Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.B. January 16, 2024 City Council Minutes 
3.C. January 16, 2024 Public Works Committee Minutes 
3.D. January 16, 2024 Finance Committee Minutes 
3.E. January 16, 2024 Personnel Committee Minutes 
3.F. January 16, 2024 Park and Rec Committee Minutes 
3.G. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.H. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
3.I. Mayor's Appointment of Marilyn Schacht as the City's representative on the Blue River Arts Council. 
3.J. Approve Matthew Gross as new volunteer member of the Fire Department. 
4. Items of Business
4.A. Adjourn City Council to a meeting of the Community Development Agency (CDA). 
4.A.1. Consider Resolution# CDA 24-01 First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement Cardinal Ventures Redevelopment Project. 
4.A.2. Adjourn the CDA to the City Council meeting. 
4.B. Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. 
4.C. Consider the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. 
4.D. Consider the Master Services Agreement Between the City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc for Professional Services. 
4.E. Consider the Fire Department applying for the Forestry Service grant. 
4.F. Consider the Fire Station Proposals from JEO Consulting Group. 
4.G. Consider Ordinance 2193 relating to wages and salaries. 
4.H. Consider the claim for sewer backup. 
4.I. Consider Ordinance 2194 Authorizing Execution of Modernized MEAN contract 
4.J. Consider the Contractor's Application for Payment from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $155,076.79.
4.K. Consider the Change Order NO.4 from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $11,147.26. 
4.L. Consider the Crete Public Library Annual Report. 
4.M. Consider accepting the City Audit Report 
4.N. Consider accepting the KENO Audit. 
4.O. Consider approving payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $117.75.
5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns
5.A. Building Permit Log 9-11-2023 through 12-31-2023
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: February 6, 2024 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:
Approved Consent Agenda Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.B. January 16, 2024 City Council Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.C. January 16, 2024 Public Works Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.D. January 16, 2024 Finance Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.E. January 16, 2024 Personnel Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.F. January 16, 2024 Park and Rec Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.G. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
Attachments:
Subject:
3.H. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
Attachments:
Subject:
3.I. Mayor's Appointment of Marilyn Schacht as the City's representative on the Blue River Arts Council. 
Subject:
3.J. Approve Matthew Gross as new volunteer member of the Fire Department. 
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. Adjourn City Council to a meeting of the Community Development Agency (CDA). 
Discussion:
Adjourned City Council to a meeting of the Community Development Agency (CDA) at 6:03 p.m.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adjourned City Council to a meeting of the Community Development Agency (CDA) Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.A.1. Consider Resolution# CDA 24-01 First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement Cardinal Ventures Redevelopment Project. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this is a redevelopment agreement and this is an amendment for the Cardinal Ventures Redevelopment Project. After the plats were done and the TIF attorney, Alison Janecek Borer amended the agreement to reflect the changes and according to state statute the CDA has to revisit and approve the amended agreement. City Attorney Anna Burge stated that she also looked at the amended agreement. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adopted Resolution# CDA 24-01 First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement Cardinal Ventures Redevelopment Project. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.A.2. Adjourn the CDA to the City Council meeting. 
Discussion:
Adjourned the CDA to the City Council meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Adjourned the CDA to the City Council meeting. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Open the City Council meeting Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.B. Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. 
Discussion:
Opened the Public Hearing at 6:06 p.m. Mike Eckert with Civil Design explained that there are 19 lots and they are moving forward with the 19 lots for the final plat. 
Closed the Public Hearing at 6:08 p.m.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Opened Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Closed Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Consider the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Final Plat for Butterfly Acres. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.D. Consider the Master Services Agreement Between the City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc for Professional Services. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this is typical specially if you have consultants that act as appointed officials and JEO Consulting Group is the appointed City Engineer and the City uses them for some tasks so that is what the Master Services Agreement covers. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Master Services Agreement Between the City of Crete and JEO Consulting Group, Inc for Professional Services. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider the Fire Department applying for the Forestry Service grant. 
Discussion:
Fire Chief Tod Allen stated that the Fire Department would like to apply for a Forestry service grant again this year. This is a grant they have been awarded in the past, and would hope to outfit the new grass rig with hand tools, and $5,000 for get some extra wildland gear to have at the station. They would pay 100% upfront, but are reimbursed for 75% of that if awarded. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Fire Department applying for the Forestry Service grant. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.F. Consider the Fire Station Proposals from JEO Consulting Group. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that there are three proposals. One is for architectural services this the City has to engage in at the City's cost to qualify for USDA loan funding under 1% up to over 40 years. Then the other two proposals are eligible as reimbursable expenses from USDA. This went to the Public Safety Committee. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Fire Station Proposals from JEO Consulting Group. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.G. Consider Ordinance 2193 relating to wages and salaries. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this ordinance change involves the city positions that were below the minimum wage. Committee member Tom Crisman stated that the Personnel Committee met on this, and it will bring us back in compliance with the minimum wage laws.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduce Ordinance 2193 and move that the statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2193 relating to wages and salaries. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H. Consider the claim for sewer backup. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the City of Crete received a claim for sewer backup from the vicinity of 15th street and Doane Drive, and it was passed to the Public Works Committee since it had personal information in the claim. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Recommended the claim for sewer backup be sent to the City of Crete's insurance company for review. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.I. Consider Ordinance 2194 Authorizing Execution of Modernized MEAN contract 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is the agreement they have been working on and spoke about over the course of the last year. This did go to the Public Works Committee for review. Public Works Committee member Dale Strehle stated that they did meet on this and are happy with it. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduce Ordinance 2194 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.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2194 Authorizing Execution of Modernized MEAN contract Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.J. Consider the Contractor's Application for Payment from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $155,076.79.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this is the final payment for the gap paving project and this went to the Public Works committee. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Contractor's Application for Payment from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $155,076.79. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.K. Consider the Change Order NO.4 from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $11,147.26. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this also went to the Public Works Committee and this is a change order with a reduction of $11,147.26.
