City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the council would need to authorize or not authorize the City to enter into an agreement with MEAN to be the agent with WAPA. WAPA needs the minutes and the resolution. Mayor Bauer asked Ourada if they had where he had signed the agreement. However, it was never carried to the next council meeting. 

Brian Chaffin, Shayne Huxoll, and  Doug Hanson from Olsson provided the following information:
- Huxoll has over 30 years' experience with water treatment plants, parks and trails, swimming pools and many other projects. 
- Hanson stated that he has experience as an elected official. He was the Mayor of Hickman from 2014 until last December. Some of his goals are to meet and learn about goals, monitor legislation, capital improvement plans and funding opportunities. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the City Engineer would have to attend some committee and council meetings, and occasional planning commission meetings. The City Engineer will receive calls from the city about issues, engage in projects, over see projects and see plans. 
Ourada and council members asked questions about how Olsson would help with water department issues, process odor issues, transit planner and walkability and how quickly Olsson could send someone to Crete. 
Huxoll stated that they have-in-house capabilities and can also refer to a specialist about issues. They have 6-7 crews in Lincoln, Omaha and Grand Island. Huxoll also informed that Olsson's Funding Specialist, Suzanne Brodine, could help with technical assistance and grant applications.

Huxoll stated that Olsson puts clients first and listens to their needs. They will respond and take action and follow through. They have about 97% repeat work and they enjoy their work and creating relationships. Huxoll thanked the council for the opportunity to have the interview. 

Ourada stated that at the next City Council meeting they would decide and have agreement and Mayor Bauer would make the appointment during the first meeting in December and the council would ratify it. 



 

Steve Parr, Terry Meier, Viv Novotny, and Mike Malone with JEO provided the following information during the interview:
Novotny stated that they are a local firm in Lincoln and Omaha. They build relationships with their clients and learn how to help. They learn about what projects the communities would like to work on and they help with grants. 
Parr mentioned that JEO firm started in 1937 and has grown very much over the years, up to 350 people. They have 14 offices. Parr provides the communities he works with a JEO Status Report of the projects they are working on. 
Parr stated that they would complete a contract for every project with the agreement and scope or they could do a Master Services Agreement with the scope of services and exclusions and be clear on what they would and would not be doing. 
Parr also mentioned that Novotny would be the point of contact. They have teams that do specific work and they work on being consistent with relationships. Malone stated that if the city has questions, City Administrator Tom Ourada could call to ask questions.  Ourada mentioned that the city is looking for funding opportunities for 2 roundabouts. Mayor Bauer mentioned that there are projects that other communities have been able to complete with the assistance of grants that the Crete communities would like. Terry Meier, Funding Specialist stated that there are many funding opportunities and he learns about what projects a community is looking to complete and then helps access funding. Meier mentioned various funding opportunities such as grants, loans, and tax credits and he educates clients on what is needed. 
Novotny stated that JEO has helped with 40 projects in Crete. JEO is close to Crete and is dedicated. 
Parr mentioned that relationships are important to JEO, they have diversity of services, and find out what the needs are and help with the planning process. 
Malone stated that core values are important and JEO has helped over 150 communities and counties with projects. 
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated  that the City Engineer would have to attend some committee and council meetings, and occasional planning commission meetings. The City Engineer will receive calls from the city about issues, engage in projects, over see projects and see plans. There would be a Master Services Agreement and a designated a person to maintain consistency. Ourada mentioned the City Engineer would review projects and provided the example of the church project which JEO has been working on. Parr mentioned he would be working to find out what happened and if JEO is responsible, they would take ownership. 
City Council members asked questions about how long it would take JEO to send a representative in an emergency situation, if they have someone to help with landscaping design and walkability issues, and funding opportunities. 
Parr mentioned that Ourada can call Novotny and she would get someone to Crete as soon as possible. They have a civil sight design group that could help with resources and visualization. 
Meier stated that he likes to talk to communities about what projects they have in mind and let him know early so that he can reach out to them when funding opportunities come up. 

 Ourada stated that at the next City Council meeting they would decide and have an agreement and Mayor Bauer would make the appointment during the first meeting in December and the council would ratify it.