04/05/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AprilS, 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
April 5, 2005. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Is/and Independent on March 30,
2005.
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 following:
1. April 6, 2005 Quad City Mayor's Conference hosted by Grand Island
2. Thanked City Council for last week's meeting that lasted 15 hours
Presentation by Shonsey & Associates for FY 2004 City Single Audit and General Purpose
Financial Statements. David Springer, Finance Director introduced Terry Galloway representing
Shonsey & Associates who reviewed the FY 2004 City Single Audit and General Purpose
Financial Statements.
The financial audit received an unqualified rating which was the highest rating possible.
Reviewed were the long term debt, revenue bonds, bond rating, water rates, net assets, cash
reserves, and operating income for Grand Island which were very good.
Mr. Galloway commented that the infrastructure policy needed to be looked at. Federal Grants
were received at over $500,000 which was low for the size of Grand Island and encouraged the
City to apply for more grant funds. Mr. Galloway said that the City of Grand Island was in great
shape but planning for the future was important.
Internal controls regarding computer passwords were discussed. It was recommended by
Shonsey & Associates to keep better controls on this. Mr. Springer commented on employees
sharing their passwords and that this was hard to control. He stated this would be looked into.
Presentation by Downtown Improvement Board: Steve Rasmussen, Downtown Improvement
Board member presented a PowerPoint regarding the Downtown Plan.
Reviewed were the following:
. Local retailing
. Financial services
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, April 5,2005
. Professional offices
. Residential housing
. Government Center
The following major achievements during the past 5-7 years were presented:
. New logo
. Entrance Signs
. Downtown banners
. Major streetscaping project with trees and landscaping
. New benches & trash containers
. New pocket park (funded by Sprint)
. New Web site - www.DowntownGI.com
Completed alley way project, alley entrances & identification, alley crossing concept, diagonal
parking, parking lot enhancements, and major building renovation projects were presented.
Mentioned were the following challenges:
. Deteriorating historical buildings
. Historical buildings typically cost 25-30% more to restore than to build new
. New building codes
. Key buildings isolated from parking
. Needed improvements to street curbs and brick pavers
. Continue to increase foot traffic
Proposed were the following "Downtown's 4 Step Action Plan":
1. Historical building restoration/upper level housing
2. Parking solutions
3. The physical environment - streetscape project
4. The Arts & Humanities Center for Grand Island
Estimated Investment was presented as follows:
1. Building renovation/upper-level housing: $500,000 revolving 0% interest loan fund.
2. City to become an equity partner on selected buildings of historical significance.
3. Historic Masonic Temple building project: Purchase/demolish 2 buildings with parking
lot: $350,000 (includes supporting contribution to private developer).
4. Street curb project: $112 million over 3 years. Similar to Hastings, Kearney, others.
5. Grand Theatre project: $10,000.
6. Kaufinan-Cummings Park! Amphitheatre: Goal 50%+ contribution from private sources.
7. G.I. Arts & Humanity fund: City to determine.
8. Encourage government facilities in Downtown
The following representatives from downtown were introduced: Jim Berglund, Top Hat
Furniture; George Bartenbach, Bartenbach Galleries; Mark Stelk, General Collection; K.C.
Henke, Historic City Hall and Chairman of the downtown board; Craig Hand, Howard's Jewelry;
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Page 3, City Council Study Session, April 5, 2005
Tom Ziller, downtown rental properly owner; Cindy Johnson, Chamber President; and Diana
Kellogg, management service provider for the Chamber.
Discussed were the new building codes that were passed by council. Questioned was if there
were exceptions to historical buildings. Craig Lewis, Building Department Director stated there
were no exceptions, it was more important for public safety especially in these older buildings.
Water mains were discussed as adequate in the downtown area with regards to fire safety and
electrical updates would be needed.
Explained were bump-outs which would reduce the street width, make pedestrian crossing
shorter, and slower traffic. Masonic Temple parking was discussed with regards to costs.
Councilmember Nickerson asked which one of the projects were the most needed with regards to
the City helping with the cost. Mr. Rasmussen stated the Downtown Board would have to decide
that issue. Currently the City does not have money budgeted except for a bump-out at 3rd &
Wheeler Street.
Cindy Johnson, Chamber President explained the historical background and funding of the
Business Improvement Districts in downtown. Parking issues and Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) were discussed.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
QD~ ffi~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk