10/18/2005 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 18, 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
October 18,2005. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on October
12, 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,
Homady, Walker, and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Doug
Walker, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Councilmember Jackie Pielstick followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
Presentation by the Hall County Supervisors Regarding Jail Election. Hall County Supervisor
Chair Pam Lancaster stated that counties are required by state statutes to provide for the
incarceration of their criminals. A PowerPoint presentation was given with the help of Dave
Arnold, Correction's Director to review the current conditions of the jail. The current facility was
built in 1904 with additions in 1948 and 1978 and does not meet the Nebraska Jail Standards but
has been allowed to operate since 1980 because of a Grandfather clause.
Introduced was Correction Officer Corporal Jimmy Vann who spoke concerning the dangerous
working conditions at the current jail.
Martin Berglund with the DLR Group of Omaha, Nebraska presented the proposed site layout of
the new jail to be located on East Highway 30. Councilmember Meyer asked whether the facility
would be able to expand vertically. Mr. Berglund stated that it would not. Reviewed was the
proposed floor plan. Discussion was held regarding the separation of male and female inmates
and the difference between minimum and maximum security.
Hall County Supervisor Bud Jeffries explained the possibility of expansion and the work release
program. The goal was to get more prisoners on work release. Mentioned was this facility would
be a very basic steel and cement structure. County Supervisor Scott Arnold mentioned the safety
and management issues of a new facility. The current Public Safety Center would be converted
to a Court House Annex and the current jail would be tom down. Discussed was the possibility
of the Jail Standards or the Judges closing the current facility due to safety issues. Mr. Arnold
explained the process of booking an inmate and the logistics of the current facility which were
inadequate.
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, October 18,2005
County Supervisor Jim Eriksen stated this proposal was the only alternative there was. The jail
committee worked hard at coming up with the best option available. This facility was projected
to meet the needs for the next 20 to 25 years.
If the jail bond should pass the timeline would be 2 to 2'li years before it could be occupied.
Dan Smith representing Kirkpatrick Pettis explained the cost of the facility. Mr. Smith stated the
projected cost was estimated at $22,225,000 with financing of a 30-year bond. Based on a
$100,000 of property valuation the cost per year would be $39.50.
Councilmember's Meyer and Pielstick spoke in support of the jail bond. Discussion was held
with regards to educating the public, jail tours, and advertisement for the bond election.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk