By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com

The Grand Island City Council voted 7-0 to set the general boundaries of the district from South Front Street on the north, First Street on the south, Eddy Street on the east and Garfield on the west.

The district isn't expected to stay that large, however.

Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity said the mayor will appoint an initial board for the district that will fine-tune the boundaries for actual creation of the district.

"We're starting with a big bucket and working our way down to a small bucket," Nabity said. "Only the property owners that are in the district when it's actually created will have the opportunity to protest it and they'll be the only ones responsible to pay for the district as well."

A simple majority protesting the district would end its creation, Nabity said. If it is created, the district board will set a budget and assess a tax to all properties in the district to fund the district activities.

At this point, Second Street business owners want to create "inviting" improvements similar to those done on South Locust Street landscaping and lighting.

"Second Street is a very high-traffic area and important to the city of Grand Island," said Bob Dodendorf of Five Points Bank. "We hope you find it in your hearts to continue the beautification of Grand Island."

Dodendorf requested the district along with Mike Wanek, Dallas Kime of TierOne Bank, Phil Maltzahn of Almquist Maltzahn, Cheryl Niedfeldt of Real Estate Group, and Randy Evans of Randy's Used Cars.

Councilwoman Peg Gilbert thanked the property owners for considering the district.

The Community Redevelopment Authority, which Nabity directs, has already paid for a redevelopment plan of the Second Street area. It shows landscaping along the street.

Dodendorf said creating the improvement district now could mean some cost efficiencies for any improvements. The Nebraska Department of Roads will have much of the suggested district area under construction over the next year during a Second Street widening project.

As part of that state project, the city anticipates more traffic on First Street in the coming weeks. Because of that, the council approved of making First Street a stop-sign-protected street during the Second Street widening project.

The following side streets will be stop-sign protected: Cleveland, Arthur, Garfield, Grant, Clay, Tilden, Logan, Harrison, Monroe, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and Washington.

Councilmembers Larry Carney, John Gericke and Bob Meyer were absent from the council meeting because they are attending the national League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Margaret Hornady was absent due to a vacation.

For the record

In other action Tuesday the city council:

Approved reverting the zoning of Ewoldt Subdivision and Kings Crossing Subdivision from their commercial development zone. The commercial development zoning is good for only 18 months and reverts back if no commercial development has occurred. Ewoldt Subdivision is at Highway 34 and Highway 281 and was to be the Ponderosa Pointe open air mall. It will revert back to Transitional Agriculture zoning. Kings Crossing is at Highway 34 and South Locust immediately west of the south Wal-Mart. It will revert back to B2 General Business zoning.

Received a claim from Dianne G. Kelley, 2106 Circle Drive, for injuries she suffered at the Heartland Events Center on May 4, 2007. The claim said that a water meter cover was raised and caused Kelley to fall. It caused "significant injury to her body as a whole, including, but not limited to, her face, nose, eyes, forehead, mouth, teeth and other parts of her body requiring emergency medical, medical dental, optical, radiological, neurological and medication services," the claim stated. Kelley is seeking $4,018 for medical bills, plus damages for pain, suffering, future medical bills and future pain and suffering. Kelley is the city's former downtown development director and Community Redevelopment Authority director. The claim will be placed on file. If it is not settled within six months, Kelley may file a lawsuit against the city.

Approved an agreement with the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) for the city and CRA to cost-share putting in quiet zones at the downtown railroad crossings at Broadwell, Lincoln, Elm, Walnut, Pine and Oak over the next two years. The total cost is $480,000.

Approved the Parkview Water Main District, which serves 40 single-family homes and one vacant lot, primarily along Commerce Avenue and Pioneer Boulevard. The cost per home was $6,343, which can be financed over five years with 7 percent interest.

Approved a cable television contract with Charter Communications to serve the Law Enforcement Center. The contract is three years and requires a $1,000, one-time installation fee, plus a fee of $10 per month per cable service in the building.

Hired Paul Essman of Capital City Concepts for $15,000 to conduct a wage and benefit survey for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1597.

Approved a settlement with Sapp Brothers to pay a total of $85,543 for property easements needed for the widening of Capital Avenue.