Opened Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m. to amend future land use map Lots 7-9 Block 99 C2 to R3

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that on portion of the property the owner is planning to build apartments, which is an allowed in C3. The change for the future land use map from commercial to residential is in the interest of economic development and increasing housing. 

Closed Public Hearing at 6:09 p.m. to amend future land use map Lots 7-9 Block 99 C2 to R3. 

Opened the Public Hearing at 6:10 p.m. on zoning change Lots 7-8 Block 99 C2 to R3. 
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this was the same reason for the
future land use plan amendment. This would be to change the zoning to allow multifamily use on this property. 
Closed the Public Hearing at 6:11 p.m.

Shaylene Smith Executive Director for the Blue River Arts Council explained that this is 2022 contract amendment. 

Shaylene Smith Executive Director for the Blue River Arts Council explained that this change order was approved without direct City of Crete funds. 

Shaylene Smith, Executive Director for the Blue River Arts Council explained that this is to add spray foam on the ceiling. 

Shaylene Smith Executive Director for the Blue River Arts Council explained that this is a credit for the Logo. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Mayor Bauer and himself met with a vendor and this is for an inclusive merry-go-round for City Park. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the City solicited sealed bids for the city farm.. Ourada spoke to Jay Presten about his high bid of $441,000.00 for the city farm and made certain that he is going through with his bid and is capable of getting the funding and securing the property. If the council approves the sale then they can move forward with the documents needed to transfer the property to him. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is a study that is necessitated by Nebraska Power District to have additional generation on their system. They used to do these studies themselves but they now require a third party to do the study and for the City to pay for it. Ourada stated that he inquired if the City's solar provider would pay for this and they said no. The cost of the study is $17,250.00

Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody explained that this would be a one time opportunity for funds for tree related activities and programs. It is a 100% funded opportunity with no match requirement. The grant requests can be $2,000 minimum up to $25,000 maximum award. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the resolution is to vacate the alley and keep the streets open with the option the council would have to charge a dollar per square foot or not to charge a dollar per square foot. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is written and framed this way because it is written this way in state statute. City Ordinance generally follows state statute. The change is the last section that basically states that request for extended stays up to 30 days prior to Saline County Fair Week and up to 30 days after Saline County Fair Week, No extended stay campers will be permitted to camp in the City-controlled campgrounds during Fair Week. 

City Attorney Anna Burge explained that the Business Registration fee was prorated for the first year and then a $20 yearly fee after that. This would be to have the $20 be a flat yearly rate. 

City Attorney Anna Burge explained that in the process of enforcing nuisance cases that they have, they can establish fines but under chapter 6 Nuisances they do not have the specific language about abatement, on there. They ask that they pass this ordinance to clarify that and are able to enforce the rules. 

City Attorney Anna Burge explained that this is a correction to an Ordinance that was passed in November and it was put in there that it was Whittier Ave that they were vacating. However, Whittier Ave in that area had already been vacated and it is actually east west street. This is a correction to vacate the alley way.

Council member Anthony Fitzgerald explained that this went to the Legislative/Development Committee and this Ordinance is to change secretary to vice chair. When the chair is not available to conduct the meeting, then the vice chair is able to do so. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that these changes were requested by people that had purchased columbarium spaces. Throughout working with Spidell and the Cemetery Board, they came up with a theme and an arrangement that was satisfactory to all. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is an amended application from Old Main Bar and Grill for about $15,800 and it went to the LB840 Advisory Board and $7,871.65 would qualify for LB840 allowed activities. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Charpen Properties had submitted an application for building renovations. Now Rebecca Hansmeyer is submitting an application for her business Wool & Whimsy. They have a good business plan for their yarn and fabric shop. The application is for technology costs and for working capital. Ourada explained that City Attorney Anna Burge recommenced doing a UCC filing with the state once funding is approved to guarantee the City of Crete will be able to have protection. Ourada explained that $18,265.50 qualifies and they will do the UCC filing. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained the Crete Housing & Community Development Corporation is a private corporation. Ourada explained that the funds in the corporation have been used to build two housing units and they are currently building 2 more workforce housing units. What they have not done is charged interest for these projects but they will have to start charging interest of about 1% going forward. It costs money to do business in audits and tax-filing expenses. They asked for $20,000 to offset the costs of the corporation of doing business. Ourada explained that they will be reapplying for funds in 2025 for $580,000 to leverage a total of $1.1 million for a larger award to continue with workforce housing. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Airports have funding through the FAA. They have been able to complete a number of projects through the years. $1,700 can not be used because they were no obligated. Anna Lannin Engineering Division Manager with the Aeronautics Division asked if the funds could be relinquished back to the state so they could be redistributed to another Nebraska airport. 