 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Change Order NO.4 from Constructors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $11,147.26. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.L. Consider the Crete Public Library Annual Report. 
Discussion:
Crete Public Library Director Joy Stevenson stated that she completed the survey and these are the results from the last fiscal year.  Stevenson stated that last year there were some dramatic increases coming out of COVID. Stevenson mentioned they have increased a number of statistics and allowed the City Council to view the attached 2022-2023 Annual Report. 
Stevenson stated that everything was pretty much up and summer reading attendance was down. The school decided to have camps in the month of June after the library had already booked everything. Due to that, they will be holding summer reading in July. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Crete Public Library Annual Report. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.M. Consider accepting the City Audit Report 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Accepted the City Audit Report Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.N. Consider accepting the KENO Audit. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Accepted the KENO Audit. Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.O. Consider approving payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $117.75.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $117.75. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Ashley Newmyer.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
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:
5.A. Building Permit Log 9-11-2023 through 12-31-2023
Attachments:
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 Resource Coordinator Savannah Anderson introduced the City of Crete’s new hires: Darrel Thomas- Street Department, Jaden Acevedo-Code Enforcement Officer, Alex Sawtelle- Police Officer, Rick Brown-Meter Reader.
  • Chief of Police, Gary Young stated the following:
  • Jaden Acevedo will be working in Code Enforcement and be learning pieces of law enforcement. Acevedo will be going to the Law Enforcement Academy in late April.
  • Updated on the cars that were stolen a couple weeks ago. Police Officer Noah Zach investigated and got a confession from a young lady who is now in the Saline County Jail.
  • Senior Patrol Officer Audrey Arbuckle and K9 Hunk got certified with patrol. Nebraska has changed all of its standards and the way they test. Even with out having had trained Hunk, he was able to do many of the open field searches. Arbuckle did great work in directing him and they got high scores.
  • Fire Chief, Tod Allen reported the following:
  • Matthew Gross is on the Wilber Fire Department and is a new associate volunteer member of the Fire Department comes highly recommended and wasn’t able to be at the Council meeting last time.
  • Allen provided a break down of last years numbers 908 total calls. 575 911 calls, 363 medicals, 3 structure fires, 12 content fires, 5 vehicle fires, 31 vegetation fires, 30 false fire alarms, 15 hazmat calls, 23 mutual aid for medical, 13 mutual aids for fires, canceled 29 times and 10 special duties and 126 non-emergency BLS transfers, 172 ALS transfers, 15 standbys and 20 others.
  • Brought back the new ambulance from Snyder, NE. It is 99% done just needs some lighting issues.
  • Park and Rec Director, Liz Cody stated the following:
  • Thanked the Blue River Race Way who donated the racing wheel, Apollo Automotive in Lincoln donated 4 tires and the City of Crete Parks Department added new boards and paint for the metal car structure in City Park.
  • Visited with ESL Crete families at the UCC and Grassroots Leadership Program student group to discuss the park programs.
  • 270 attendants at the Foodbank of Lincoln event at Tuxedo Park.
  • Youth Soccer and Micro Soccer registration opening up.
  • Seasonal positions will be opening up.
  • Council members Ashley Newmyer, Dan Papik and Anthony Fitzgerald all welcomed the new City of Crete staff and volunteers.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • The next Planning Commission will be on Monday, February 12th at 7p.m. they will be considering the 1 in 6-year plan in a hearing setting then it will come back to the City Council to adopt the 1 in 6-year plan in order to get state funding.
  • Doane University had a ribbon cutting for their new residence hall. Dr. Hughes and Mayor Bauer gave nice speeches.
  • Ourada has been elected as Chairperson for the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska and his term will start on April 1st 2024. MEAN has over 50 members in Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming and Colorado.
  • The wholesale power cost is going up 3% but the good news is the rates haven’t ben raised in 4 years.
  • Senator Deb Fischer’s Aid made a stop at City Hall to see what challenges Crete is facing. To perhaps see what the senator could assist us with. Ourada mentioned Fischer’s aid provided pointers on programs they might be able to help with as far as roundabouts, pedestrian roundabouts and overpasses.
  • There have been some serious inquiries about businesses located in Crete.
  • Going back to having city employees certified in CPR. Park and Rec Director Liz Cody is CPR instructor certified and Human Resource Coordinator Savannah Anderson is working on it and should be by the end of the February.
  • Received an offer for a free train depot and possibly moving it and put it on a foundation at the new South property.
  • Mayor Dave Bauer welcomed the new city staff.



 
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. 
 

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