Council Summaries - May 7 and 21, 2024

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 will be on Tuesday, June 3 

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, May 21
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.

Tom Crisman, Council Member Ward 2, was absent.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council May 7, Parks and Recreation Committee May 7, Public Works Committee May 7, Legislative and Economic Development Committee May 7
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City 

The Council voted 5-0 to authorize application for the 10-free-trees grant.

• Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director, said this program is offered annually and can be used for home owners and parks; there is no cost for the city other than providing in-kind promotion for the program. She recommended these trees be offered to people for street trees and others who have reached out to the city for tree inspections and may lose street trees. The city has applied for this in the past for park trees; the program opens June 1 with trees available in the fall.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the RESCO revised quotation. Tom Ourada, City Administrator, said this item previously went to committee and the council, which authorized $132,000 on a configuration to control the new solar farm and water well. The city was told it would be over that amount, which has been updated to $142,000 for the equipment.

The Council voted 4-0 (Papik abstained) to approve the payment to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,552.96.

The Mayor and Council held the swearing in of Matthew Jonas as Police Sergeant. Mayor Dave Bauer said during Jonas’ interview, they learned a lot about him and his work with the Saline County Sheriff’s department. He is joining a great group and will be an asset to the Crete Police Department.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the LB840 application from Roundabout Energy LLC DBA Grow With The Flow. Ourada said business owner Jeff Jirovec is purchasing the Crete News building at 12th and Linden for renovation to move his out of town business into and rent other business spaces.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the proposal for Well #5 repairs.

• Ourada explained this well started to fail a week or two ago and Sargent Drilling did preliminary and camera work to find the issues: a replacement pump, shaft, and column. They received a quote from Sargent, however a second quote was not received in time for the council agenda. He said the city can’t afford to wait and need the highest production well on line as quickly as possible.
• Dale Strehle, Public Works Committee chair, said they looked at this and due to immediate circumstances, the committee recommended this proposal from Sargent Well Drilling for $53,183.

The Council heard details on potential 15th Street paving costs and assessments.

• Ourada  said he spoke to the Public Works Committee on possible ways of assessing this street project in order to move forward. He will send out possible assessment schedules and report back.
• Strehle said they didn’t take any action yet, but discussed moving forward with assessment planning on this project with cost estimates.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-08 Amending the fee schedule and adding curfew for the Crete Community Room.

• Kyle Frans, Finance Committee chair, explained this adds a flat rental fee for the Crete Carrier Community Room, which would include the kitchen if needed; the resolution also adds a curfew for the Wanek Center and community room, in which events must end at 10 p.m. and renting individuals leave the premises by 11 p.m.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-09 25 mph speed limit on South Arizona in City limits.

• Ourada said the mayor asked for us to look into this; action was taken earlier on a higher speed limit; his suggestion was to try 25mph, which is consistent with residences along this street.
• Mayor Bauer clarified this is reducing the speed limit and posting it with signage along the portion in city limits; he will also talk to the county about the portion in their jurisdiction.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Allo Assets Pole Attachment Agreement. Ourada explained the city has attachment agreements with all utilities that occupy city poles and mirrored this agreement to be consistent with Fremont, a municipality with which Allo recently worked.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Krupicka Administrative Subdivision.

• Ourada said this subdivision request is on the north side of 24th Street and the city worked with the executor of the trust that owns the property. The trust would like to sell off portions of this property separately to current renters and for potential development.
• Strehle said the Public Works Committee recommended to approve with a waiver of the $1 per square foot assessment for the vacated alley in consideration of future economic development uses on the property.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:

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.

• Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
  • staff is getting ready for June and July food trucks to be held on Thursdays, from 4-7 p.m.; 3 trucks will be at the library for the Summer Reading kickoff on Saturday, June 29;
  • she is beginning to select books for the Crete Reads Program, where the library picks one book for the community to read and connect with the author for programming;
  • she is training for NIMS - emergency response;
• Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director: 
  • pool opening day is Saturday, May 25, Mayor’s Day (free admission) is July 14, the Sunday after Fourth of July, which went over well last year;
  • the Doane Equity Fund helps to offset the cost of Crete Recreation programs for Saline County families who also qualify for free and reduced lunch programs at the schools;
  • micro t-ball and t-ball start this week;
• Gary Young, Police Chief:
  • Sgt. Matt Jonas has been swamped with work from recent shifts, but he is taking charge of patrol shifts;
  • we are meeting with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department with a tentative agreement to look over for dispatch services; Sgt. Morehouse is coordinating with them as well to share operations and equipment for joint resources, investigations software, etc.; 
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • the recent RTSD meeting went well, supposed to be every first Tuesday; the board will evaluate all county railroad crossings, establish a budget, pass a budget, and look to an RFP (request for proposals) to move forward with projects when there is money; these actions address some concerns about this being only a Crete thing; of 55 county crossings, less than 10 are in Crete; this will benefit the county for certain as well as Crete;
  • first told North Boswell paving will start early June, now end of June; the detour will be several miles;
  • we bought a truck for Parks and Recreation, however a local vendor was upset we didn’t do business with them; we found a good 4x4 truck for $23,000 with only 13k miles; this vehicle went to a department that doesn’t have a great deal of money to spend normally;
  • we are working on the emergency operations plan; also a reminder to elected officials that need NIMS certification;
  • we are working on City Park bathroom and pavilion projects, both will be in the $100,000 range and very substantial to dress up the park and be usable for park patrons;
  • we heard Bunge will move forward with some railroad track replacement where they can; Strehle said he calls weekly to the number on the crossing sign to report the need for Main Street crossing replacement.

Meeting adjourned.

Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, May 7
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.

Tom Crisman, Council Member Ward 2, was absent.

The council approved the Consent Agenda items:

• Minutes of the following meetings: City Council April 16, Legislative and Economic Development Committee April 16, Personnel Committee April 16, Public Safety Committee April 16, Public Works Committee April 16
• Treasurer’s Report
• Payment of claims against the City 
• Arbor Day proclamation was signed on 4/26/2024

The Council held a Public Hearing to amend future land use map Lots 7-8 Block 99 C2 to R3. 

• City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this is a portion of property, two lots, sold to a developer who wants to put apartments there, which is allowed in R-3; we would like to change the future land use map from commercial to residential. The Planning Commission was agreeable to making that change in the interest of economic development and additional housing. This is contiguous with R-3 right now and is not spot zoning. 

The Council voted 5-0 to amend future land use map Lots 7-8 Block 99 C2 to R3.

The Council held a Public Hearing on zoning change Lots 7-8 Block 99 C2 to R3. This is a continuation of the previous item to allow the zoning change on this property for future housing development allowed in R-3.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve zoning change to Lots 7-8 Block 99 C2 to R3.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Isis Theatre Contract Amendment for Phase 1. Shaylene Smith, Blue River Arts Council Executive Director, explained this was cleaning up a project change from 2022 with details on the first phase of construction.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Isis Change Request 003.

• Smith said this is the application of a security bond to phase 2 of the theatre project.
• Public Works Committee chair Dale Strehle said they recommended the request after discussion in the prior committee meeting.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Isis Change Request 004. Smith explained this will add sound panels to the back wall in the auditorium and was not initially bid with the drywall.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve COR #005 Add Electrical Sub Panel at Stage for Crete Isis. Smith said this is for additional electrical panel space for stage lighting to be added in a future phase not planned at this time.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve COR# 06 Add Spray Foam to Ceiling from Kingery Construction Co. for the Crete Isis Theatre. This will accommodate a change made in the auditorium ceiling reconstruction.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve CO 006 from Kingery Construction Co. for the Crete Isis Theatre. This includes documents that were not originally signed with phase 1 change orders.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve CO #07 from Kingery Construction Co. in the amount of $3,969.00 for the Crete Isis Theatre.  Strehle said this was part of change orders from 2022 also discussed in the Public Works Committee meeting.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Isis COR 016 Credit on Logo. Smith explained this is a credit for artwork from phase 1 for work done in-house for the donor wall.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve bid proposal for Crete City Park from Creative Sites, LLC.

• Ourada explained this was worked on with Mayor Dave Bauer and the Crete Community Foundation for funding. This vendor is providing an inclusive play structure for the park.
• Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Ashley Newmyer, said they discussed this and recommended this proposal.

The Council Consider the apparent high bid from Jay Preston at $441,000.00 for the city farm. Ourada said the city solicited for sealed bids on this property. He talked with Preston in that he was capable of going through with the bid to secure the property. 

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Crete PV System Impact Study Agreement between the City of Crete, Nebraska and JEO Consulting Group, Inc. Ourada explained the study is necessitated by Nebraska Public Power District to have additional generation on their system; they now require a third party to do the study and the city to pay for it at a cost of $17,250.

The Council voted 5-0 to authorize the IRA grant application for tree funds.

• Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody explained these are Inflation Reduction Act grant funds available for tree related activities including staff time up to $25,000 and usable through December 2025.
• Newmyer thought it was important to have this funding to offset costs of tree care and other potential tree activities.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-06 Authorizing the vacation of the alley north of east 24th St. Block 29.

• Ourada said this request came from representatives of the estate which owns lots on both sides. The alley would be vacated with the streets open on either side; the city has the option to charge $1 per square foot or not in this case in consideration of possible housing and economic development opportunities.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution No.2024-7 Authorizing the City Administrator to create and enforce rules regarding long-term stays at Tuxedo Park.

• Ourada explained this follows state statute and changes reflect allowing a 30-day stay before Saline County Fair week in July, or 30-day stay after fair week, but no long-term stays during fair week. This would allow fair-affiliated stays during fair week in the south campground areas; the north camping spots are controlled by the fair board during fair week. He talked about this with Parks Committee chair Ashley Newmyer, department director Liz Cody, and the Mayor.

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2199 Amending Business Registration.

• City Attorney Anna Burge said this was a request based on clerical challenges from the City Clerk and Finance Director asking that we remove a portion of the ordinance that allows for the first year of business registrations to be prorated; it will be a $20 flat fee for all businesses moving forward.

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2200 Adding penalty ordinance to Chapter 6 Nuisances. 

• Burge explained that in the process of enforcing nuisance cases with Saline County Court we can establish fines, but under Chapter 6 nuisances (general nuisances, junk on property, abandoned or unregistered vehicles, etc.) we do not have specific language about abatement of nuisances. This ordinance clarifies those terms so moving forward the city can better enforce those rules.

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2201 Amending vacation ordinance 2188. Burge said this is a correction to an ordinance on vacated property passed in November; it stated Whittier Ave (which is already vacated), however it should be the alleyway behind the properties while reserving the utility easement.

The Council voted 5-0 to waive three readings and adopt Ordinance 2202 Amending Cemetery Board Ordinance 2-801 to change Secretary to Vice Chair.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve cemetery columbarium doors. Ourada said these changes were requested by people who had purchased columbarium spaces and through work with Speidell Monuments and the Cemetery Board we came up with an arrangement that was satisfactory to all.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the LB840 amended application from Old Main Bar and Grill. 

• Ourada said this applicant was originally awarded about $88,000 and they altered their plan, which made sense to the city but added to their expenses about $15,000. They amended their application and it also went to the LB840 Economic Development Advisory Board, which agreed with the city on the increase in funds by $7,800.
•  Anthony Fitzgerald, chair of the council’s Legislative and Economic Development Committee, agreed with the change to the application.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the LB840 application from Rebecca Hansmeyer DBA Wool & Whimsy. 

• Ourada said Charpin Industries is roughly the same applicant with an application for a downtown building renovation. This is an application for their business startup in the renovated building for which she has a good business plan. The committee and LB840 board also advised on this application that she split the difference on some of the tangible costs. The application amount is $18,265.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve the LB840 application from Crete Housing & Community Development Corporation. 

• Ourada said this is a corporation made of some city employees, the mayor, and some private individuals, a private company that has leveraged LB840 funds and state funds to build or are building affordable workforce housing units. An interest rate wasn’t being charged before, but it will be charging a nominal rate moving forward on these projects. They are asking for $20,000 to offset the costs of the corporation. The LB840 Advisory board felt the work should continue. The corporation would like to make application to the state using their $580,000 to leverage into $1.1 million in funds for a larger award to continue with workforce housing projects.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve relinquishing grant funds from the Crete Municipal Airport back to the state.

