[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6526157,"mediaKeyId","3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87","parentId",3804409,"title","Votes at a glance: Grand Island City Council, June 10, 2025","audioSeconds",3080,"startMs",3088000,"endMs",7185,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87&start=3088&end=7","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87/thumbnail_3088000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526157/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Votes-at-a-glance-Grand-Island-City-Council-June-10-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526157-833c2534668b9dd427bbedc1a9b33b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414505&Signature=Ao1AkPKUpT9RHdfeQYprgbNMMkxAJE4EScsZq9o-URm7XnosD2YGq-3nG4a20IuOdNIxWdDoRSGXI5pGZsOrhV7dJx-ZvXjYD6IkYeB~0ydGBZXthld9x7XuX0URaXGZUfgCSwsOrNtqvBG4yQNle~WL8NfRzInqGX75OXaMOSBTTsLKuW72XkLRAkbj2cwuAQBKIycNSKZFfvHfvl3x6zJp8coisXzXI5jBqFugUfpx5~YB~Likw-qY125YIZjzD43V1pVn78Gbh8hsxWHa4IPLiB8A0kLDmj7CZHz-dgtyNVpo5ooiFNiSmq9DM7yfu8lu1GGuqjIVchUNgnyUtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Grand Island, NE","date","2025-06-11T11:46:19Z","article","The Grand Island City Council recorded the following formal actions during its June 10 meeting. Where a tally or roll-call name was not given in the transcript, the outcome is recorded as stated by the clerk.

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve items 7(a) through 7(m) with the exception of 7(b). Motion adopted (no roll-call tally supplied in transcript).

- Consent item 7(b) — Payment of claims: Motion to approve payment of claims for the period 05/28/2025 through 06/10/2025 in the total amount of $3,588,911.21. Motion adopted after council discussion and clarification of an expense for conference travel.

- Public hearing and approval — Liquor license amendment (Sluggers, DBA Danny Enterprises Inc.): Motion to approve application 2025-188 to amend a Class C liquor license to Class C K (catering/secondary license). Motion adopted.

- Public hearings and approvals — Utility easements and right-of-way items (sequenced on the agenda):
• 3515 W. Old Potash Highway (Hornady Family Limited Partnership) — utility easement: Motion to approve application 2025-189. Motion adopted.
• 3961 Silver Road (Genuine Diesel Inc.) — utility easement (20x20): Motion to approve application 2025-190. Motion adopted.
• 3515 W. Old Potash Highway (Melody Anderson property, continuation of item) — Motion to approve application 2025-191. Motion adopted.
• Millennial Estates subdivision (Starosca Group Unlimited LLC) — acquisition of public utility and drainage easements: Motion to approve application 2025-192. Motion adopted.
• South Locust Street improvements (Fonner Park Road to Second Street) — acquisition of public right of way (Midwest Premier Investments LLC and Grand Island Apartments LLC): Motion to approve application 2025-193. Motion adopted.

- Ordinances and code changes:
• Ordinance No. 10020 — Vacation of part of a utility easement at 111 W. First Street (relating to the new Hall County Courthouse expansion): Motion to suspend statutory rules and adopt Ordinance 10020. Motion adopted.
• Ordinance No. 10021 — Amendments to Chapter 40 (stormwater management): Motion to suspend statutory rules and adopt Ordinance 10021; council discussion clarified the changes require permits for smaller disturbances, increased inspection frequency and an accounting method for post-construction water quality; motion adopted.

- Executive session: Motion to enter executive session to discuss real-estate negotiations and union negotiations. Motion adopted; council entered executive session at 8:59 p.m.

