Council Minutes - Sept. 1 and 22, 2026
Budget Hearing Sept. 22, Special Council Meeting Sept. 28
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.
- Questions about agendas or meeting minutes should be directed to the City Clerk.
- Meeting minutes are published in The Crete News (local newspaper)
- Each regular city council meeting agenda also contains the minutes of recent council, committee, and board meetings
The next Crete City Council regular meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Condensed Minutes for Crete City Council Special meeting - Tuesday, Sept. 28:
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments, entire copy of minutes available at the office of the City Clerk.
Mayor Bauer called the meeting of the City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. Answering roll call were the following Council Members: Crisman, Strehle, Papik and Fitzgerald Absent: Frans and Newmyer
The following actions were taken at the meeting:
Approved the Consent Agenda items: Unanimous
- Meeting Minutes: September 22 City Council Budget Hearing, September 22 City Council Meeting, September 22 Finance Committee Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report
- Claims against the City $30,666.68
Adopted Resolution 2026-24 : A resolution setting the amount of property tax request for fiscal year 2026-2027. Unanimous
Enacted Ordinance 2282 adopting the budget statement as the annual appropriation bill and appropriating all budgeted sums contained therein. Unanimous
Authorized the Crete Public Library to apply for the Watchable Wildlife Grant through the Nebraska Game and Parks. Unanimous
Adopted Resolution 2026-23 Restricting parking on Main Ave for Blue River Bridge Weight Restrictions. Unanimous
The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
Condensed Minutes for Crete City Council regular meeting and budget hearing - Tuesday, Sept. 22:
This regular meeting was moved from the third Tuesday, Sept. 15. View this Meeting Agenda and Budget Hearing Agenda and attachments, entire copy of minutes available at the office of the City Clerk.
Mayor Bauer called the meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Answering roll call were the following Council Members: Crisman, Frans, Newmyer, Strehle, and Fitzgerald Absent: Papik
A Budget Hearing to hear testimony in support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget was held.
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained a presentation that included the Property Taxes for Non-Bond Purposes, Principal and Interest on Bonds, and Total Personal and Real Property Tax Required. Ourada further explained the General Fund Requirements and 10 Year General Fund (Operations) Levy History. Ourada stated that the City of Crete lost $636,000 of Municipal Equalization Funds for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year which was a major reason for the increased levy request.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Mayor Bauer called the meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Answering roll call were the following Council Members: Crisman, Frans, Newmyer, Strehle, and Fitzgerald Absent: Papik
The following actions were taken at the meeting:
Approved the Consent Agenda items: Unanimous
- Meeting Minutes: September 1 City Council, September 1 Public Works Committee, September 1 Public Safety Committee, September 1 Legislative Development Committee
- Treasurer’s Report
- Claims against the City $1,155,427.29
Swore in Christian Thompson as City of Crete Police Officer
Tabled Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the City of Crete applying for the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Unanimous
Authorized the Crete Police Department to apply for the Car Seat mini grant. Unanimous
Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,789.13. Unanimous
Approved the State Grant Agreement Project No. 3-31-0022-017/018/019/020-2026. Unanimous
Adopted Resolution 2026-22 Adopting and Approving The Execution Of A State Grant Agreement for Project No. 3-31-0022-017/018/019/020-2026. Unanimous
Approved the Progress Estimate for the AIP Project No: 3-31-0022-017/018 in the amount of $10,204.15 for Consultant Olsson. Unanimous
Approved the Summary of Project Cost from B-D Construction Project No 3-31-0022-019 in the amount of $123,400. Unanimous
Approved the Application for Special Event Permit SE2026-09 from Crete High School for the Homecoming Parade. Unanimous
Approved the Special Event Application SE26-10 from the Crete Hometown Holiday Group. Unanimous
Authorized the Friends of the Crete Public Library to serve catered alcohol at the Music Bingo Fundraiser on the evening of October 23rd, 2026 at the Crete Community Room. Unanimous
Approved the Special Designated Liquor License from BJX Enterprises LLC DBA The Corner Liquor Store for the October 23rd, 2026 Crete Public Library fundraiser event at the Community Room. Unanimous
Approved the FY2027 Saline County Area Transit Allocation in the amount of $41,816. Unanimous
Approved the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception PA26-06 from Wildlife Learning Encounters at the Crete Public Library. Unanimous
Officers’ Reports:
- Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated that she is trying to find reindeer to bring to the Library in December. Wilkinson also stated that the Friends of the Library have just finalized their budgets and they are raising their budget by $14,000.
- Council President Dale Strehle thanked City Administrator Tom Ourada, Mayor Dave Bauer and all the Department Heads on their work with the budget.
- Finance Director Wendy Thomas introduced Jennifer Torres as the new HR Coordinator
- City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the City of Crete had no knowledge of the Blue River Bridge having weight restrictions. Ourada stated that when they called the State to ask they told us that they had already spoken to the large industries and large farm operations to make them aware.
- Mayor Dave Bauer stated that farmers have called with concerns about the corner at Arizona Ave and W 13th Street. The Storage unites there are right up to the street and vehicles cannot see oncoming traffic.
- Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked City Administrator Tom Ourada if the City can ask for signage for a detour for bridge.
- Chief of Police Jon Pucket asked if parking spaces should be removed for trucks turning on Main Ave. Ourada stated that would be prudent to do.
- Mayor Dave Bauer stated that the City of Crete hosted 5 Hungarians who included Mayors, council members and a City Administrator for a tour of Crete in a bus provided by Crete Public Schools. They also provided a program of their own country.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Condensed Minutes for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Sept. 1:
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments, entire copy of minutes available at the office of the City Clerk.
Mayor Bauer called the meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Answering roll call were the following Council Members: Crisman, Frans, Newmyer, Strehle, Papik and Fitzgerald
The following actions were taken at the meeting:
Approved the Consent Agenda items: Unanimous
- Meeting Minutes: August 18 City Council, August 18 Public Works Committee , August 18 Finance Committee
- Treasurer’s Report
- Claims against the City $1,305,123.11
- Approved Katelyn Iwata as new volunteer member of the Fire Department
- Mayor's appointments of Aaron Blackman and Jorge Paredes to the Library Advisory Board
Fire Chief Todd Allen introduced Katelyn Iwata as new volunteer member of the Fire Department
Approved the Special Event Permit Application SE26-08 from Burce Cerny and Xochitl Boughtin with TJ Sokol's for a Halloween Festival on October 10th, 2026. Unanimous
Tabled the FY2027 Transit Allocation. Unanimous
Accepted the Saline County Aging Services Annual Report. Unanimous
Approved the Special Event Permit Application SE26-07 from the Crete Chamber of Commerce for the Crete's Great Pumpkin Festival. Unanimous
Approved the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception from the Crete Chamber of Commerce and Wrangler's 4-H Club for the Pumpkin Festival Petting Zoo. Unanimous
Adopted Resolution 2026-19 declaring the intent to reimburse the City for certain expenditures from the proceeds of bonds issued by the City. Unanimous
Adopted Resolution 2026-20 Signing of Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement between the City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc for Crete Pedestrian Bridge Project NDOT Project Number: DPS-76 (53) Unanimous
Resolution 2026-21 authorizing Chief Elected Official to sign an application for CDBG Funds for infrastructure grant to reconstruct 15th street and construct sidewalk improvements from Boswell Ave to Fir Ave. Unanimous
Adopted the Citizen Participation Plan. Unanimous
Approved the Excessive Force Certification. Unanimous
Approved the Residential Anti-Displacement & Relocation Assistance Plan. Unanimous
Approved the Apparatus Purchase Agreement with Toyne Inc with appropriate agreement documents. Unanimous
Approved authorizing the Crete Police Department to apply for the NHTSA Grant. Unanimous
Approved authorizing the Crete Police Department to apply for the Taser Grant. Unanimous
Approved advertising for bids for an ambulance and setting a bid opening date. Unanimous
FY2026-2027 Budget Work Session: City Administrator Tom Ourada provided two spreadsheets with the City of Crete Geral Fund Transfer Summary Tax Fund Operations. Ourada also provided the City of Crete Comparative Valuation, Taxes, Levies and Expenditures from 2017-2018 to 2026-2027. Ourada explained possible options for the FY 2026-2027 Budget year and answered questions from the City Council members.
- Ourada stated that Saline County Joint Public Hearing would be on September 23, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. at the Saline County Courthouse in the 3rd Floor District Court Room.
- The City Council Special Meeting will be on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Officers’ Reports:
- Chief of Police Jon Pucket stated the following:
- School Resource Officer Noah Zach provided information on e-bikes, electric bikes and minibikes for students during lunch time at the Middle School.
- Through the child safety grant the police department was able to complete 72 car seat inspections and give out 22 car seats to families.
- City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the Police Department has been doing work towards stopping loud vehicles that are breaking the law. Pucket added that they can get tickets for disturbing the peace.
- Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated that she is working on the library accreditation process and appreciates City Attorney Anna Burge’s help.
- Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
- 4 new Doane Service Leadership volunteers interested in opportunities in parks, forestry, & recreation programs
- Doane Student Andrew Langford assisting with tree projects during the fall
- Interviewing applicants for part-time or full-time groundskeeper positions
- Co-Ed softball season is underway & Flag Football registration is closed and coaching/referee positions are filled
- Upcoming events in September include a Girl Scout-led park clean-up day at Library Park and the PlantNebraska Curator’s Meeting
- Building Inspector Trent Griffin provided the Permit Log for the months of June and July. Griffin also explained that Cross-Connection Control Reporting Surveys are being mailed out.
- City Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked about the City of Crete’s dilapidated buildings and Ourada asked Fitgerald to provide him with a list and he would follow up with the different departments. City Attorney Anna Burge stated that the City of Crete owns the land at Tuxedo Park but not the buildings and the owners have an obligation to maintain the buildings.
- City Council member Dan Papik stated that he is grateful to the City departments working together. City Council member Dale Strehle thanked the department heads for their work on the City budget. City Council member Ashley Newmyer thanked City Administrator Tom Ourada and Finance Director Wendy Thomas for their work on the budget. City Council member Tom Crisman thanked Chief of Police Jon Pucket for his work citing illegal loud vehicles.
- City Administrator Tom Ourada reminded the City Council members that the Employee Recognition Dinner is on Thursday, September 17.
- Mayor Dave Bauer asked the council members who would be able to attend the dinner with the group of Hungarians that will be visiting Crete on Sunday, September 20th, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.