Council Summaries - March 2 and March 16, 2021

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, March 16
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments

This meeting was held in the Community Room at Crete Public Library to accommodate social distancing.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: Legislative and Economic Development Committee March 2, Finance Committee March 2, Public Works Committee March 2, City Council March 2,
• Treasurer’s Report
• Claims against the City

The council heard a presentation from Crete Public Library Director Joy Stevenson on the Library's Annual Report.

• Visitor statistics for 2020 are different from year’s past due to the pandemic situation; the Nebraska Library Commission also does not consider patrons using the pickup window to collect materials as official library visits. Crete Public Library was totally closed to in-person visitors for April - July, but has always remained open for picking up materials via phone or online checkout. The library material collection size is up because staff are not weeding out materials as much with more library space to work with. In hindsight, the pickup window designed for the new building helped the library stay open during the pandemic. Other stats shared include:
  • Open for 35 weeks
  • Revenue from city: $496,800
  • Other revenue: $17,738
  • Increased resident to include Crete Public Schools District
  • Change in collection size - total up 9% (print - up 5%, audiobooks - up 5%, ebooks for patrons - up 300%)
  • Library visits - down 50%
  • Computer use - down 54%
  • Circulation: adult materials - down 27%, youth materials - down 25%, adult downloads - up 33%, youth downloads - up 68%
  • Database use - up 38%
  • Attendance of library programs - down 53%

The council approved a Livestock Exception Permit for the Saline County Fair on July 13-18, 2021. Tom Ourada, City Administrator, explained this is consistent with the ordinances in place and that requires council action to approve all fair events.

The council reviewed the Electric Rate Design Study from NMPP Energy and voted to solicit proposals for the construction of a new electrical substation. Ourada explained the two-pronged discussion from the Public Works Committee being to move forward with the rate study to be presented at a future hearing and soliciting an RFP for the substation design. This was recommended by the Public Works Committee.

The council approved the Van Kirk Bros. Change Order #1 in the amount of $56,156.50 for the Belohlavy Estates water project. Ourada said this change order was for the addition of water services. The city would do the change order and be reimbursed by the developer. This was recommended by the Public Works Committee.

The council voted to enter into an architectural services contract with TACKarchitects, Inc. in the amount of $35,700 for the Isis Theater renovation project. Ourada explained that Mayor Dave Bauer, Finance Committee Chair Travis Sears, City Attorney Kyle Manley, and himself met with Shaylene Smith, Chair of Blue River Arts Council and discussed successes of the arts council in raising money and that the the CCCFF grant can fund this architectural agreement as recommended by the Finance Committee

The council voted to enter into a contract amendment with JEO for an additional $2,500 for bidding and negotiation services related to the Wildwood pool splashpad project. This is their new request for the rebid of this project for this year at the same rate they requested last year when the project was postponed. This was recommended by the Public Works Committee.

The council waived three readings and adopted Ordinance 2121: An ordinance relating to animal regulations.

• Ourada explained this issue came up when the Saline County Extension office submitted a request for various fair events including the fair, a number of single day events, and having young chicks in schools as educational events. Previously there was no way to approve some of these activities. The administrator and city attorney worked to address these omissions and added language that empowered other employees including the code enforcement officer. 

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern

• John Muff spoke on behalf of Crete Diamonds Softball in wanting the city to address the sanitary condition of the bathroom facility at the Tuxedo Park softball fields. Mayor Bauer said the city will look into it and see what can be done for the season. It was also brought up that the bathrooms were not even open yet. They don’t typically open until there is no risk of freezing, which is usually the first of April.

Officer reports:

• Joy Stevenson reported if the library is able to open more fully on March 24, 25 people will be allowed inside at a time for up to an hour (increased from 15 minute visits currently); 25 limit does not including meeting room groups. The meeting rooms will open with start and end times reserved using scheduling software and close for an hour after each use. The library air circulates regularly, making these accommodations possible. Four patron computers will remain in the cafe area and staff will bring back some furniture. Staff have continued with story time and school visits virtually and started virtual book club. The volunteer tax assistance program is ongoing. The Crete Reads program, a community-wide read will continue planning as the committee met and narrowed to 3-4 books. A community vote will determine the final book choice.
  • Mayor Bauer said it was good to hear that the library is planning to open up more and that people are wanting to use the library.
• Ryan Hinz, Ward II Council Member, reported on the Lincoln Food Bank distribution on Doane’s campus with almost 300 people served.
• Tom Ourada
  • Tom was wondering if we needed to look into establishing an animal shelter. In talking with department heads about this, Police Chief Steve Hensel talked about PD’s efforts regarding animals. The Chief shared information that PD picks up loose animals and if not claimed they are taken to the Capital Humane Society: 2-3 dogs and 4-5 cats each month; only 1 cat may be euthanized every couple of months The city pays about $5,000 a year for local animal boarding fees during the required hold time for impounded animals, which, in Tom’s view, makes it a successful solution. Tom wanted the Council and public to know that PD was doing this and how well it seemed to be working.
  • Kyle Manley and Jenn Lampila, Media Specialist, worked on a DTR - FAQ - for the website, which should be up this week.
  • On a Certified local government proposal: doing a CLG in the spring might make more sense and could add more value for the downtown business. There are eight CLG’s in Nebraska. The challenge is putting together the historic preservation commission; Red Cloud, Fairbury, Nebraska City are smaller cities that have these and it can be a challenge to get individuals with specific expertise to serve on these commissions.
  • The latest Directed Health Measure was release today with Nebraska in the green zone. So, with the state opening up, our plan to open up on the 24th would be consistent with the recent state information, but we will continue precautions, masks, and disinfection measures. Council meetings are planned to be back at City Hall in April.
  • The city was asked to approve Riptide Swim Team’s two meets in June, which they did. These events were looked at in terms of our continuity of operations plan, city and state protocols and state DHMs in place at the time. Temperatures will be taken, fencing used to separate areas and social distancing practiced.
  • New HR Coordinator, Wendy Thomas, starts next week; she has considerable experience and should be an asset to the city.
• Nancy Tellez, Community Assistance Director, reported on a presentation she participated in involving 13 other communities on what is going on in the city. After the presentation she received calls and emails from people on how Crete is a role model for other communities, with our approach to challenges and our solutions regarding diversity, immigration, the pandemic, etc. She thanked the Council and Administration for their efforts and the support given to her and the community.
• Mayor Bauer
  • He applauded people for doing well through pandemic situation and is proud of residents and businesses for following safety measures and recommended precautions.
  • The DTR meeting went well and the first application round ends in April, which is not much time for property owner to get things done, but the city will help. He tried to stress the importance of this project for the community and directed questions to Tom Ourada or Liz Cody at SENDD. Even one business cleaning things up makes a difference to downtown and the community.

