08/05/2025 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (PARKS AND
RECREATION PROJECT FINANCING)
August 5, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget) 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 July 29, 2025. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 23, 2025. Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. The following
City Council members were present: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and
Doug Lanfear. The following City Officials were present Deputy City Clerk Sonya Cisneros,
Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown, City Attorney Kari Fisk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
5.a) Parks and Recreation Project Financing
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Patrick Brown CFO/Assistant City Administrator/Treasurer spoke on the following
Project summaries & estimated costs:
1. Island Oasis Water Park Improvements
• Basic Repair/Replacement Package: $3,000,000
• Enhanced& Significant Improvement Package: $15,000,000
2. Veterans sports complex refinancing — combined with Ryder park improvements/Stolley
park train area improvement outstanding balance: $1,400,000
3. Ryder Park Baseball Field Improvements
• Private Donations
• Total Project Cost: $4,000,000
4. Stolley Park Train Area Improvements
• Private Donations
5. South Locust Trail to Camp Augustine
• Total Project Cost: $6,000,000
Mr. Brown further reported on Financial Analysis:
• Island Oasis Water Park:
basic package could be financed through existing capital reserves, limited debt
issuance, or a combination of both.
• Ryder Park Baseball Field:
The rebidded project was scaled down with a cost of$4,000,000.
• Stolley Park Train Area:
Strong private fundraising reduces the City's financing burden.
Page 2 of 2,City Council Study Session,August 5,2025
• South Locust Trail:
111 This project may qualify for federal or state grant programs
Mr. Brown reported on financing options:
1. Pay-As-You-Go Funding
2. Hybrid Approach
3. Refinancing of Veteran's Complex
4. Funding Examples
Brad Mellema with Grand Island Nebraska Tourism spoke about the trail and how Grand Island
is growing.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Sonya Cisneros
Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF
GRAND ISLAND
City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
August 5, 2025
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
The following City Officials were present, Deputy City Clerk Sonya Cisneros, City, Assistant
City Administrator/CFO Patrick Brown, City Attorney Kari Fisk and Public Works Director
Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present:Jack Sheard,Mark Stelk,Jason Conley,Doug
Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and
Doug Lanfear.
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 Jason Conley to approve CONSENT AGENDA excluding
6.m.Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard,Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,Doug Brown,Ryan O'Neill, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
6.a) Approving Minutes of the July 21, 2025, Central District Health Department Joint
Meeting.
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Minutes
6.b)Approving Minutes of the July 22, 2025 Regular City Council
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Minutes
6.c)Approving Minutes of July 29, 2025 City Council Study Session(Budget)
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Minutes
6.d) Approving Claims for the Period of July 23, 2025 through August 5, 2025 in the
total amount of$4,507,708.50.
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Claims
6.e) Approving Request from Nancy Toruno for Liquor Manager Designation with Y &
N Liquor, 8409 N Broadwell Avenue, Suite 4, Grand Island,Nebraska
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Police Report
6.f) Approving Appointment of Benjamin McCarty and Holly Anderson to the Library
Borad
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6.g) #2025-248 -Approving Temporary Lease for Dedicated Parking Stalls in the Public
Parking Lot at Wheeler Avenue and 1st Street-RW Sorensen Construction
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Parking Lease
Resolution
Exhibit
6.h)#2025-249 -Approving Change Order No. 1 for South Locust Street Improvements-
Fonner Park Road to 2nd Street; Project No. 2021-P-6.
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Change Order No. 1
Resolution
Change Order No. 1 will result in contract increase of$384,975.00 for a total contract amount of
$9,419,197.01.
6.i) #2025-250 -Approving Supplemental Agreement No. 2 with NDOT-Local
Assistance Division for the Grand Island Area Metropolitan Planning Organization(GIAMPO)
for the 2025 Fiscal Year TRANSIT, Section 5305, Transportation Planning Program.
