Council summary - May 5, 2020

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.; Council Standing Committees may meet prior. View a list of City Officials and current council and committee meeting agendas.

Summary for Crete City Council meeting - Tuesday, May 5
Prepared by Tom Ourada, City Administrator
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments

This meeting was held in the Community Room at Crete Public Library.

The City Council practiced social distancing with two council members, Mayor Bauer, City Administrator Tom Ourada, the city attorney, clerk, and police chief in attendance. The other council members used Zoom to connect to the meeting along with numerous others including department heads and interested parties.

The City Council approved the Consent Agenda items. 

• Minutes of the April 21^st City Council Meeting.
• Minutes of the April 21^st Finance Committee Meeting.
• Minutes of the April 21^st Personnel Committee Meeting.
• Treasurer’s Reports.
• Claims against the City.

The City Council heard Mayor’s 2020 Arbor Day Proclamation.

The City Council voted to confirm the Mayor’s appointments of Jeffrey Kramer and Callie Lamkin as police officers and witnessed the Oaths of Office.

• Mr. Kramer is currently a police officer in Schuyler.
• Ms. Lamkin is currently a public safety dispatcher for S.E. 911 in Beatrice.
• The two candidates have extensive law enforcement experience.
• Mayor Bauer wished them well and apologized for not being able to allow their families to attend the event in person.

The City Council held a public hearing regarding special assessment of costs for alley improvements in Street Improvement District 2017-1.  

• This district is the alley on 14^th Street between Main Avenue and Linden Avenue going ½ block north.

 The City Council passed Resolution 2020-11 regarding assessing costs of improvements in Street Improvement District 2017-1.

The City Council voted to approve the Police Departments request to exchange surplus firearms for new handguns.

• This transaction was with Mr. K Guns in Plattsmouth, who makes these types of arrangements with law enforcement agencies regularly.

The City Council voted to approve the revised scope of water main projects for 2020. 

• We originally had a broad scope for a well and considerable water main work for over $192,000 and scaled back due to the current economic conditions to under $40,000.

Heard reports from staff, committees and Council members.

• The reporting was limited.
• I reported on our efforts with contingencies and mitigation plans concerning the virus risks and how it is affecting employees.
  • I also reported that as of yet, no employee has tested positive for the coronavirus.
  • The Public Works shop has been the venue for testing from the National Guard and Bryan/CAMC.
  • Smithfield will be using our shop in the coming week to test their employees.
  • Nestle and Smithfield recently provided masks to our employees.
    • Nestle provided N95 masks for our public safety personnel.
    • Smithfield provided surgical masks for all other city employees.