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12/14/2004 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 14, 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 December 14, 2004. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on December 8, 2004. Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Councilmember's 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 Mayor Communication: Mayor Vavricek commented on the following: . Leadership Tomorrow Classes at City Hall this week . Heartland Event Center Ground Breaking . Acknowledging and thanking Skagway, Ron's Music, and City Singer's for donations to the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting . International Visitors Council . Well wishes and thanks for mattress sets from Slumberland to Crisis Center and Hope Harbor . Christmas Cheer Campaign sponsored by the Grand Island Independent . Mentioned the resignation of Bishop McNamara and welcomed new Bishop Dendinger . Update of Police Sgt. Steve Rathman concerning accident Discussion Concerning Boards and Committees: City Administrator Gary Greer reported that each year the City Council should review the various Boards and Committees for the following year. The following would be included in this review: . Determine if any appointments needed to be made . Review the effectiveness of the Boards and Committees . Determine if new boards needed to be created . Determine if current boards were no longer needed or beneficial . Review any changes in Boards that may be necessary . Make any suggestions to create stronger and more effective Boards and Committees . Are Council liaisons needed on various Boards and Committees City Clerk RaNae Edwards gave a demonstration of the on-line summary and explained the computerized management system. I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, December 14,2004 Councilmember Walker questioned which boards were required by law. City Administrator Gary Greer stated that some were required by Ordinance or City Code. Mayor Vavricek mentioned that most of these boards were created by other Mayor's and/or City Administrator's. Councilmember Pielstick stated she felt that there should be a representative on the Animal Advisory Board. Also mentioned was that the Senior Citizen Board should be sanctioned by the City. Discussion was held with regards to the times these boards met and the number of representatives on each board. Several Councilmember's commented on boards they represented had not met this year. Discussion was held with regards to Councilmember's representing boards that the City funds such as the Humane Society which there currently was no Council representative. Councilmember Cornelius recommended that the Multi-Culture Coalition and the Human Rights Commission should work together toward the goals of diversity within the City. Liaisons versus voting members were discussed. Councilmember Pielstick explained a liaison should attend the meetings and report back to the City Council if requested. Council requested that they be notified when these meetings meet. Discussion was held with regards to posting minutes and agenda's on the web-site. Mayor Vavricek commented on the requirements for these boards including attendance. It was the consensus of the Council that attendance should be a requirement for each board. Cindy Johnson, President of the Chamber of Commerce explained Business Improvement District's No.3, 4, & 5 and the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA). Currently the Chamber of Commerce has a contract to manage these districts and the CRA. Ms. Johnson explained the effectiveness of each of these boards. Discussion was held with regards to the appointments and budgets of these boards which are approved by Council. K. C. Hehnke representing BID #5 commented on the importance of the Council liaisons. Mentioned were the benefits of having the Chamber of Commerce managing these districts instead of the City in which personnel costs were a big item being paid to the City when the City managed these districts. Discussion was held with regards to the CRA designations of blight and substandard areas within Grand Island. Lee Elliott representing CRA spoke with regards to the transition between the City and the Chamber of Commerce with regards to management. Mr. Elliott and Ms. Johnson stated there was no change in the day-to-day business. Clay Leeper, 313 West 3rd Street spoke in support to the BID District's, Boards and management changes which took place within the last year. Mike Toukan, 1808 South Locust Street thanked the Council for their support in the BID District's and commented on the improvements that had been made over the last few years. Torn O'Neill, 804 West Stolley Park Road recommended that members of these boards should be trained for these positions. I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, December 14, 2004 City Attorney Doug Walker explained conflict of interest issues for members of boards and how members should deal with those issues. Ms. Johnson commented on the CRA board and how they handled conflict of interest issues. Councilmember Haase commented that she had no problem with the BID's being under the Chamber of Commerce, but that the CRA should be under the City direction because it was tax payer's money supporting that board. Councilmember Nickerson recommended that Council create a Government Efficiency Committee which should include the County. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. QS\~ <cQ~ RaNae Edwards City Clerk