08/23/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 23,2005
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular Meeting 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 August 23, 2005. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Is/and Independent on
August 17,2005.
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, and Public Works
Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Father Phil Flott, St. Mary's Cathedral Catholic Church, 204 South
Cedar Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Recognition of Ray Micek. Distribution Superintendent with the Utilities Department for 40
Years of Service with the City. Mayor Vavricek and the City Council recognized Ray Micek for
his 40 years of dedicated service with the City as Distribution Superintendent with the Utilities
Department. Gary Mader, Utilities Director commented on Mr. Micek's service and thanked
him. Mr. Micek and his wife Mary were present.
Recognition of Larry Cornelius. Senior Engineering Technician with the Public Works
Department for 35 Years of Service with the City. Mayor Vavricek and the City Council
recognized Larry Cornelius for his 35 years of dedicated service with the City as Senior
Engineering Technician with the Public Works Department. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director
commented on Mr. Cornelius' service and thanked him. Mr. Cornelius and his wife Ellie were
present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Change of Zoning for Land Located at 224 East Capital Avenue from M2
Heavy Manufacturing to B2 General Business. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Department
Director reported that rezoning was required for property located at 224 East Capital Avenue
from M2 Heavy Manufacturing to B2 General Business. If approved the owners would be able to
rebuild the house should it become damaged which was not the case with the current zoning. No
public testimony was heard.
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Page 2, City Council Regular Meeting, August 23, 2005
Public Hearing on Change of Zoning for Land that was Proposed for Platting as El Huerto
Subdivision Located South of Capital Avenue and East of S1. Paul Road from RD Residential
Development to TA Transitional Agricultural. Chad Nabity, Regional Planning Director reported
that EI Huerto Subdivision was approved more than 18 months ago and construction had not
started. According to the Grand Island Zoning Regulations RD zones must be rezoned to an
appropriate district if construction does not begin in the first 18 months and the developer had.
not requested and been granted a six month extension. No public testimony was heard.
Public Hearin~ on Change of Zonin~ for Land Located South of Sandra Road and East of South
Locust Street from LLR Large Lot Residential to RO Residential Office. Chad Nabity, Regional
Planning Director reported that Beverly Healthcare Lakeview had purchased this property
located adjacent to and south of their existing building. They were requesting the property be
rezoned to allow them to expand their operation. No public testimony was heard.
ORDINANCES:
Councilmember Pielstick moved "that the statutory rules requiring ordinances to be read by title
on three different days be suspended and that ordinances numbered:
#8997 - Consideration of Change of Zoning for Land Located at 224 East Capital
A venue from M2 Heavy Manufacturing to B2 General Business
#8999 - Consideration of Change of Zoning for Land Located South of Sandra Road and
East of South Locust Street from LLR Large Lot Residential to RO Residential Office
#8998 - Consideration of Change of Zoning for Land that was Proposed for Platting as EI
Huerto Subdivision Located South of Capital Avenue and East of St. Paul Road from RD
Residential Development to T A Transitional Agricultural
#9000 - Consideration of Approving FY 2005-2006 Annual Single City Budget, The
Annual Appropriations Bill Including Addendum # 1
be considered for passage on the same day upon reading by number only and that the City Clerk
be permitted to call out the number of these ordinances on first reading and then upon final
passage and call for a roll call vote on each reading and then upon final passage."
Councilmember Homady seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion
adopted.
Councilmember Pielstick complimented Administration and staff on their work regarding
Ordinance #9000.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8997, #8999, #8998, and #9000 on first reading. All those in favor of
the passage of these ordinances on first reading, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
City Clerk: Ordinances #8997, #8999, #8998, and #9000 on fmal passage. All those in favor of
the passage of these ordinances on final passage, answer roll call vote. Upon roll call vote, all
voted aye. Motion adopted.
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Page 3, City Council Regular Meeting, August 23, 2005
Mayor Vavricek: By reason of the roll call votes on first reading and then upon final passage,
Ordinances #8997, #8999, #8998, and #9000 are declared to be lawfully adopted upon
publication as required by law.
CONSENT AGENDA: Consent item G-9 was pulled for further discussion. Motion by Homady,
second by Whitesides to approve the Consent Agenda excluding item G-9. Upon roll call vote,
all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Approving Minutes of August 9. 2005 City Council Regular Meeting.
Approving Minutes of August 10. 2005 City Council Special Budget Meeting.
Receipt of Official Document - Civil Service Minutes of July 20. 2005.
#2005-232 - Approving a Resolution of Support for the Rural Enterprise Assistance Proiect
(REAP) to Provide Future Business Development Services.
#2005-233 - Approving Grand Island Area Economic Development Recommendation to
Rescind Contract with Westward Airways. Inc.
#2005-234 - Approving Bid Award for Water Main District No. 450 and 451 with Diamond
Engineering Company of Grand Island. Nebraska in an Amount of $205.154.38.
#2005-235 - Approving Bid Award for Construction of Buildings. Baffles. Sheds. and Picnic
Shelter for the Heartland Public Shooting Park with Galvan Construction of Grand Island.
Nebraska in an Amount of $452.706.00.