The transcript records each motion as called and the clerk announcing \"Motion adopted.\" Individual roll-call vote tallies were not provided in the transcript for most items and are recorded as \"motion adopted\" below. Where additional documentation is needed (for example easement legal descriptions or ordinance text) those materials were referenced in the agenda packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 10, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and formal actions recorded by the Grand Island City Council on June 10, 2025.","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},6526167,"Nebraska law changes cut expected Good Life District revenue; Grand Island staff to amend local ordinance",2502,692000,3194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87&start=692&end=3194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6526167/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Nebraska-law-changes-cut-expected-Good-Life-District-revenue-Grand-Island-staff-to-amend-local-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526167-287a42e543b0578aacec702b986b5f6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414505&Signature=FuhhrZNvO~7rrceJ5~ujPifgnnSSHnvVyxZ4sXdK1u4TpDglOVu2vhrBfaZ7WhK-Tks5-E9NS8E1BMkWMz8aBFz7-wsGD4XG0H8TLT4NnHLxjHKzSP42nQMb7VVhIxFZ9Hvo2TYHSukkj0QX7sZt~94QcB9SYOLaVBAAruLJH-EZETK7n5~Fb~qOpY9NySdzt6so8TQHkyOzxPKQ5kll-moIazk1ghn65JXCmoNK~PZF4pYxd23IqO6ysHq-AwNOzdDiwwMroZENv7V6al1Zv3YhwOiZPVBda~gwHPPr5qY24balZjI6-jjO4WEfvfFTIgDhZ7U8a3JTgk5LoJ1qZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Grand Island City Council spent more than an hour on June 10 discussing LB 707, a recent act of the Nebraska Legislature that changes the funding formula and several definitions governing the city’s Good Life District economic-development program.

\"I'm here to provide you an update on a recent act of the Nebraska legislature called LB 707,\" City staff member Carrie Fisk told the council, beginning the presentation. Fisk said the law will shift the 2.75 percentage-point sales tax that had been captured locally into state collections, with the state returning up to $5,000,000 annually to the city from existing businesses in the district and splitting sales tax from new businesses with the state.

The change reduces the predictable revenue the city had expected. Fisk said program revenue had been projected at roughly $7.5 million before the legislative change; under LB 707 the reliable, existing-business share will be capped at $5 million. The law also creates detailed definitions for what counts as a \"new\" or \"relocated\" business and imposes a cap on how much private applicants may spend on non–revenue-producing items.

City attorney Laura McAloon and other staff explained how the statute limits the city’s discretion in one area: after the new law, the council cannot add parcels to the Good Life District as easily as before; the statute effectively fixes the district boundary while allowing removal in specified circumstances. McAloon said staff would propose amendments to the local program ordinance in July to conform to the state changes.

Council members pressed staff on implications for the transformational sports-complex project and on the pending Woodsonia application for Good Life assistance. McAloon said the city had followed advice offered during the legislative session and had not executed any final agreements while the law was pending; staff reported ongoing discussions with Woodsonia’s counsel and bond counsel and said Woodsonia was still evaluating whether and how to revise its application.

Several council members urged prompt action. Council president Sheard summarized the mood: \"The state giveth, the state taketh away, which is very frustrating,\" and urged staff to pursue concrete next steps. Council members asked whether the city could proceed if Woodsonia withdrew; staff replied the city could use existing code to run an RFP for development of city-owned property or otherwise proceed without that private applicant, though plans might be smaller or slower.

Staff also described technical details that will change project planning: bonding capacity may fall because of lower guaranteed revenue; some expenditures will count for the city but not for private developers; the state will collect the taxes and return funds after deducting its processing fee; and the distinctions between city-eligible and developer-eligible expenses will require the city to split its program ordinance definitions.

City staff requested guidance on timing and on how long to wait for Woodsonia to revise its materials. They said they intend to return in July with a code amendment reflecting the new state process and that they are evaluating whether to run an RFP for either a sports complex, housing, or both. Staff also said financial advisers recommend waiting for actual sales data before relying on future revenues as collateral for long-term financing.

What happens next: staff will prepare and present amendments to the city’s Good Life District ordinance at a July meeting; staff will continue discussions with Woodsonia and may open an RFP process for city-owned property if Woodsonia withdraws or amends its plan.

(See \"Votes at a glance\" for formal motions recorded later in the meeting.)

*Notes on nomenclature and transcript spelling:* the presenters and packet used several spellings for the Fairgrounds name; the correct local spelling is \"Fonner Park.\" The council direction and next steps summarized above reflect staff presentations by Carrie Fisk and Laura McAloon and the subsequent council discussion; no final ordinance on LB 707 implementation was adopted at the June 10 meeting.","Members of the Grand Island City Council were briefed June 10 on LB 707, a recent Nebraska law that changes the Good Life District funding formula and reduces the predictable, existing-business share to $5 million annually; staff said it will return in July with code amendments.",{"_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},6526165,"Nebraska State Fair requests up to $2.6 million from Grand Island for Fonner Park parking, lighting and drainage improvements",2131,3270000,5401000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87&start=3270&end=5401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804409-b4263b3123759b7686f02b7a1d3dba87/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","/articles/6526165/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Nebraska-State-Fair-requests-up-to-26-million-from-Grand-Island-for-Fonner-Park-parking-lighting-and-drainage-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526165-1f0b9db7b9527a8ae29069ac223ff066/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414505&Signature=VR63IGYx14~6XSILOT~A~CoAPP46vdtssqAu~uKyg-keN6UpQGbETxul590G~lNYdtYS4OIp5KfYvVTb2uZfaWJmHuLTeUHuDj1VldFHKEMSOs4914WEbo2spMf5QQOVAa6JAQGYIwtTCrG8SQ2Yj5A35bffNe5WUavAEBJqsgLV-m3lHCES5N2Ak43w8ro3G5JMGXOs3DRNykeHYKB~eHukfM8LDiVQxO54oflwJMq3sUm5jbs8fl2bhvcfWQLugUjZACQ2Ml~nu0DCKWMNIsHoV313w-3bvETPue0aOjR61vWpIcp-1N9eHH2puZaBcOx7q32Q1kkRubLewXZqdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Nebraska State Fair and Fonner Park asked the Grand Island City Council on June 10 to consider a supplemental city funding contribution to complete parking, lighting and drainage work at the Fonner Park campus that the state funded in part with ARPA dollars.

\"Over the last couple years, the Fonner Park campus stakeholders have really worked to improve the grounds, with the help of the $20,000,000 ARPA money,\" Tom Shellpepper, vice chair of the Nebraska State Fair board, said in his remarks. Presenters said the state awarded $20 million of a $27 million application and that Olson, the contractor, helped value-engineer the program.

The presenters described a two‑phase plan. Phase 1—largely completed—focused on the northeast portion of campus and storm-sewer and grading work. Phase 2 targets the south side of the Heartland Event Center and will replace asphalt with seven-inch concrete slabs, add underground detention systems and inlets, extend lighting and fiber, and add landscaping, festoon lighting and permanent security cameras and power to vendor pads.

Brian Fredrickson of Olson and other consultants said the work includes stormwater-quality detention cells, underground structures that filter and temporarily hold runoff and a new outlet to the Wood River that should reduce loading to the city system. They also described changes designed to reduce annual setup costs for events, including permanent power and additional camera coverage.

Presenters and board members said Fonner Park campus visitor numbers are significant: they reported more than 1.6 million visitors to the campus in 2023 and more than 1.4 million in 2024, and state fair attendance of about 314,000 in 2024. The Exurban Stock Show and other livestock events bring substantial out-of-state attendance, the presenters said.

Board chairman Boyd Strope told the council the fair board’s current ask of the city is $2,600,000 to finish a set of projects across the campus; staff later said about $1,535,000 of that total relates directly to improvements that affect a city-owned facility and therefore more clearly fall within the city’s funding rules. Strope said the board would welcome the entire amount if the city chose to provide it.

Council members asked technical questions about stormwater capacity, long-term maintenance funding and whether certain electrical and communications costs were included in ARPA funding. Presenters said ARPA did not cover electrical work; the larger line-item for electrical and communications (in the $1.0 million-plus range) reflects new transformers, panels, conduit and permanent power that are not ARPA-eligible. Presenters noted the work will reduce the annual cost of installing temporary power, cameras and other systems for events.

City legal staff told the council the city could not take action the same night because city attorneys needed to review what the city may lawfully fund. Mayor Steele said legal staff would return with guidance on options and eligibility. Staff also signaled that time is sensitive because certain items have been procured and installations were pending.

Council members praised the campus and emphasized the need to include maintenance and long-term repair funding in future planning. No funding decision was made on June 10.

(See \"Votes at a glance\" for the meeting’s formal votes.)","Nebraska State Fair and Fonner Park officials asked the Grand Island City Council on June 10 for up to $2.6 million in city support to complete parking, lighting and drainage improvements at the Fonner Park campus; staff said roughly $1.535 million of that total directly relates to city‑owned facilities and requires legal review before the council can act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Grand Island City Council, June 10, 2025

Nebraska law changes cut expected Good Life District revenue; Grand Island staff to amend local ordinance

Nebraska State Fair requests up to $2.6 million from Grand Island for Fonner Park parking, lighting and drainage improvements