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Mayoral and City Council Achievements

By Schmitt, Lisa

CITY OF GRANT MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENTS

(This is only a small representation of what the Mayor and City Council have completed over the past 4 years and counting.)

 

What an amazing and progressive time to be a citizen in Grant.  In the previous 4 years the Mayor and Council have accomplished major items while serving as elected officials “volunteers”.  Yes, we receive an annual salary but when divided across the numerous City Council Meetings, Board/Committee Meetings, Contract Reviews, Lease Reviews, Personnel Reviews, etc., the job of the Mayor and or City Council Member is truly a volunteered position.  But that is why each of us signed up and were elected for, not for the perks of the job, but for the betterment of the Community of Grant.

 

IN 2019:

 

  1. The Mayor and Council hired Edward Dunn as the next City Superintendent and Tawna Holmstedt as the next City Attorney.

This was a monumental undertaking that required weeks/days/hours of research and interviews.

 

  1. Completed a major rewrite and update of the City of Grant Municipal Code.

This was almost a full year of going section by section noting the changes from the old code (last revised in September of 2008) to the new code.  Ensuring that each section was as complete in wording as it could be.

 

  1. Provided Matching Funds to Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation to apply for and receive Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grant Funds.

This allowed SWNCBC to advertise the availability of funds to residents of Grant for qualified Rehabilitation projects, Doors, Windows, Roof, HVAC, etc.  The total number of homes that were approved and improved were 13, with a value of improvement of $325,000.00 across the whole project.

 

  1. Completed the necessary state and federal paperwork for the AWOS Automatic Weather Observation System at the Airport to be bid and constructed.

This was the latest step of many that had to be completed for the AWOS project to be given a GO/NO-GO from the State and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Many hours of review and feedback were necessary to complete this step.

 

  1. Annexed the Fredrick property North of the Hospital for future development.

Through the foresight of the Planning Commission, the Grant Community Redevelopment Authority, Hospital Administrative Staff, and City Council, we were able to successfully annex the Fredrick property north of the Hospital which would set up the necessary framework for a future development site.

 

  1. Provided Matching funds to Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation to apply for and receive Down Payment Assistance Grant Funds.

This allowed SWNCBC to advertise the availability of funds to residents of Grant for Down Payment Assistance Funds for the purchase of a home.  In total 20 homeowners were assisted through this program, with roughly $300,000.00 provided in assistance.

 

  1. Did not increase any fees associated with the Utilities.

Enough said!!

 

  1. Approved the hiring of the Engineer (Miller and Associates) for the Swimming Pool Project.

The latest step at the time in the process of being able to actually construct a New Swimming Pool.

 

  1. Adopted a social media policy which allowed us to create and manage a social media presence.

Another huge task to take on as the Mayor and Council felt the administration needed a policy for interacting over social media in our current environment.

 

  1. Signed an agreement for a GIS digital mapping service for the City’s Infrastructure with gWorks.

Amazing foresight from the Mayor and Council on moving forward with digitizing our elaborate network of Sewer Mains, Water Mains, Signs, Easements, Electrical, Streets, etc.

 

  1. Approved the local emergency operations plan (LEOP).

This may seem like a small task as most of the work was done at the County level, but an integral part of keeping our citizens safe by having plans in place in the event of an emergency.

 

  1. Signed a lease for a new Street Sweeper.

Again, might seem like a small item, but this action allowed the City to more efficiently and effectively sweep the streets too keep the gutters and storm drains clear so water/runoff can flow correctly.

 

  1. Paved two full blocks replacing aging asphalt with concrete.

The current environment has concrete slightly lower price than asphalt and it was prudent to replace these two blocks at this time with concrete.

 

  1. Purchased and installed new Christmas Lights for Downtown Poles.

Many people may not realize the benefit of new Christmas lights but by acting on this aging component we were able to shine a light on an otherwise dull project.

 

  1. Kept the tax levy the same as the previous year without diminishing the services or programs offered to the citizens of Grant.

This might be the greatest achievement of any year; it is always the goal of the Mayor and City Council to do more with less and find ways to keep taxes the same or lower them.

 

IN 2020:

 

  1. With the coordination of the Planning Commission Completed a Blight and Substandard Study so that future developers could capture the aid of Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

This process required several public hearings, publications, and meetings in general.  In the end, a new area of Grant was declared Blighted and Substandard so that future development in that area could utilize TIF to aid in development.

 

  1. Applied for and received a (CCCFF) Civic and Community Center Finance Fund Grant from (NDED) Nebraska Department of Economic Development in the amount of $562,000.00.

This was a monumental step in securing the necessary funds for the construction of our New Swimming Pool.  This process started a long time before this in 2012 when the ½ of a 1% sales tax issue to go to the Pool Project was passed overwhelmingly by the voters in Grant.  The combination of the estimated revenue over a 20-year period from the sales tax, the $562,000.00 dollar grant, and the money raised by the Citizen led fundraising committee of roughly $283,000.00, made it possible to reduce the amount left that needed to be bonded, down to approximately $1,800,000.00 over a 20 year period.  With the increase of Sales Tax Revenue thanks largely to local citizens and tourists spending their hard-earned income in the City of Grant we are going to be able to reduce the property tax related to this bond issue year after year.

 

  1. Provided Keno Funds to the Perkins County Youth Arts Program and an Eagle Scout Project.

The funds requested by the Perkins County Youth Arts Program were provided so that they could bring the Missoula children’s art theater to Grant.  The Funds requested for an Eagle Scout project were granted to Ian Sihm to replace the hardware on all of the flag poles at the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

 

  1. Approved the hiring of the General Contractor (Brown Construction) for the Swimming Pool Project.

One of the final steps of a long process to secure the last puzzle piece in the construction of a New Swimming Pool in Grant.

 

  1. Approved the site, layout, and timeline for the construction of the New Swimming Pool.

Inching closer to the first shovel in the ground thus commencing the actual construction of a New Swimming Pool.

 

  1. Handled the pandemic with the safety of the citizens at the forefront of every decision made.

Due to the research and preparedness of the Mayor and City Council, we were able to navigate the unprecedented task of securing the safety of the Citizens of Grant during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

  1. Provided a Gift Card Match Program to struggling businesses due to the pandemic.

An amazing program offered by the Mayor and Council to help struggling businesses within the City of Grant during the pandemic.

 

  1. Waived all fees for the Swimming Pool and summer Recreation activities.

The Mayor and Council recognizing that through the extremes of the pandemic families were affected in their pocketbook and took the necessary measures to alleviate that pain by waiving all fees associated with the Swimming Pool and Recreation Activities.

 

  1. Recognized Gary Beckler for 30 years of Service to the City of Grant.

This is an amazing milestone for a long-term servant of the City of Grant.

 

  1. Approved and Adopted the Hazard Mitigation Plan in conjunction with Perkins County.

The amount of time that it took to review and provide feedback on this important Plan was incalculable.  It was through the efforts of all parties involved that made this process efficient.

 

  1. Completed the concrete improvement of 3 hazardous intersections.

It has been a precedent of the Mayor and Council to continue to work on improving the infrastructure of the City of Grant.

 

  1. Once again choose not to increase any utility fees.

Another year of no increases in utility fees!!

 

  1. Approved the Site Plan and Proposal for a New Shelter at the Grant City Park.

With the approval of the layout and site plan for the New Swimming Pool it displaced the current East Shelter and thus it was relocated to its new home at the Fairgrounds.  Thus required a plan for the building of a new shelter on the west side of the park in conjunction with funds provided by the Grant Lions Club (50% of total cost).

 

  1. Approved the purchase of a Sewer Jet/Vacuum Combo Truck.

Another precedent of the Mayor and Council is to provide the necessary equipment for our Public Works Staff to do their job in the most effective manner possible.

 

  1. Approved the purchase of a new service pickup.

Again, a needed purchase to replace aging equipment and provide the Public Works employees with the necessary tools to complete their job on a daily basis.

 

  1. Construction began on the New Swimming Pool Facility.

Finally, the beginning of the Construction of the New Swimming Pool Facility!!  YAY!!

 

  1. No increase in the General Tax Asking, had an overall increase only due to the Pool bond coming on the tax rolls.

This might be the greatest achievement of any year; it is always the goal of the Mayor and City Council to do more with less and find ways to keep taxes the same or lower them.

 

IN 2021:

 

  1. Completed a rewrite/update of the Personnel Manual.

More weeks/days/hours devoted to the staff of the City of Grant to ensure that they have a comprehensive Personnel Manual.

 

  1. Armor Coated over ½ of the City’s Asphalt streets.

Ensuring that the asphalt streets are kept up and in a safe state of use.

 

  1. Refinanced the current water loan to add the 17 block Water Main Improvement project, receiving over $600,000 in loan forgiveness and capitalizing on a 0% interest rate.

Through the efforts of our Mayor, Council, and Engineers, we were able to refinance the current water loan and add the 17-block water main update project while getting over $600,000 in loan forgiveness and capitalizing on 0% interest.

 

  1. Received a generous donation to improve the esthetics at the Grant City Park by Marvin Stumpf (Musical Playground Equipment).

Through the additional efforts of a City Council member, we were able to accept the donation of a new musical playground for the Grant City Park.

 

  1. Completed the construction of a new Shelter in the Grant City Park.

Amazing effort by the Mayor, Council, and Grant Lions Club to provide a necessary reprieve from the weather at the Grant City Park.

