07/14/2026 Minutes CITY OF
GRAND`" ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
July 14, 2026
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
The following City Officials were present, City Administrator Patrick Brown, Deputy City Clerk
Sonya Cisneros, City Attorney Kari Fisk and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, and Doug Lanfear.
Absent: Mike Paulick and Jack Sheard.
4. SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve CONSENT AGENDA excluding
6.h and 6.p. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill and Doug Lanfear Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike
Paulick. Motion adopted.
6.a). Approving Minutes of the June 23, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting
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Minutes
6.b). Approving Minutes of the June 30, 2026 City Council Study Session(Budget)
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Minutes
6.c). Approving Minutes of the July 7, 2026 City Council Study Session (Budget)
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Minutes
6.d Approving Payment of Claims for the Period of June 24, 2026 through July 14, 2026
in the total amount of$15,136,509.90
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Page 2 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
Claims
6.ei). Approving Appointments of Jerry Janulewicz and Tonja Brown to the Civil Service
Commission
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6.f). #2026-178 -Approving Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Olsson, Inc.for
US 281 Intersections in Grand Island
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PE Agreement
Resolution
With Olsson, Inc to enter into a Professional Service Agreement to provide Environmental
Services for the Federal-aid project.
6.g). #2026-179 -Approving Environmental Services Agreement with Olsson, Inc. for
US 281 Intersections in Grand Island
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NEPA Agreement
Resolution
With Olsson, Inc to enter into a Service Agreement to provide Environmental Services for the
Federal-aid project.
6.h). #2026-180 - Approving Final Plat for Trinity Heights 4th Subdivision
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Aerial Map
Final Plat
Application
Trinity Heights Fourth Subdivision
Resolution
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported Cliff Mesner was ready to move
forward with the next phase and they are going back to the original 29 lots.
Cliff Mesner reported they are all duplex's with townhomes for sale. Detached single homes and
part of them with basements. The homes are filled and have a waiting list of about 80 people.
Motion by Mitchell Nickerson, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 6.h) #2026-180 -Approving
Final Plat for Trinity Heights 4th Subdivision. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill. Noes: Doug
Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
6.i). #2026-181 -Approving Final Plat for Norwood 4th Subdivision
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Aerial Map
Plat
Page 3 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
Application
Norwood Fourth Subdivision
Resolution
6.j). #2026-182 -Approving Final Plat for Coco Beach One Subdivision - Grand Island
ETJ
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Aerial Map
Plat
Application
Coco Beach One Subdivision
Resolution
6.k). #2026-183 - Approving Final Plat for Garden Place 3rd Subdivision- Grand Island
ETJ
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Aerial Map
Plat
Application
Garden Place Third Subdivision
Resolution
6.1). #2026-184 -Approving 2026 - 2027 VOCA Grant Award
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VOCA Grant Award
Application
Certified Assurances
Resolution
In an amount of $74,000.00 in grant funding
6.m). #2026-185 -Approving Membership as a Transmission User in the Southwest
Power Pool
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Agreement
Resolution
6.n). #2026-186 -Approving Event Cooperation Agreement with the Municipal Energy
Agency of Nebraska
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111 Agreement
Resolution
6.o). #2026-187 - Approving Bid to Replace Air Conditioning Unit at Fire Station#1
Page 4 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
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Jerry's Sheet Metal Bid
Bid summary
Resolution
With Jerry Sheet Metal in the amount of$183,00.
6.p) #2026-188 -Approving Change Order No. 2 for Ryder Park Legion Baseball Field
Improvements
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Change Order No. 2
Resolution
Parks Director Todd McCoy reported that there is a current contract with Nemaha Sports
Construction with Lincoln, Ne to renovate Ryder Park baseball field. Todd McCoy presented a
change order to finalize the project in the amount of$82,455.00. Currently it is $3,746,120.35
the total amount of increase of the contract to $3,823,575.35.
Motion by Mitch Nickerson, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 6.p) #2026-188 Approving
Change Order No. 2 for Ryder Park Legion Baseball Field Improvements. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark
Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan
O'Neill and Doug Lanfear Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
7). PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a) Public Hearing on Request from Kevin & Kimberlynn Petersen for a Conditional
Use Permit located at 2070 Engleman Rd S to run an educational non-profit as a private club
(Private Zoo).
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Timeline for Buildings
Resolution
#2026-189 -Approving Request from Kevin & Kimberlynn Petersen for a Conditional
Use Permit located at 2070 Engleman Rd S to run an educational non-profit as a private
club (Private Zoo).
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported that they would like to continue the
public hearing to July 28, 2026.
Kevin Peterson asked for a continuance on the public hearing to July 28, 2026.
