Public Meeting Minutes: January 3, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Crete City Council Regular Meeting

1. Open Meeting

Rationale:

In accordance with Nebraska law, a copy of the Open Meetings Act can be found in the back of the Council Chambers.
Items listed on the agenda may be considered in any order.
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Roll Call

Rationale:

Attendance of members will be recorded to determine the presence of a quorum for official actions.

3. Consent Agenda

Rationale:

All items listed on the consent agenda will be approved by one motion and vote. No separate discussion of these items will occur unless the Mayor, a Councilmember, or a citizen so requests. If such a request is made, the item will be moved out of the consent agenda and considered separately.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Approve the consent agenda as presented. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.

Tom Crisman: Aye
Jack Oelschlager: Aye
Kyle Frans: Aye
Dale Strehle: Aye
Dan Papik: Aye
Travis Sears: Aye

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes

3.A.1. December 20, 2022 Finance Committee Meeting minutes

Attachments: (1)

2022.12.20 Finance Committee meeting

12/29/2022 at 9:57 AM

3.A.2. December 20, 2022 Legislative & Economic Development Committee Meeting minutes

Attachments: (1)

2022.12.20 Legislative Development Committee minutes

12/29/2022 at 9:58 AM

3.A.3. December 20, 2022 Personnel Committee Meeting minutes

Attachments: (1)

2022.12.20 Personnel Committee Minutes

12/29/2022 at 9:58 AM

3.A.4. December 20, 2022 City Council Meeting minutes

Attachments: (2)

2022.12.20 City Council Minutes

12/29/2022 at 9:59 AM
Claims paid 2022-12-20

12/29/2022 at 9:59 AM

3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report

Attachments: (1)

Keno Report November 22

12/30/2022 at 4:59 PM

3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City

Attachments: (1)

Claims to pay 2022-12-30

12/30/2022 at 4:35 PM

4. Items of Business

Rationale:

Action may be taken to discuss/limit discussion, to hear testimony in favor of or in opposition to, and to approve or disapprove any matter presented under this title.

4.A. Consider entering into an agreement with Cline Williams for legal services.

Discussion: City Administrator Tom Ourada informed the Council that Cline Williams has several attorneys that will be providing us with legal services pertaining to different areas of expertise. His recommendation is to enter into the agreement.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Approve entering into an agreement with Cline Williams for legal services. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.

Tom Crisman: Aye
Jack Oelschlager: Aye
Kyle Frans: Aye
Dale Strehle: Aye
Dan Papik: Aye
Travis Sears: Aye

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES - City of Crete

12/30/2022 at 9:17 AM

4.B. Consider authorizing the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Compliance and the Agreement Renewal for the Maintenance Agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Discussion: City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this is an annual agreement with NDOT for the City to maintain the section of highway that is inside the city limits. The Public Works Committee met on this and recommended approving the Mayor to sign the agreement.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Approve authorizing the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Compliance and the Agreement Renewal for the Maintenance Agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.

Tom Crisman: Aye
Jack Oelschlager: Aye
Kyle Frans: Aye
Dale Strehle: Aye
Dan Papik: Aye
Travis Sears: Aye

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

Highway Maintenance Agreement and Compliance

12/30/2022 at 4:31 PM

4.C. Consider approving Amendment No. 1 to the Owner-Engineer Agreement with JEO in the amount of $5,000 for the 2022 Street Improvement project.

Discussion: City Administrator Tom Ourada discussed this amendment for additional services with JEO for the street improvements on the north side of town. The Public Works Committee met on this also, and recommended approving the amendment.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Owner-Engineer Agreement with JEO in the amount of $5,000 for the 2022 Street Improvement project. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.

Tom Crisman: Aye
Jack Oelschlager: Aye
Kyle Frans: Aye
Dale Strehle: Aye
Dan Papik: Aye
Travis Sears: Aye

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

Crete 2022 Street Improvements - Amendment 1

12/30/2022 at 9:40 AM

4.D. Consider approving a quote from Capital City Concepts and Nebraska Pays Surveys to do a wage comparability study for bargaining and non-bargaining unit employees at a cost of $18,000.

Discussion: City Administrator Tom Ourada discussed this with the Personnel Committee at their last meeting. The Committee recommended approving the quote, with certain amendments to be made. The amendments made allowed for a market research study to be included, and to have the study done for non-bargaining employees as well.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Approve the quote from Capital City Concepts and Nebraska Pays Surveys to do a wage comparability study for bargaining and non-bargaining unit employees at a cost of $18,000. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.

Tom Crisman: Aye
Jack Oelschlager: Aye
Kyle Frans: Aye
Dale Strehle: Aye
Dan Papik: Aye
Travis Sears: Aye

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

Wage Comparability Study Quote v2

12/30/2022 at 4:21 PM

5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns

Rationale:

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.

6. Officers' Reports

Rationale:

Reports may be given by Officers, Departments, Committees, or Councilmembers 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.

Discussion:

Police Chief Gary Young reported PD being short-handed as they are still in the process of testing for the open sergeant position, as well as testing for two other officer positions.
Human Resources Director Wendy Thomas introduced two new hires; Maria Acevedo as facilities janitor, and Juan Lopez in bookkeeping for the Utility Department.
Fire Chief Tod Allen gave a report of the Fire Department's call numbers for 2022; 945 total calls averaging 72 calls a month, 2.5 calls a day. Allen also reported that the department held their officer election meeting and he was re-elected as Fire Chief.
City Administrator Tom Ourada reported the following:
- As of January 1, 2023, Gary Young is no longer 'Acting Chief'. He is officially the Police Chief.
- Blue River Raceway (formerly Tuxedo Park Raceway) is being taken over by new owners, who have reached out to the City for help. We will be working with them to help however we can.
- Sunday's electrical outage was due to a blown high side transformer fuse. City workers did a great job responding and working quickly to restore power.
- Ourada is still in contact with the person we are trying to get on board for the Recreation Coordinator/Grant Writer recruitment.
- Commented how good it was to see the Crete News present at the meeting tonight.
Mayor Dave Bauer reported the following:
- Bauer read a thank you note from the Crete Senior Citizens group stating their appreciation of the City for allowing them to use the Wanek Community Center. They are also thankful for the quick responses from city employees whenever they need something.
- He is working with Saline County Aging Services to bring back a meals on wheels program, which will need volunteers to help deliver the meals when the time comes.
- Commented on his excitement of the new year and getting some new things started for the community.

7. Adjournment

January 3, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Crete City Council Regular Meeting

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