Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. January 17th, 2025 LB840 Advisory Board Minutes 
3.B. Financial Report
3.B.1. LB840 Financial Report as of 02.28.2025
4. Special Order of Business
4.A. City of Crete Economic Development Plan
4.A.1. Status of Investments with Performance Requirements
4.A.2. Housing
4.B. Applications for Consideration
4.B.1. Consider the LB840 Application from Crete Youth Cabin Association 
4.B.2. Consider the LB840 Application from Kathy's Cardinal Kids Learning Center 
4.B.3. Consider the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for local share for the  Community Development Block Grant Program 20DTR002. 
4.B.4. Consider the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for match for housing grant application. 
4.B.5. Consider the LB840 Application from Rotary International District 5650 Foundation 
4.C. Application Introductions
5. Officers' Reports
5.A. Discussion on the sale of 1209 and 1211 Main Ave 
6. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: March 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM - LB840 Advisory Board 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.
Subject:
2. Roll Call
Rationale:

Attendance of Advisory Board members will be recorded to determine the presence of a quorum for official actions.
Subject:
3. Consent Agenda
Rationale:
The Advisory Board will consider approval of the following items. Explanation may occur for each item and the council may approve and or amend and approve the items listed.
Subject:
3.A. Meeting Minutes
Rationale:
Review the minutes from the previous meeting
Subject:
3.A.1. January 17th, 2025 LB840 Advisory Board Minutes 
Discussion:
Paul Heath motioned and Liz Umana seconded to approve the January 17th, 2025 meeting minutes 
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.B. Financial Report
Rationale:
Review monthly financial reports
Subject:
3.B.1. LB840 Financial Report as of 02.28.2025
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that everything is the same and the loan guarantee is not exercised other than the Blue River Arts Council. That will expire soon since it was only for one year. Ourada added that the City of Crete did not get the housing grant and further in the meeting they will discuss another grant opportunity. Ourada stated that generally we are in a good place. 

Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Financial Report as of 02.28.2025. 
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4. Special Order of Business
Rationale:
The Advisory Board may take action to hear testimony in favor of or in opposition to, discuss/limit discussion and take action to approve or disapprove a recommendation to the City Council on any matter presented under this title.
Subject:
4.A. City of Crete Economic Development Plan
Rationale:
Review activities within the scope of the City of Crete Economic Development Plan adopted in 2011 and amended from time to time
Subject:
4.A.1. Status of Investments with Performance Requirements
Rationale:
Review the grant awards with performance requirements
Subject:
4.A.2. Housing
Rationale:
Review housing activities within the scope of the Crete Economic Development Plan
Subject:
4.B. Applications for Consideration
Rationale:
Review applications that have been processed and ready for consideration of recommendations to the City Council
Subject:
4.B.1. Consider the LB840 Application from Crete Youth Cabin Association 
Discussion:
Tom Parker with the Crete Youth Cabin Association explained that they are asking for $105,000.00 out of the $210,000 for the addition of a sanitary restroom and shower facility to provide necessary accommodations for youth and adults for day and overnight stays on the grounds. The structure would also include a multi purpose learning centers and equipment storage area. Parker added that the new building would be separate from the cabin by about 50 feet and would have a paved sidewalk that is going to be ADA compliant. LB840 Advisory Board member Liz Umana asked about the capacity of the cabin and Parker stated that it is about 40ft by 40ft and seats about 50 people. 
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that by state Statute this goes under tourism. 
LB840 Advisory Board Chair Paul Heath asked if there is other funding secured already and Craig Snyder stated that is work in progress. Snyder added that if they are awarded LB840 funds that would help them with raising other funds. 
Ourada added that if awarded they would pay on invoices and there would be performance agreements. 