Motion by Chuck Haase, second by Ryan O'Neill to postpone to July 28, 2026 7.a) Public
Hearing on Request from Kevin& Kimberlynn Petersen for a Conditional Use Permit located at
Page 5 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
2070 Engleman Rd S to run an educational non-profit as a private club (Private Zoo). #2026-189
-Approving Request from Kevin & Kimberlynn Petersen for a Conditional Use Permit located at
2070 Engleman Rd S to run an educational non-profit as a private club (Private Zoo).. Roll Call:
Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie
Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
7.b) Public Hearing on the One & Six Year Street Improvement Plan
#2026-190 -Approving One & Six Year Street Improvement Plan
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FY27 Capital Projects PowerPoint
Resolution
Exhibit A
Public Works Director Keith Kurz reported the One & Six Year Plan for fiscal year 2027 are
considered definite projects, and are in the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Many of the
projects listed in the One & Six Year Plan for 2028 through 2032 are included in the City's
budget, but are subject to schedule changes depending upon coordination and approval of State
and Federal funding.
Proposed Capital Projects for 2026/2027
• Annual Curb Ramp Project
• Broadwell /UPRR Grade Separation
• Locust St: 2nd St to Fonner Park Rd
• State Street Median Improvements
• Stolley Park Rd: Locust St to Stuhr Rd
• 13th St Median Improvements
• BNSF Crossing Rail Study
• US Hwy 281 Intersection Improvements— State St, 13th St, Faidley Ave, OPH, 30 WB
Ramp, Stolley Park Rd
• Webb Rd/ 13th St Traffic Signal
• Sycamore St: 10th St to Capital Ave
• Faidley Median Improvements
• State St: Custer Ave to Broadwell Ave
• Highway 281 Resurfacing
• East Bypass Engineering Study (NDOT)
• Bond Payment
• N 80 Wetland Delineation
• Sidewalk Cost Share Program
Page 6 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
• Stormwater Modeling
• PVIP Drainage District No. 2020-1
• Street/Fleet Facility
• Capital Outfall Large Culvert Replacements
• W Connector to Legacy 34 Trail Corridor Study
• Moores Creek Drain Extension
• S Locust Trail
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Chuck Haase to approve 7.b) Public Hearing on the One &
Six Year Street Improvement Plan#2026-190 -Approving One & Six Year Street Improvement
Plan Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick.
Motion adopted.
Councilmember Nickerson spoke on Sycamore, 10th to Capital and if it was going to be asphalt
or concrete.
Discussion was held on the three different options concrete, asphalt surface and the third would
replace the subgrade in the parking lane with asphalt vs concrete.
Discussion was held on mill and fill asphalt every 10 years, but concrete will last longer and
would be rougher as time goes on. The cost is about the same.
Discussion was held on the State Street to Custer Ave to Broadwell that the last big rains was
very flooded and wondering if it was gutter drain problems.
Discussion was held on a flashing count down to know when to go.
Councilmember Haase spoke on the south locust trail and the stormwater modeling on 3000 blk
on Orlens and how it fill and goes over the curb.
Councilmember O'Neill spoke on Camp Augustine
Councilmember Stelk spoke about the North bypass and South Webb Road.
8.)RESOLUTIONS
8.a). #2026-191 - Approving FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for Railside Business
Improvement District and Setting Date for Board of Equalization
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Railside Bid Budget
Resolution
Finance Director Chelse Steinke reported the Railside BID that occurred in 2018 created the
Railside BID as a perpetual entity. In this district, assessments were paid by property owners
based on the County assessor's valuation of the property. Owners would be billed for the
assessment after approval by City Council sitting as the Board of Equalization of September 8,
2026. The budgeted assessments of $156,022.53 would be charged to property owners in the
Page 7 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
district based on their valuations.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to approve 8.a) #2026-191 -Approving
FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for Railside Business Improvement District and Setting Date for
Board of Equalization. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase,
Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick Abstain:
Mitchell Nickerson. Motion adopted.
8.b). #2026-192 - Approving FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for South Locust Business
Improvement District and Setting Date for Board of Equalization
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2026-2027 Approved Budget
Resolution
Finance Director Chelse Steinke reported On February 14, 2017, the City Council adopted
Ordinance #9623 creating the South Locust Business Improvement District (BID). The creating
Ordinance requires that a proposed budget for the District be approved by the BID Board and
forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Assessments are paid by property owners based
on the front footage of the property. Owners are billed for the assessment after approval by City
Council sitting as the Board of Equalization on September 8, 2026. Notices will be published in
the Grand Island Independent on July 30, August 6, and August 13 2026. Copies of the notice
will also be mailed to property owners after the first publication via the method required by State
law. The BID pays the City a fee of$1,800 for accounting services.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve 8.b) #2026-192 - Approving
FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for South Locust Business Improvement District and Setting Date
for Board of Equalization. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown,Chuck Haase,Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill,Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard,Mike
Paulick. Motion adopted.
