Councilwoman questions city goal process

The Grand Island City Council approved 19 goals for the coming fiscal year, but not before the timing of the goals was questioned.

"Goals should be the first step in planning," said Councilwoman Peg Gilbert.

She questioned the value of goals set about a month after the city budget was approved and three weeks away from an election that may change the makeup of almost half the council.

Gilbert said many of the 19 proposed goals are not funded for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1. She believed the council should work to be more proactive by setting goals in the spring, prioritizing them and funding them.

She moved to table the approval of goals until spring 2009.

But the bulk of the council felt such a delay was unnecessary and counterproductive.

"We definitely need to adopt some goals," said Councilman John Gericke.

Some goals will get accomplished, some may not and some may evolve, but failing to have goals will mean things will get forgotten, he said.

Council President Mitch Nickerson agreed with Gericke. Nickerson said there's value in keeping goals in front of the council even if those goals cannot be accomplished within 12 months.

"Tabling it is procrastinating it," Nickerson said.

He also doubted that any council newcomer would object to any one of the goals.

Councilmen Tom Brown, Bob Niemann, and Larry Carney are being challenged for their council seats in the Nov. 4 general election. Councilwoman Joyce Haase is retiring from the council at the end of this year. Councilman Kirk Ramsey is up for election, but unchallenged.

Gilbert's motion to table the goal setting to spring 2009 failed. Only she, Carney and  Haase favored a goal setting delay.

Once the table motion failed, Haase changed her vote to one supporting the 19 published goals. The goals passed 8-2 with Gilbert and Carney still objecting.

For the record

In other action Tuesday, the city council:

-- Approved a five-year contract with the Central Nebraska Humane Society to provide animal control services to the city for $314,500 a year with an annual increase based on the consumer price index and municipal cost index.

-- Approved outside agency funding in the amount of $900 for the Central Nebraska Ethnic Festival, $12,000 for the Crisis Center, $20,000 for the Clean Community System, $1,000 for the Grand Island Area Council for International Visitors, $10,000 for the Grand Island Hall/County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $2,000 for the Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Derby, $4,500 for Hope Harbor, $10,000 for the Multicultural Coalition, $10,000 for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and $15,000 for Senior Citizens Industries.

-- Approved the Hornady Subdivision to create five residential lots on 7.82 acres currently owned by Michael McCarty at Stolley Park Road and Arthur Street.

-- Reappointed Bob Loewenstein to the Animal Advisory Board for a term ending on Oct. 8, 2011.

-- Approved an outdoor beer garden for Sluggers Sports Bar at 707 W. Anna St.

-- Accepted final completion of the $347,770 Riverway hike-and-bike trail from Hall County Park to Wal-Mart south. The trail was paid primarily through grant funds.

-- Approved the purchase of a new ambulance for $212,224 to replace one damaged in an April accident. The accident insurance settlement will cover $30,000 of the replacement cost.


Proposed 2008-09 city goals

Here are the 19 goals approved Tuesday by the Grand Island City Council.

Public Safety

1. Pursue 911 backup center location in an existing building.

Economic Development

2. Assist in creating and retaining quality jobs through LB840 program.

3. Assist CRA in identifying and creating new business redevelopment projects.

Infrastructure

4. Support infrastructure for sustained housing/commercial development.

5. Progress the Railroad Corridor Study.

6. Prepare a master plan for infrastructure development south of Grand Island.

7. Support relocation of the State Fair to Grand Island.

8. Progress Broadwell grade separation project.

Government Efficiency

9. Seek interlocal partnerships that eliminate duplication and promote efficiency.

10. Complete a comprehensive city code review and update.

11. Develop criteria for outside agency funding.

12. Investigate possible means through which county industrial tracts can contribute to the cost of city services.

Quality of Life

13. Continue to support development of the Heartland Public Shooting Park.

14. Update Parks and Recreation master plan including a study of children's play area at Island Oasis.

15. Progress the community appearance plan.

16. Take steps to mitigate groundwater intrusion problems.

17. Complete the design of the wastewater treatment plant digesters.

Public Health

18. Secure funding and begin construction of the household hazardous waste facility.

19. Continue to aggressively address environmental issues and advocate for citizens.