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Council hears first reading of Good Life District changes after state law update; Woodsonia application timeline debated
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Summary
City attorneys presented an ordinance to align the city’s Good Life District program with changes in state law (LB707). Council held first reading and discussed timing for a pending Woodsonia application and possible RFP if the applicant does not submit a completed application soon.
At the July 22 meeting the Grand Island City Council took up an ordinance to amend the city’s Good Life District economic development program to conform with state law changes enacted in LB707. City Attorney Carrie Fisk summarized the changes and council members debated next steps for a large development application the council has discussed previously.
Fisk told the council the draft ordinance implements statutory changes that, among other things, prevent further boundary expansion of the city’s Good Life District and require the state to take over collection of the district’s occupation tax beginning at the close of the third quarter. The ordinance also revises local application and reporting procedures, limits certain “non-revenue producing” expenditures under the state scheme and incorporates updates intended to speed processing and reflect lessons learned in prior applications.
Council members spent significant time discussing a pending application from a proponent identified in prior meetings as Woodsonia (no finalized application was on file at the time of the July 22 meeting). Several members urged a timeline for a completed amended application consistent with the new ordinance; some members raised the prospect of issuing a request for proposals if the Woodsonia applicant did not submit a finished application within a council-directed timeframe.
Mayor Steele and council members said they do not want to “paralyze” the project by waiting indefinitely. City staff said an updated, amended application remained in preparation and that staff had already gathered sample RFP language and examples from other jurisdictions should the council decide to open the process to other developers.
Why it matters: The ordinance implements statutory changes that will alter how the Good Life District raises and disburses money and will affect how large private developments are evaluated and supported by local public funding.
What’s next: The ordinance passed first reading; staff said it is possible the council could take second and final reading at a subsequent meeting. Council members asked administration to prepare an RFP draft so the council can set a clear timeline if it decides not to wait further for a single applicant’s submission.