 

  1. Provided funding for an economic development program to improve the façade of the downtown business.

Through the collaboration of the Citizens Advisory Review Board and the Mayor and City Council a new plan was developed for business to apply for funds from LB 840 to improve their façade’s.

 

  1. Approved allowing hobby chickens within City Limits.

In an effort to further the ag strong identity of Grant this Ordinance was passed to allow up to 10 hens to be raised for production (eggs, meat) with the approval of City Council.

 

  1. Recognized Val Foster and Sarah Pick for 5 years of Committed Service to the City of Grant and more specifically the Hastings Memorial Library.

Employee retention is always at the forefront of the personnel decisions at the Mayor and Council level.  We have several employees who have been employed for longer than 10 years and this is a testament to that effort.

 

  1. Recognized Tim Taylor for 10 years of continuous service to the City of Grant and more specifically to the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

Employee retention is always at the forefront of the personnel decisions at the Mayor and Council level.  We have several employees who have been employed for longer than 10 years and this is a testament to that effort.

 

  1. Approved the bid for General Contractor for the AWOS installation at the Grant Municipal Airport.

One further step in the right direction for the installation of an AWOS at the Grant Municipal Airport.  This is a project that for one reason or another had been on the project list for 20 years before getting to this point.

 

  1. Provided Keno Funds to the Perkins County Historical Society.

Terrific example of use of the Keno Funds for the necessary repairs inside of the Accessory Building at the Perkins County Museum.

 

  1. Completed the Construction on the New Swimming Pool Facility and successfully opened the New Swimming Pool.

From beginning to end this was a project that was for the betterment of the citizens of Grant and the surrounding communities.  Every attempt was made throughout  the entire process to ensure transparency and provide progress updates.  All of which made the project ultimately successful in the end.

 

  1. Hired a new permanent FBO (fixed based operator) at the Grant Municipal Airport.

Having a permanent FBO at the Grant Municipal Airport ensures that long term success of the airport is guaranteed.  Ryan is a A&P Mechanic, Flight Instructor, and has tremendous mechanical knowledge.

 

  1. Yet another year in which No Utility Fees were increased.

Again, doing what we can to not increase fees to citizens.

 

  1. Awarded the bid for General Contracting for the 17-block water main improvement project.

Monumental step in the replacement of aging 1930’s/1940’s Water Main from 4” to 10” on the west side of town.

 

  1. Had a successful nuisance sweep of ¼ of the City.

There were 151 properties reviewed with 59 courtesy letters sent.  Of those letters sent 18 properties were declared a nuisance.  Of the 18 properties that were declared a nuisance 12 properties were rescinded/cleared, and 3 properties were abated at the cost of the property owner, with 3 properties still in the program.

 

  1. Lowered the Tax Levy.

This might be the greatest achievement of any year; it is always the goal of the Mayor and City Council to do more with less and find ways to keep taxes the same or lower them.

 

IN 2022:

 

  1. Completed a Comprehensive Plan Update.

This is no small feat, as it sets up the plan that will guide the majority of the planning decisions over the next 5–10-year period and once again the Mayor and Council stepped up and completed yet another vital component within the City of Grant.

 

  1. Completed a health insurance plan move to save the City money while still providing a healthy benefit package.

It is not very often in the Health Insurance world that you can switch plan managers and maintain the same amount of coverage you have while lowering you overall costs, but that was the case this time due to the diligence of City of Grant Administration, Mayor, and City Council.

 

  1. Updated the City of Grant Donation/Gift Policy.

This document is going to be instrumental in the receipt of donations/gifts to the City of Grant and/or its departments.  A lot of hours/time and thoughtful discussion went into the passing of this policy.

 

  1. Approved an Economic Development Infrastructure Grant for a new business.

A business owner that wanted to build a new business approached the City Council for LB 840 Funds for an infrastructure grant to get water to their new business, and the Mayor, City Council, and City Attorney stepped up in a big way to provide a grant to the Business Owner and add a new business to the downtown area.

 

  1. Revised and Updated the Grant Fairview Cemetery Rules and Regulations.

A routine review and update of the Grant Fairview Cemetery Rules and Regulations that provided necessary updates to maintain the superb status of our beautiful Cemetery.

 

  1. Approved the use of remaining Sales Tax Revenue to place a parking lot to the East of the New Swimming Pool.

With excess funds generated by the Sales Tax for the swimming pool we were able to complete a parking lot project to the east of the New Swimming Pool with some spaces for planting boxes to provide some esthetics/sound buffer to the Swimming Pool residential neighbors.

 

  1. Added the option for card processing services at the Pool, Ball Field, and City Hall.

Big step here for the advancement off our availability of types of payment accepted for the various fees within the City of Grant.

