06/15/2004 Minutes
I
I
I
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 15,2004
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
June 15, 2004. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 9,
2004.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Pauly, Hornady,
Walker, and Haase. Councilmember Cornelius was absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David
Springer, and City Attorney Doug Walker.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: Two individuals reserved time to speak
on agenda items.
Fire Station #1/Fire Training Site Presentation. Fire Chief Jim Rowell reported that since the
one-half cent sales tax was approved on May 11, 2004, the Fire Department's priority was the
construction of a training center and the replacement of Fire Station One. Chief Rowell
commented on the public support for these facilities.
Fire Training Chief Troy Huges reported on the training facility sites. A PowerPoint presentation
was given for the proposed sites.
The following criteria were looked at for each site:
. Adequate space - room for future expansion
. Impact to surrounding areas
. Access to roadways
. Emergency response to City Of Grand Island
. Ability to acquire
Site #1 - 8th and Taft
Benefits:
Near Airport, adequate land (89.49 acres), near LEATC, near rail line, water and sewer
available, active neighborhood association to partnership with.
Potential Problems:
Near residential, may be costly, and response to south would be through residential
neighborhood.
I
I
I
Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 15,2004
Site #2 - Capital and Shady Bend
Benefits:
Near airport and future helicopter base, adequate land (111.39 acres), near golf course,
near LETC, and good access to roadways.
Potential Problems:
Water may attract waterfowl and no water or sewer at this time.
Site #3 - West of Capital Trailer Court
Benefits:
Adequate land (61.86 acres), access to main road (Capital Ave), water and sewer, good
emergency response to City.
Potential Problems:
Near residential, high traffic count during school periods may interfere with roadway
access, and might limit future expansion.
Site #4 - Highway 281 and Airport Road (west) and Site #4b - Highway 281 and Airport Road
( east)
Benefits:
Adequate land (60.53 acres), highly visible - presents good image to visitor of Grand
Island.
Potential Problems:
May be expensive, might interfere with commercial development, poor access to
roadway, and no water or sewer.
The following were the recommended rankings of the Fire Department:
1. Site #1 - 8th and Taft
2. Site #2 - Capital and Shady Bend
3. Site #3 - West of Capital Trailer Court
4. Site #4 - Highway 281 and Airport (west)
5. Site #4b - Highway 281 and Airport (east)
It was recommended that City Attorney Doug Walker contact owners of the Council's preferred
properties, begin preliminary negotiations to purchase property, and bring a Resolution to the
June 22, 2004 City Council Regular Meeting to allow negotiation and purchase of the training
center land.
City Administrator Gary Greer commented that this project would be phased in and there were
three other projects ahead of this one.
Fire Operations Division Chief Curt Rohling presented a PowerPoint on the site selections for
the replacement of Fire Station One.
The following criteria were looked at for locating a new fire station site:
. Response Time
. Risk Assessment
I
I
I
Page 3, City Council Study Session, June 15,2004
. Mapping Responses
. Access
The following needs assessments were looked at:
. 2 Acres
. 20,000 Square Foot Required for the Building
. Parking Space
. Administrative Offices
. Approach
. Traffic Flow
The following were the proposed sites:
Site #1 - Existing Station (Koenig Street and Pine Street):
Benefits:
Currently own large section of land and preserve Station One - (remodel)
Potential Problems:
Limited response routes and cost of remodel
Site #2 - Proposed Fonner Station (Fonner Park and Pleasant View Drive):
Benefits:
Cost of land and expansion room
Potential Problems:
Limited coverage, congested emergency routes, limited response routes, and extended
response times.
Site #3 - Proposed Walnut Station (Walnut. Cedar. Kownig. and Charles Streets):
Benefits:
Coverage, response time, and response routes
Potential Problems:
Cost of property, displacement of property, and demolition
Site #4 - Proposed Sycamore Station (Sycamore. First. Second. and Kimball Streets):
Benefits:
Acquired land
Potential Problems:
Extended response time, congested traffic, parking, poor coverage, and drive through
City Administration recommended proposed Site #3 - Walnut Station site because of location,
access, and coverage with regards to population, NFIRS calls, and cardiac calls.
Discussion was held with regards to increase in population in the future and the importance of
response time with this location.
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves complimented staff on their presentation. He stated he would liked
to have seen this station further south on South Locust with the Events Center and Wal-Mart
commg.
I
I
I
Page 4, City Council Study Session, June 15,2004
Tom O'Neill, 804 Stolley Park Road thanked the Fire Department for the good job they were
doing and stated they know their business and we should give them the area that they think was
best.
Several Councilmember's stated they were impressed with the Walnut Street site. It was the
consensus of the Council to move forward with the Fire Station One and Fire Training sites as
recommended by City Administration.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8: 1 0 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QSto.a-ffi~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk