Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. February 21, 2023 Public Works Committee Meeting minutes
3.A.2. February 21, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting minutes
3.A.3. February 21, 2023 Public Safety Committee Meeting minutes
3.A.4. February 21, 2023 City Council Meeting minutes
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
3.D. Approve the corporate manager liquor application for Casey's Retail Company. 
3.E. Mayor's appointment of Liz Cody as Parks and Recreation Director.
4. Items of Business
4.A. Public hearing on the annexation of Area #6 into the corporate limits of the City of Crete. 
4.B. Consider approving Ordinance 2164: An ordinance to annex Area #6 into the corporate limits of the City of Crete for its second reading.
4.C. Consider enacting Ordinance 2165: An ordinance creating gap paving Street Improvement Districts.
4.D. Consider enacting Ordinance 2166: An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes, series 2023, of the principal amount not to exceed $2,300,000. 
4.E. Consider approving the Police Department to apply for the 'Drug Impaired High Visibility Enforcement Mobilization' Grant.
4.F. Consider approving payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,645.24.
5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
6.A. Annual Library Report
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: March 7, 2023 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 1 Carried:
Remove the Mayor's appointment of Liz Cody as Parks and Recreation Director out of the consent agenda and table it until the next Council meeting. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Jack Oelschlager.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Approve the consent agenda, taking out 3E. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.A.1. February 21, 2023 Public Works Committee Meeting minutes
Subject:
3.A.2. February 21, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting minutes
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. February 21, 2023 Public Safety Committee Meeting minutes
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. February 21, 2023 City Council Meeting minutes
Attachments:
Subject:
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
Attachments:
Subject:
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
Attachments:
Subject:
3.D. Approve the corporate manager liquor application for Casey's Retail Company. 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.E. Mayor's appointment of Liz Cody as Parks and Recreation Director.
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. Public hearing on the annexation of Area #6 into the corporate limits of the City of Crete. 
Discussion:
Attorney Alison Borer explained that the proposed property is contiguous to the city limits on three sides and meets all requirements to be annexed. The land owners have plans to develop the land and have requested the annexation. 
Resident Lynn Forrester, of 1225 Jasmine Avenue, expressed concerns about the appearance of the potential development. She also stated that she was worried about the area being turned into a racetrack by future residents of the new development. She questioned the need for the City to annex more land for the development of housing.
City Administrator Tom Ourada and Mayor Dave Bauer acknowledged Forrester's concerns, explaining that with all of the local growth we're seeing, housing is our main concern. This development will provide much needed space for residents to make Crete their home. Addressing the racetrack concern, Ourada clarified that there is no current plan to connect Jasmine to Iris Avenue, but that this hearing is strictly regarding the annexation itself. There will be plenty of time to consider the concerns raised when the developers submit their final plans.
There were no other comments on the annexation. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Open the public hearing at 6:03 pm. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Close the public hearing at 6:13 pm. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B. Consider approving Ordinance 2164: An ordinance to annex Area #6 into the corporate limits of the City of Crete for its second reading.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve Ordinance 2164 for its second reading, and that its title be read and approved. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Consider enacting Ordinance 2165: An ordinance creating gap paving Street Improvement Districts.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada informed the Council that this ordinance affirms previous actions taken in the last year for gap paving plans on the north side of town. The Public Works Committee met on this and recommended enacting the ordinance to create the improvement districts.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduce Ordinance 2165 and move that the statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2165: An ordinance creating gap paving Street Improvement Districts. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.D. Consider enacting Ordinance 2166: An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes, series 2023, of the principal amount not to exceed $2,300,000. 
Discussion:
Scott Keene, from Piper Sandler, explained that state statute doesn't allow cities to fund these types of projects upfront. Bond anticipation notes will be issued with a maturity date of April 2026 and are callable one year after issuance. They will be designated as bank-qualified, which lowers the borrowing rate. City Administrator Tom Ourada commented that the city evaluated the project with the budget to ensure bond payments could be made. The Public Works Committee met on this and recommended enacting the ordinance.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduce Ordinance 2166 and move that the statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2166: An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes, series 2023, of the principal amount not to exceed $2,300,000. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider approving the Police Department to apply for the 'Drug Impaired High Visibility Enforcement Mobilization' Grant.
Discussion:
Police Chief Gary Young stated that this is just like the other grants they apply for year-round, it just focuses more on drug impairment. The Public Safety Committee met on this and recommended approving PD to apply for the grant.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approve the Police Department to apply for the 'Drug Impaired High Visibility Enforcement Mobilization' Grant. Carried with a motion by Jack Oelschlager and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.F. Consider approving payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $1,645.24.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Table this item until the next Council meeting, due to not having a quorum for the vote. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Jack Oelschlager.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Travis Sears: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Jack Oelschlager: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
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:
  • Human Resources Director Wendy Thomas introduced our new Wastewater Operator, Pete Fiumefreddo, who will start on Monday. 
  • Library Director Joy Stevenson reported the following:
    • The VITA program, helping residents with tax preparation, will go until April 16th.
    • Karen Gettert Shoemaker, author of "The Meaning of Names", will give a presentation on March 26th.
    • The 2023 'Crete Reads!' book selection is "The Orphan Collector". The author, Ellen Marie Wiseman, will give a virtual talk on October 22nd.
    • She filled out a questionnaire with over 200 questions for the Nebraska Library Commission to remain an accredited library. 
  • Police Chief Gary Young reported the following:
    • A 2011 sexual assault case was resolved due to the hard work of Sgt. Morehouse and the use of investigative software previously authorized by the Council. 
    • Officer Audrey Arbuckle and K9 Hunk had their first day on the interstate, as a part of the interdiction activities also authorized by the Council. They had a pretty sizable seizure, including two pounds of fentanyl and $390,000 in cash.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada reported the following:
    • ALLO Fiber is looking for a storefront downtown. Ourada spoke with property owners downtown who may be able to help with that.
    • Airport Manager, Shaun Krzycki, has informed the City that he will be leaving for a terrific opportunity with a larger airport. 
    • Spoke with Keith Gilmore regarding the park project next to City Hall, which was estimated at $140,000. Gilmore talked with a contractor and got a bid at $185,000, which the City could accept. 
    • Sent our interlocal agreement with Denton to the attorney for review. Denton's wastewater operator is needing hours at a more complex plant for certification, so they will be putting in some hours at our plant.
    • We have hired a grade 4 licensed Wastewater Superintendent, who will start later in the month.
    • NMPP's annual conference is in Lincoln this month and elected officials are encouraged to attend.
    • Talked with HHS about a large grant/loan for the water system, but funding isn't available until October. This will address water quality issues and add a new water well. 
    • Thanked Scott Keene and Mike Rogers, Gilmore Bell's bond council, for their work with the gap paving financing.
    • We have been working on a succession plan for Jerry, as he is retiring at the end of November. The plan is for Wendy to move to Finance Director and current Community Assistance Director Nancy Tellez will become the new City Clerk. We already have a commitment from someone who will start later this month as the new Community Assistance Director. 
  • Mayor Dave Bauer shared progress on the Meals on Wheels program coming back to Crete. Partners have met, but more delivery volunteers are needed to get it going.
Attachments:
Subject:
6.A. Annual Library Report
Discussion:
Library Director Joy Stevenson touched on some highlights in her annual library report. Hours of operation increased, as have the number of library visits and the number of library programs. Also, the library's meeting rooms were used over 600 times this past year. The full report is attached to this agenda item for viewing.
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
 

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