01/04/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 4, 2005
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
January 4,2005. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on December
29,2004.
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, Public Works
Director Steve Riehle, and City Attorney Doug Walker
Mayor Communication: Mayor Vavricek commented on the Council Retreat and mentioned
scheduling problems. Discussed was a time that would work for all Councilmember's. It was the
consensus of the Council to schedule the Retreat on a week-end even though there might be
some absences.
Presentation of Household Hazardous Waste Grant Funds: Paul Briseno, Assistant to the City
Administrator presented a PowerPoint concerning Household Hazardous Waste. Betty Curtis,
Coordinator for the Grand Island Area Clean Community System, and Joni Kuzma,
Development Specialist for the City of Grand Island were also present.
Explained was what household hazardous waste was, such as cleaners, paints, aerosols,
corrosives, fuel, batteries, poison, chemicals, etc which are found in every household. The
average U.S. household produces or generates more than 20 pounds of household hazardous
waste per year. Reviewed were the collections over the past 6 years that had been collected by
the Grand Island Area Clean Community System.
Discussed was a permanent, regional Household Hazardous Waste & Recycling facility.
Currently one-day household hazardous waste collection events, coordinated by the Clean
Community System had provided limited disposal. A permanent facility with set hours, clear
guidelines and trained professionals would encourage long-term, sustained disposal efforts.
Reviewed was the proposed central household hazardous waste collection facility. The following
items were mentioned:
. A central Nebraska household hazardous waste facility could potentially serve 350,000
residents in a 29 county area with 2 employees
. Would be part of a one stop center
. Collections would increase
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, January 4, 200S
· Facility needs to consist of at least 9,500 sq ft
· Could have satellite units located in strategically located communities to create a regional
household hazardous waste area
Costs of this facility would be funded through a grant from the Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) and matching funds from the City. Location was proposed to be by the landfill.
Positive comments were made by the Council that this project was a long time in coming and
supported moving forward with it.
Kris Nolan-Brown representing Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska commented on their
efforts to recycle aluminum with H & H Distributing and stated this facility would be ideal for
that purpose.
Councilmember Pielstick recommended that this item be brought to a City Council meeting for
approval to move forward with the grant. Mr. Briseno stated this would be brought to the January
25, 2005 City Council meeting for approval.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk