02/24/2004 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
February 24, 2004
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 February 24, 2004. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent
on February 18, 2004.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nicerkson, Cornelius, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Gary
Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, Public Works Director
Steve Riehle, and City Attorney Doug Walker.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said followed by the INVOCA nON given by Pastor Vern
Rice, Independent Bethel Baptist Church, 1223 East 6th Street.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Two individuals reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek commented on the announcement made by the
Army not to fund the Comanche Helicopter Project and that it should not affect the Apache
Helicopter site here in Grand Island. He stated that several people had been in contact with
Washington about this project. Also mentioned was the City Council Retreat held Saturday,
February 21, 2004 at the Crane Meadows Nature Center. The Mayor stated it was an
instrumental and outstanding day and that ballot language for the ~ Cent Sales Tax issue was
discussed with the best interest of the community in mind. This would be brought back to
Council at the March 2, 2004 Study Session.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Proclamation "Read Across America" March 2, 2004. Mayor Vavricek proclaimed March 2,
2004 as "Read Across America" in conjunction with Dr. Suess's birthday. Glenda Frazier and
four students from Shoemaker and Gates Elementary School's were present to receive the
proclamation.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on One & Six Year Street Improvement Program. 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. A review of the proposed plan was presented:
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, February 24, 2004
. Tuesday, January 27,2004 - City Council refers Plan to Regional Planning Commission.
. Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - Regional Planning Commission conducts Public Hearing
and forwards recommendation to City Council.
. Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - City Council hears presentation from staff, conducts Public
Hearing and passes Resolution adopting the Plan.
The following update was given:
2004 Construction Season
One of the major projects for the 2004 construction season related to the improvements on South
Locust Street. The improvements from U.S. Highway 34 to Stolley Park Road had been
completed and currently had a contract for improvements between Stolley Park Road and Fonner
Park Road which included a new concrete roadway,S' concrete sidewalks, concrete driveways,
storm drainage, roadway lighting, ornamental pedestrian lighting and landscaping. A contract
would be let for the construction of two bridges over the Platte River for the northbound lanes of
South Locust Street between 1-80 and the south City Limits. The Nebraska Department of Roads
had two major projects scheduled for, or underway in 2004. These were the on going
construction of the South Locust Street 1-80 interchange, with completion scheduled in late
summer of 2004, and commencement of the roadway construction for the widening of East
Highway 30 from just east of Stuhr Road to east of the Merrick County line. Other projects
planned for 2004 included the paving of the Shanna Street and Lariat Lane connections and
Independence Avenue from 13th Street to Shanna Street, and the widening of Stolley Park Road
west of U.S. Highway 281 by Case New Holland (CNH). Also planned was the continuation of
the HikerIBiker trail from Central Community College to Hall County Park.
2005 - 2009 Construction Seasons
Significant projects beyond the 2004 construction season included the widening of Stolley Park
Road from South Locust Street to the southern Fonner Park Events Center entrance, grade
separation construction at the UPRR on Broadwell Street and an east by-pass location on either
Stuhr Road or Shady Bend Road. Also planned during this period was completion of the
construction of two northbound bridges on South Locust Street over the Platte River channels,
and the commencement of roadway construction for the northbound lanes of South Locust Street
between the 1-80 interchange and the south city limits as well as the continuation of various
segments of the Hiker/Biker trail construction. Completion of the four-lane roadway construction
on East Highway 30 from Stuhr Road to the Merrick County line was scheduled for 2005.
Bruce Swihart, 339 Ponderosa Drive and Mary Ellen Walter, 309 Ponderosa Drive requested that
Schimmer Drive Paving scheduled for 2005 be moved up to 2004. No further public testimony
was heard.
Public Hearing on Affordable Housing Trust Fund Grant from the Nebraska Department of
Economic Development. Joni Kuzma, Community Development Specialist reported that The
Nebraska Department of Economic Development allowed Homeownership Assistance, through
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, February 24, 2004
grants to municipal organizations and non-profit agencies, to facilitate and expand
homeowners hip among persons of 10w-to-moderate income. The Nebraska Department of
Economic Development would accept applications through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
program up to March 1,2004 for grant funding. Lincoln, Nebraska Developer, Fred Hoppe, had
prepared an application for submittal to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development
through the City of Grand Island, as an eligible municipal corporation, for $300,000 in grant
funding for approximately 15 low to moderate income home buyers. The grant would provide
direct home buyer assistance for first-time homeowners in E1 Huerto Subdivision, as proposed by
Mr. Hoppe in the Community Development Block Grant project area, generally known as
northeast Grand Island. No public testimony was heard.
CONSENT AGENDA: Items G-4 and G-12 were removed from the Consent Agenda. Motion by
Nickerson, second by Cornelius, to approve the Consent Agenda excluding Items G-4 and G-12.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of February 10, 2004 City Council Regular Meeting. Counci1members
Hornady and Walker abstained.
Approving Minutes of February 17,2004 City Council Study Session.
Approving Request of Whiskey Creek Steakhouse for Change of Location for Class "1-39333"
Liquor License from 3537 West 13th Street to 1016 Diers Avenue.
#2004-30 - Approving Change Order 1 to the Contract with The Diamond Engineering
Company, Grand Island, Nebraska for Sanitary Sewer District #507, Cannon Road & North
Road for an Increase of $2,040.00 and a Revised Contract Amount of$123,429.95.
#2004-31 - Approving Certificate of Final Completion for Sanitary Sewer District #507 with
The Diamond Engineering Company, Grand Island, Nebraska.
#2004-32 - Approving the Designation of Enviro-Group, Inc., of Green Wood, Indiana as the
Sole Source Provider of Liquid Clay Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) Material at the Landfill.
#2004-33 - Approving Funding of Economic Development Request (NWPS Funds) in the
Amount of $23,3 10 to the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation.
#2004-34 - Approving Bid Award for Chimney Obstruction Lighting Replacement to Flash
Technology of Franklin, Tennessee in the Amount of $57, 170.00.
#2004-35 - Approving Donation of$500.00 to the Children's Groundwater Festival '04.
#2004-36 - Approving Contract Award for Engineering Services for Sport Shooting Facility at
CAAP to Clark Vargas and Associates, Ltd. Consulting Engineers of Jacksonville, Florida in an
Amount of$136,370.00.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, February 24, 2004
#2004-29 - Approving One & Six Year Street Improvement Program. Motion was made by
Walker, second by Pielstick to approve Resolution #2004-29. A lengthy discussion was held
with regards to Schimmer Drive concerning funding in the amount of $175,000.00, crushed
asphalt, dust and dust control, traffic, and other projects in the One & Six Year Street
Improvement Program.
Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted. Councilmember Pielstick encouraged staff to
look into dust control for Schimmer Drive.
#2004-37 - Approving Affordable Housing Trust Fund Grant from the Nebraska Department of
Economic Development. Motion was made by Meyer, second by Whitesides to approve
Resolution #2004-37. No discussion took place. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Cornelius, second by Walker, carried unanimously to approve the Claims for the
period of February 11, 2004 through February 24, 2004, for a total amount of $2,476,984.81.
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Hornady, second by Pauly, to adjourn to
Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion was made by Pielstick, second by Meyer, to return
to Regular Session at 8:25 p.m. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QJ\eu- ~~
RaN ae Edwards
City Clerk