8.c).#2026-193 -Approving FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for 4th Street Business
Improvement District and Setting Date for Board of Equalization
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Budget Worksheet
Resolution
Finance Director Chelse Steinke reported On September 12,2023 the City Council adopted
Ordinance#9941 creating the 4th Street Business Improvement District(BID)The created
Ordinance requires that a proposed budget for the District be approved by the BID Board and
forwarded to the City Council for consideration. The 2025-2026 budget provides for a total
special assessment of$40,000. assessments are paid by property owners based on the County
assessor's valuation of the property. Owners will be billed for the assessment after approval by
City Council sitting as the Board of Equalization on September 08, 2026.Notices will be
Page 8 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
published in the Grand Island Independent on July 30, August 6, and August 13 2026. Copies of
the notice will also be mailed to property owners after the first publication via the method
required by State law. The BID pays the City a fee of$2,200 for accounting services.
Councilmember Nickerson discussed improvements happening.
Rashad Moxey discussed the possibility of having banners about the district
Discussed was also a property that is available on 4th street to develop for a community space.
Discussed was the success of the 4th street BID.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve 8.c) #2026-193 - Approving
FY2026-2027 Annual Budget for 4th Street Business Improvement District and Setting Date for
Board of Equalization. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard,
Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
9.) OTHER ITEMS
9.a). Presentation by Kent Seacrest on behalf of Woodsonia Real Estate, Inc of
Woodsonia's response and feedback to the Good Life District Agreement as authorized by
Resolution 2026-177.
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Good Life District Agreement Authorized by Resolution 2026 177
Kent Seacrest Attorney stated he presented an updated draft of redevelopment agreement and
submitted that on June 29, 2026, three different timelines had been submitted and fiscal
timeline had been submitted to city staff and resolution had been reviewed that the city passed
and Mayor had signed but didn't feel it was complete and had not accepted it.
Discussion stated he submitted detailed redline on the resolution and redline on the good life
district.
Mayor Roger Steele stated he didn't want to put Kent and his client in a position since they
hadn't met and didn't have a chance to meet until late in the afternoon.
Mayor Roger Steele clarified that Woodsonia asked to work directly with city council and Mayor
Roger Steele clarified that he never meant that they could not speak with Mike Rogers or Kari
Fisk.
Kari Fisk Attorney noted on the agenda is only the Resolution and discussion on other items
could not be done due to open meetings act.
Councilmember Mitch Nickerson discussed meeting timelines to make sure that they are clear.
Kent Seacrest proposed that we return in a month to speak on this item or a special meeting.
Fisk reported to Council every contract has some degree of financial, legal or political risk. In
the end, it is Legal Department's job to identify the risks of a contract and inform Council. Risks
can run the spectrum as low as the city may not cut the check in time, up to items in the contract
Page 9 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
that are factually impossible or a violation of law and would make a contract legally void. Also,
items in a contract which could possibly put the city's credit at risk.
9.b). Potential Action related to Reauthorization, Amendment, or Rescission of
Resolution 2026-177 in response to Presentation made by Woodsonia prior to this item.
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Resolution 2026-177
Gerald Poets spoke about the negotiation process.
Jay Vavricek spoke on negotiation agreements.
Motion by Mitchell Nickerson, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 9.b) to amend Resolution
2026-177 to temporarily rescind the Mayor's authority to execute the Good Life District
Agreement authorized by said resolution until such time as further amendments to the Good Life
District Agreement can be made and authorized by Council.. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason
Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug
Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
9.c). Closed Session to Receive Update on Pending Litigation and to Authorize the
Execution of a Proposed Settlement of a Regulatory Matter.
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Motion by Doug Lanfear, second by Doug Brown to approve 9.c) Closed Session to Receive
Update on Pending Litigation and to Authorize the Execution of a Proposed Settlement of a
Regulatory Matter. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase,Maggie Mendoza,Ryan O'Neill,Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard,Mike Paulick.
Motion adopted
Adjourn to executive session at 9:45 p.m.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill,second by Doug Brown to approve 9.c)Closed Session to Receive Update
on Pending Litigation and to Authorize the Execution of a Proposed Settlement of a Regulatory
Matter. Roll Call: Ayes: Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick.
Motion adopted.
Returned to regular session at p.m. 10:05pm
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve to make a motion to authorize the
Execution of Proposed Settlement Documents by Designated City Official(s).Roll Call: Ayes:
Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Ryan O'Neill, Doug Lanfear. Absent: Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick. Motion adopted.
Page 10 of 7,City Council Regular Meeting July 14,2026
10.) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
6 ,
Depif ity Clerk
Sonya Cisneros