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 13^th 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 3^rd 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 20^th, 2026. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

Crete Recreation program signup for "Kickin' It" with Gold Star Martial Arts is open through Friday, Oct. 23. No late registrations are accepted.

Registration forms are available online (RecDesk) or in the Recreation Office at City Hall.

"Kickin' It" with Gold Star Martial Arts, in cooperation with Crete Parks and Recreation, is an introductory martial arts program. During the five week program, participants will be exposed to the fundamental elements of martial arts. An emphasis will be placed on having fun while learning self defense and bullying prevention skills. Current liability waivers are required.

• dates: Sunday afternoons - Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• 45 minutes classes
• ages 5 & up
• location: Gold Star Martial Arts, 142 West 13th St
• Cost - $50

 

Parks & Recreation Department 
402.826.4315

Two story times will be held at Crete Public Library during the 2026-2027 school year, starting Sept. 2. Join the library for a morning filled with dancing, learning, and wonderful stories.

• Toddler Story Time
  • Ages 0-2
  • Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
• Preschool Story Time
  • Ages 3-5
  • Fridays at 10 a.m. 

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Special story times are also held weekly during the Summer Reading program.

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

 

(Updated Aug. 5)

Crete City Council considered an ordinance in July and August to amend city code adding regulations on E-bikes, minibikes, and other motorized recreational transportation and establishing penalties for violations. Ordinance 2279 was approved on the first and second readings at the July 7 and July 21 city council meetings, respectively. It was approved for a final reading and adopted at the regular council meeting on Aug. 4. Crete City Council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays each month.

• Crete City Council information
• City of Crete meeting agendas
• Proposed Ordinance 2279 (pdf)

Proposed regulations reference state statute and ordinances in other cities including Lincoln and Hastings. The full ordinance is available online (linked above) or at City Hall.

Crete's proposed ordinance addresses specific categories of bikes and motorized transportation based on a number of criteria, including wheel and tire diameter, engine/motor capacity, maximum speed, and pedal-assist functions.

In summary, the categories are:

• Class I E-bike: fully operative pedals; electric motor not exceeding 750 watts and no more that one brake horsepower capable of propelling the bike no more than 20 mph; only provides power when pedaling;
• Class II E-bike: fully operative pedals; electric motor not exceeding 750 watts and no more that one brake horsepower capable of propelling the bike no more than 20 mph; provides power whether or not rider is pedaling;
• Class III E-bike: fully operative pedals; electric motor not exceeding 750 watts and no more that one brake horsepower capable of propelling the bike no more than 28 mph; only provides power when pedaling; 
• *Minibike: two-wheeled vehicle; wheel and tire diameter less than 14 inches; engine output less than three horsepower; engine capacity less than 2,238 watts; primarily designed for off-road use only; does not include electric personal assistive mobility device
• language also defines motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and lightweight e-scooter.

*Under Nebraska law it is illegal to ride electric or gas minibikes on public roadways and sidewalks and are only to be operated on private property. Crete's ordinance reflects this language and states "It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a minibike on the public streets, sidewalks, and alleys, or on any property owned, operated, or controlled by the City."

Proposed regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters include guidelines for safe riding, proper operation on roadways, required light and brake equipment, etc. 

The proposed ordinance also references prohibited riding on sidewalks with an exception for children: "No person shall ride a bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter upon a sidewalk within the business district. No person ten or more years of age shall ride a bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter on any sidewalk within the municipality. No person shall ride a class III e-bike on any sidewalk within the municipality. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter on a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right of way to pedestrians."

The full ordinance is available online (linked above) or at City Hall.

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, Sept. 1.

 

Condensed Minutes for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Aug. 18:

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:

Mayor Dave Bauer asked for a moment of silence and then shared some words in memory of Chief of Police Gary Young

Approved the Consent Agenda items: Unanimous

• Meeting Minutes: August 4 City Council, August 4 Public Works Committee, August 4 Finance Committee, August 4 Legislative Development Committee, August 4 Public Safety Committee 
• Treasurer’s Report 
• Claims against the City $1,003,157.64

Held Public Hearing on an application for the Community Development Block Grant Program Infrastructure Grant to reconstruct 15th Street and construct sidewalk improvements from Boswell Ave to Fir Avenue. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Community Development Block Grant Program Infrastructure Grant to reconstruct 15th Street and construct sidewalk improvements from Boswell Ave to Fir Avenue. Unanimous 

Approved the Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement Between the City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc. Project No. DPS-76(53) Control No. 13631 Crete Pedestrian Bridge Project. Unanimous 

Approved the Contractor's Pay Estimate No 3  Application for Payment From JEO Consulting Group, Inc for NLC, LLC for the 2024 Crete Street and Alley Improvements Engineer's Project No: 240578.00 in the amount of $474,008.6. Unanimous 

Approved the Lerma Way Addition. Unanimous 

Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $14,503.03. Crisman: Aye, Frans: Aye, Newmyer: Aye, Strehle: Aye, Fitzgerald: Aye, Abstained: Papik 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize he City of Crete to apply for 4imprint Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Sisters in Crime Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Burlington Capital Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Entergy Grant Funds. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the U.S. Bank Foundation Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Costco Grant. Unanimous 

Enacted Ordinance 2281 amending administrative subdivision requirements. Unanimous 

Approved the Crete Carrier Room Grant Application from the Southeast Library System to provide a summer reading workshop for librarians that are part of the Southeast Library System. Unanimous 

Approved to amend the Master Fee Schedule amending mowing fees & residential plumbing permit costs. Unanimous 

Approved the City donation Policy. Unanimous 

Approved the City of Crete to apply for The Purina Foundation Grant. Unanimous 

Approved to Amend Caselle Master Agreement. Unanimous 

Approved forwarding Jennifer Parker's claim to the League Association of Risk Management (LARM). Unanimous 

Approved the Agreement Between City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc. for Professional Services Crete Water Main Project No: 231835.00. Unanimous 

Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns:

• Michelle Faltin thanked the City Council for allowing her address them. Faltin addressed the Council about the Crete Riptide Swim team and to bring awareness as a parent and longtime supporter of the swim program of concerns related to communication and coaching structure as a parent. Faltin stated that her hope is to bring these concerns forward to work together to find solutions and find a path forward for the swim program. 
• Mayor Dave Bauer thanked Faltin for the information that the City will address. 
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that there is no vision to discontinue the swim team. The City wants the team to be as strong as ever. It isn’t accurate to say that we won’t have a team.  The City wants a sustainable coach that is going to continue. The City started paying volunteer coaches and that model is going to continue so that it can keep operating at a high level. 
• Faltin stated that it was concerning that other coaches were approached to take over swimmers so that there wouldn’t be a program. That was not fair and it left families feeling uncertain. Faltin further stated that she appreciated the City’s confidence that the program will be moving forward. 
• Ourada stated that the solicitation of other coaches didn’t come from official channels in the City. Ourada explained that throughout all the budget discussions is was never mentioned that the swim team would stop. Mayor Dave Bauer stated that maybe sending something out so that families know the program is continuing. 

Officers’ Reports 

• Acting Chief of Police Jon Pucket explained that there are two grants that the Police Department would like to apply for before the end of the month. Pucket spoke with City Administrator Tom Ourada about submitting the grants. One of the grants is for tasers and the other grant is for a task force enforcement with priority counties that the Nebraska State Patrol will apply for. This is outside of the other grant that they get for overtime. Both of these grants are no match grants. Mayor Dave Bauer stated that there have been questions about how education will be provided on E-bikes, and minibikes and the first answer is that it is up to the parents to educate but he had spoke about School Resource Officer Noah Zach talking to the principal about putting on a seminar to talk about the new rules. Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked if the City is also making a digital pamphlet with this information and it was stated that the school is also doing somethings with that. 
• Library Director Jessica Wilkinson passed around post cards with the summer reading statistics and also shared upcoming programming details. The summer reading goal was 3,000 books and children read over 14,000 books. 
• Building Inspector Trent Griffin stated he will provide updated permit logs at the next meeting. In the last week 7 letters were sent out. With 4 of them being commercial design standards for tinted windows. There were 2 building violations and 1 zoning violation for a business in a residential district. In the last 5 days 20 weed letters were sent out. Griffin further explained they are working on vacant property registry with letters going out for 3 residential and 2 commercial properties. 
• Park and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • seeking applicants for an open groundskeeper position and part-time seasonal labor (mowing, etc.)
  • variety of volunteer opportunities to Doane students and CPS students this fall.
  • Thank you to Parks and Rec volunteers for attending council meeting tonight.  
  • The Lincoln Food Bank distribution will be held in Tuxedo Park on Thursday August 27
  • IRA UCF Grant funds have allowed us to remove 4 large mature trees in Tuxedo Park overhanging park structures including the Beef barn enclosure, ticket booth, and city maintenance sheds.  Additional grant funds will be used to remove Ash trees from Westwood Park and facilitate city access and maintenance of this park.
  • Council member Kyle Frans thanked the Library and Parks and Recreation for all the programming opportunities that both children and adults can participate in. 
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Working on the budget and going over the different department budgets and helping them allocate resources. 
  • There are four positions open and just onboarded the new Human Resources Director and she is now working on onboarding other people. 
  • The City of Crete Employee Recognition Dinner will be on Thursday, September 17
  • Ourada is the Chairman of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) Board of Directors and he will be in Meetings in Kearney on Wednesday and Thursday
  • There was a Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) meeting last week and they voted on the helping with the match for the Railroad Safety Study grant. There are three representatives from the City Council and three representatives from the County Commissioners and all were very in favor of moving forward with this. 
• Mayor Dave Bauer asked the City Council to please mark their calendars for Sunday, September 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. A group of Hungarians will be in town and their will be a bus from that school that will take the group around town on a tour. The people that are coming are all professionals. Some mayors and council people and there will be a program at the VFW afterwards. Last year a group of Romanians came, and it was very enjoyable and very rewarding. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

Condensed Minutes for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Aug. 4:

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:

Mayor Dave Bauer asked for a moment of silence and then shared some words in memory of Chief of Police Gary Young

Approved the Consent Agenda items: Unanimous

• Meeting Minutes: July 21 City Council, July 21 Public Works Committee, July 21 Finance Committee, July 21 Legislative Development Committee, July 21 Public Safety Committee 
• Treasurer’s Report 
• Claims against the City $1,643,279.15

Held Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals. Unanimous 

Enacted Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals. Unanimous 

Adopted Resolution 2026-18 Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2026. Unanimous 

Enacted on third reading Ordinance 2279 regulate bicycle, E-bikes, minibikes and other motorized recreational transportation and create penalties for violation of these sections. Unanimous 

Approved the Davis Estates Administrative Subdivision. Unanimous 

Approved the Dittmer West Estates Preliminary Plat. Unanimous

Approved the Dittmer West Estates Final Plat. Unanimous 

Approved the Street Right of Way Dedication Plat. Unanimous

Tabled to Amend Caselle Master Agreement. Unanimous 

Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $100.72. Crisman: Aye, Frans: Aye, Newmyer: Aye, Strehle: Aye, Fitzgerald: Aye, Abstained: Papik 

Officer’s reports

• Fire Chief Tod Allen stated the following:
  • The Fire Department BBQ didn’t go as planned since they didn’t cool the meat. 
  • Working on the Rig specs 
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked about the count for the Volunteer Fire Department and Allen stated that there are 38 volunteers with a possible 50 maximum. 
  • Allen stated they are having conversations with Lancaster county to have a strike team ready so if there is help needed in other communities they will have people ready. 
  • There is a rope rescue team that Farmers Cooperative is helping to equip and a couple members of the Crete Volunteer Fire Department are going to be training to be part of the team. 
• Acting Chief of Police Jon Pucket stated the following: During these times of transition thanked the City for allowing people to take time off and thanked the Fire Department for their help during Chief Young’s funeral. Pucket also thanked the community for their support.
• Park and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • Pool is closed for season; 
  • Coed softball season is here
  • Flag football registration for players, coaches and referees until August 30^th
  • To replace trees removed along Oak Ave for paving improvements a Trees for Nebraska Towns Grant was submitted for 10 trees
  • Thanked parks staff who have been with the City this season
  • Groundskeeper position is currently open
• Building Inspector Trent Griffin shared the Administrative Action sign with the mayor and council. 
• Finance Director Wendy Thomas introduced new Human Resource Director Rebekah Willoughby. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that Willoughby used to work for the State of Nebraska HHS Dept. 
• Council member Tom Crisman thanked Acting Police Chief Jon Pucket for his work and for handling the transition the Police Department is going through. Council members Ashley Newmyer, Dale Strehle, Dan Papik, and Anthony Fitzgerlad also thanked Acting Police Chief Jon Pucket and the Fire Department for their help. 
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Started discussions on data centers with the Crete Planning Commission on the different types and will be delving into this at future meetings. He also had a conversation with the Saline County Attorney on this subject.  Planning Commission Chair Dave Jurena added that he has attended a couple of different public meetings on data centers. 
  • Ourada spoke about the Civil Service process and that the Chief and Sergeant positions will be opening internally and externally. The Civil Service Commission does the preliminary vetting. 
  • Explained the postcards the City Council and Planning Commission Chair received about the yearly District 1 Program Hearing/Highway Commission meeting on August 14^th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked if it would help to have council members present at the meeting to discuss the rehab and adding a sidewalk on the Blue River Bridge on highway 33. Ourada explained that would be a different and separate process, but it wouldn’t hurt to have elected officials present at the meeting. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

The City of Crete, Nebraska has been awarded a below market interest loan from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program for the construction of a new well and transmission main, as well as the re-placement of water mains in several locations. Federal and state funds are being used for this project to help grow our communities and to help grow Nebraska.

Work will commence the week of Aug. 31 in the Highway 103 South area. More details may be released when they become available.

• SRF Program information
• Project Announcement (pdf)