City Attorney Anna Burge explained that Dairyland Insurance offered a settlement for a light pole and fixture. They offered 15% depreciation and Burge explained she did some research and found that 15% was reasonable settlement. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada gave a presentation on the LB840 Program Report which included the quarterly report for 2024 and projects before. Ourada explained the 1st quarter accounting and program statistics and 2024 loan guarantee obligations and forgivable loan program obligations. 

• Chief of Police Garry Young stated the following:

• There was an accident on Highway 33 and 103. Great cooperation and appreciates the help from the Crete Fire and Police and Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Wilber Rescue.  They made an arrest for drunk driving.
• Thanked Trenton Griffin and the rest of the Street Department for their help with the Cinco De Mayo event.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada, Mayor Dave Bauer and Police Captain Pucket interviewed Matt Jonas for Police Sergeant he comes from the Saline Sheriff’s Office with 20 years of experience. Jonas will be starting on Monday, May 20^th 2024 and will be bringing a great level of leadership to the department.
• Finance Director Wendy Thomas, Human Resource Coordinator Savannah Anderson and GIS Technician/IT Emerson Aschoff will be helping to get him up to speed on things.

 

• Parks & Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:

• Purchase of a new slide for Northward Park
• Nestle Purina volunteer event May 10^th at Waggin’ Tail Dog Park and Library Park
• Community Forestry Toolkit will be completed and presented on May 9^th 2024

 

• Luke Bonifas as Pool Manager and Kourtney Martin as Swim Coach, 19 new lifeguards, 6 new cashiers, and 3 assistant managers and 2 summer park staff.

• Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated the following:
  • Almost a week at her new position. Has been getting to know everyone.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:

• Good news about them questioning the state a lot and they ended up rethinking and denying the $84,000 Nebraska Advantage Tax Refund. This month’s refund was $871.
• University of Nebraska Lincoln students from the rural development major provided a presentation on Service-Learning Project: Community Revitalization Through Applied Economics. They had some new ideas and some that were very intriguing and it was fun.
• Next week will be in meetings in Kearney and Emerson Aschoff GIS Technician/IT will also be going. Participated in a Cyber review and they were asked if they could speak about it.
• Spoke to Southeast Nebraska Development District and they will be starting an application for the Downtown Revitalization Program in September. They have to close out in August. The discussion is what will they do with $400,000. A good candidate would be 1209 and 1211 Main Ave which would be eligible.
• Two employees from the Electric Department with a truck went to help out in Red Cloud after the storm.
• Will be having a contractor agreement with Steve Hensel to assist the City in updating and rewriting the City’s Emergency Operation Plan and Storm Shelter Operations Plan. They will be meeting on it and will be on the next council agenda.
• The next Railroad Transportation Safety District meeting will be next Tuesday, May 14^th 2024.
• Council member Anthony Fitzgerald thanked City Administrator Tom Ourada for reaching out to other communities after the storms.

• Mayor Dave Bauer reminded not to blow the grass into the streets after mowing and to please remove garage sale signs after they are done.
• Doane University football team will be helping Mayor Bauer to mulch and prepare the downtown flower pots.

 




 

Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.