#2005-236 - Approving Agreement with Nebraska Department of Roads for Construction of the
Grand Island River Way Trail for an Approximate Amount of $86.977.00 to the City.
#2005-238 - Approving Bid Award for Auger Type Loader Mounted Snow Blower for the Street
& Transportation Division with Nebraska Machinery Co. of Doniphan. Nebraska in an Amount
of $55.560.00.
#2005-239 - Approving Bid Award for Construction of Two Bridges for Northbound Lanes on
South Locust Street North of Interstate 80 with Diamond Engineering Company. Inc. of Grand
Island. Nebraska in an Amount of$l.1 79.155.59 and to Rescind Resolution #2005-226.
#2005-240 - Approving Program Agreement with Nebraska Department of Roads for Widening
of Capital Avenue from Moores Creek Drain to Webb Road.
#2005-241 - Approving Agreement for Construction Engineering Services for Two Bridges on
South Locust Street North of Interstate 80 with TranSystems Corporation of Omaha. Nebraska
for an Amount not to exceed $152.701.62.
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Page 4, City Council Regular Meeting, August 23,2005
#2005-230 - Apt>roving Settlement Agreement with Karl & Kathy Siemon in an Amount of
$1.000 and for Installation of Sanitary Sewer Backup Device
#2005-242 - Approving Interlocal Agreement with Hall County Relative to Bookmobile.
#2005-237 - Approving Consultant Agreement for Homeless Study with Center for Rural
Research and Development of Kearney. Nebraska in an Amount not to exceed $49.300.00.
Councilmember Pielstick questioned the billing process for the homeless study. Marsha Kashlon,
Community Development Administrator explained the process and introduced Kay Payne
representing the Center for Rural Research and Development who stated they would bill the city
each month for services completed.
Motion was made by Pielstick, second by Hornady to approve Resolution #2005-237. Upon roll
call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
REQUESTS AND REFERRALS:
Consideration of Request from Mark Galvan of 584 East 20th Street Regarding Managing Girls
Softball League. Mark Galvan, 584 East 20th Street requested a change to the management of the
Girls Softball League. Mr. Galvan encouraged the association with the Nebraska Softball
Association.
Councilmember Pielstick commented that this was a private entity and council could not vote on
this. Discussion was held regarding Kearney's leagues and the Nebraska Softball Association.
Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director explained the background of the girls softball
program. Councilmember Whitesides encouraged Mr. Galvan to form an organization and then
come back to council for use of the softball fields.
Vern Engel, 528 Wyandotte Street, President of the Girls Softball Association answer questions
concerning their association and the processes that had taken place this season. Mike Galvan,
575 East Capital Avenue spoke concerning several issues that had happened during the softball
season and spoke in support of the changes recommended by Mark Galvan. Kevin Woodward,
2407 Cottonwood Road commented on liability issues and encouraged the council with the
recommended changes.
Gary Greer, City Administrator explained his experiences in Kearney, NE and Manhattan, KS
under his management and how their fields functioned. Mr. Greer stated the city's responsibility
was to maintain the fields. He recommended the City schedule the fields allowing for more than
one association to use the fields and suggested council take this under advisement.
Consideration of Request from Connie VanWie. 10 Kuester Lake Road Regarding Pool
Facilities. Connie VanWie, 10 Kuester Lake Road requested the City look at construction of a
competitive pool facility. Ms. Van Wie commented on the needs of the community. A lengthy
discussion was held by council regarding costs and budgets.
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Page 5, City Council Regular Meeting, August 23, 2005
Tricia Beem, 1419 Hage and Todd Paulsen, St. Paul, NE spoke in support of a therapeutic pool
facility. Irene Abernethy, 707 South Blaine Street and Thor Larson, 2310 West Louise spoke in
support of a competitive pool facility.
The City Council encouraged joint efforts and private donations to start the efforts of a facility
like this. Current commitments and budgets would not allow the council to approve this request
at this time.
RESOLUTIONS:
#2005-243 - Consideration of Approving 1 % Increase to the Lid Limit. David Springer, Finance
Director reported that in 1998 the Nebraska State Legislature passed LB 989 which put a cap on
the amount of restricted revenues a political subdivision could budget for. The restricted
revenues that the City of Grand Island included in the budget were Property Taxes, Local Option
Sales Tax, Motor Vehicle Tax and State Aid. Of those restricted revenues, property tax was the
only revenue that the City could control. The increase in restricted funds authority using the 1 %
additional amount and the population growth (when available) was not an increase in budgeted
revenues. It only provided the ability to increase restricted revenues, particularly property tax, in
a future year if necessary.
Motion was made by Whitesides, second by Hornady to approve Resolution #2005-243. Upon
roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS:
Motion by Cornelius, second by Hornady to approve the Claims for the period of August 10,
2005 through August 23, 2005, for a total amount of $3,447,356.07. Motion adopted
unanimously. Councilmember Pielstick abstained from voting on claims #105832 and #106391.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Hornady, second by Walker to adjourn to
Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: Motion by Pielstick, second by Meyer, to return to
Regular Session at 9:30 p.m. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Rof\~ UL~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk