Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. April 5, 2022 City Council meeting
3.A.2. Public Safety Committee meeting
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
4. Items of Business
4.A. Provide a recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on approving a Class C liquor license for Juan Franco Ortiz dba Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant.
4.B. Consider approving the payment of claims to ACE Hardware in the amount of $1,467.20.
4.C. Consider entering into an agreement with the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool for a financial plan, cost of service, and rate design study for electric rates.
4.D. Consider authorizing the Police Chief to apply for a NDOT Highway Safety grant as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign from May 23 to June 5.
4.E. Consider entering into a contract with Schemmer Associates for up to $29,723.80 of professional engineering services related to forming a Railroad Transportation Safety District.
4.F. Consider enacting Ordinance 2147: An ordinance relating to wages and salaries.
4.G. Consider approving Hochstetler Subdivision, a subdivision of a portion of the southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 8N, Range 4E.
4.H. Consider entering into a contract with Olsson Associates in the amount of $334,500 for engineering design services on the new substation.
4.I. Consider adopting Personnel Rules and Regulation for part-time, temporary, and volunteer employees.
4.J. Mayoral Proclamation to declare April 29, 2022 as Arbor Day.
5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: April 19, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Crete City Council Regular Meeting
Subject:
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.
Subject:
2. Roll Call
Rationale:
  • Attendance of members will be recorded to determine the presence of a quorum for official actions.
Subject:
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 consent agenda as presented. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.A.1. April 5, 2022 City Council meeting
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. Public Safety Committee meeting
Attachments:
Subject:
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
Attachments:
Subject:
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
Attachments:
Subject:
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.
Subject:
4.A. Provide a recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on approving a Class C liquor license for Juan Franco Ortiz dba Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant.
Discussion:
Juan Franco Ortiz was present and introduced himself to the Council. He stated that his wish is to be able to serve customers a drink or a beer with their meal, if desired. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Recommend to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to approve a Class C liquor license for Juan Franco Ortiz dba Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant. Carried with a motion by Travis Sears and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B. Consider approving the payment of claims to ACE Hardware in the amount of $1,467.20.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve the payment of claims to ACE Hardware in the amount of $1,467.20. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Consider entering into an agreement with the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool for a financial plan, cost of service, and rate design study for electric rates.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada informed the Council that our wholesale electric rates are due to increase this year. By having NMPP do the rate study, they will pay for half of the costs. The Public Works Committee met on this and recommended the agreement.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve entering into an agreement with the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool for a financial plan, cost of service, and rate design study for electric rates. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.D. Consider authorizing the Police Chief to apply for a NDOT Highway Safety grant as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign from May 23 to June 5.
Discussion:
Police Chief Steve Hensel stated that this grant is much like the other highway safety grants they have received in the past. The Police Department will be enforcing seatbelts as a secondary offense and other traffic laws as well. The Public Safety Committee met on this and recommended applying for the grant.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve authorizing the Police Chief to apply for a NDOT Highway Safety grant as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign from May 23 to June 5. Carried with a motion by Jack Oelschlager and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider entering into a contract with Schemmer Associates for up to $29,723.80 of professional engineering services related to forming a Railroad Transportation Safety District.
Discussion:
Council member Dale Strehle informed the Council that the Public Works Committee tabled this item in order to have a conversation with county commissioners regarding them possibly taking part in the Railroad Transportation Safety District. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Table this item until the next council meeting. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.F. Consider enacting Ordinance 2147: An ordinance relating to wages and salaries.
Rationale:
[Does not require three readings.]
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada reported only one position change in this ordinance. The ordinance will bring back the Recreational Coordinator, as the City ended up keeping all of its recreational programs and needs a coordinator. The Personnel Committee met on this and recommended approving and enacting the ordinance. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduce Ordinance 2147 and move that the statutory rule requiring three readings be suspended. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2147: An ordinance relating to wages and salaries. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.G. Consider approving Hochstetler Subdivision, a subdivision of a portion of the southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 8N, Range 4E.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada informed the Council that this subdivision is simply taking a portion of the property and splitting it into three smaller properties.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve Hochstetler Subdivision, a subdivision of a portion of the southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 8N, Range 4E. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H. Consider entering into a contract with Olsson Associates in the amount of $334,500 for engineering design services on the new substation.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the substation design is set to cost more than originally projected. However, it includes landscaping and the current high cost of materials. This went to the Public Works Committee and they recommended entering into the contract.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve entering into a contract with Olsson Associates in the amount of $334,500 for engineering design services on the new substation. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. Consider adopting Personnel Rules and Regulation for part-time, temporary, and volunteer employees.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that these rules and regulations consist of our current employee handbook, but leaves out the sections that do not apply to part-time, temporary, and volunteer employees. The Personnel Committee met on this and recommended adopting the amended rules and regulations for non-full-time employees. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve adopting Personnel Rules and Regulation for part-time, temporary, and volunteer employees. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Travis Sears.
  • Ryan Hinz: Absent
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
  • Travis Sears: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.J. Mayoral Proclamation to declare April 29, 2022 as Arbor Day.
Discussion:
Clerk-Treasurer Jerry Wilcox read the Mayoral Proclamation to declare 2022's Arbor Day on April 29. 
Attachments:
Subject:
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.
Subject:
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:
  • Fire Captain Harrison Gaman introduced four new members of the Crete Volunteer Fire Department: Dakota Wells, Jack Haury, Donavin Viger, and Gene Garza
  • Police Chief Steve Hensel:
    • Officer Audrey Arbuckle has returned to limited duty, overseeing the FTO program
    • Commented on the tornado sirens going off last week, and that one of our officers observed and had video of a tornado northwest of the highway and Iris Avenue
  • HR Coordinator Wendy Thomas introduced Officer William DeHart as a Crete Police Officer, as of April 14, 2022. Officer DeHart took the oath of office and received his badge from Mayor Dave Bauer
  • Councilmember Dan Papik stated how grateful he is to live where he does, where a young man who came to Crete to go to school ended up making it his home and becoming our newest police officer
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada reported:
    • The Planning Commission will meet on rezoning of the west side of town and will also talk about amending neighborhood design standards; the City Council will meet on the same subjects the following night 
    • Had a virtual meeting with JEO on the street improvement districts on the north side of town
    • MyGov is configuring the city's software and will have training starting this week
    • Two more sales tax refunds totaling over $5,000
    • The budget is generally looking okay, refunds not withstanding
  • Mayor Dave Bauer commented on the Arbor Day proclamation and that Crete was, once again, honored as a Tree City USA
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
 

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