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Supplemental No. 2
Resolution
Supplemental Agreement No. 2 is necessary to transfer the balance of$81,758.39 from FY2024
to the FY2025 amount of$51,927.00, resulting of an increase in federal funding for the entire
agreement to $133,685.39.
6.j) #2025-251 -Approving Flanders Electric Motor Service as Sole Source Provider for
Komline-Sanderson Model 1500 Atomizer Repair.
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Letter
Resolution
6.k) #2025-252 -Approving Kimball Reservoir Roof Replacement
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Resolution
With Martino Commercial Roofing of Omaha, Nebraska in the amount of$81,088.00.
6.1)#2025-253 - Approving Amendment to CDBG #2023-4 with Central District Health
Depai tnient
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CDHD daycare scholarship Amendment#1.doc
Resolution
The amendment#1 would bring the total funding to $25,000.
6.m) #2025-254 - Approving Subrecipient Agreement CDBG #2023-6 with the Central
District Health Department
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Agreement
Resolution
Teresa Anderson and Ashley Hall with the Central District Health Department spoke about child
care remediation and about bringing homes up to code, and to assist them through the process of
getting the loan and improving child care settings in private homes.
Motion by Mitchell Nickerson, second by Chuck Hasse to approve CONSENT AGENDA (6.m).
Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson,Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
6.n) #2025-255 - Approving Bid Award for Ball Field Drainage Improvements Ashley
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Resolution
With Diamond Engineering Co from Grand Island,Nebraska in the amount of$134,367.00.
6.o) #2025-256-Approving Financial Institution Changes Authorization
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Five Point Resolution
Pinnacle Bank Unsigned IBA July2025
Resolution
The new signees will be Patrick Brown (Assistant City Administrator/CFO/Interim Finance
Director/Interim City Treasurer, Alicia Jonak (Assistant Finance Director), Jill Granere (City
Clerk), and Mayor Steele.
7.) PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a) Public Hearing on the 2025 Annual Action Plan for CDBG Activities
#2025-257 -Approving the 2025 Annual Action Plan for CDBG Activities
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Presentation
DRAFT 2025 Annual action Plan
Resolution
Amber Alvidrez stated a large part of the planning process for this Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) model was the creation of the 3, 4 or 5-year Consolidated Plan, and the Annual
Action Plan. The Priorities outlined in the Consolidated Plan were as follows in order of identified
importance: Increase Quality & Affordable Housing Support Economic Opportunities and
Development Support education, outreach and services for low to moderate income persons
Support public facilities and infrastructure.
Annual action plan had an error on the power point for the allocation in the amount of$539,081.00
and it should be $349,000.00.
Motion by Chuck Hasse, second by Jack Sheard to approve 7.a)#2025-257 -Approving the 2025
Annual Action Plan for CDBG Activities. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason
Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike
Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
8.)RESOLUTIONS
8.a) #2025-258 -Approving Bid Award for Ryder Park Baseball Field Improvements -
Rebid
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Resolution
Parks Director Todd reported a group of supporters including representatives from the American
Legion Program and local baseball enthusiasts had been working together to develop a plan to
renovate the facility and raise funds for the project. The project was discussed with City Council
during a study session on March 26, 2023. The planned discussed involved raising private
donations and City funding to complete the project. The original anticipated private funding was
projected at $1,700,000. On May 2, 2025, the Parks and Recreation Department advertised
construction bids to start the project. The lowest bid received exceeded estimates for the project.
On June 20, 2025, the Parks and Recreation Department rebid the field renovation project. The
revised design included a new synthetic turf field, dugouts, lights, batting cages, and stadium
improvements.Additional future private pledges totaling more than$750,000.00 were anticipated
to assist with later phases of improvements. Nemaha Sports Construction, LLC of Lincoln,
Nebraska provided the lowest,responsible bid and was recommended for the project. The project
would include a new artificial turf playing surface, remodeled dugouts, lights, two new batting
cages, grandstand improvement, and other site improvements. Nemaha's base bid and Alternate
#1 bid total $3,745,600.00. To assist with the project, private donations currently held at the
Community Foundation in the amount of$182,662.00 had been pledged for transfer to the City
of Grand Island.
