06/07/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (CRA) JOINT STUDY SESSION
June 7, 2005
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Joint Study Session of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island, Nebraska and the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) was conducted in
the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on June 7, 2005. Notice of the meeting
was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 1,2005.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Cornelius, Pauly, Hornady,
Walker, and Haase. Councilmember Meyer was absent due to the death of his father. The
following Community Redevelopment Authority members were present: Barry Sandstrom,
Chairman of CRA; Lee Elliott; Sue Pirnie; and Glen Murray. 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
Discussion Concerning Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) Organization. Chad
Nabity, Regional Planning Director reported on the history of the Planning Department and that
on February 15,2005 the City Council approved Ordinance No. 8954 which changed the section
in the City Code that relates to the management of the Community Redevelopment Authority.
Mr. Nabity explained the functions of the Community Development Division, staffing, and how
the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) would fit into the Hall County Regional
Pal1l1ing Department. It was proposed that CRA would pay 10% or $15,000 towards the funding
for these services.
Mr. Nabity presented a proposal for the Regional Plal1l1ing Department to assume the
management duties and staffing of the Grand Island Community Redevelopment Authority. It
was mentioned that the activities of the CRA dovetailed neatly into the current activities of the
Regional Planning Department and its Community Development Division.
Barry Sandstrom, Chairman of the CRA spoke in support of having the Regional Plal1l1ing
Department manage this board and spoke of the benefits that could be gained. Concerns were
brought up as to who would lead this process and not lose the momentum that CRA has had.
Discussed was the role of the CRA board as it would be moved back to the City. Mr. Nabity
stated the CRA board would function as it had in the past. Staffing would be provided by the
City as the Chamber had done in the past. Mr. Nabity would be in charge of the day-to-day
operations and the contact person for CRA. Discussed was the salary split between the City and
County. The County would approve the Planning Department's budget which would include
CRA expenses, but would not need to approve Mr. Nabity taking over the management ofCRA.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 7, 2005
Councilmember Pielstick commented on the advantages and expertise of the City performing
these functions and recommended that this item be brought forward to Council for a vote at the
next council meeting. City Administrator, Gary Greer commented on the team work within the
City and that the CRA could do things the City could not. The City would work hard to keep the
momentum going.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk