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03/05/2005 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION (RETREAT) March 5, 2005 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Retreat) of the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted at Home Federal Bank, 3311 West Stolley Park Road on March 5, 2005. Notice ofthe meeting was given in the Grand Is/and Independent on February 26,2005. Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.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, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, City Attorney Doug Walker, Finance Director David Springer, Police Chief Kyle Hetrick, Utilities Director Gary Mader, Human Resources Director Brenda Sutherland, Building Department Director Craig Lewis, Fire Chief Jim Rowell, Library Director Steve Fosselman, Parks & Recreation Director Steve Paustian, and Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity. INTRODUCTION: Mayor Vavricek commented on last years Council Retreat at Crane Meadows and the number of accomplishments that had happened over the last two years. The Mayor mentioned the new leadership with new councilmember's, Mayor, and City Administrator over the last few years. Changes within the City that have happened over the years had become more effective and efficient. The Mayor introduced Sandy Olson, Professional Registered Parliamentarian. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER: Sandy Olson, Professional Registered Parliamentarian presented a map to a successful meeting. Presented were the rights of members, the Order of Business, and the eight steps of handling a motion in a meeting. Discussion and council participation was had with regards to subsidiary and privilege motions. REVIEW OF LAST YEARS GOALS: City Administrator Gary Greer reviewed the following 2004-2005 Council Goals and their progress: Public Safety: . Develop a Fire Training Facility - Site and needs recommendation to Council on March 1,2005 . Replace Fire Station #1 - Site and needs recommendation on March 1,2005 . Work on legislation to improve law enforcement effectiveness - Sought support from LE professional organizations (POAN, PCAN, NSA) for redlight camera legislation; Passed a more enforceable noise ordinance I I I Page 2, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 . Continue to develop and implement Community Policing Programs - Think Ba4U Wink; Alcohol Compliance Checks at Bars; DUI Selective Enforcement; Click-it or Ticket; U Drink U Drive U Lose; Saturation Patrols; Loud Stereo Selective Enforcement . Address Problems with Domestic Violence/Abuse through programs - Safe Haven Grant allowed for hiring of new coordinator & program development; 2-week training at NLETC for Victim Assistance Coordinator . Address issues with illegal Drugs through programs - Project Safe Neighborhoods 7 federal indictments on drug gun violence; Received $100,000 grant through HIDTA for drug enforcement; SICA funding Economic Development: . Assist in creating and retaining quality jobs - Mayor/City Administrator involved in recruitment efforts with Economic Development Corporation . Become a "Training Center" for various groups - Consultants reviewing and studying potential sites for Fire Training Facility . Help develop Downtown programs - Coordinated improvements, upkeep and maintenance; Cooperated in various downtown events . 50,000 + population before April 2010 - Metropolitan statistical areas as defined by US Census include urbanized area outside of city limits; 1 % annual growth will put Glover 50,000 by 2010; Initiation of2010 study September 2004 Infrastructure: . Create better, more accessible entryways to Grand Island - South Locust Interchange open; Widening ofHwy 30 East 60% complete - Project continues past Capital and Gunbarrel into Merrick County . Find funding for the upgrade of Grand Island's Infrastructure - Meeting scheduled with DEQ staff to discuss Brownfields, funding for water/sewer extensions & other proactive methods; City Representation on Community Transportation Committee-working to obtain federal funding . Finalize the Comprehensive Plan, assure for the long term planning of the City - Adopted and effective August 1, 2004 . Annexation and development of new subdivisions - Presentation at March 5th City Council Retreat Government Efficiency: . Enhance communication by reinventing GITV and webpage - Phase I & II of website underway-new look & feel and additional features & services. New PSA'S & programming on GITV including high school sports from Grand Island Senior High, Grand Island Central Catholic, Heartland Lutheran and Grand Island Northwest . Seek inter local partnerships that eliminate duplication and promote efficiency - Reviewing State Records Board grant for website development/Various agreements with Hall County . Reduce costs by streamlining city services - Systems and program enhancements have allowed a reduction of 1.5 FTE's over the last two years; Code Compliance restructuring . Shift tax burden from property tax - Successful passage of half percent sales tax includes a $3,875,000 increase in sales tax and a 32.7% drop in the property tax levy I I I Page 3, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 . Implement a streamlined system through Information Technology - New Information technology technician hired Quality of Life: . Expand Library services - RFP for designlbuild team scheduled to be issued 3-9-05; Building Program document under development; Acquisition of property west of library progressing; Grand Island Facilities Corporation established; Study Session 2-1-05 to discuss project progress and RFP issuance . Support ethnic diversity programs - Library obtained federal grant to work with a multicultural consultant in 10-04 to determine improvements needed in library services will be working with coordinator to make improvements 1-05 to 6-05. Councilmember representation on Multicultural Coalition . Develop a Greenspace policy - Dead Project - Not legal to pursue per attorney . Develop more recreational facilities - In process - Arboretum planning in works, CAAP Shooting facility open for business, Trails & Island Oasis expansion . Develop a CAAP recreational vehicle park - Project has not started - Focus is on developing the rifle/pistol range this fiscal year . Funding for Hike/Bike Trails - Received grant for Riverway Trail . Find funds and implement programs to improve housing - Comprehensive Revitalization Action Plan and Needs Assessment due 4-15-05; $300,000 to be awarded annually . Conduct an Aquatics Study - Completed Community: . Youth Development - NCFF Grant received for 2005; continued youth programs, activities and collaborations between CYC, YLT, and MC; Continued programming at library for infancy to teens Public Health: . Regional Hazardous Waste Site - HHW presentation at 1-4-05 Study Session; Submit with councils approval DEQ grant and business plan 2-05 . Evaluate programs that enhance the quality of housing in the City - Continue Rehab and Down Payment Assistance Housing Programs; Homeless Housing Planning Grant announced in lan . Evaluate programs that minimize the usage of illegal drugs - D.A.R.E. program; G.R.E.A.T. program . Investigate the issue of banning smoking - Currently being reviewed by Health Department; Proposed ballot language is prepared along with a preliminary draft of ordinance PRESENT A nONS: Environmental Update: Waste Water Treatment Plant: Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that the City had purchased properties in the area of the Waste Water Treatment Plan to serve as buffer properties surrounding the facility. The Arends, Yeager, and Miller Lakes were purchased in 2004. The I I I Page 4, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 sites had been cleared and the properties were fenced. The city was working with consultants, CH2M Hill of Denver, Colorado to develop a plan to improve the quality of the Arends and Miller Lakes. Reviewed were maps of these areas. City Wells Sites: Gary Mader, Utilities Director reviewed the history of the city well sites. A majority of the wells within the City had been relocated to the Well Field on the Platte River. Presented were maps of city wells that had been removed due to septic, nitrate PCE, and RDX contamination along with maps ofthe Central PCE, RDX, and Multiple VOC Plumes. Annexation/Expansion of Services: Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director reviewed the Annexation Policy and possible future properties that could be annexed into the City. Discussion was held with regards to water and sewer costs for these areas. Also reviewed were maps of developed and undeveloped areas and infrastructure availability within the City. Mr. Nabity stated the Council would need to decide if the City should infill or annex property into the City. Discussion was held concerning financing and rate structure for these infrastructures. LUNCH WITH HALL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: The following Hall County Board Supervisors were present for the Joint City/County Special Study Session: Jim Eriksen, Pamela Lancaster, Bud Jeffries, Bob Rye, Scott Arnold, and Marla Connelly County Clerk. City/County Efficiency Committee: Mayor Vavricek commented on many of the Interlocal Agreements with the County to make government more efficient. Supervisor Pam Lancaster commented on the Informational Technology efforts between the City and County. It was decided to set up a committee with county, city and local citizen representatives to look at ways to become more efficient. Law Enforcement Center Agreement: Police Chief Kyle Hetrick reported on the joint city/county public safety center. The following items were