• Ourada explained the airport had funds from the FAA through the State of Nebraska with about $1,700 that cannot be used on an eligible project before it expires. If we relinquish back to the state it can still be used in state rather than back to the FAA where it would be used out of state.

The Council voted 5-0 to approve Dairyland's Insurance settlement offer for light pole and fixture. 

The Council received the Crete LB840 Program Report. 

• The beginning cash balance was about $1.5 million; income from the LB840 sales tax portion for the first quarter was a little under $100,000; the balance in the second quarter was $1.67 million; 
• the loan guarantee income from the first quarter is about $11,000; the total balance of the loan guarantee fund is about $550,000; about $300,000 will go to the Blue River Arts Council, which is mostly a paper transfer as a loan guarantee from their lender and available as collateral and security if they default;
• first quarter in the forgivable loan program, used for all other current applicants, the balance is $1.7 million;
• operations balance is $7,500 quarterly;
• Old Main Bar applications - $89,000 and $7,871; Charpin application - $21,000; Wool and Whimsey application - $18,265; Crete Housing & Community Development Corporation application - $20,000;
• 2023 projects: The 1206 marquee, Charpin remodel, Allo office renovation, Mel Krupicka building facade work (some of which wasn’t approved as downtown revitalization work), Old Main facade work, 1209 and 1211 building acquisition (future sale proceeds will go back to LB840 account), Blue River Arts Council;
• projects since inception in 2011 to first quarter of 2024: $5.9 million in the program, $4.25 million funded; the program as been invaluable for the community.

Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:

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, Police Chief:
  • bad accident this weekend on Highway 33/103 in the west part of town, but great cooperation with Crete Fire and Rescue, Crete Police, Saline County Sheriff’s deputies, State Patrol, and Wilber Rescue; we had a lot of help; the sheriff’s deputies had their drone up for some aerial plotting for accident reconstruction; an arrest for drunk driving; we appreciate the help from all agencies;
  • the Cinco De Mayo festival: I want to thank Trent Griffin and the Street Department with barricades, didn’t have to tow any cars and thrilled with how it was organized;
  • Our sergeant candidate, Matt Jonas, comes from the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, has over 20 years of experience and will bring a great level of leadership and oversight to our young crews on the night shift; very happy to have him aboard starting May 13; Ourada said this is a win for the city and unfortunately a loss for the Sheriff’s Department.
• Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director: 
  • seasonal parks staff also start on May 13, Garrett Rockenbach and Luke Menagh; Al Reetz has already started seasonal work; and for the pool we have 19 lifeguards, 6 cashiers, and 3 assistant managers/swim coaches;
  • we have some outside groups wanting to work with us on pool parties and making pool admission accessible for families this season;
  • community forestry tool kit is ready to be presented at an event in Lincoln;
  • employees from Nestle Purina will volunteer for a couple park projects on Friday (May 10) at the dog park and Library Park;
  • purchased a new slide for North Ward Park and will be here in early June;
• Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
  • been here one week and settling in with the staff and patrons; looking at some changes;
  • Summer Reading Program registration is open now for July activities;
• Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
  • we questioned the state on a large sales tax refund the city would have had to give and the state notified us they actually denied the $84,000 refund;
  • we added a fun presentation today with UNL students on rural and community development; they had ideas we’ve seen over the years, some new, and some not viable; they were very excited; this has happened every few years;
  • next week are meetings in Kearney for Emerson and myself; we participated in a cyber security review and Emerson will speak on it to a group in Kearney;
  • talking with SENDD on a DTR (downtown revitalization) application again for September; we have to close out current projects in August; 1209 and 1211 Main would be a good candidate;
  • Electric Department sent two staff and a truck to Red Cloud to help after storm damage;
  • there is an RTSD (Railway Transportation Safety District) meeting on Tuesday, May 14.
• Mayor Dave Bauer: 
  • concerns this time of year - cutting grass and blowing it out into the street, this is a pet peeve of mine; another is garage sale signs that do not get picked up;
  • Doane University football players will be downtown working with the community planters and downtown trees.

Meeting adjourned.