
Jordan Belloli (back) and Don Bergman (front) talk to Grand Island’s City Council June 24 about an energy audit update for several city buildings including City Hall and the Heartland Events Center, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Honeywell International staff members are recommending that city of Grand Island rent a chiller for the Heartland Events Center during the Nebraska State Fair.
The recommendation was made because of the condition of existing chillers at the building.
Jordan Belloli, an account executive with Honeywell’s Energy Services Group, and Don Borgmann, a solution development engineer, gave a lengthy presentation to the City Council June 24.
Their work focused on the Heartland Events Center, Grand Island Public Library, City Hall, and Safety Center. The most recommendations were made about the Heartland Events Center. Honeywell staff will return for a City Council meeting in approximately two months to share further findings.
At City Hall, installation of window film on the large windows on the south side of the building is recommended.
Next, Honeywell staff discussed the ice rink at the Heartland Events Center. It could be used for hockey games, ice skating shows, or public ice skating. They said it will bring in new events to the city.
There is no Zamboni, which is an ice resurfacer, at the Events Center.
At the Bosselman Conference Center, a vehicle hit the building. Honeywell staff suggested turning the area into another vestibule for the building.
At the Law Enforcement Center, of the three units that produce cooling, one is not in good shape. Because of infrastructure problems, the consultants suggested opening up some walls to find out what is causing various problems.
The City Council voted 9-0 to approve an amendment to the audit agreement to include the Law Enforcement Center, which the city owns. City Council member Jason Conley was absent June 24. The cost of the audit agreement will increase from $237,000 to $256,000.
According to a memo to City Council from Chief Financial Officer Patrick Brown, the city began discussions with Honeywell International regarding the performance of the HVAC system in City Hall. The city then asked Honeywell to evaluate all of the city’s major buildings concerning energy usage, utility expense and HVAC systems.
The city identified six buildings because of their high utility billing costs. The buildings were City Hall, the Law Enforcement Center, Library, Heartland Events Center, Emergency Management Center, and Fire Station No. 1. City staff have not recommended proceeding with Fire Station No. 1 or the Emergency Management Center.
The Heartland Events Center HVAC, roofing, lighting and weatherization needs were anticipated as deferred maintenance and energy efficiency costs associated with ownership of the 20-year-old building, and were quickly identified by VenuWorks as significant capital needs upon assuming management of the building, Brown wrote.
In another matter, the City Council voted 9-0 to apply for an LB 840 grant application for $50,000 for Hear Grand Island. In a memo to City Council from City Administrator Laura McAloon and Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation President Mary Berlie, Hear Grand Island founded and operates the free summer concert series in downtown Grand Island at Amur Plaza. The series attracted an average of 3,200 attendees weekly in 2023.
Weather challenges in 2024 caused cancellations and loss of anticipated revenue. Beginning in 2025, Hear Grand Island will be formally supported through Grown Grand Island, Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp., all of whom are helping in boosting fundraising and financing for 2025 and beyond.
Prior grant applications have been for $10,000. The 2025 grant does include the payment of approximately $13,000 in unpaid costs from the 2024 season for security, portable restrooms, and sound/lighting. Hear Grand Island has developed a budget for the next three years to support the series cost of approximately $80,000. Fundraising has already been strong from the community.
In another matter, the City Council voted 9-0 to rezone property north of Stolley Park Road and east of Stuhr Road. There are currently two lots in the subdivision, and there would be four lots. Dick Rezac is the property owner. He said he planted in the past 1,000 trees on the property. He has lived there for 38 years, and his family has lived on the property for 50 years.
The City Council voted 8-1 to approve a preliminary plat and zoning change at the corner of Capital Avenue and Engleman Road where the old Engleman School used to be located. Council member Doug Lanfear voted against the motion. Ten duplexes with a total of 20 housing units will be constructed at the site. The parcel of land is just over three acres. 20,000-square-foot lots would be developed. The owner will seek $734,380 in Tax Increment Financing for the property.