02/02/2010 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
February 2, 2010
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
February 2, 2010. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January
27, 2010.
Mayor Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmember's were
present: Gericke, Nickerson, Zapata, Ramsey, Dugan, Carney, Gilbert, Niemann, and Meyer.
Councilmember Haase was absent. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, Public
Works Director Steve Riehle, and Finance Director Mary Lou Brown.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Hornady introduced CYC members Audie Aguilar,
Alisia Rivera, Danielle Jim, Andres Gamboa, and Miranda Baxter.
Presentation of Statements of Interest for City Owned Property Located at 2204 Bellwood Drive
Know as the Racquet Center. City Administrator Jeff Pederson reported that at the January 19,
2010 Study Session, City Council discussed future options for the Racquet Center building. It
was decided to bring this item back to council to allow individuals to state an interest in the use
of the facility. Request for Proposals would then be issued to those interested parties.
Matt Westfall, 2003 West Division Street, President of the Grand Island Tennis Association
presented interest for a tennis facility.
Mark Galvan, 584 East 20th Street representing the Central Nebraska Girls Softball Association
presented interest for the west half of facility for basebalUsoftball and east side for tennis.
Presentation Concerning College Street Closing. Dr. Steve Joel, Superintendent of Schools
reported that the Grand Island School Board had developed a Plan for site improvements around
Grand Island Senior High (GISH). Proposed was to close College Street between Custer Street
and Lafayette Avenues. Mr. Joel commented on the growth of GISH. Safety and expansion of
the school was mentioned for the need to close College Street. Mr. Joel stated to his knowledge
GISH was the only school in the State of Nebraska where a street divided the campus.
Mr. Joel stated the school wanted to work with the City by doing a study of closing College
Street from Custer Street to Lafayette Avenue for two months during the school year and then
opening the street before school closes to see where traffic flow issues were.
Bonnie Hinkle, 1603 Spruce Road, School Board Member spoke in support of closing College
Street.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, February 2, 2010
A PowerPoint presentation was given by Terry Brown, 503 Fleetwood Circle and representative
of Olsson & Associates outlining the College Street Closing Plan. Maps of the area showing the
closing of College Street, roundabouts, pick up and drop off points were presented.
Andres Gamboa, 4019 Boston Circle representing the Community Youth Council spoke in
opposition of closing College Street. Safety issues were mentioned along with alternatives to
closing the street permanently such as gates, walkway built over College Street, tunnel, or traffic
lights.
The following people spoke:
• Douglas Lamfear, 2128 North Custer wanted more information from the school
concerning the closing
• Jim O'Neill, 2426 North Custer commented on open campus
• Leo Tylkowski, 1916 North Sheridan commented on the traffic study, safety issues, and
traffic flow problems
Steve Riehle, Public Works Director commented on the traffic study. This issue along with
traffic safety had been looked at since 1978. Mr. Riehle commented on gates and the importance
of the study and the impact on surrounding streets. Traffic studies were recommended for at least
five weeks.
Discussion was held regarding the increased parking area, approximately 50 additional stalls.
Mr. Riehle answered questions concerning the closing of Division Street in front of St. Mary's
Cathedral and traffic studies.
Diverting traffic to Capital Avenue was discussed with concerns of safety and road conditions.
Emergency personnel using College Street were mentioned. Comments were made concerning
parking problems around GISH. Additional traffic flow at the intersections of State Street, Custer
Street, and Lafayette Avenue were mentioned as a concern.
Mr. Joel commented that the only place to expand GISH would be to the south of the current
building across College Street.
Increased traffic on Capital Avenue due to the new softball complex at Eagle Scout Lake was
mentioned along with the intersection at Capital Avenue and Broadwell Avenue. Fire Chief Troy
Hughes commented that closing College Street would not be a problem for the Fire Department
as they unusually use State Street.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk