02/21/2004 Minutes
I
I
I
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (RETREAT)
February 21, 2004
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Retreat) of the City Council of the City
of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted at Crane Meadows Nature Center, 9325 South AIda
Road, on February 21,2004. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent
on February 14,2004.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Cornelius, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker, and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, City Attorney
Doug Walker, Finance Director David Springer, Police Chief Kyle Hetrick, Utilities Director
Gary Mader, Human Resources Director Brenda Sutherland, Emergency Management Director
Howard Maxon, .Building Department Director Craig Lewis, Fire Chief Jim Rowell, Library
Director Steve Fosselman, Parks & Recreation Director Steve Paustian, and Regional Planning
Director Chad Nabity.
OVERVIEW OF RETREAT:
City Administrator Gary Greer commented on the definition of "Retreat" - a quiet place to
contemplate. Mentioned were policies that were to be set by council and that it was the job of
Department Director's and Administration to handle the administrative duties. Mr. Greer stated
that we would not leave until we came up with goals and Yz cent ballot language.
VISION:
Mayor Vavricek commented that the challenge for a community was to continually to improve.
Also mentioned were family values, strong devotion, and pride of our community. Comparisons
were made from what was to what is. Key things to build on were Grand Island's geography,
agricultural, abundance of water, transportation (railroads) and four major highways. The
Mayor's vision was to seek continual community improvement for the best interest of everyone
in our community.
City Administrator Gary Greer asked each councilmember to comment on why they ran for city
council. Each councilmember gave a brief statement of why they ran for office.
INDIVIDUAL FUTURE GOALS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/MAYOR: Mr. Greer asked
each councilmember what one goal they would like to achieve in their service to Grand Island.
The following were their responses:
Councilmember Meyer - improve the values of City government
Councilmember Haase - completion of Heartland Events Center and National Guard
Apache Helicopter Site
I
I
I
Page 2, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2004
Councilmember Pielstick - help the people to trust City Officials and growth of the
community
Councilmember Hornady - developing a spirit of community unity
Councilmember Whitesides - make sure people feel comfortable with him representing
them, caring and helping the citizens in his district
Councilmember Cornelius - sense of unity and trust
Councilmember Gilbert - unity, trust, ownership of the community
Councilmember Walker - empower people to get involved in city business
Councilmember Pauly - public safety and train issues
Councilmember Nickerson - laying foundation for future planned growth in the City
Mayor Vavricek - looking back on his service and be proud of what has been
accomplished, the process
Each councilmember was then asked what one thing they would like to avoid. The following
were their responses:
Councilmember Whitesides - complacency
Councilmember Hornady - chaos
Councilmember Pielstick - apathy
Councilmember Haase - make sure City doesn't go broke
Councilmember Meyer - lose focus of why he is here, complacency
Councilmember Nickerson - regression into issues of no continuity
Councilmember Pauly - closed mind and becoming a rubber stamp
Councilmember Walker - un-respectfulness
Councilmember Gilbert - negativity and represent not just a small area
Councilmember Cornelius - relationship fall-outs with other entities and comments by
constituents about no doing her job
Mayor Vavricek -lack of unity and respect
GOALS:
City Administrator Gary Greer reviewed the 2003-2004 Council Goals:
Quality of Life:
1. Solve Grand Island's Odor Issue (Completion in 2004)
2. Set Zoo Reuse Plan in Motion (Currently working on)
3. Develop New Softball Fields (Continue working on)
4. Develop a Recreational Vehicle Park (Continue when money is available)
5. Expand Hike & Bike Trails (Currently working on)
6. Implement Greenspace Regulations (Currently working on)
Economic Development:
1. Continue to Support Fundraising for Heartland Events Center (Currently working
on)
2. Establish Long- Term Plans for Community Infrastructure, Growth and
Development (Currently working on)
I
I
I
Page 3, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 21,2004
Community Development:
1. Consider the Benefit of Expanded City Sales Tax Revenue (Currently working
on)
2. Address Affordable Housing Issues (Currently working on - Grant writing)
Communication:
1. Enhance Communication Between City Government, Elected Officials and Public
(Continuous)
2. Improve City Information Technology (Currently working on a plan)
Public Health and Safety:
1. Address Health Department's Building Needs (Completed in 2003)
2. Consider Community-Oriented Policing Strategy (Implemented III 2003 and
working on new ideas)
3. Police Substation in Northwest Grand Island (Currently one at St. Francis Medical
Center - presence of Police Officer's more important)
OTHER MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE "PROUD LADY":
. Nebraska National Guard Apache Base site selection
. Approval of LB 840 - Economic Development Plan and the creation of a Citizen
Advisory Committee
. Interstate 80 South Locust Street exit construction for completion in 2004
. Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $350,000 awarded to the
Grand Generation Center
. Water Contamination Assistance to aid affected homeowners
. Completion of the Wood River Diversion Project
. Improved dialogue for greater cooperation with the Hall County Board of
Supervisors and attendance at the 2003 and 2004 City Council Retreats
. Increased Communication efforts with other state and federal officials
DEVELOPING CONSENSUS ON GOALS: Listed were the following goals of the City Council
and Mayor:
. Jobs
. Public Safety
. Quality of Life - Library, Parks, Diversity of Community
. Communication
. Fire & Police Training Center (National)
. Greenspace
. Infrastructure - Water & Sewer in New Subdivisions, Utility Development
. Maintain Efficient Government - Prioritize Spending and Eliminate Duplication
of Services
. Economic Development
. Shift Tax Burden
. Accessibility (Corridors)
. Fire Station
. Legislative Traffic Enforcement Issues
I
I
I
Page 4, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 21,2004
. Regional Hazardous Waste Site
. Youth Development
. Downtown Development
. Community Support for Nebraska National Guard Apache Helicopter Mission
. Initiate State-Wide Events
. Joint Meetings with other entities dealing with Economic Development
PRIORITIZING GOALS: The following goals were prioritized and will be brought back to
council at a Study Session:
Public Safety
. "Training City" - Fire
. Fire Station
. Legislation
. Community Policing
. Domestic Violence/Abuse
. Drugs
Economic Development
. Jobs
. "Training Center"
. Downtown
. > 50,000 Population (Before April 2010)
Infrastructure
. Accessible
. Traffic
. Legislation
. Plan
. New Subdivisions
Government Efficiency
. Communication - GITV
. Duplication/Consolidate
. Cost
. Sales Tax - Shift Burden
. Information Technology
Quality of Life
. Library
. Ethnic Diversity
. Greenspace
. Softball Fields
. RV Park
I
I
I
Page 5, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 21,2004
. Trails
. Housing
Community
. Youth Development
Public Health
. Regional Hazardous Waste Site
. Housing
. Drugs
. Public Smoking
COMMUNICATION:
City Administrator Gary Greer commented briefly about the following issues:
. Open Meeting Laws in Nebraska - City Attorney Doug Walker briefly updated the
Council concerning open meeting laws regarding e-mails
. Staff/Council Communications
. Future Communications
LUNCH WITH HALL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
The following Hall County Board Supervisors were present for the Joint City/County Special
Study Session: Jim Eriksen, Pamela Lancaster, Bud Jeffries, Bob Humiston, and Marla Connelly
County Clerk. Hall County Supervisor Chairwoman Pam Lancaster updated the Council on the
New Jail Planning & Design Final Report. Discussion was held concerning the proposed site and
Federal Standards by which jails must be built.
SALES TAX DISCUSSION:
City Administrator Gary Greer presented a PowerPoint presentation concerning the sales tax
issues. Recommended was to use $2,000,000 of the $4,000,000 estimated V; cent sales tax funds
for property tax relief, sales tax not to be used for operational or personnel expenditures, and
funds be allowed for future projects and growth. Reviewed were current projects and estimated
costs of each.
It was recommended to suspend the Broadwell and 3rd Street underpass project and railroad noise
reduction project. Mr. Greer encouraged a Railroad Corridor Study to be broadened to include
re-routing the rail lines around the city.
SALES TAX BALLOT:
City Administrator Gary Greer presented the elements of the ballot and recommended that
council repeal Resolution #2002-270 dated August 27, 2002 and pass a new resolution that
would be specific with the wording in the ballot language for May 11, 2004, Primary Election.
Discussion was had concerning including property tax relief wording in the ballot language.
I
I
I
Page 6, City Council Study Session (Retreat), February 21, 2004
Proposed language was to include property tax relief, Fire Department facilities, Police
Department facilities, Library facilities, Parks and Recreation facilities, Senior/Grand Generation
facilities and infrastructure.
Councilmember Pielstick requested that this ballot language be brought forward to the Study
Session on March 2, 2004 and change the meeting date of March 9, 2004 to March 8, 2004 so
Council could attend the Annual Chamber Banquet. After a brief discussion is was the consensus
of the Council to leave the meeting date of March 9, 2004 for final approval of the Sales Tax
ballot resolution.
WRAP UP:
Mayor Vavricek and several Councilmembers complimented City Administrator Gary Greer and
staff on a great retreat. Mayor closed with a poem about moving forward in our community.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QS\~ W~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk