Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. March 31st, 2025 Meeting Minutes 
3.B. Financial Report
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 Crystal Alarcon 
4.B.2. Consider the LB840 Application from Julieta Lozano for Majo Jewelry
4.B.3. Consider the LB840 Application from Valerie Cochnar for Uneta Boutique. 
4.C. Application Introductions
5. Officers' Reports
6. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: May 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM - LB840 Advisory Committee 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. March 31st, 2025 Meeting Minutes 
Discussion:
            Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the March 31st, 2025 meeting minutes. 
Paul Heath: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.B. Financial Report
Rationale:
Review monthly financial reports
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained the Financial Report and stated that it is the same as last time and there will be an updated report at the next meeting. Ourada explained that the Blue River Arts Council will be submitting another application for a loan guarantee. There will be discussion at the next City Council meeting about the City of Crete deeding a minority share of the Isis Theater to BRAC to enhance their equity position. Ourada reminded the LB840 Advisory Committee that LB840 program sunsets in November and it will be up to a community vote to renew the program. 

            Paul Heath motioned and Liz Umana seconded to approve the financial report. 
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 
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 Crystal Alarcon 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this application is from Crystal Alarcon for Crystal's Bakery to help renovate the exterior front and side of the building. They plan to reconstruct the wall, add new wood covering with new material and stucco to match the side of the building. Ourada stated that Alarcon's project would cost $9,000 and could qualify up to 50% of the cost which is $4,500.

            Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to approve the LB840 Application from Crystal's Bakery in the amount up to $4,500.
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.2. Consider the LB840 Application from Julieta Lozano for Majo Jewelry
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that they will discuss this application at the next meeting. City Attorney Anna Burge explained that this item needs to be tabled so that they can get more information from the applicant. 

            Paul Heath motioned and Manny Dimas seconded to table the LB840 Application from Julieta Lozano for Majo Jewelry. 
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B.3. Consider the LB840 Application from Valerie Cochnar for Uneta Boutique. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this LB840 Application is from Valerie Cochnar for Uneta Boutique to help her business expand by seeking funds to purchase a commercial-grade embroidery machine to custom-stitch apparel and accessories. Ourada explained that the applicant is seeking assistance with the purchase of the machine that costs $12, 388.55 and could qualify for up to 50% of the cost, which is about $6,194. 

            Paul Heath motioned and Liz Umana seconded to approve the LB840 Application from Valerie Cochnar for Uneta Boutique in the amount up to $6,194.
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: 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.
Discussion:
LB840 Advisory Committee Chair Paul Heath asked if people can apply for LB840 funds multiple times. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that, yes, it can be applied for multiple times.

City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that he asked City employees to attend board and commission meetings to learn about all the different things that the City of Crete is doing.  
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 Manny Dimas seconded to adjourn the meeting at 3:16 p.m.
Paul Heath: Aye, Liz Umana: Aye, Jayden Hilkemann: Aye, Manny Dimas: Aye 

Web Viewer