Meeting adjourned. 

Summary for Crete City Council meeting - Tuesday, March 2
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments

This meeting was held in the Community Room at Crete Public Library to accommodate social distancing.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: Parks and Recreation Committee Feb. 16, Finance Committee Feb. 16, Council Feb. 16, Public Works Committee Feb. 2 and Feb. 16,
• Treasurer’s Report
• Claims against the City

The council approved a change in recycling pickup from Mondays and Thursdays to Thursdays only beginning April 1, 2021, with proper notification given to customers by The Garbage Company.

• City Administrator Tom Ourada said the Public Works committee met on this but did not make any recommendations, pending more information. A representative from The Garbage Company explained to the council they would like to combine Monday and Thursday recycling routes to Thursday only by running two trucks. If they miss a customer on Thursday, trucks on other routes for the company can pick up Friday, if given notice to the Public Works Office. Staff and council members were concerned that notice could not be given as a message on March utility bills due to the lateness of the request, however, efforts will be made to notify customers through the newspaper and social media, as well as April utility bills.

The Council voted to enter into a Flex Spending Account Administrative Services Agreement with Union Bank and Trust.

•  Finance Director Jerry Wilcox explained that a third party administrator takes care of these accounts on traditional health insurance plans and the city is switching from RCI in Scottsbluff to Omnify through Union Bank in Lincoln.

The council awarded The 1206, LLC $24,500 of LB840 funds for building renovation/rehabilitation expenses.

• Ourada explained this new business is doing a downtown project similar to what the city is recruiting for DTR (Downtown Revitalization). Due to the fact that the upcoming DTR project enrollment period will be longer than the time The 1206 owners would need to complete renovations for events they have already booked, they are applying for LB840 instead of DTR. The Legislative and Economic Development Committee recommended this request.

The council adopted the 2020 Downtown Revitalization Program Guidelines.

• Ourada said these guidelines have been worked on since last year with the help of SENND (Southeast Nebraska Development District) and extensive work from City Attorney Kyle Manley. Input was gained from the Mayor, chair of LB840 committee, and the DTR group. The Legislative and Economic Development Committee thought this was a good rewrite covering key elements and NDED (Nebraska Department of Economic Development) has reviewed and approved them as well. He said here is a lot of interest in the program and a lot of recruiting ready to happen on the part of committee members.
• Mayor Dave Bauer said the city and committee is putting together packets and have about 15 properties they feel could specifically benefit from this program. The committee will personally visit those owners to give packets and Brad Bailey is visiting properties with compliance issues that could be fixed with DTR. The committee is really excited about it and that’s encouraging to see.

Officer reports:

Ryan Hinz, Council Member - Ward II shared The Food Bank of Lincoln’s Crete distribution has gone back to once a month on the third Tuesday on the Doane campus.

Tom Ourada - 

• Sales tax receipts in Crete for December were the highest ever due to a number of factors: Nebraska law which now includes internet sales, inflation, and the Christmas shopping season.
• The City Hall Public Works office is being renovated with Brad Bailey, Building Inspector leading the project; Mike Kalkwarf and the Electric Department crew are also involved. New customer windows and the lobby area will be more secure while more space is provided for staff in the work area.
• Tuxedo bridge construction photos were shared. Crews are starting to pour the bridge deck as it warmed up just enough for them to get going on it.
• Utility bills went out in two segments for this month as we continue to have issues with the software program.
• Keno - gross sales were up considerably; this will be talked about more going forward.
• Continuity of government operations - He talked with Kim Showalter at Public Health Solutions about opening up city buildings. Health officials and the CDC say when a county goes below 10 infections is a good indicator. Saline County was at 6 cases last week or 8% and 13% the week before. If the county can maintain that as a rolling average the next few weeks, we would like to open city facilities on March 24, while continuing to mandate masks in city buildings. This seems like a responsible and reasonable target date while relying on the science and available data.
• In regards to the upcoming summer recreation activities, the city will look at doing best practices and guidance on what it takes to open the pool and the city’s parks and athletic fields fully while ensuring everyone’s safety.
• The city has had a lot of conversations with Allo and other providers for fiber are actively looking at Crete giving us options moving forward.
• The city is actively looking to fill the Human Resources Coordinator position and had two recent interviews, both of which would be good candidates.
• The city is being active and aggressive with noncompliant properties downtown and addressing activities that can’t be allowed to continue. The Code Enforcement Officer and Brad are working on it. We are trying to be proactive and have tightened up relevant ordinances. Towards that end, we want to move forward with things like vacant property ordinances that would apply to downtown, commercial, and residential properties with a registration process. This will affect some property owners who live out of town and owners who don’t want to comply with property codes. These are all different aspects to help the council move forward to make Crete a better place to live.

Meeting adjourned.