A representative of Honeywell Building Technologies talks to the Grand Island City Council April 22 about completing an energy audit for the city, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island’s City Council voted 9-0 April 22 to have Honeywell Building Technologies complete an Investment Grade Audit Agreement concerning energy use in some city buildings.
Council member Chuck Haase was absent from the April 22 meeting.
Six buildings underwent a preliminary evaluation: City Hall, Law Enforcement Center, Library, Heartland Events Center, Emergency Management Center, and Fire Station No. 1.
Evaluation will proceed with three of those buildings: City Hall, Library, and Heartland Events Center.
In 2023, the City began discussions with Honeywell International regarding the performance of the HVAC system in City Hall, according to a memo to City Council from Brian Schultz, Assistant Finance Director.
Then, the city asked Honeywell to evaluate all of the city’s major buildings concerning energy usage, utility expenses, and HVAC systems, and determine whether an Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) program was a method for funding capital improvement projects.
The initial evaluation was done at Honeywell’s expense.
Honeywell recommended to the city to enter into an Investment Grade Audit Agreement (IGAA) with their company. If the city had not entered into the agreement, it would owe Honeywell $237,977 for the work it had completed.
Honeywell’s work is needed because of high utility bills, deferred maintenance, aging energy infrastructure, long-term planning, and budgeting.
Council member Mitch Nickerson described Honeywell’s work as impressive and comprehensive.
“I like the LED emphasis,” Nickerson said.
Council member Ryan O’Neill said, “I’m glad to see that we’re looking at this.”
Council President Jack Sheard said the city was thinking ahead and keeping future technology in mind.
“I think it will be pretty smart for Grand Island to invest in this,” Sheard said.
Council member Mike Paulick said that taking a look at energy usage was a good idea.
One topic that generated considerable discussion was an ice-making machine for an ice rink at the Heartland Events Center. City Administrator Laura McAloon said that Venuworks, which manages the Heartland Events Center, thinks it could get events scheduled there if it had an ice rink. The cost to audit the existing ice-making machine is $40,000.
Sheard said he had heard enough to keep the study of an ice-making machine in with the work that will be completed.
Nickerson said that when he lived in Colorado Springs, there was an ice rink there.
“It’s a family sport and another activity to share with friends,” he said.
A representative from VenuWorks told the City Council that VenuWorks was not looking to have a hockey team formed in Grand Island to use the ice rink. He said that VenuWorks could envision having exhibition hockey games or events like Disney on Ice at the Events Center.
In another matter, the City Council voted 9-0 to approve a two-year, three-month, police service contract with the Hall County Housing Authority that will run until June 2027.
A police officer is assigned to the position Monday through Friday. The Police Department is able to staff the position after a several year vacancy. The Police Department is reimbursed $50,000 per year for its work. The Housing Authority serves approximately 600 people.
The City Council voted 9-0 to approve support of future land use in support of additional space for the Veterans’ Cemetery. The city currently owns lot 2 in Veterans Legacy South Subdivision. This lot is part of a larger piece of property gifted by the city to the state of Nebraska in support of the Nebraska Veterans Home.
This lot, and other property, were deeded back to the city in 2016 after relocation of the Nebraska Veterans Home. The Veterans Cemetery and land set aside for future cemetery expansion are directly south of Lot 2.