Council Summaries - July 5 and July 19, 2022

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 is on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, July 19
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council July 5, Finance Committee July 5, Public Safety Committee July 5 
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City 
• Mayor appointment of Pam Wendelin to the Civil Service Commission for the term ending May 1, 2024.

Mayor Dave Bauer presented a Life Saving Award Citation to Officer Audrey Arbuckle. 

• An award narrative was read by Chief of Police Steve Hensel. Officer Arbuckle was the first responder on the scene of an accident at Tuxedo Park in June, which severely injured a teenager. Her ability to remain calm and quick actions in applying a tourniquet to the teen’s injured arm likely saved his life, according to one of the local paramedics who later helped treat him. Chief Hensel concluded “Officer Audrey Arbuckle’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the emergency services and reflect great credit upon herself, the City of Crete, and the law enforcement profession.”
• Mayor Dave Bauer congratulated Officer Arbuckle saying this was something very representative of the type of officer she is and “thank you for all you did that night and I know any other officers would have done the same thing because we have a great force.” The Mayor, City Council, assembled guests, including the teenager and his father, and fellow officers, gave Arbuckle a standing ovation.
• See photos of the presentation

The Council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 2022-03: A resolution to provide for one-way traffic around the Crete Mills.

• Tom explained the Council has already approved this with the exception of the resolution. This will have traffic, including semi trucks, heading west and south, with the Mill dispatching their trucks when needed; there will be truck parking and local traffic will take south and east lanes on respective streets. Angle parking on Norman and parallel parking off the south lane of 14th will remain in tact and will reflect the change to the one way direction of traffic.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the city's share of financial support for Saline County Aging Services in the amount of $8,007.

• Lori Moldenhauer, Program Manager of Saline County Aging Services, gave a presentation of services available to county residents and said they appreciate the city’s support. Activities are meant to be social as well as informational. They are helpful in navigating medicare questions, retirement questions, and medicare open enrollment issues, among others. Events have been held in Crete. Some activities include restarting Tai Chi classes, strong bodies program, bingo combined with exercise, foot clinics, and meal on wheels. They also hold the Shamrock Shuffle 5k fundraiser annually. She obtained a federal grant for hispanic outreach over 2.5 years and are meeting twice a month at the Wanek Community Center with an interpreter/project manager; the city’s Community Assistance Director, Nancy Tellez, helped get this up and going.
• Mayor Dave Bauer said he would be interested in helping restart a meals on wheels program in Crete and would be happy to work with Aging Services.

The Council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 2022-04: A resolution to set the amount of special connection charge for sewer installation at 1453 W 13th Street.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Windstream Nebraska's application for a permit to occupy city right-of-way at 740 East 2nd Street for fiber placement

The Council voted 6-0 to approve Windstream Nebraska's application for a permit to occupy city right-of-way at various locations on Iris Avenue for fiber placement.

• City Administrator Tom Ourada said this item is related to the previous item and involves the same set of events. Windstream is starting the east side of town and working to the west installing digital fiber. He hopes the Council will see these requests regularly as the project continues.

The Council voted 6-0 to enter into three agreements with SE Municipal Solar, LLC relating to the solar power generating facility on Highway 103.

•  Ourada explained this is the culmination of work and discussions with MEAN (Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska), Southeast Municipal Solar, LLC, and various other communities. The agreements include those for purchase power, interconnections, and a lease for city ground along Highway 103 just north of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. It is a 25-year agreement that can be extended twice. While not great, Tom said City Attorney Kyle Manley and he both feel this has the city as well-positioned as could be. He added that the solar energy rates in the agreement are very appealing.

The Council voted 6-0 to enact Ordinance 2149: An ordinance vacating Taylor Street. Ourada explained this is a short street directly south of the city’s reservoir and just north of Jones property between Jasmine and East 13th Street. It was platted in the 1880s.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Library's policy amendments as provided.

• Ourada explained that Joy Stevenson, Library Director, and the Library Advisory Board had six policy changes they were working through. The City Attorney has concerns on two of the policies, so four are here tonight for approval. The policies reflect language changes, consistencies in ages for use of library computers and internet, unattended minors, and changes removing references to the old library building, such as the outdoor book drop. The library’s policies can also be found online.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern: 

Citizen testimony may be limited to 3 minutes per person. Please do not repeat testimony that has already be heard. No action can be taken on matters presented under this title except to answer any questions or to refer the matter for further action.

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.

• Steve Hensel, Police Chief:  the department previously participated in a National Night Out community event; this has now merged that with the annual community Back to School Picnic, this year on Aug. 4, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Doane University’s Cassel Theatre;
• Joy Stevenson, Library Director: Children’s Librarian Laura Renker prepared Summer Reading stats, which include a signup increase of 42 kids to 360 total; 43% return rate on reading log materials;
• Jack Oelschlager, Council Member, Ward III, reported on two Public Safety Committee items that will be on upcoming agendas: fireworks times and UTV regulations.
• Ryan Hinz, Council Member Ward II:
  • reported over 300 families received boxes through this month’s Lincoln Food Bank event;
  • he thanked the Parks Department for work at North Ward Park, as well as a group from Launch Leadership;
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • more information is available on a new annexation request; it was formalized from Ron and Terry Dittmer to annex all the Juricek property (about 74 acres) on East 29th Street; remarking that the city's footprint continues to grow;
  • Phil Hardenburger, Saline County Commissioner, took up the RTSD (railroad transportation safety district) discussion at the County Commissioners meeting today (July 19); Mayor Bauer and Tom had met with Phil on this as a possible way to address the Burlington Northern RR Main Street crossing that we are still trying to get action on;
  • the city extended a conditional job officer for the Code Enforcement Officer position so now we are going through the background check before she is to start in August.
  • Windstream is installing digital fiber starting on the east side of town - yards signs have started appearing in town, Tom noted they should have a phone number for complaints and questions;
  • the city’s budget process is moving on schedule; our peer communities have been discussing where their salary increases are going for next year – Wendy and he are looking at comparability. When done, he will meet with Mayor Bauer and the committee on the results and moving forward.
  • we should have two appraisals on the Wenz property on South Main and ours by the end of the month, after which he will meet with the Mayor;
  • 'K9 program update - we would like to work with the Crete Community Foundation on their 501c3 designation to facilitate donations; offering services to offset the added burden the K9 activity would create.
  • Officer Lavance Reed is leaving PD to go back to California; we have started advertising that position as of Monday evening;
  • we will open the position for Chief of Police at the end of this month;
  • 'the comprehensive plan process is starting with the first meeting to occur in early August;
• Mayor Dave Bauer commented that the Saline County Fair was pretty successful last week and uneventful as far as incidents. He thanked city departments for helping to get the park ready for those events.

Meeting adjourned.

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, July 5
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments

Council members Kyle Frans and Ryan Hinz were absent.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council June 21, Public Works Committee, May 17 and June 7, Legislative and Economic Development Committee June 21, Finance Committee June 21, Public Safety Committee June 21 and June 22
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City

The Council voted 4-0 to approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $3,000 to Phillip Carkoski Construction for the Water Plant Rehabilitation. This item was reviewed and recommended by the Public Works Committee. The change order is for work to patch holes in the sand filter cells.

The Council voted 4-0 to approve Windstream Nebraska's application for a permit to occupy city right-of-way at 2429 County Road F for fiber placement. This item involves multiple property occupancy for right-of-way, which requires council approval.

The Council voted 4-0 to approve Application for Payment No. 1 in the amount of $94,011 to Stephens & Smith Construction for sidewalk improvements. City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this is a payout for the first portion of the project, including some red concrete replacement and sidewalk and stair replacement in front of City Hall.

The Council voted 4-0 to amend parking regulations on the northeast corner of 13th and Norman Avenue.

• Ourada said parking on this corner was previously studied and a change was made to make the end spot compact car parking to improve visibility at the intersection. This solution is not working as drivers are not adhering to the signage and a recommendation was made by the Public Safety Committee to eliminate this end parking spot completely with proper signage.

The Council voted 4-0 to amend a one-way designation on 14th Street and Norman Avenue.

• Ourada said this issue of traffic congestion due to mill trucks traveling and staging in this area was discussed by the Public Works Committee, including input from Police Chief Steve Hensel and Crete’s Bunge Mills plant manager, Eric Woodrow. A recommended solution on a temporary basis was to make 14th Street one way going west from Main Avenue to Norman and Norman Avenue one way going south to East 13th Street. This will have traffic, including semi trucks, heading west and south, with the Mill dispatching their trucks when needed; there will be truck parking and local traffic will take south and east lanes on respective streets. Angle parking on Norman and parallel parking off the south lane of 14th will remain in tact and will reflect the change to the one way direction of traffic.
• Dale Strehle, chair of the Public Works Committee, said there is daily truck congestion in this area and this is about the best way to address this issue; this recommendation is on a trial basis.

The Council voted 4-0 to allow the Police Department to apply for an NDOT Highway Safety mini-grant for the campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The Council voted 4-0 to approve SEI's proposal for installation and service of exterior cameras at the Crete Police Station in the amount of $11,753. Sgt. Chad Menagh addressed this item with the Public Safety Committee. This is a revised quote, which brought down costs to the amount the department had budgeted and will  provide the desired security coverage around the station.

The Council voted 4-0 to adopt Resolution 2022-02 to amend both the City and Police Pension Plans to include changes required by the SECURE and SECURE CARES Acts.

The Council voted 4-0 to enter into an agreement with ClearGov for a digital budget book platform with an initial setup cost of $1,800 and an annual cost of $7,750.

• This item was discussed by the Finance Committee. Ourada said this holds many benefits for the staff going forward in keeping and presenting budget information and he and City Clerk Jerry Wilcox discussed how the public and council would benefit as well. It would help create a consistent approach in how to present the city’s budget information and aid with future succession planning in the clerk’s office.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern: 

Citizen testimony may be limited to 3 minutes per person. Please do not repeat testimony that has already be heard. No action can be taken on matters presented under this title except to answer any questions or to refer the matter for further action.

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.

• Brian Stork, Public Works Director:
  • fireworks issues were noted in Tuxedo Park with one exploded in a toilet in the restrooms near the softball fields;
  • starting tonight (Tuesday) and continuing Wednesday and Thursday nights depending on weather, the street department will be repainting street lines with traffic assistance from the police department;
• Steve Hensel, Police Chief, said the department has identified the juveniles from the Tuxedo Park fireworks incident involving restroom damage;
• Joy Stevenson, Library Director:
  • the formal Summer Reading program is finished and staff are still collecting details to share at a later date;
  • Reading with Friends has started for July and more kids always show up than planned; volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.; a volunteer reads with a child for an hour each week;
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • a new stand up banner with the city logo and information was displayed; it will go with staff to various events;
  • he thanked the mayor and council for allowing staff to have the employee recognition event last week;
  • Officer Audrey Arbuckle is leaving for a five-week K9 training in Texas at the end of the month; in September we will have a K9 unit;
  • the city has full-size maps of the redrawn flood plain, although not official until the end of October; 9 copies have been distributed;
  • the city has an annexation request for property on the east side of Crete, so the community is continuing to grow!
• Mayor Dave Bauer thought the community fireworks display was very nice and he’s glad people enjoy the fourth; however, he hopes people clean up after themselves regarding fireworks trash as it goes along with being able to enjoy the holiday.

Meeting adjourned.