Council Summaries - Dec. 3 and 17, 2024
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, Jan. 7
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 17
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.
Council Member Dale Strehle was absent.
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
- Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Dec. 3, Public Safety Committee Dec. 3, Finance Committee Dec. 3, Public Works Committee Dec. 3
- Treasurer’s Report
- Payment of claims against the City
- Mayor's appointments: Jennifer Robison to the Historic Preservation Commission, Blaine Spanjer and Greg Hier to the Airport Advisory Board, Pam Wendelin to the Civil Service Commission, Ken Marvin to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, Tod Allen as the Fire Chief.
The Council voted 5-0 to authorize the Crete Police Department to apply for the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office Improving Data Mini-Grant. Captain Jon Pucket explained this would help fund 75 percent of the cost of an in-car radar system and the department would pay remainder.
The Council voted 4-0 (Papik abstained) to approve the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,374.73.
The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2227- Amending the Historic Preservation Commission.
- City Administrator Tom Ourada said this was requested by SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office). The city is applying for designation as a certified local government and this grants the city’s Historical Preservation Commission and city some authority to regulate historic districts and buildings as well as help preserve historic buildings in danger of being torn down.
- City Attorney Anna Burge said ultimately the CLG doesn’t have any authority over federal register designations; this also adds other helpful changes.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Mayor’s appointment of JEO as City Engineer for a term of one-year. Ourada said the council approved an appointed city engineer on a one-year term last year and Mayor Dave Bauer would like to reappoint JEO.
The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2228 amending parking fees. Amendments include changing the parking fine from $10 to $25 if paid within 72 hours of issuance; after 72 hours, the parking fine changes from $20 to $35.
The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2229 amending Utility Rates to be passed by ordinance. Ourada said an ordnance controls how utility rates are addressed and will be filed and maintained by the Public Works Director and City Clerk.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Master Fee Schedule amendments: adding a $20 Mobile Food Vendor permit.
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.
- Captain Jon Pucket:
- Chief Gary Young is out right now due to surgery;
- Officer Jaden Acevedo is rounding up FTO (field officer training);
- moving forward on the RMS system and working on details with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department;
- Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
- programming numbers - compared to other libraries by size and proximity, Crete is third in attendance; number of programs are less, but quality programs with good attendance for 2022-2023;
- November - the library saved patrons $36,983 in materials, 29 on-site programs, total 551 attendance, 12 copies of Erica Bauermeister’s book were checked out surrounding her author visit;
- current programs: musical instruments are available in the park, ongoing winter book sale - made over $1,000 so far; over 100 people attained the free movie at the Isis Theatre, four book clubs - newest will start in January;
- library dog naming contest - stuffed German Shepherd;
- Teen Night - Library After Dark on Dec. 23;
- Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director: staff is conducting inventories and looking at what we have and need, which is helping new staff get acquainted with the department;
- Tom Crisman - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year;
- Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
- we have a proposal on a park design to look at – especially the new complex area, will work with Mayor Bauer and Park & Rec Committee;
- we have a meeting on an electric rate review with the rate consultant;
- shared information on the solar farm on the west edge of town on land the city already owns for a new water well; partnered with Sandhills Energy who will own and operate; Crete is the second largest of the 13 communities they partner with and the solar farm should be on line yet this year; we’ll have a ribbon cutting with Sandhills Energy and MEAN; 25-year long-term purchase power agreement – less than 6 cents kWh with a half percent per year escalator; no transmission associated with it; 1.6 MW; about 50kW will run one block, so the solar project would power about 32 residential city blocks; panels are monitored for weather - in case of inclement weather will go vertical to protect against weather threats;
- Mayor Dave Bauer wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Meeting adjourned.
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.