would be no
earlier than 10 or 11 months from now. Councilmember Seifert commented on his dislike of
detention cells and recommended drainage possibilities at other locations. Mr. Riehle stated a
study would be done by the Department of Roads.
Councilmember Meyer questioned the possibility of water in basements of local residents. Mr.
Riehle stated if that happened the detention cell could be lined with clay. Councilmember
Pielstick questioned why the water could not be taken to the detention cell at the Ole Cow
Palace. Mr. Riehle stated a pump would have to be put in as the water flows to the east.
Councilmember Haase asked if this was in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Riehle stated that it was
not.
Update Regarding College Street Safety. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that this
item was to discuss College Street safety near the Grand Island Senior High School campus. City
staff initiated discussions with School staff late last year and early this year. They indicated there
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, July 15,2003
were still concerns with safety of College Street. Staff would like to begin discussions on the
issue. Mr. Riehle stated the update of the Comprehensive Plan was progressing with the
development of a traffic model. After this study session, staff would take traffic counts on area
streets, discuss design details for the closure of College Street with the school, work with the
consultant to update the traffic modeling portion of the Comprehensive Plan, lay into place plans
to improve area streets, and come back to Council at a study session this fall.
Discussion was had concerning traffic counts, increased traffic on State Street, Faidley Avenue,
and Capital Avenue. Councilmember Whitesides questioned why this had been brought back to
Council when they had denied it three other times. Mr. Riehle stated it was partly due to the
updated Comprehensive Plan.
Jim O'Neill, 2116 North Custer Street and Leo Tylkowski, 1916 North Sheridan Avenue spoke
in support of keeping College Street open.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Q~\\CJL- ffi~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk