[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609416,"mediaKeyId","2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83","parentId",2924148,"title","Council adopts routine hearings and consent items including two liquor licenses and a right-of-way acquisition","audioSeconds",223,"startMs",461000,"endMs",684000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83&start=461&end=684","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83/thumbnail_461000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609416/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Council-adopts-routine-hearings-and-consent-items-including-two-liquor-licenses-and-a-right-of-way-acquisition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609416-137013938d81fa6cb3e620bed02b02f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161553&Signature=BxuPGzERQUaaPEDimD~WeK9UE8so28lp9GhbX6JYcHixZukhpXEC0FOTYnBt55Pqt0P3SP7I3-PfvN2Gey5R30fgqeN26HpaS8Vkbn5kn7xHEiUIVme9~JPMyeCs4dbipLOeyh7sWttZ7INh73wVo6LwcLuQB0T8w57jE8er27-Dz9lg3PsgBC8i5sl2B~8IpjYWVmmxotnWgZACI5iWgoyQ-Qxiuw7SDc9DMiXERE~14exs-qkO~H1YNUDlNabwa0We1pgRSrWaJjGPbNuPm8pnxHERLoUiLCdclFNui~yZNtDy~BR7MuHhyWlWI5Co2-pJ7z2iTlpmTg9SpHvU~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Grand Island, NE","date","2025-04-09T13:03:18.077Z","article","At the April 8 City Council meeting the Grand Island City Council approved multiple routine items and public hearings grouped on the agenda.

Liquor licenses
- Southeast Crossings LLC doing business as Borders Inn and Suites (3333 Ramada Road): A Class (type as noted in file) license application filed with the Liquor Control Commission was presented for public hearing. Staff reported required departmental reports were received and recommended approval upon final inspection. Council moved and seconded the motion to approve the license; the motion was adopted.

- Sejean Bania doing business as Everest Indian Kitchen (316 North Pine Street): A Class C liquor license application was presented. Staff reported required notices and departmental reports had been completed and recommended approval upon final inspection. Council moved and seconded and the motion was adopted.

Right-of-way acquisition
- Public hearing on acquisition of public right-of-way and permanent easement for South Locust Street improvements (Fauner Park Road to Second Street), project number 2021-PD-6: Staff characterized this as a continuation of prior property acquisitions for the South Locust project and noted only a few remaining parcels remain. No members of the public spoke at the hearing; council moved to approve the acquisition and the motion was adopted.

Consent agenda
- The council approved the consent agenda (items 6 a through g) at the start of the meeting after a roll-call motion and vote.

Votes
The transcript records that each motion on the items above was moved, seconded, and that the motions were adopted; the transcript does not contain a roll-call vote tally for yes/no/abstain for these items. Where motions were moved and seconded, the mover and seconder are recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending

City staff will complete final inspections and administrative steps for liquor license issuance and will proceed with property closings and easement recording for the South Locust Street project as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 8, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved two Class C liquor licenses (Borders Inn and Suites; Everest Indian Kitchen), a public right-of-way and permanent easement acquisition for South Locust Street improvements, and approved the consent agenda. Votes were adopted; detailed roll-call tallies were not specified in the transcript.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska","taxId",4603,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609421,"Council grants conditional use permit for Brothers Sand and Gravel with condition to protect neighboring wells",118,702000,820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83&start=702&end=820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6609421/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Council-grants-conditional-use-permit-for-Brothers-Sand-and-Gravel-with-condition-to-protect-neighboring-wells","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609421-1d93503ed6c9a17f37210ceb6b28b1b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161553&Signature=NufXxHB9CdWKJ2WhBKKTCGP2y8mvdBAKs~tOvbenXv89fnvT~wuGiGtCYi68CREHw1R34zh7ENaYRAfJkO0KcqSrXVsLzOdv8GmBc78hJJPleiiJMI7b9yfCxcbxOFqHkU4Z4~pWKayEO3M4vod4es5aQq45G~k~i4GxHd7Apcryvu4~Bl6b-j-zpAZflCHqc~3MyHS3DICi6gqpWcPKtoGT7VHQ7tNF~Dm-WrMfvSn--C8ZZiZK2sqnIp9BQGWer0I1pyFs8IhSQya7GfwcSNe~RbZRmALS1VA109FqO8YY9~Cp0Ih7DhXbN8gU1Qb8t7C63SjwbdFbYFEzyQk6nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island City Council approved a conditional use permit for Brothers Sand and Gravel Inc. at its April 8 meeting with an additional condition intended to protect nearby private wells.

Staff noted the item had been before the council two weeks earlier and that neighbors had raised concerns about impacts to wells. City staff and the city attorney worked with the applicant to add a condition stating the applicant will take reasonable efforts to avoid negatively impacting public health, safety, and welfare during the permit term, including impacts that might impair neighboring wells. The condition also states the council may terminate the conditional use permit prior to its scheduled expiration if operations create a future negative impact on public health, safety, or welfare.

Council members discussed the recommended permit length. The applicant had requested a 20-year permit, but staff recommended a 10-year permit as the city's typical timeframe for sand-and-gravel operations closer to the city. Council agreed with the 10-year recommendation.

Patrons at the meeting were told the city does not anticipate major issues based on the presence of existing wells and nearby lakes, but staff said the added condition is intended to reduce the chances of civil disputes among property owners.

Ending

The resolution was adopted; staff will proceed with permit administration and monitoring in accordance with the added condition and existing city code.","The council approved a conditional use permit for Brothers Sand and Gravel with a 10-year term and an added condition requiring the applicant to take reasonable steps to avoid negatively impacting neighboring wells; council may terminate the permit early if operations harm public health, safety, or welfare.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609425,"Council approves LB840 grants for workforce training and job creation for GIX Logistics and DRAMCO Tool",192,974000,1166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83&start=974&end=1166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83/thumbnail_974000.jpg","/articles/6609425/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-LB840-grants-for-workforce-training-and-job-creation-for-GIX-Logistics-and-DRAMCO-Tool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609425-523532fe8e30b89dca7401ef73b1c651/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161553&Signature=Q8jeFr~EUxqkcXJ1BkaM0GCK1reU5hJreFIGtT8TONW2DC8ecxmclXFnU~-osTY5iIkZbda~uj5wmWruH5vrkd7DTSSk8TjLLBsEa8sNhGgX0sbkg8XQpQQL5XJww4lkoywdWNiDe8Uwde5suKbFkHPf265BMTyXVjcK9GMaGSkGS9fEeufjPhkMOnvm~mfWEKda7rJiZxU-q6dQnlic8dKgkhiOkkcGrdktuGMDxkzrAZDU4MVJh2PbhjMTozn5sQ43rwrZ26cm0ieVgqtTKSecg-MZSXJ3OMECPQUbprWVjGSuXPJdJ7btTTS4yQdjyl1uop~vQ9VnpLiKwuBQrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island City Council approved two LB840 economic development grants at its April 8 meeting.

City Administrator Laura McAloon and Mary Burley, executive director of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, presented the applications. Council approved: (1) a replacement LB840 job-training grant for GIX Logistics Inc., which will reimburse 100% of approved employee training costs under an amended 2023 grant contract and (2) an LB840 package for DRAMCO Tool Company consisting of $160,000 over five years to support hiring and training 10 new full-time employees.

McAloon said GIX's amendment narrows the previously approved 2023 award to focus specifically on specialized employee training and that the amended contract would replace unspent 2023 funds; staff and the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation recommended approval.

Mary Burley described DRAMCO as a precision manufacturing employer based at 502 South Claude Road that plans to increase its head count from 58 to 68 full-time employees over five years, with the company's proposed minimum average wage for new hires at $25 per hour. Burley said the $160,000 request is broken into $120,000 tied to job creation milestones and $40,000 for training, dispersed after workforce audits through 2029.

Council members praised DRAMCO's community engagement, including a prior high-school apprenticeship program and participation in local memorial projects. Both grant motions were moved and seconded during the meeting and the mayor called for a vote; the record shows the motions were adopted.

Ending

Staff will complete and execute the formal grant agreements consistent with the motions approved by the council.","The council approved amendments and new LB840 grants: a replacement training grant for GIX Logistics and a five-year $160,000 incentive package for DRAMCO Tool Company to hire 10 employees and fund training.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609430,"Grand Island council reviews major overhaul of procurement code; council members push to lower mayoral contract threshold",108,1580000,1688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83&start=1580&end=1688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2924148-db5d274d5b8d8707d45a9700c095ee83/thumbnail_1580000.jpg","/articles/6609430/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Grand-Island-council-reviews-major-overhaul-of-procurement-code-council-members-push-to-lower-mayoral-contract-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609430-356101eef2e64ca124f3081316bb2b13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161553&Signature=c4ZUItzkjA7lFdJwA9Qz7l3NAAAK0oBlObw6lawYJ097JBoeLqUnsVkPiWNCnLLcIX2zksFnuNj7w8VTd~Mw6XHeWn49FuNZFaAAFijrIHq4Ql773MWNlKFgsC8vgFVmF5HBhByyPB-9VVXExhlzULDT8OHuCi~8x-xNiDCeE6rpRXenZREHh6DPSQiGNEhrT7EPIakwF4w6jujBEcdsF8I9JcS0Q61vxICNCOqVA6oODkwFxBWVmqLkPCaNyNufolnD2iWkVTZmx8JregKw1b4VnBZK2fiAmFVuLl5TZmvKb4QQeKoua9rPXTN65vB~QWQmQoEU1unRDjxm2uiAog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patrick Brown, the city's assistant city administrator and chief financial officer, presented a package of proposed revisions to Chapter 27 of the city procurement code at the April 8 Grand Island City Council meeting.

Brown said the proposal would consolidate and reorganize duplicative sections of the code, formally designate the CFO (the purchasing agent) and allow that official to use designees, and raise the informal procurement threshold for requiring three written quotes from $30,000 to $50,000 to match a recent state change. He also proposed that contracts below the bid limit be signed by the mayor or the purchasing agent rather than returned to the full council.

The recommended changes would also add clearer authority for use of purchasing cooperatives, streamline renewals of maintenance agreements (with a 10-year maximum before rebidding), and update miscellaneous spending categories such as employee milestone recognitions and allowable meal expenditures tied to federal per diem amounts.

The proposal prompted sustained discussion about the appropriate dollar limit for mayoral contract authority. Multiple council members said they were uncomfortable letting a single official approve routine contracts up to $50,000 without routine council review. After discussion, staff said they could lower the mayoral signature limit and that a $10,000 threshold would be acceptable to implement if that was the council's preference.

Several council members and staff framed the changes as an attempt to reduce administrative friction while preserving budgetary controls: directors would still be responsible for staying within budgets, and the purchasing agent would remain the final internal control. Staff also emphasized that contracts would continue to receive legal review before execution.

Council members asked for an implementation plan and training period so departments can adapt to the new procedures. Brown and City Administrator Laura McAloon said a draft policies-and-procedures manual has been circulated to departments, has already been tested in department-head meetings, and will be used to train staff and administrators before any ordinance change is finalized.

No ordinance or resolution was adopted at the meeting; the item was presented as a discussion of proposed code changes and staff requested further direction from the council.

Ending

Staff said they will revise the draft code language to reflect council feedback, including changing the mayoral signature threshold to what the council prefers, and return a final ordinance and the accompanying policies-and-procedures manual for formal consideration at a future council meeting.","City staff proposed reorganizing Chapter 27 of the purchasing code, raising informal bid limits, and designating the assistant city administrator/CFO as purchasing agent. Several council members urged lowering the proposed mayoral contract-signing threshold from $50,000 to $10,000 to preserve oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts routine hearings and consent items including two liquor licenses and a right-of-way acquisition

Council grants conditional use permit for Brothers Sand and Gravel with condition to protect neighboring wells

Council approves LB840 grants for workforce training and job creation for GIX Logistics and DRAMCO Tool

Grand Island council reviews major overhaul of procurement code; council members push to lower mayoral contract threshold