Council Summaries - Dec. 6 and Dec. 20, 2022
The next Crete City Council regular meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 20
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
- Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Dec. 6, Public Works Committee Nov. 15 and Dec. 6, Public Safety Committee Dec. 6, Finance Committee Dec. 6,
- Treasurer’s Report
- Payment of claims against the City
- Mayor’s Appointments
- Jeff Wenz to the Planning Commission for a term ending April 1, 2025.
- Janet Jeffries for the term from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2026; Jennifer Robison January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2025; and Scott Kuncl January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 the Historical Preservation Commission.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the plans for the 2022 Street Improvement Projects (Gap Paving) and set a date to open bids.
- City Administrator Tom Ourada explained JEO representatives Nathan Boone and Jack Post are here and went through plans with Public Works Committee prior to the council meeting.
- Dale Strehle, Committee Chairperson, said they looked through all the plans while Post mentioned three blocks will not have sidewalks on both sides due to elevation issues and prohibitive costs.
- A bid opening date was set for Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Owner-Engineer Agreement for the 2021 Street Improvement project.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve Change Order No. 2 to Bauer Underground in the amount of -$6,670 for the 2021 Street Improvement project.
The Council voted 6-0 to amend the Personnel Rules and Regulations to include 'Christmas Eve' as a paid holiday.
- Mayor Bauer said this half-day holiday has been given in the past, however some years it is a question whether is should be given or not depending on what day of the week it falls on.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the proposed copy fee increases.
- Ourada said Library Director Joy Stevenson did the research and analysis on this; the library has more copy equipment than rest of the city. This item was taken to the Library Advisory Board as well as the Finance Committee to approve city-wide.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the quote from Brandt Excavating to remove debris and fill the hole to finish the nuisance abatement at 2340 Forest Avenue at a cost of $13,550
- Ourada explained that Brandt got the low bid in competitive bidding for the city’s current flood plain mitigation project, which includes demolition and removal of houses sold to the city on Main Ave. The Nuisance Board found a nuisance in the house in question here and it was demolished, but the debris remains and can be removed by Brandt crews in coordination with their other work in town.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve Ordinance 2160 on its first of three readings: An ordinance to amend the electric rates beginning March 1, 2023.
- The Public Works Committee has previously approved these rates; this action puts the rates in an ordinance for approval on three readings at three separate meetings to give the public a chance to comment.
The Council voted 5-0 (one abstention, Papik) to approve the payment of the claims against the City at Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,196.15
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.
- Gary Young, Acting Police Chief:
- He commended Officer Dawn Jonas on her work with this year’s Operation Under the Tree that served over 800 kids in 150 families. He said she was responsible for organizing collections, sorting, and accounting of donated gifts, clothing, etc. It was a phenomenal effort and donations of toys and money keep coming in; we want to brag her up as organizer and driver of helping people in our community.
- He also praised the efforts of Officers Will DeHart and Jeff Kramer on their work with the department’s new E-citation program. They have been assisting the rest of the department to learn the system and are working with the contractor. This will help us in the long run as a department.
- Mayor Bauer said to please pass along the city’s thanks and stated Crete stands above other communities with all of these efforts.
- Joy Stevenson, Library Director:
- holiday activities included about 175 visitors to the library on Dec. 17 for Grinchmas; it was all hands on deck and Maridza Vasquez continues to do great things and the new youth librarian.
- craft events have been held and more are planned for this month.
- Council members wished everyone a Merry Christmas and safe travels during the holidays.
- Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
- we will have an agreement with Cline Williams for interim city attorney services and introduced Alison Borer as one of the Cline Williams attorneys who will be working with us. He noted he has worked with her in the past but has never met her in person until tonight; Alison Borer commented she works mostly on real estate matters, development, land use and zoning, TIF, and rebuilding projects; she is excited to help out; Tom also spoke of Bosselman, the developer of a new truck stop/travel center on the west edge of Crete, and their wish to be annexed into the city, with the benefits that come with being in the Corporate limits, and that they also provide truck parking at a site like this and plan on addressing some of the truck parking congestion in Crete; he added this was what he was alluding to when he said a big announcement may be coming some weeks back.
- He introduced Tim Coffey, Water Supt. who, in turn introduced new employee, Mike Day, who started last Friday; he previously worked for Crete Lumber as a licensed journeyman plumber; and Trent Griffin, Street Department Supervisor, who introduced new employee Carlos Mayo, who started on Monday; he previously worked at Sid Dillon;
- Tom thanked the mayor and council for amending the Christmas Eve holiday, as now employees can more effectively plan for this time with the half day holiday solidly addressed in the policy manual going forward;
- we have another downtown revitalization project coming up;
- A Public Workshop for the new Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Crete Middle School.
- Mayor Dave Bauer wished everyone a Merry Christmas and safe holiday; he also offered those in attendance stay an enjoy snacks and socializing.
Meeting adjourned.
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 6
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
- Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Nov. 15, Public Safety Committee Nov. 15
- Treasurer’s Report
- Payment of claims against the City
The Council voted 5-1 (voting no, Hinz) to adopt Resolution 2022-13: A resolution terminating the appointment of Kyle Manley as City Attorney.
The Council voted 5-0 (1 abstention, Papik) approving the payment of claims against the City to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,019.76.
Recognition of Out-Going Council Member: Mayor Dave Bauer recognized Ryan Hinz and thanked him for his service to the city as a member of the City Council, representing Ward 2 for one term. Additional council members, city officials, and assembled guests gave a round of applause.
Adjourn Sine Die: The 2020 City Council adjourned indefinitely.
The 2022 City Council convened in open session
The Council voted 5-0 to ratify of Election Results: The General Election Results Certification from the Saline County Election Commissioner will be reviewed and ratified.
The following officials took the Oath of Office for elected terms ending in 2026:
- Mayor Dave Bauer
- Council Member Dan Papik, Ward 1
- Council Member Tom Crisman, Ward 2
- Council Member Kyle Frans, Ward 3
The Council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 2022-16: A resolution approving and confirming the newly elected officials along with the current elected officials as the 2022 Mayor and City Council of the City of Crete
The Council voted 6-0 to elect Dale Strehle the 2022 City Council President to preside in the absence of the Mayor.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the following Mayor's Appointments:
- Appointed Officials
- City Administrator, Park & Rec Director, Tom Ourada
- City Clerk-Treasurer, Jerry Wilcox
- City Engineer, Gilmore Associates
- Chief of Police, Gary Young
- Fire Chief, Emergency Management Liaison, Tod Allen
- City Council Standing Committees (*chairperson)
- Public Works: Dale Strehle*, Travis Sears, Kyle Frans
- Public Safety: Jack Oelschlager*, Tom Crisman, Dan Papik
- Personnel: Tom Crisman*, Jack Oelschlager, Kyle Frans
- Parks and Recreation: Kyle Frans*, Dale Strehle, Dan Papik
- Finance: Travis Sears*, Dale Strehle, Jack Oelschlager
- Legislative/Community Development: Dan Papik*, Travis Sears, Tom Crisman
The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2022-17: A resolution establishing officers that are approved to sign the financial documents of the City.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve a quote from the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT) for employee health insurance. Representatives from Benefit Management will be present to discuss.
- Dan Duren, Benefit Management, spoke to the Finance Committee prior to this meeting. This is a group formed through the League Association of Risk Management, with other municipalities. This program offers an 8.4% reduction of current rates. There will be a new effective date of January for renewals.
- Travis Sears noted an advantage of this program is also that the city’s coverage will stay the same even with the decrease in rates.
- Ourada explained previously that since this is done through an interlocal agreement, the cost of the coverage is outside of the restricted funds lid, making it even more financially feasible.
- Mayor Bauer mentioned that Dan will be coordinating with HR Director Wendy Thomas this week to set meetings with employees.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2022-14: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an interlocal agreement and a membership agreement with the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT)
The Council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 2022-15: A resolution setting the date and time for a public hearing on the annexation of property to the City.
- Tom Ourada explained a long discussion was had in the Public Works Committee concerning 11 total proposed property annexations on the east side of Crete, and the Nestle warehouse on North Boswell. Five property owners were present at the committee meeting.
- Dale Strehle said the city has plans for ten properties that will be on hold, but the committee recommended to introduce a resolution which only includes the Nestle warehouse. During the next committee and council meeting they will look into the other 10 properties and be consistent in the process.
- Sears said the city needs to think past the next 10 years and look to where Crete’s going in the next 40 years and beyond and secure that path now. We’ve got property owners who want to be annexed.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Police Department to enter into a software service contract with Cellebrite at a yearly cost of $6,775 and training at a cost of $2,961. This item was recommended by the Public Safety Committee.
- Police Chief Gary Young and Investigative Sergeant Lincoln Morehouse explained to the Public Safety Committee the purpose of this software is to enhance electronic investigations. The department currently uses an expired 2019 software that doesn’t deliver the data required to investigate cases accordingly. Annual costs for this new program will be included in the department’s budget. Morehouse has also been testing this software, which has reduced the training costs.
- This program works with devices the department has authority to seize and gives them the ability to gather data from devices such as calls, texts, and media; it includes an interpretive service to translate up to five languages. They were taking devices to the Lancaster County tech lab, at a cost per device. The department also protects devices in their possession from outside sources.
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.
- Sharon Kovar, 520 Linden, asked about procedures available to have chickens in city limits; she is interested in 5-10 chickens, but no roosters.
- Mayor Bauer said this issue was presented to the council about a year ago and after lengthy discussion at that time the council recommended not to allow it. The committee could look at it again and inform her of the time when that meeting occurs.
- Sears asked if during the current comprehensive planning process the planners could look at what other cities do. Kyle Frans expressed a desire to revisit the issue.
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.
- Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
- the city is starting to have some issues with hiring personnel; we had offered the public works bookkeeper position to a candidate, on step 7, and her current employer countered with more money; so that position is still open; we had two potential janitor candidates to hire, however they were making in the high teens per hour range; so given these facts and with the police union contract coming up in September 2023; he has discussed two comparability studies with an outside consulting firm to do both the collective bargaining and non-collective bargaining studies to determine what adjustments we may need to make going forward in both areas. He expects these to be complete in the second quarter of next year. He also said we may need to make adjustments before then to some positions reflecting the changing economic climate. Sears suggested we look at outsourcing janitorial services and Ourada noted we do evaluate if outsourcing is the most economical and effective route in some positions when possible.
- he is in discussion with Cline Williams Law Firm about interim city attorney services; they are willing to step in on a contract basis and provide the city with representation at council and committee meetings, for legal review, document preparation, etc. Tom will bring back an engagement letter for council approval when terms are agreed upon.
- Mayor Dave Bauer thanked the present council members for serving and committing to current committee assignments.
Meeting adjourned.