Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. April 1st, 2025 City Council Minutes 
3.A.2. April 1st, 2025 Finance Committee Minutes 
3.A.3. April 1st, 2025 Legislative & Economic Development Committee Minutes 
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
3.D. Permit Log
4. Items of Business
4.A. Arbor Day Proclamation 
4.B. Public Hearing on the existing Department of Economic Development (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project awarded to the City of Crete. 
4.C. Consider the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception PA25-01 from Wranglers 4- Club  
4.D. Consider the Application for Special Event SE25-03 from the Crete Chamber of Commerce for the Cinco de Mayo Celebration 
4.E. Consider authorizing Parks and Recreation to apply for the Exmark Big Rock Project grant
4.F. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,852.17
4.G. Consider the second reading of Ordinance 2242 Sale of 1209 and 1211 Main Ave 
4.H. LB840 Program Report 
4.I. Consider Ordinance 2243 Amending late fee for business registrations 
5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: April 15, 2025 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 the Consent Agenda 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
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.A.1. April 1st, 2025 City Council Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. April 1st, 2025 Finance Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. April 1st, 2025 Legislative & Economic Development Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
Attachments:
Subject:
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
Attachments:
Subject:
3.D. Permit Log
Attachments:
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. Arbor Day Proclamation 
Discussion:
Mayor Dave Bauer read the Arbor Day Proclamation 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Arbor Day Proclamation Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B. Public Hearing on the existing Department of Economic Development (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project awarded to the City of Crete. 
Discussion:
The Public Hearing opened at 6:04 p.m. on the  existing Department of Economic Development (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project awarded to the City of Crete. 
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this second hearing is required. Ourada explained the City of  Crete was awarded $400,000 in CDBG-DTR funding for the 2020DTR projects. Of that $400,000, $352,017.75 was applied toward 16 downtown businesses, with matching funds totalling  $114,057.31. The remaining $47,982.25 was de-obligated. An additional $45,000 in grant funds were paid to SENDD for general administration and construction management services. This project met the national objective of substandard and blight on an area basis, meaning these funds helped address blighted buildings addressed in Crete's Substandard and Blight Assessment. This project has been completed and benefitted 16 businesses. 
The Public Hearing closed at 6:06 p.m.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Opened the Public Hearing on the existing Department of Economic Development (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project awarded to the City of Crete. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Closed the Public Hearing on the existing Department of Economic Development (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project awarded to the City of Crete. Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.C. Consider the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception PA25-01 from Wranglers 4- Club  
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception PA25-01 from Wranglers 4- Club Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.D. Consider the Application for Special Event SE25-03 from the Crete Chamber of Commerce for the Cinco de Mayo Celebration 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for Special Event SE25-03 from the Crete Chamber of Commerce for the Cinco de Mayo Celebration Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider authorizing Parks and Recreation to apply for the Exmark Big Rock Project grant
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize Parks and Recreation to apply for the Exmark Big Rock Project grant Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.F. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,852.17
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,852.17 Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
Attachments:
Subject:
4.G. Consider the second reading of Ordinance 2242 Sale of 1209 and 1211 Main Ave 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the second reading of Ordinance 2242 Sale of 1209 and 1211 Main Ave Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H. LB840 Program Report 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada went through and explained the LB840 Program Report. Ourada stated that the City of Crete match for the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant would only come out of LB840 if the grant is awarded. Ourada went through and explained the rest of the report. 
Ourada also explained that there have been weekly highlights on the LB840 program projects to show the impact the program has had on the community. Mayor Dave Bauer explained that he is happy to help get the word out and if anyone knows of a group that would like a program on LB840 to let him know and he can present. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Program Report Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. Consider Ordinance 2243 Amending late fee for business registrations 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that there has not been much compliance with some businesses paying the business registration. This late penalty would be added if the fee is not paid.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2243 and moved that the statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended. Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enacted Ordinance 2243 Amending late fee for business registrations Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Dale Strehle: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
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:
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:
  • Chief of Police Gary Young stated the following:
  • As of today there have been 52 nuisance property cases 29 of the cases have been voluntarily resolved and there are 23 active cases.
  • Thanked the Crete and Wilber exceptional team effort with the unfortunate tragedy last week.
  • Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • Gave thanks for the Arbor Day Proclamation.
  • Seeking coaches for the youth programs
  • New playground equipment will be installed at City Park.
  • Will be waiting to overseed after the 5 de Mayo Celebration at City Park.
  • Working with Crete Public Library to direct people to resources and promote recreation activities.
  • Building Inspector Trent Griffin stated the following:
  • There are 16 nuisance building cases and 2 cases have been closed out.
  • There are over 100 permits open.
  • There are 2 single-family homes being built and a fourplex multi-family building.
  • Will be doing playground and park inspections.
Mayor Dave Bauer stated that 100 new dwellings have been built in the last five years and an additional 3 apartment buildings.
  • Council members Tom Crisman, Kyle Frans and Ashley Newmyer commended the Crete and Wilber Fire and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Department for doing everything they could to help with the house fire.
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerald thanked City Administrator Tom Ourada and the Street Department for the list of projects.
  • Asked Ourada if contact information for officials and department heads could be on the City of Crete website. Ourada stated they would work on the logistics of navigating the website.
  • Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht stated that her leadership group has sessions to learn about City, County, State and School government and the systems we live in.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Sales tax is down 3.8%
  • Given out $25,000 in refunds
  • General fund is lagging on revenue due to property tax
  • For example 50% through the year and collected 36% from the county
  • Spending is right on track with 49.5% most of that is reoccurring
  • Police budget is over but grants have helped equal and level out the budget.
  • Grants have been helping departments such as the Police Department and Parks and Recreation so they can operate.
  • Hired a Power Plant Operator who has 7 years of experience and will be starting at the end of the month.
  • There is an opening for Street Operator.
  • Attended Community Assistance Director Marilyn Schacht’s leadership group and member Carely Adame Ortiz is also a member of the Planning Commission.
  • Asked Department Heads to attend board and commission meetings to learn more about the process of doing things in the City.
  • All departments are in full force
  • Next meeting there will be discussion on electric rates.
  • Mayor Dave Bauer stated the following:
  • Thanked everyone for their help with the fire last week.
  • Encourages people who would like to be more involved in the community to serve in committees and commissions.
  • If there are groups that would like a presentation on LB840 to please let him know so he can explain and spread the word.
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
 

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