Clint Ruther spoke about the fundraising commitments just short of 1 million.
Motion by Mike Paulick, second by Doug Lanfear to postpone to October 14, 2025 —Postpone
#2025-258 - Approving Bid Award for Ryder Park Baseball Field Improvements - Rebid. Roll
Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck Haase,
Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted..
8.b) #2025-259 -Approving Amendment to Agreement Between City and Nebraska
Game & Parks Department for Mentor Youth Archery Program
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Exhibit A - Mentored Hunt Agreement
Exhibit B - Amendment to 2014 Mentored Hunt Agreement
Resolution
City Administrator Laura McAloon stated the amendment to the agreement with the Nebraska
Game and Parks for use of city well fields by the youth archery program for hunting. Feedback
from the neighboring property owners stated that this disrupted the hunting in the fall on their
land the amendment was to remove the hunting of deer and only allow for turkey hunting in the
spring.
Motion by Jack Sheard, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 8.b) #2025-259 - Approving
Amendment to Agreement Between City and Nebraska Game & Parks Depai lment for Mentor
Youth Archery Program. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown,
Ryan O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug
Lanfear. Motion adopted..
8.c) #2025-260 -Ratifying Procurement for Heartland Event Center Emergency Repairs
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Trane Invoice
Resolution
Assistant City Administrator/CFO Patrick Brown reported due to the contract with the Nebraska
State Fair, the City turns over Heartland Events Center and the City's Fieldhouse for a period of
time during the fair. One of the contract requirements was that the buildings were in good working
condition including the HVAC systems. The chillers in the Heartland Event Center are failing
multiple times per day and it was highly doubtful the system would work during the period State
Fair uses our facility. The City made an emergency procurement to rent a chiller in order to fulfill
our obligation to the State Fair. The chiller would be in place for approximately three months to
cover the other events scheduled at the event center during the very warm months ahead after the
fair. The monthly rental for the temporary chiller after installation is $25,000.
Motion by Chuck Hasse, second by Mike Paulick to approve 8.c) #2025-260 Approving
Ratifying Procurement for Heartland Event Center Emergency Repairs. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack
Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza,
Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
9.) ORDINANCES
9.a #10,027 - Consideration of vacating part of a Road Easement and a Utility Easement
211 Midaro Drive (2nd & Final Reading)
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Ordinance
Public Works Director Kieth Kurz reported the southerly portion of the road easement was no
longer needed as the right of way for Midaro Drive changed after this plat was filed and was moved
further to the west.With Firethorne Estates Third Subdivision the owners are dedicating additional
ingress/egress easement to connect to Midaro Drive at the west end of the property. The utility
easement was needed when this was an active gravel mining operation and was no longer needed
or used.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to suspend the rules 9.a) #10,027 - Ordinance
Consideration of vacating part of a Road Easement and a Utility Easement 211 Midaro Drive(First
Reading Only). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan
O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Brown to approve 9.a) #10,027 - Consideration of
vacating part of a Road Easement and a Utility Easement 211 Midaro Drive(First Reading Only).
Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan O'Neill, Chuck
Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
9.b) #10,028 - Consideration of vacating ingress/egress easement located at 1941 and
1949 Trinity Street(2nd& Final Reading)
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Ordinance
Public Works Director Kieth Kurz reported Mesner Development Company had requested that the
City vacate the 10 foot ingress/egress easement located on 1941 and 1949 Trinity Street. The
easement was dedicated with 5 foot on each side of the lot line and the developer was proposing a
slightly different project that requires lot lines to be moved to accommodate the new buildings.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Mike Paulick to suspend the rules 9.b) #10,028 - Ordinance
Consideration of vacating ingress/egress easement located at 1941 and 1949 Trinity Street(2nd&
Final Reading). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Doug Brown, Ryan
O'Neill, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Mitchell Nickerson, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Jack Sheard to approve 9.b)#10,028 - Consideration of
vacating ingress/egress easement located at 1941 and 1949 Trinity Street(2nd& Final Reading).
Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase and Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie Mendoza, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear.
Motion adopted.
9.c) #10,029 - Consideration to Amend Various Provisions of the City of Grand's Good
Life District Economic Development Program as Codified in Grand Island City Code as
Chapter 38, Article II. To Authorize any Other Actions Necessary to Implement the Program,
and to Provide for Publication and an Effective Date of this Ordinance. (2nd &Final Reading)
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Ordinance
City Attorney Kari Fisk reported the City of Grand Island had adopted a Good Life District
Economic Development Program and had codified the same in Chapter 38, Article II of Grand
Island City Code. The Program was adopted after voter approval granted as the result of an
August 13,2024, special election. The 2025 Nebraska Legislature passed legislation identified as
LB707 which modified certain portions of the Good Life District Transformational Projects Act
and the Good Life District Economic Development Act. As a result of this legislative action, the
City must amend the Program Ordinance to reflect the changes required by LB707 and other
administrative modifications needed to administer the Program. On June 10th,2025, Council was
briefed on the contents of LB707 and its implications on the Grand Island Good Life District
Program Ordinance. This Ordinance would serve to codify the changes necessary to ensure that
our Program was consistent with State Law and can be administered effectively. Many of the
changes contained within this Ordinance reflect additional definitions and housekeeping changes
made necessary by LB707.
Drew Snyder spoke and provided an update stating that there would be an updated application
after approval and that they are fully engaged and in favor of the project.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Mark Stelk to suspend the rules 9.c)#10,029 - Consideration
to Amend Various Provisions of the City of Grand's Good Life District Economic Development
Program as Codified in Grand Island City Code as Chapter 38,Article II. To Authorize any Other
Actions Necessary to Implement the Program, and to Provide for Publication and an Effective
Date of this Ordinance (First Reading Only). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason
Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase and Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie
Mendoza, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Motion by Doug Brown, second by Ryan O'Neill to approve 9.c) #10,029 - Consideration to
Amend Various Provisions of the City of Grand's Good Life District Economic Development
Program as Codified in Grand Island City Code as Chapter 38,Article II. To Authorize any Other
Actions Necessary to Implement the Program, and to Provide for Publication and an Effective
Date of this Ordinance (First Reading Only). Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason
Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase and Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie
Mendoza, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
9.d)#10,030 - Consideration to Amend Chapter 1 of City Code Pertaining to Disposal of
Abandoned or Found Property
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Ordinance
City Attorney Kari Fisk reported the current practice for the City was to hold onto found or
abandoned property for six months at City Impound. After that time has run, the City either sells
or disposes of property that cannot be sold. The length of time is creating a backlog of property
and severely limiting the amount of available storage space. City Legal had determined that
holding the property for sixty days was compliant with State law. To reduce the amount of
property in storage, the Police Department was asking that this Ordinance be adopted allowing
them to dispose of the property after sixty days instead of six months.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill, second by Doug Lanfear to suspend the rules 9.d) #10,030
Consideration to Amend Chapter 1 of City Code Pertaining to Disposal of Abandoned or Found
Property. Roll Call: Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug
Brown, Chuck Haase and Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie Mendoza, Mike Paulick and Doug
Lanfear. Motion adopted.
Motion by Ryan O'Neill,second by Jack Sheard to approve 9.d)#10,030 Consideration to Amend
Chapter 1 of City Code Pertaining to Disposal of Abandoned or Found Property.). Roll Call:
Ayes: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase
and Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie Mendoza, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Motion adopted.
12).ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51p.m.
Deputy C. Cler
Sonya Ci eros