1997 Minutes (2)
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 6, 1997
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island was conducted in the Community Meeting Room of City Hall on January 6, 1997. Notice
of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January 1, 1997.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, CouncilmembersHosier, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Samuelson, Sorensen, Pielstick,
Murray, and Seifert. Mehring and Lueth were absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Dale Iman, City Clerk Cindy Cartwright, and City Attorney Charlie
Cuypers.
Discussion on Memorandum of Agreement with Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
and Building Department. Craig Lewis, Building Inspections Director, reported that a proposed
agreement had been drafted which would relax the responsibility placed on the owners and
installers of septic tanks to deal with the State of Nebraska and the City's Building Department,
and allow the City to implement the administration and management of a program governing the
design, operation, and maintenance of septic tank systems. Councilmember Seifert questioned
whether the relaxed responsibility would be only for new tanks or also for replacement tanks.
Councilmember Murray spoke in support of reducing the requirements of the owners.
Discussion on Amendments to City Code Relative to Animal Code Enforcement. Charlie
Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that the Animal Advisory Board had been working for several
months to update Chapter 5 of the City Code relative to commercial animal establishments,
confine of dogs, and responsibility for enforcing the animal code. Councilmember Whitesides
questioned whether the Humane Society would be asked to do additional tasks without an
increase in fees. Mr. Cuypers replied that no tasks would be added to that which was already
being done but that the Code would reflect the current operations. City Administrator Dale
Iman reported that the City was working with the Humane Society to help reduce the over time.
Councilmember Seifert voiced concern with overloading the Police Department.
Discussion on Receipt of Burlington Northern Abandoned Beltline from Grand Island
Foundations. John Brownell, chairman of the Hike and Bike Trail Committee, informed the
City Council that the local Grand Island Foundations had pledged funds for the purchase of the
abandoned Burlington Northern Beltline. Mr. Brownell stated that the Foundations would deed
the land to the City with the stipulation that the land be used for recreational purposes, and
asked that the City accept the land as a donation. Mr. Brownell stated that the land could be
developed as a hike and bike trail at a time when funds were available and the community and
the Council were interested in doing so. Councilmember Sorensen voiced concerns with the
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, January 6, 1997
crossings at main intersections. Glendale Reiss, 910 North Boggs, Deb Weidner, 2535 West
Phoenix, Carol Jorgensen, Elaine Hiebler, 2530 West LaMar, John Sturgill, 2403 West Phoenix,
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves, John Tagel, 2706 West LaMar, Larry Hoes, 2509 West Phoenix,
Mark Standage, 2417 West Phoenix, Francis Sindelar, 2448 West LaMar, Joe O'Neill, 1732
North Huston, Rogene Hoes, 2509 West Phoenix, and Pat Reed, 2527 West Phoenix, spoke
against the hike and bike trail along the abandoned belt line. Marge Woodman, 2511 Park
Drive, Bill Berens, 1715 West John Street, Tom Sealock, 301 Pheasant Lake, Jackie Bernet,
1740 South Blaine Street, Katie Humphrey, 3123 West 17th Street, Buzz Douthit, 1608 Ando
Street, Leon Cederlind, 4706 Gunbarrel Place, Troy Hughes, 4251 Nevada, Jill Liske, 307 East
16th Street, and Gary Stearley, 2428 North Taylor Street, spoke in support of the hike and bike
trail. City Administrator Dale Iman noted that the Council's top priority was youth development
and programs, and that the Mayor's Task Force on Youth had identified free alternative
activities as a goal. Mr. Iman added that a survey conducted in conjunction with the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan had indicated 73 % of the respondents would support increased and
improved bicycle paths, and that the City would maintain the property in accordance with the
City's standards. It was noted that ISTEA funds could be used for development. Charlie
Cuypers, City Attorney, reported that initial review of the deeds at the Register of Deeds
indicated that the railroad acquired the property in 1890 and that title research in 1987 uncovered
no adverse claims. Mayor Gnadt stated that the issue would be before the City Council at the
meeting of January 13, 1997.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~1 Ku~~
Cmdy K. Ca~twnght
City Clerk
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 13, 1997
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall on January 13, 1997. Notice
of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January 8, 1997.
Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Mehring, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides,
Lueth, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Dale Iman, City Clerk Cindy Cartwright, Finance Director Chuck Haase, City
Attorney Charlie Cuypers, and Public Works Director Wayne Bennett.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said, followed by INVOCATION given by Father Tom Ryan.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Sorensen, second by Murray, carried unanimously to
approve the Minutes of the December 16, 1996 City Council Special Study Session, the Minutes
of the December 16, 1996 City Council Regular Meeting, the Minutes of the December 30, 1996
Special City Council Meeting and the Minutes of the January 6, 1997 City Council Study
Session. Councilmembers Lueth and Mehring abstained from voting on the minutes of the
December 30, 1996 Special City Council Meeting and the Minutes of the January 6, 1997 City
Council Study Session.
SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves,
requested that microphones be utilized at the Study Sessions.
RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS: 23 individuals reserved time to speak on
agenda items.
PRESENTATION: Bob Kuzelka and Roger Andrew of the Groundwater Guardian program,
presented the City with a plaque commemorating Grand Island's designation as a Groundwater
Guardian Community. Amy Killiam also spoke.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: Motion by Lueth, second by Preisendorf, carried unanimously
to adjourn to the Board of Equalization.
#97-BE-1 - Street Improvement District #1199. Illinois Avenue. Wayne Bennett, Public Works
Director, reported that in its capacity as the Board of Equalization, it was necessary for the City
Council to consider the determination of benefits associated with Street Improvement District
#1199, Illinois Avenue. Motion by Sorensen, second by Samuelson, carried unanimously to
approve.