City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the Juricek Administrative Subdivision meetings all the City Codes and the property used to be three lots and is now going to be two lots. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Mayor Bauer and Tom Sorensen have advocated starting a business improvement district. Ourada explained that Sorensen went door to door and was able to secure roughly 50% of the property owners to create this district. This is the first step and it sets the hearing on the business improvement district. This item went to the Public Works committee.  

• Chief of Police Gary Young Stated the following:

• K9 Hunk and handler Officer Audrey Arbuckle passed their narcotics recertification.
• The Pumpkin Festival is coming up and will be involved with the Saline County Sheriffs Office, Nebraska State Patrol, and Nebraska Highway Safety. There will be some interactive activities for children.
• The Trunk or Treat will be on October 31^st, 2024 at the High School.
• October 1^st is the beginning of Breast Cancer awareness month. Young provided the Mayor and Council members with a pink patch as a small token of their support and explained that Code Enforcement Officer Kylie Nicewonger helped with the efforts of The Pink Patch Project. This started in southern California and this is the first year the Crete Police Department is getting involved. For a month Crete Police Officers will be wearing them.

• Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated the following:

• Started the 1,000 books before kindergarten and Youth Services Librarian Maridza Vasquez has already had 14 families sign up.
• Buley party on October 26^th, 2024 at 10 a.m.
• Toddler story time on Wednesdays at 10am and Preschool story time at Thursdays at 10 a.m. Vasquez just had her first Art Lab on the third Tuesday of the month and over 50 children attended the event.
• On October 10^th, 2024 they will have terracotta pumpkins program to paint pumpkins.
• Wilkinson will be attending the Nebraska Library Association Conference on October 10^th, 2024 in the morning to speak in a session about what to do when you are suddenly in charge.
• Family Movie night on October 19^th, 2024 and a book swap on October 24^th, 2024.
• On November 14^th, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Wilkinson will be going on Channel Ten Eleven News to discuss the Author Erica Bauermeister coming to speak to Crete on November 16^th, at 7 p.m.

• Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:

• Gave thanks for the opportunity to be a part of the Celebrate Crete Event. Collaborated with other City departments, Doane University, an all the community partners. Was able to promote the event with the Food Distribution event that takes place at Tuxedo Park.
• The Celebrate Crete Event was an opportunity for many of the groups such as the Diamonds and Blue River Raceway that are active at Tuxedo Part to participate.
• Thanked Blue River Raceway for being proactive with addressing facility concerns that come up.
• Attended the NeRPA Nebraska Recreation and Parks Association conference in Columbus and learned about trail grants and other resources.
• Crete’s Tree City recognition is going to be in Lincoln on October 15^th, 2024.
• The Nebraska Game and Park (SCORP) survey was submitted reporting on city parks.
• "Kickin’ It" with Gold Star ATA Martial Arts program registration is open through Friday, October 25^th, 2024.

• Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked is there are any leads for a Fixed-Based Operator at the Crete Municipal Airport. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that they have a couple leads and it won’t be for a direct replacement but for a Fixed Based Operator.
• Council member Dale Strehle thanked all the City employees that helped with the Celebrate Crete event.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:

•  Met with Chief Probation Officer Melanie Stormer and introduced her to Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht to discuss possible partnerships. Stormer mentioned to Ourada the possibility of having an office in Crete.
• Celebrate Crete Event was a huge success and Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht did a tremendous job with helping to organize the event with all the other community partners. The City of Crete purchased 500 t-shirts and they were gone two thirds of the way through. Food vendors donated 50-100 meals and the City of Crete paid for the rest from the Economic Development Fund. Ourada stated that many people have been asking if this can be an annual event.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada has the Legislative Committees Meeting on Wednesday, October 2^nd, 2024.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada, Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht and City Clerk Nancy Tellez will be attending and presenting at the League of Municipalities Annual Conference on Thursday, October 3^rd 2024.
• Ourada showed the PowerPoint presentation he would be discussing during the League of Municipalities Annual Conference.
• Sales tax is down and last month the city got notice of a $9,500 refund and this month an $8,100 refund is going to be taken.
• The City budgeted conservatively and there won’t be excess revenue for departments to spend outside of their budgets.

• Mayor Dave Bauer thanked everyone for attending and helping with the Celebrate Crete Event.

 

6:31 p.m.