Council Summaries - Sept. 3 and 17, 2024

Budget Hearing

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, Oct. 1 

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Sept. 17
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Budget Hearing Sept. 3, City Council Sept. 3, Finance Committee Sept. 3, Public Works Committee Sept. 3
• Treasurer’s Report 
• Payment of claims against the City 

Welcoming Week Proclamation 2024 was read by Mayor Dave Bauer with a Spanish translation by Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht.

The Council voted 6-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2213 Amending Cemetery Board. City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this alters the cemetery board ordinance by disbanding the cemetery board and putting management under the Public Works Director; it does still allow for a future cemetery advisory board. He added the current cemetery board voted at their last meeting to disband.

The Council voted 5-0 (Papik abstained) to approve the payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,546.69.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve an Administrative Subdivision for Lot 21, Block 2, Burlington Estates.

• Ourada said this subdivision divides one lot into two and meets all regulations.
• Mike Pavelka, owner, said he is looking to add another buildable lot to the development.

The Council voted 6-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2214 Setting Salaries and Wages for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Ourada explained this is the second year for implementation of the three-year salary survey.

The Council voted 6-0 to table discussion of this item: Resolution 2024-19 Authorizing Termination of Emergency Medical Services Tiered Response Agreement Between Crete Area Medical Center and the City of Crete.

The Council voted 6-0 to table this item: 2024 -2025 FOP Agreement. 

The Council voted 6-0 to approve a Special Designated Liquor License for catered alcohol at the Community Room for a private event on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Ourada said the council does these on a case by case basis, this is a typical request for a rental of the community room at the library; no concerns from city officials with this private event.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Special Event Permit Application SE24-11 for the Crete Cares Food Distribution. Dale Strehle, Public Works Committee chair, said Police Chief Gary Young gave an explanation of this event and this process for the distribution has been used for the last few years.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Pumpkin Festival painting downtown. Mayor Dave Bauer explained Russ Sears would like to brighten up the four pumpkins painted on the sidewalk corners at 12th and Main Ave. in preparation of this year’s festival.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the 2025 Youth Grants for Excellence from the Nebraska Library Commission. Library Director Jessica Wilkinson said the NLC has grants every year and Youth Services Librarian Maridza Vasquez would like to use grant funds to help launch talking stories  using Tonies, a device with characters that read stories. The total to start is $1,666 and the library would match 25%.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the 2025 Continuing Education and Training Grants from the Nebraska Library Commission. Wilkinson said this grant would aid in sending staff to planned training to attend a week-long conference in Arizona in January; and attend the AMA (American Library Association) annual conference in Philadelphia in June; a grant would save about $3,500.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the 2025 Nebraska Library Internship Grant from the Nebraska Library Commission. Wilkinson said this is a $1,000 grant with no match required to hire a summer intern.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:

• Jerry Vlasin, 2225 Main Ave., questioned his paving assessment bill of $5,234, saying it is for paving on 23rd street and his property does not touch 23rd; he’s lived there 27 years and asked where his taxes have gone; when the city paved 22nd street his bill was $900. He also asked about the interest rate.
• City Attorney Anna Burge said only a 7% rate is charged if not paid in full and the amount is added to the owners property taxes by the county; the rate is 14% if it becomes delinquent.
• Mayor Bauer explained the city assesses properties so far into the block on the paving because those properties benefit as well. He said the city can look to make sure they assessed his properly.
• Council member Tom Crisman said everyone’s tax money goes to support the whole city with multiple departments, not just streets.
• Council member Anthony Fitzgerald said due to contractor requirements, etc. the price of concrete has gone up significantly over the years.

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:
  • the department was awarded $91,000 for their annual highway safety grant for traffic safety and traffic enforcement activities for the coming year;
  • officers resolved a mental health crisis with 2 officers over 12 hours; this is an issue we face on a regular basis;
• Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
  • shared her monthly report with the mayor and council;
  • Friends of the Crete Public Library budget is approved;
  • author visit on Nov. 16 for the Crete Reads program;
  • upcoming programming is keeping staff busy: 30-plus young patrons at a Minecraft program, D&D, book clubs, October virtual tour with Henry Doorly Zoo, family movie day, bring your own craft, terra cotta pumpkins, Orphan Train program, Bluey program; Banned Books Week;
• Savannah Anderson, HR Coordinator:
  • Trent Griffin is the new Building Inspector; Ourada added that he was going to be the building inspector before Brad Bailey applied; he has the experience;
  • Dillon Aksamit is the new Street Supervisor; he’s been on the Street Department since 2018;
  • Jesse Yager is the new Water Superintendent; he’s been operating at this level for the last year since taking over when Tim Coffey retired;
• Tom Crisman asked about railroad crossings; one day the Main Street crossing was blocked for 30 minutes. Ourada said it’s a ‘hurry up and wait’ situation, but a perfect issue for the Railway Transportation Safety District board; Dan Papik said recently there were busses stuck at crossings in 90 degree weather - making it a safety issue.
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • reminder the city will present at the League of Municipalities on Oct. 3; will share Crete is home to Mayans - a culture who were in Mexico before it was Mexico; they speak a number of languages; the message is you have to know your community and without the community assistance office, we can’t fully understand the residents of the community, and how to cope with the challenges presented.
  • City Attorney Anna Burge, City Clerk Nancy Tellez, and Finance Director Wendy Thomas will go to Washington D.C. in mid-October for grant funding workshops by the Department of Transportation; to help secure funding for the pedestrian overpass and two roundabouts; this trip is no cost to the city;
  • sales tax refund of $12,000 was asked by the state, they give no reason;
  • Transfer Station intersection is done - the contractor didn’t follow the plan, but it’s still accessible;
  • Airport Manager Will White is leaving at the end of September; so we will be looking at an FBO for the airport;
  • Thanked everybody for passage of the salary ordinance.
• Mayor Dave Bauer asked all who are able to make an appearance at the Celebrate Crete event on Sept. 18.

Meeting adjourned.

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Sept. 3
View the Budget Hearing agenda and Meeting Agenda and attachments.

City Council Budget Hearing: The Council held a Public Hearing for testimony in support of and/or opposition to the proposed budget and property tax request for the fiscal year 2024-2025

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained the council held a budget work session where they looked at a tentative budget and how suggestions would fit into the budget. Not much changed drastically, but most departments changed some. He and Finance Director Wendy Thomas also had time with former City Clerk/Treasurer Jerry Wilcox.

• department budgets are close, with some increases in administrative operations; we knew the police department would be up due to being fully staffed for the first time in a while; the fire department is stable and capital outlay is not listed there yet; minimum wage goes up and we have some seasonal positions we need to pay above minimum wage to attract and maintain employees;
• total available $51.5M; total tax required is $1,545,000
• Crete’s valuation is $450,968,476
• with our growth we are at 3.22%, which is below 3.5 (where we don’t need to send out an increase postcard)
• operating budget increase from 2023 was $45,072,000 to $45,400688 in 2024 - a 1% change
• property tax request was $1,499,880 in 2023 to the conservative option of $1,545,330 in 2024 for a 3% change.
• two submitted budget options were discussed - the first version balanced without a postcard about an increase in taxing asking; the second version also balances but requires a postcard for a joint public hearing - it provides less sales tax, with a shift to more property tax;
• Mayor Dave Bauer said if we can make the budget work without sending out the postcard we are better off; Tom and Wendy did a good job getting these options for us to look through.

Regular City Council Meeting

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Budget Work Session Aug. 24
• Public Safety Committee Aug. 20
• Personnel Committee Aug. 20
• Finance Committee Aug. 20
• Public Works Committee Aug. 20
• Parks and Recreation Committee Aug. 20
• Legislative and Economic Development Committee Aug. 20
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City 

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2024-16 Property Tax Request. The first version balances without a postcard about an increase in taxing asking; a motion was made for the first budget option.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2024-15 Gap Paving Assessments.

• Ourada explained this follows council action from two weeks ago and sets assessments.
• City Attorney Anna Burge said a 7% interest rate was added, which accrues if the property owner does not take the option to pay in full; they can pay over 15 years. By state law, the city has to pay interest and can charge a rate to recoup some costs.

The Council held a Public Hearing to levy assessments on the property located at 1215 Main Ave.

• Burge explained the situation started last summer with the property at 1215 Main Ave. It was vacant and not listed for sale, with no building permits pulled. The city sent letters to the owners and had meetings with Mr. Lopez where they provided a list to bring his vacant property into compliance. Without further activity or compliance, the property was placed on the city’s vacant property registry and a fine of $1,000 accrued every six months; the fine can increase over time. If not paid, the city can assess the fees to the owner after a period of time. He was sent notice, with a notice in the newspaper. The goal is not to leave owners without options; they can list the property for sale or rent or pull permits in order to make the property available to occupy as a business. If the owner continues nonpayment, the county can move further to foreclose on the building.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2024-17 Special Assessment to 1215 Main Ave. 

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Dittmer Commercial Preliminary Plat. 

• Ourada said the Planning Commission reviewed this plat.
• Rick Onnen, E & A Consulting Group, Inc., explained the property is 9.5 acres, zoned C-1, with 3.5 acres as open space and storm water retention. The rest is for commercial use with 7 lots and 35,000 square feet of commercial space. Several variances will be requested.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Dittmer Commercial Final Plat. Onnen said the NW corner lot is for a fast food restaurant; outlot B is not laid out specifically; they are waiting to see what various commercial uses would be needed or requested.

