08/11/2026 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
August 11, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
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
August 11, 2026. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on August 5,
2026. Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The following City Council
members were present: Jack Sheard, Jason Conley,Mitch Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase,
Ryan O'Neill, Mark Stelk, Mike Paulick. Doug Lanfear and Maggie Mendoza was absent. The
following City Officials were present: Deputy City Clerk Sonya Cisneros, City Administrator
Patrick Brown, City Attorney Kari Fisk.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
5.a) Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation Presentation
Cover Page
EDC- LB840 Certifications
Agreement
Presentation
Mary Berlie spoke on LB840 funds and active projects that have not been completed but are on
the radar. Vermeer High Plains was awarded $525,000 to expand public infrastructure. The
YWCA continues their $6.4 million fund-raising project for a much larger childcare facility.
LB840 helped contribute to the early learning center and after school program with $5,000.
Dramco Tool to add 10 FTE by 2029 an increase in employment to 68% in our city. Grand Island
Business Blueprint designated $105,000 to conduct 6-week workshops for the trades industry.
Grand Island Expo Livestock shows just designated through LB840 $600, 000 to Gi Expo. CNH
LB840 $388,000 to increase the FTE by 45 this would make the new base to 750 full-time
equivalents in Grand Island. Invested $9,824,675 and the jobs created 1,204. Presented was the
program Administrative Expenses total for 2026 budget were $405,000 and for 2027 were
$411,339. The Grand Island 2025-2035 housing study & workforce housing summit—April 2026
was $5,000.
Councilmember Sheard discussed number of jobs and projects that came from this program,
Dramco Tool and how many times they have applied.
Councilmember Nickerson discussed the total request for this budget in the amount of$411,339.
Councilmember O'Neil spoke about all the programs put to good use.
5.b) Heartland Shooting Park/Hornady Presentation
Cover Page
Presentation
Tom Busch and Neil Davis spoke on storage buildings updates and 50 completed and under
budget with a cost of$390,000 a savings of$150,000.
The 2027 Capital Improvement projects
• Trap & Skeet Field upgrades
• Shower House Facility
• Camper Pad Expansion
Project Purposes
• Improve Public Safety
• Increase Park Usage
• Enhance Visitor Experience
• Support Long Term Growth
Councilmember Brown discussed the sewer system.
Councilmember Nickerson spoke about the plan and all the good things about the park and asked
about how full the camper area gets, and about the prices of the area. Discussion about the shower
house and how important it is.
Councilmember Hasse aske about$150,000 that will not be used and additional funding needed.
Thetneeting was ad'ourned at 6:52PM
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