City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the request had been withdrawn. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this originates from the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission motioned 3 to 3 not to make a recommendation. After the meeting, the request was withdrawn. 

Opened the Public Hearing at 6:06 p.m. 
A public Hearing was held to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the review of the C-2 Special Exception request at 1575 Blue Acres Drive, Crete, NE to allow individuals to use the space as a church. 
Mr. Patel who owns the Crete Inn and property next to the proposed special exception request at 1575 Blue Acres Drive, stated that he is against there being a church there because the sale of alcohol would not be permitted in the restaurant. Mayor Dave Bauer explained that the church can sign a waiver stating that alcohol can be sold. 
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that there are findings of fact that the City Council reviews and can also make additional specific findings of fact. Ourada also stated that the City Council could require screening and buffering so there is defined separation of the church and the commercial property next to it for traffic safety. This can be done in different ways, such as a fence or by plant, hedge or tree barrier. 
Mr. Escobar, who submitted the request for the special exception, stated that they would sign the waiver so that alcohol can be sold in the restaurant, and he also stated that they would talk to the building inspector and make sure they do what needs to be done with remodeling the car wash and would be willing to notify the City of Crete if the building is sold in the future. 
The Public Hearing closed at 6:19 p.m.

Upon review of all the necessary facts and public comments, the City Council found that the application met the findings on the application for Special Exception Permit and the general compatibility with adjacent properties and other property in the district subject to additional findings. 
Additional Specific Findings of Fact: applicant agrees to disable, demolish or renovate the car wash as soon as they take ownership. 
- applicant agrees to notify the City of any future buyers and their plans to sell the property. 
- applicant agrees to provide a waiver to not oppose liquor license applications by any business within 150 feet.
The City Council approved the Special Exception Permit Request. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the S&L Anderson Addition Administrative Subdivision met all the requirements. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the Emergency Dispatch Services Interlocal Agreement was reviewed by him, the Sheriff, Police Chief, County Attorney, and the City Attorney. Ourada added that the County Commissioners also reviewed the agreement. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that interim President & CEO  at Crete Area Medical Center Julie Lacy offered paramedic back up services. The agreement states that if hospital paramedics are called for back up they shall be compensated at the rate of $45 per hour for the time they spend on the call rounded to the nearest 1/4 hour increments from the time they leave the hospital until they return to the hospital grounds. Ourada stated this would be used if for example there was a mass casualty incident. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this is a change in our ordinance that was requested by the National Parks Service and the State Historic Preservation office in the City's quest to become a Certified Local Government. 

City Administrator Tom Ourada explained there are several small changes to this with the Custodial Support being added and the Power Plant Operator salaries and wages are the ones being amended in Ordinance 2235. 

Officers’ Reports

• Chief of Police Gary Young stated the following:

• The switch over to Saline County will be taking place on March 19^th, 2025 at 7 a.m. and training will start that week.
• Young stated he received resignation from an officer who is leaving on good terms and his last day will be on February 14^th, 2025. They are wishing him well.
• On February 5^th, 2025 there will be a big operations meeting.

• Parks and Recreations Director Liz Cody provided the following to Mayor Bauer, City Administrator Ourada and to the Council members:

• Updated 2025 programs flyer
• Micro and youth soccer registration forms
• An executive summary of Tree City 2024 in Crete, NE
• Cody provided information on the community forestry program and the strategic partnerships and expanded community engagement

• Finance Director Wendy Thomas introduced Jody Fiehtner as the new Human Resources Coordinator
• Building Inspector Trenton Griffin provided a building permit log from July 25^th, 2024 to December 20^th, 2025
• Council member Dan Papik asked if there have been any updates on the railroad and City Attorney Anna Burge stated she will be following up.
• City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:

• All grants are on hold for the time being
• Grant conditions and requirements have changed there will be more rigorous economic analysis and positive cost-benefit calculations and user-pay models.
• There was a vote with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) and the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool (NMPP) for 9.3% whole sale power cost increase.
• The NMPP Energy Annual Conference will be on March 18^th -20^th, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• The League of Nebraska Municipalities Midwinter Conference will be on February 24^th-25^th. 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Our Town Crete will be taking place in March 2025.
• Held a Department Head staff meeting and discussed that our mission to assist the community is not changing. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not been in Crete and it was not in Schuyler. The Crete Police Department is going to follow the law and assist if they need to. The Community Assistance Office will be continuing to provide resources to the community.

• Mayor Dave Bauer stated that there were two prime examples of the collaborations with the CAMC Back up Paramedic Agreement and the Emergency Dispatch Services Interlocal Agreement.

The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.