mentioned: General Terms: . Joint occupation of the facility with the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Grand Island Police Department . Joint regulation of facility by a combined Hall/Grand Island board Specific Terms: . Information management system for both agencies responsibility of Hall County as outlined in existing inter-local agreement of August 2001 . Evidence and property services for both agencies responsibility of Grand Island as outlined in an agreed upon memorandum of understanding delineating day-to-day responsibilities . Vehicle impoundment responsibilities will be combined as outlined in the aforementioned memorandum of understanding I I I Page 5, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 Facility Use: . Grand Island and Hall County will agree to an annual use of space fee of twenty-five thousand ($25,000) per agency for annual maintenance and future capital expenditures for the facility. Grand Island shall be responsible for the maintenance of the law enforcement center building Duplication: . There shall be no duplication of combined services as set forth by any party subject to this inter-local agreement and memorandum of understanding Jail Update: Supervisor Pam Lancaster reported on the work being done on a new jail. The County is currently working on a new bond election in the near future and the changes that have been made from the previous bond election. Supervisor Lancaster thanked the Council for their support. City's Future Annexation Plans: Gary Greer City Administrator commented that the City's future annexation plan was included in the Comprehensive Plan. County Supervisor Erickson commented that annexation had caused problems between the school districts and wanted to see the City and County work together to facilitate communication to try to avoid those situations. PRESENT A nONS: Maior Proiect Financing: David Springer, Finance Director updated the Council on the Capital Projects brought about through the 1/2 cent sales tax. Mr. Springer stated the City was very fortunate to have approximately $11 million in cash and felt that the Fire Station could be paid for and not bonded. Modem Roundabouts: Steve Riehle, Public Works Director reported that roundabouts had been used in other countries for a number of years and more increasingly in the United States the past few years. A PowerPoint presentation was presented to show how roundabouts worked, their safety, and efficiency. Discussed was a location at the intersection of Capital Avenue and North Road for the proposed first roundabout in Grand Island. Gas Company Update: Doug Walker, City Attorney stated they were still working on the gas company purchase but at this time there was nothing new to report. GOALS FOR 2005-2006: City Administrator Gary Greer commented that at the Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Regular Meeting the agenda item for the Fire Station and Training Center would be continued for two weeks. Mr. Greer commented on the 2004-2005 Goals and his recommendations of those goals for 2005-2006. I I I Page 6, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 The following is a complete list of the 2005-2006 Goals: Public Safety 1. Develop a Fire Training Facility 2. Start construction on Fire Station # 1 3. Continue to develop and implement Community Policing Programs 4. Address problems with domestic violence/abuse through programs 5. Address issues with illegal drugs through programs Economic Development 6. Assist in creating and retaining quality jobs 7. Develop opportunities concerning training 8. Help develop Downtown programs 9. 50,000+ population before April 2010 Infrastructure 10. Create better, more accessible entryways to Grand Island 11. Develop funding for the upgrade of Grand Island's Infrastructure 12. Rework Annexation Policies 13. Update Traffic Study 14. Complete Railroad Corridor Study 15. Pursue construction of a modern roundabout Government Efficiency 16. Provide for efficient transition of the Community Redevelopment Authority 17. Seek Interlocal partnerships that eliminate duplication and promote efficiency 18. Reduce costs by streamlining city services 19. Create City/County Efficiency Committee Quality of Life 20. Expand Library facility 21. Support ethnic diversity programs 22. Develop more recreational facilities 23. Develop a CAAP recreational vehicle park 24. Support the enhancement of housing Community 25. Manage/Support youth development programs Public Health 26. Pursue Household Hazardous Waste site 27. Continue to address environmental issues 28. Develop storm water plan/program 29. Decide course of action concerning smoking ban I I I Page 7, City Council Special Study Session (Retreat), March 5, 2005 Mayor Vavricek thanked City staff for their participation. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Qof\~<2Q~ RaNae Edwards City Clerk