Paul Heath motioned and Liz Umana seconded to approve the LB840 Application from the Crete Youth Cabin Association in the amount up to $105,000.
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye
 
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.2. Consider the LB840 Application from Kathy's Cardinal Kids Learning Center 
Discussion:
Kathy Garland owner and director of Kathy's Cardinal Kids explained that they are asking for LB840 funds in the amount of about $8,000 for the down payment to purchase a 12-15 passenger van to help them transport children. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this checks several boxes of allowable LB840/Economic Development funds. Garland explained that they opened the learning center in June 2024 and the center is near the capacity of 60 children.  Garland also added that she has over 30 years of experience and they have engaged in other fundraising events however they have not had much luck. 
LB840 Advisory Board Chair Paul Heath asked Garland if they already had a van secured and she stated that not yet. 

Liz Umana motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Application from Kathy Garland. 
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that they will work with Kathy Garland and when she finds a vehicle on 50%. If there is a significant difference then it would be voted on again. 
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.3. Consider the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for local share for the  Community Development Block Grant Program 20DTR002. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that The City of Crete has been awarded 2 other another Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and LB840 helped with funds for the City match for both. This grant award is up to $400,000 through the Department of Economic Development (DED). The City of Crete would like to request $100,000 of LB840 funds for the local share costs. Ourada explained that when projects are awarded the City helps with the 20% upfront and then each business owner goes through the project through the City, SENDD, and DED and everyone that uses the program pays at least 15% and sometimes more. Other than housing this program leverages so much money in the community. 

Liz Umana motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for $100,000 of LB840 funds for the local share costs for the DTR grant. 
Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Paul Heath Abstained with conflict of interest.

 
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.4. Consider the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for match for housing grant application. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the City of Crete did not get the 2024 Rural Workforce Housing Fund Grant. This application is going to be for The Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund and is for up to $750,000 and the City of Crete would like to ask for $250,000 of LB840 funds to use as a match in the NAHTF application. Ourada explained that they would like to build 6 single-family homes around 1,300 square feet with one or possible two car garages. Ourada added that SENDD would be the grant administrator the City would also be using SENDD Contracting. 
Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Application from the City of Crete for match for The Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the amount of $250,000
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.5. Consider the LB840 Application from Rotary International District 5650 Foundation 
Discussion:
Shaylene Smith with Rotary International District 5650 Foundation stated that they are applying for LB840 funds to help purchase new playground equipment. The current 40-year old playground equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and is not safe anymore. 
Smith added that they have already raised the match required to order the playground equipment and are ready to move forward immediately. Smith also stated that the City of Crete owns the land and Rotary would be donating the equipment to the City. 

Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Application from Rotary International District in the amount up to $53,580.00 
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Application Introductions
Rationale:
Review and discuss applications that have been submitted for staff review
Subject:
5. Officers' Reports
Rationale:
Reports may be given by Department Heads, other Committees and Advisory Board members concerning current operations of the City. Questions may be asked and answered. No action can be taken by the Advisory Board on matters presented under this title except to answer any question posed and to refer the matter for further action.
Subject:
5.A. Discussion on the sale of 1209 and 1211 Main Ave 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that they had previously discussed taking a loss on the sale of the 1209 and 1211 Main Ave buildings. The people that were interested in purchasing and opening businesses decided against it and now Dittmer and Dittmer would like to purchase the buildings. The sale of said real estate shall be for an amount not less than $150,000.
Dittmer and Dittmer plans to renovate the buildings and New Beginnings will be moving back in there. Ourada explained that he spoke to Mayor Dave Bauer about selling the buildings and taking a loss. Ourada added that there are facade requirements that will have to be met. 
 
Subject:
6. Adjournment
Rationale:
The Advisory Board will review the above matters and take such actions as they deem appropriate. The Advisory Board may enter into closed session to discuss any matter on this agenda when it is determined by the Advisory Board that it is clearly necessary for protection of the public interest or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such and individual has not requested a public meeting, or as otherwise allowed by law. Any closed session shall be limited to the subject matter for which the closed session was called. If the motion to close passes, then the presiding officer immediately prior to the closed session shall restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the closed session. The City of Crete assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, disability, handicap or sex, be excluded  from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the City receiving Federal financial assistance.  To report discrimination, contact the City Clerk's office.
Discussion:
Paul Heath motioned and Liz Umana seconded to adjourn the meeting at 2:44 p.m.
Paul Heath: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye

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