 

  1. Approved the Bid and successfully awarded the Contracts for the Downtown Revitalization Project.

One of the most sought-after projects by the citizens was the revitalization of the downtown area of Grant.  This included new decorative poles, burying the overhead wires, new curb & gutter, new sidewalk to the buildings, new park benches, new trash receptacles, and new planters to provide some much-needed greenery downtown (from Central Ave. & 1st St. to Central Ave. & 5th St.

 

  1. Completed ½ of the Downtown Revitalization Project.

The first half (east side) of the Downtown Revitalization Project was completed, and the results could not be better.

 

  1. Authorized the plan to upgrade the parking at the Hastings Memorial Library.

Through another citizen request to update the parking situation at the Hastings Memorial Library the Mayor and Council sought an estimate of the project and approved the estimate from Level LLC. (the same contractor awarded the Downtown Revitalization Project) to complete the improvements to the parking adding an additional parking space and a dedicated handicap parking spot.

 

  1. Approved the use of the Golf Course Insurance Proceeds to remove and replace the pavilion, the roof on the club house, and the roof on the maintenance shed.

Unfortunately, mother nature sees fit to have her way with the weather and the damage it causes.  The Pheasant Run Golf Course Pavilion was structurally damaged by the strong winds we received this year and a couple hailstorms damaged the roofs of the club house and maintenance shed.  After filing an insurance claim to repair the damage done, the Mayor and Council decided to remove and replace the structurally damaged pavilion and the remove and replace the roof on the club house and maintenance shed not exceeding the insurance funds received.

 

  1. Designated the ARPA Funds for a Sewer Main Extension to assist the development of a new subdivision.

Through a long process and several projects reviewed it was determined that the best use of the funds would be towards a sewer main extension project to serve a new subdivision to address the ever-growing housing issue.

 

  1. Approved the contract for a Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation.

Again, showing that the Mayor and Council are focused on being proactive rather than reactive by prioritizing the upkeep of vital infrastructure.

 

  1. Approved the 2nd Continuation for the Economic Development Program.

As passed overwhelmingly by the voters of the City of Grant the Grant Economic Development Program was approved for another 10 years to serve the economic development interests of the City of Grant.

 

  1. Successfully appointed 4 new members to the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Part of what the Mayor and Council takes a strong effort in doing is filling the various boards/committees of the City of Grant.

 

  1. Came to an agreement to support the forming of a new legion baseball team.

Through hard work and dedication, we were able to come to an agreement to aid and assist the formation of a Legion baseball team.

 

  1. Recognized Robin Quinn for 15 years of continued service to the City of Grant more specifically the Hastings Memorial Library.

Employee retention is always at the forefront of the personnel decisions at the Mayor and Council level.  We have several employees who have been employed for longer than 10 years and this is a testament to that effort.

 

  1. Successfully rezoned 3 parcels of land to ensure their future use.

Through careful collaboration with the Planning Commission, we were able to complete the rezoning of three parcels of land to ensure that they are viable properties now and in the future.

 

  1. Adopted the City of Grant Emerald Ash Borer Readiness and Response Plan thanks to the huge efforts of the Tree Board.

Another monumental effort of one of the many exceptional boards/committees that are a part of the City of Grant.  This plan will layout the framework for the Readiness and Response to the growing scourge of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation creeping its way closer to Grant.

 

  1. Once again, No Increases proposed to the Utility Rates.

This is no easy task to find a way to yet again not increase utility rates without diminishing any services.

 

  1. Completed a monumental employee right side wage correction and lowered the Tax Levey again.

In post pandemic economics the Mayor and Council completed an almost insurmountable task of finding a way to get the employees of the City of Grant to a comparable median wage and yet again in another year were also able to lower the Tax Levy.

 

IN 2023:

 

  1. Successfully navigated one of the snowiest winters on record.

Through successful guidance and leadership, the Mayor and City Council were able to find local help to move the huge amount of snow that was received this winter (close to 50”).

 

  1. Held a monumental joint meeting with the CRA to help push the Housing issue past discussion and into action.

This meeting was one of many joint meetings that will help guide the Grant Community Redevelopment Authority, Planning Commission, Mayor, and City Council in moving the Housing issue past the discussion phase and into the action phase.  These efforts led to a monumental private-public partnership that will provide a potential of 45+ lots that will be developable in the near future.

 

  1. Enacted the Vacant Property Registration Act

This is to ensure that potential vacant and commercial properties are returned to their intended purpose and thus adding once nonviable commercial businesses and residential properties back into the market for their intended purpose.  See the Fact Sheet here:  https://www.grantnebraska.com/vnews/display.v/ART/64131dd61ee9f

 

  1. Awarded the bid for improvements to the intersection of 6th St. and Warren Ave. and the north 400’ of South-Central Ave.

Yet again keeping the focus of updating aging infrastructure in the priority column.

 

CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR CONTINUED UPDATES AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO LIVE IN GRANT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.