Public Works reminders for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's:

• The Garbage Company, the city's franchised hauler, is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day - weekly collections will run one day behind AFTER the holiday during those weeks.
  • Thanksgiving Day: garbage and recycling collection will run one day behind after Thursday that week;
  • Christmas Day, New Year's Day: garbage and recycling collection will run one day behind after Wednesday those weeks.
• The Transfer Station will be closed on two Tuesdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
• Christmas Tree Disposal: The Department of Public Works provides a site for disposal of real Christmas trees; please remove all decorations/lights. The location is open Dec. 26 through mid-January on South Main Ave. (south of 3rd Street) on the east side of the road; please watch for the sign.
• Remember to recycle all your Christmas cardboard in curbside recycling. Clean cardboard is accepted in the city’s residential, curbside recycling program. Please break down cardboard boxes and shipping boxes. Other accepted recyclables include aluminum/tin, paper, and plastics 1-7. *Recycling collection will run one day behind the week of Christmas and New Year's.)

Find more seasonal information in the Winter Weather Guide. Contact the Public Works Utility Office with questions, 402.826.4312.

Crete is a growing and diverse 'community in motion' with over 7,000 residents who call it home. We embrace our pioneering heritage and present-day diversity and continue to thrive with a strong economy, successful school system, and safe parks and neighborhoods.

The City of Crete has nearly 70 full time employees. No matter what role you have with us, you are sure to experience growth, professional development, and career achievements.

(Want to learn more about Crete? Check out City Government, Parks & Recreation, Departments, brand new Library, Business & Industry, and other community links.)

The City of Crete is taking applications for Human Resources Generalist. Full-time position, with benefits; wage negotiable. Minimum qualifications include: must be at least 21 years of age; have high school diploma or GED; be legally authorized to work in the U.S. General functions: Provide professional-level human resources support for all City departments (approximately 100 employees). This role has responsibilities in all areas of human resources including employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits administration, recruitment and retention, and more. Reports directly to the City Administrator. See full job description for more information.

Applications will be accepted until this position is filled and may be obtained from the link below or by contacting Human Resources at City Hall. The City of Crete is an equal opportunity employer. Applications should be completed and submitted in one of the following ways: 

• Download the application and job description, type responses, print as PDF and email to jobs@crete.ne.gov
• Print, write responses, scan, and email to jobs@crete.ne.gov
• Fax to 402-826-6412
• Mail to the attention of Human Resources, City of Crete, at PO Box 86, Crete, NE 68333-0086
• Drop off at Crete City Hall - 243 East 13th Street

View/download the job description and employment application:

• Job description 
• Application for employment 

For additional inquiries, please contact:

Human Resources
City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Crete NE 68333-0086
Phone: 402.826.4313 Fax: 402.826.6412
jobs@crete.ne.gov

Check out these upcoming and regular youth events at Crete Public Library. (some ages noted) Contact library staff for more information or visit the library's Facebook Page..

Teen Night: Library After Dark

• Monday, Dec. 23, 7-11 p.m.
• Stop by the library to fill out a permission form for Teen Night Library After Dark.

Recurring Programming:

• Activities
  • Exploration Studio: hands-on STEM experiments; first Tuesdays, 4 and 5:30 p.m.
  • Art Lab: create one-of-a-kind art projects; third Tuesday, 4 and 5:30 p.m.
• Games
  • Magic: The Gathering; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 1 p.m.
• Story Times
  • Toddler Story Time: Ages 0-2; Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
  • Preschool Story Time: Ages 3-5; Thursdays at 10 a.m. 

Recent Programs:

Princess Tea Party, Saturday Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - Noon

• There will be plenty of activities and snacks for all ages to enjoy at the Princess Tea Party. Library staff encourages the use of tiaras and princess dresses to this event.

Morning of Fun, Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.

• Bluey will drop by the library to play great games, help make delicious snacks, and take great pictures.

Family Movie, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m.

• Eat popcorn, relax, and watch a movie in the library.

Current library hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• (Monday-Friday - Drive-thru window opens 8:30 a.m.)
• Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Crete Public Library
1515 Forest Ave.
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.3809
crete.library@crete.ne.gov

Individuals and media outlets are encouraged to contact the City Administrator for additional details or clarification on the following material. Regular meetings of the Crete City Council are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall; Council Standing Committees may meet prior. View a list of City Officials and current council and committee meeting agendas.

The next Crete City Council regular meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 17

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 3
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.

Council Member Ashley Newmyer was absent.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: 
• City Council Nov. 19, Legislative/Community Development Committee Nov. 19, Personnel Committee Nov. 19, Public Safety Committee Nov. 19, Public Works Committee Nov. 19, Planning Commission Oct. 28
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City 
• Mayor's appointment of Jessica Razo to the Library Advisory Board  

The Council voted 5-0 to ratify Election Results. Ward 2 Council member Dale Strehle was reelected. Ward 1 Council member Anthony Fitzgerald and Ward 3 Council member Ashley Newmyer, who were both appointed to council seats in the middle of terms, won their elections.

The Council Adjourned Sine Die.

The Council Opened the Meeting as the 2024 City Council.

Roll Call and Oath of Office. Strehle and Fitzgerald took the oath of office. (Newmyer was absent)

The Council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2024-26: A resolution certifying the results of the 2024 General Election. 

The Council voted 4-0 (Strehle abstained) to elect Dale Strehle as City Council President to preside in the absence of the Mayor. 

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the City Council Standing Committees as presented by the Mayor.

• Public Works Committee: Dale Strehle (chair), Anthony Fitzgerald, Dan Papik
• Parks Recreation Committee: Fitzgerald (chair), Kyle Frans, Papik
• Finance Committee: Frans (chair), Strehle, Ashley Newmyer
• Personnel Committee: Tom Crisman (chair), Newmyer, Fitzgerald
• Legislative/Community Development Committee: Newmyer (chair), Strehle, Crisman
• Public Safety Committee: Papik (chair), Crisman, Frans

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2224 - Adding regulations for Mobile Food Vendors. Mayor Dave Bauer said assigned fees are undecided at this time.

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2226 amending administrative subdivision requirements. City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this item went to the Planning Commission and Public Works Committee; it changes document requirements from 1 primary mylar copy and 11 additional copies to 1 primary and 3 additional due to the use of digital resources.

The Council voted 5-0 to authorize the Fire Department to apply for the AFG grant. Fire Chief Tod Allen addressed the Public Safety Committee prior stating the department’s last grant of this type was 20 years ago which funded the purchase of the interior fire trailer and public education trailer. This round they want to purchase a mobile roof prop combined with a forcible entry prop to teach these much-needed skills. The trailer with this training equipment is $92,500; the department would provide a five percent match from donations they have on hand.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-25 - changes to the Master Fee schedule. Frans said this includes updates on water services to clear up issues from old rates.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the apparent low bid of $177,922.00 from Judds Bros. Construction Co. for the Walnut Creek Sewer Repair Project. Ourada said this is an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funded project the council previously approved to go out for bids. Strehle said there were five bids and the committee recommended the low bid from Judds Brothers.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:

Officer Reports:

Reports may be given by Officers, Departments, Committees, or Council members concerning the current operations of the City. No action can be taken on matters presented under this title except to answer any questions or to refer the matter for further action.

• Gary Young, Police Chief:
  • FOP members are in the middle of the annual toy drive ‘Operation Under the Tree’ and had a great weekend of donations on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving; they will also use donated money throughout the year to buy coats, shoes, etc. for people who need those things;
  • he shared startling news that they are way ahead of schedule on the records management build and met with the project manager this week and will look at an internal beta test with software before Christmas;
• Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
  • started the winter book sale on Monday;
  • staff did a great job keeping up when she was gone over the holiday;
  • Princess Tea Party had over 100 little girls attending;
  • the library is partnering with the Isis Theatre for two free showings of “The Polar Express” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15
• Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director: 
  • Food Bank of Lincoln’s distribution in Tuxedo Park served over 3,000 families from January - October; Parks and Recreation will work with them through the winter for any issues using the park for the monthly events;
  • the department is taking inventories, refreshing signs, etc. during the winter;
  • did not receive the Watchable Wildlife grant, but there are other options; looking at an Exmark grant for landscaping supplies, etc.;
  • working to submit the Tree City USA application;
  • Anthony Fitzgerald asked about recently mentioned donations to City Park; Mayor Bauer said the Crete Community Foundation has given a dollar amount and they are working on matching donations and a campaign to move forward;
• Trenton Griffin, Building Insepctor: 
  • 25 new houses this year and 2 more were moved in; of the 25 - 8 in foundation phase, 5 partially enclosed, 8 are completely enclosed, 6 have full occupancy, which includes the 8-unit building on Hawthorne Ave; Crete Senior Villas is 30 units - last week was the mechanical inspection; one commercial property under construction on Hawthorne;
• Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked about the airport manager positions; Ourada said Mike Kalkwarf is handling some duties and a new manager agreement is close, but not done.
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • we experienced radio issues and antenna issues of concern to the fire department and county; Gary has done a great job getting resolutions; when they are switched over for dispatch we will be in a good place;
  • we met with Crete Schools as a grant partner on pedestrian overpass projects; they are very magnanimous and anxious to work with us; we will be reaching out to other partners in the spring.
  • Nestle will start sludge pumping; the council approved right-of-way for pipe to go up and out to the east and they will need permits;
  • we are looking at improvements to the Wanek Community Center and opportunities there for digital programming with seniors and the library;
  • we had another grant opportunity through SENDD for the substation project;
  • we have filled out a letter of intent to apply for a workforce housing development grant and will meet as the Crete Housing Development Corp.; it will match 3 times - $250k will make $750k in funding;
  • we have strong interest in our building downtown with two different owners for two different sides; we would do structure this like we did with the theatre and if there is a default the building would revert back to the city.

Meeting adjourned.

The City of Crete Department of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is continuing to provide five energy efficiency programs to assist in lowering energy costs for local utility customers through energy efficiency improvements.

All five programs offer cash incentives to make energy efficient upgrades in the areas of insulation, cooling systems, home thermostats, high efficiency heat pump, and commercial lighting. Here is a rundown of the four programs:

• High Efficiency Heat Pump Program: The program provides cash incentives from $400 to $3,000 to residential homeowners who are installing a new heat pump system to their residential single-family dwelling.
• Smart Thermostat Program: Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a qualifying smart thermostat. 
• Attic Insulation Program: Provides cash incentives of $0.15 / per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. 
• Cooling System Tune-Up Program: Provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of what type or age of cooling system (air conditioner/air or water source heat pump).
• Commercial LED Lighting Program: Provides cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of interior lighting upgrades and replacements.

These programs are available to customers of the City of Crete through its wholesale power partnership with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. For more information on these programs, contact the Utility Office at City Hall, 402.826.4312, or go online to download program guidelines and application forms.

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
(Utility Office ground floor main entrance on south side)
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.4312