The Council held a Public Hearing on an Application for the Community Development Block Grant Program for road construction and reconstruction. Ourada said this is a CDB grant application for 21st Street between Norman and Oak Avenue; Oak Avenue, between 20th and 21st Street; and Oak Avenue between 21st and 22nd Street.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2024-18 Community Development Block Grant For Road Construction and Reconstruction. 

The Council voted 6-0 to approve a Special Designated Liquor License at the Community Room for catered alcohol at a private event on Friday, October 11, 2024. Ourada said the council does these on a case by case basis, this is a typical request for a rental of the community room at the library.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Application from Black Hills Energy for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way. Ourada said this item covers multiple properties in city limits and was reviewed by the Public Works Committee; they are moving Black Hills Energy utilities on North Boswell from one side to the other.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Agreement Between Owner and Engineer for Professional Services from JEO Consulting Group, Inc. for the Crete Walnut Creek Sewer Repair. Ourada said the sewer crossing was temporarily repaired and JEO made recommendations for additional repairs.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Special Event Permit Application SE24-09 Crete's Great Pumpkin Festival from the Crete Chamber of Commerce. Council Member Dan Papik said the Public Works Committee recommended approval of this and the following item as they were reviewed by appropriate city staff.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Application for Special Event Permit SE24-10 for the Children's Parade from the Crete Chamber of Commerce.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Change Order 011 for $812.00 from Kingery Construction for the Crete Isis Theatre. Shay Smith, Executive Director of the Blue River Arts Council, said this was to split an electrical switch at the top of the projector room.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Change Order 012 for $2,126.00 from Kingery Construction for the Crete Isis Theatre. Smith said this was a required addition from fire marshal for a vent above the popcorn machine with an automatic damper.

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:
  • we won’t know about our annual highway safety grant until Sept. 19 but they are happy with our efforts this past year;
  • the department is getting ready for Celebrate Crete on Sept. 18 at Tuxedo Park;
• Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director: fall programming - except Mondays, we programs every night of the week - gaming, story times, art exploration, etc.
• Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director: 
  • flag football and coed softball are going on;
  • city facilities are helping to host events and tournaments, the Wildwood tennis courts, Tuxedo Park, etc.;
  • we are continuing to revamp RecDesk and how we use our park facilities;
  • we have not heard back from an inquiry on 8U programming;
• Marilyn Schacht, Community Assistance Director:
  • the office is busy day to day: we have citizenship classes in collaboration with other organizations, voter registration, working with city departments on road classes, helping families get integrated into the community, sharing resources; the community is growing with lots of new families;
  • Celebrate Crete - Sept. 18 - 5-8pm: last year this was the back to school community picnic and with construction last month at Doane, the planning committee decided to do something different during welcoming week (Sept. 13-22), an annual global celebration fostering unity among individuals from diverse backgrounds; this week will celebrate heritage and cultures in the community with a variety of events planned that week; on Sept. 18 is Celebrate Crete, a free event at Tuxedo Park with free food, entertainment, over 47 informational booths, education, resources, economic development;
  • Welcoming America will be coming to Crete for an audit;
  • I went to Scottsbluff to see other Latino leaders; Crete is at the forefront of so many things and we have support from the local government and other communities don’t always see that;
  • I was appointed by the Governor to the Nebraska Commission on Latino Americans - last meeting of the year is Saturday, Nov. 16 and they will come to Crete;
  • Ourada said he, Marilyn, and City Clerk Nancy Tellez are presenting for Crete at the League of Nebraska Municipalities conference;
  • Mayor Bauer said Marilyn is a very busy person and working behind the scenes on many projects; he encouraged everyone to come out to the Sept. 18 event, showing support for the community.
• Brad Bailey, Municipal Building Inspector:
  • he is leaving his position at the end of the week; he and his wife are moving out of state;
  • Crete has had 24 new housing starts this year, a new record as far as he knows; 30 units in the Crete Senior Villas will be done by the end of the year; Nerud’s 8-unit apartment building on Ivy; total 68 new housing units this year; 
  • this is a good place for Crete to be right now, with some developers coming in; Lincoln has slowed a bit, but Crete is growing and that’s a good sign for the future;
  • I’ve had a great time working in Crete and loved the job; I’m glad I got to work with everybody; it’s been a challenge with communication but Nancy Tellez, Marilyn Schacht, and Jennifer Valente are excellent interpreters; I hope I leave this in a better place than when I came;
  • Mayor Bauer said Brad has been an asset; you’ve done a great job and good to work with - I’ve heard that from people in the community; you’re tough, but you’re doing the job. It will be hard to find a replacement. Thank you for the time you’ve spent with the City.
• Council Members had praise for work on the budget and appreciation for Brad Bailey’s work.
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator: budget work was consuming and it’s the most I’ve ever done with it; he worked with Wendy in the first year since Jerry retired.

Meeting adjourned.