07/20/2004 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 20, 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
July 20, 2004. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on July 14,
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, Cornelius, Pauly,
Hornady, Walker, and Haase. 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: One individual reserved time to speak on
agenda items.
Review of 2004-2005 Fee Schedule, FTE (Full Time Equivalent) Schedule, and Funding for
Outside Agencies. Finance Director David Springer reported that many steps were needed to
prepare for the 2004-2005 City Budget.
2004-2005 Fee Schedule:
Due to rising costs of raw materials and federal regulation, the City of Grand Island was
currently engaged in a comprehensive study of electrical rates. Mentioned was a proposed
increase for golf rounds from $1.00 to $1.25 beginning January 1, 2005 to expand revenue and
maintain the operation's profitability.
The Mayor and Council reviewed the following departments 2004-2005 user fee requests:
Building Parks and Recreation
Administration Golf
Emergency Management Planning
Fire Police
Utility Services Public Works
Councilmember Pielstick questioned what a stand-by ambulance was. Terry Leslie, Fire
Department explained that a stand-by ambulance was those occasions where the Fire Department
provided an ambulance for special events.
Discussion was held concerning the golf course fees. Steve Paustian, Parks & Recreation
Director explained that the proposed increase was in the green fees only. Reviewed was the
current budget which was showing a short fall at this time, but would pick up during the next few
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, July 20, 2004
months. It was suggested that concession stands be included at holes 4 and 14. This would be
reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Department.
FTE (Full Time Equivalent):
Mr. Springer reported that City Administration challenged Departments to only make changes in
personnel when they were overwhelmingly justified, increased efficiency, or were connected to a
revenue stream. It was noted that there would be a 1.55 decrease in FTE's for the 2004-2005
Budget Year. FTE eliminated $54,863 in cost of next year's personnel budget.
Outside Agency Funding Requests:
Mr. Springer reported that the following agencies had requested the following amounts:
Organization
. Community Humanitarian Resource Center
. Convention and Visitors Bureau
. Council for International Visitors
. Crisis Center
. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
. Senior Citizens Industries, Inc.
. Multicultural Coalition
. Hooked on Fishing Derby
. Central Nebraska Humane Society
. Central Nebraska Health Department
. Clean Community Systems
Request
$5,000
$10,000
$1,000
$13,000
$10,000
$15,000
$5,000
$2,000
$165,000
$135,000
$20,000
Recommended
$4,500
$10,000
$1,000
$12,000
$10,000
$15,000
$10,000
$2,000
$150,000
$135,000
$20,000
No requests were submitted from:
. Family Violence Coalition of Central NE
. G.!. Dive and Rescue Team - Trailer
Councilmember Meyer requested that the Council consider a $2,500 donation to the G.I. Dive
and Rescue Team and $165,000 to the Central Nebraska Humane Society. Gary Greer, City
Administrator stated that the City had not received an application from the G.!. Dive and Rescue
Team and that they had applied for Keno funds which might have been the reason they did not
submit an application this year. Councilmember Whitesides stated that the previous request was
for the purchase of a trailer and was supposed to be a one time request.
Councilmember Gilbert questioned the statistics for the homeless. Cindy Preisendorf,
Community Humanitarian Resource Center Executive Director stated that in the last few years
there had been an increase. Councilmember Gilbert encouraged a donation of $5,000.
Pat Bell, Executive Director for Central Nebraska Humane Society commented on their
$165,000 request. Mentioned were updating computers, vehicles, uniforms, training and travel,
and cost of overhead.
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Page 3, City Council Study Session, July 20, 2004
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves commented on not increasing fees on items that were services to
the citizens.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R~n~~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk