Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. August 5th, 2025 City Council Minutes 
3.A.2. August 5th, 2025 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes 
3.A.3. August 5th, 2025 Finance Committee Minutes 
3.A.4. August 5th, 2025 Public Safety Committee Minutes 
3.A.5. August 5th, 2025 Legislative & Economic Development Committee Minutes 
3.A.6. August 14th, 2025 City Council Special Meeting Minutes 
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
4. Items of Business
4.A. Consider forwarding Roger Braden's claim to the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) 
4.B. Consider authorizing the Crete Public Library to apply for the Nebraska Library Commission Little Free Library grant. 
4.C. Consider the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,158.18
4.D. Consider Ordinance 2254 amending food trucks 
4.E. Consider Ordinance 2255 Codifying municipal sewer and water rates 
4.F. Consider date and time for budget work session 
4.G. Consider Resolution 2025-14 authorizing the City to increase non-bargaining employee retirement contributions to 8% on October 1st, 2025 and to increase salaries by 1% to account for said contribution match increase. 
4.H. Resolution 2025-15 Appointing Cline Williams Attorneys as City Attorney 
4.I. . Consider the Saline Medical Specialties LB840 Program Application 
4.J. Consider the Application from Segra for a permit to occupy the City of Crete's Right of Way 
4.K. Consider the Administrative Subdivision Application from Bar Above Ranch 
4.L. Consider the Kidwell Microsoft Office 365 Migration 
4.M. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Water Security Grant Program.
4.N. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program Fiscal Year 2024-2025
4.O. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the State Aid Grant Program. 
4.P. Consider the Crete Municipal Airport hangar rent rate increase.
5. Petitions - Communications - Citizen Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: August 19, 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 Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • 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. August 5th, 2025 City Council Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. August 5th, 2025 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. August 5th, 2025 Finance Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. August 5th, 2025 Public Safety Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.5. August 5th, 2025 Legislative & Economic Development Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.6. August 14th, 2025 City Council Special Meeting 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:
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. Consider forwarding Roger Braden's claim to the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled forwarding Roger Braden's claim to the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) Tabled with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.B. Consider authorizing the Crete Public Library to apply for the Nebraska Library Commission Little Free Library grant. 
Discussion:
Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated this is for the Nebraska Library Commission Little Free Library grant.  The Nebraska Library Commission is currently offering mini-grants up to $500. They would like to put the Little Free Library on the side of the building. The total cost would be about $579.85 and the grant would cover $500. 
 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize the Crete Public Library to apply for the Nebraska Library Commission Little Free Library grant. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.C. Consider the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,158.18
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,158.18 Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
Attachments:
Subject:
4.D. Consider Ordinance 2254 amending food trucks 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled Ordinance 2254 amending food trucks Tabled with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider Ordinance 2255 Codifying municipal sewer and water rates 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this is the rate study that was accepted and this is the ordinance to codify the municipal sewer and water rates. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2255 and moved that the statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2255 Codifying municipal sewer and water rates Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.F. Consider date and time for budget work session 
Discussion:
The budget work session will be on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Subject:
4.G. Consider Resolution 2025-14 authorizing the City to increase non-bargaining employee retirement contributions to 8% on October 1st, 2025 and to increase salaries by 1% to account for said contribution match increase. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adopted Resolution 2025-14 authorizing the City to increase non-bargaining employee retirement contributions to 8% on October 1st, 2025 and to increase salaries by 1% to account for said contribution match increase. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H. Resolution 2025-15 Appointing Cline Williams Attorneys as City Attorney 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Cline Williams Attorneys would represent the City of Crete in all legal matters while City Attorney Anna Burge is on leave. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adopted Resolution 2025-15 Appointing Cline Williams Attorneys as City Attorney Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. . Consider the Saline Medical Specialties LB840 Program Application 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Saline Medical Specialties submitted this application and it also went to the Legislative/Development Committee and the LB840 Advisory Committee. Ourada explained that Innovative Community Health Institute LLC has two clinics, Saline Medical Specialties in Crete and Lancaster Family Medicine in Lincoln. Ourada explained that the committee could look at this application request for $100,000 and since the LB840 program helps with up to 50% 1/3 of the income is in the Lincoln clinic and not in Crete they could look at $75,000 and 50% of that is $37,500.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Saline Medical Specialties LB840 Program Application in the amount up to $37,500 Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Abstain (With Conflict)
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.J. Consider the Application from Segra for a permit to occupy the City of Crete's Right of Way 
Discussion:
City Administrator, Tom Ourada, explained that this would involve multiple properties.  Tom did state he didn't see any issues and recommended it be approved. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application from Segra for a permit to occupy the City of Crete's Right of Way Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.K. Consider the Administrative Subdivision Application from Bar Above Ranch 
Discussion:
City Administrator, Tom Ourada, explained that this would be a straight administrative subdivision and has been through the Planning Commission for the zoning part. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Administrative Subdivision Application from Bar Above Ranch Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Abstain (With Conflict)
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.L. Consider the Kidwell Microsoft Office 365 Migration 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the City will be moving to a cloud-based solution. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Kidwell Microsoft Office 365 Migration Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.M. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Water Security Grant Program.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this is for a water security grant and they would like to apply for steel-framed security doors and windows for the well 3 well house. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Water Security Grant Program. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.N. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this grant is through the Department of Transportation for the project planning on Iris Ave. This would be for $250,000 at no share cost to the City of Crete. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.O. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the State Aid Grant Program. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this grant is through the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Division of Aeronautics. The City of Crete is going to be applying for funding for a new airport beacon and up to 90% of the expenses are reimbursable. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the State Aid Grant Program. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.P. Consider the Crete Municipal Airport hangar rent rate increase.
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this went to the Public Works Committee and since two of the members have hangars at the airport they were not able to vote. The committee members tabled the item and recommended it go to the full City Council for a vote. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Crete Municipal Airport hangar 8% rent rate increase. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Ashley Newmyer.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Abstain (With Conflict)
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
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:
  • They received a potential hostage gun situation and within three minutes of the call they had officers on site searching. They collaborated with Saline County and Doane University and in less than an hour they were able to have an all clear. There was indication that this was a swatting call and the person was not from the area.
  • The Crete Police Department hosted a training on active shooters at Doane University with Crete Public Schools.
  • The Car Seat Grant was awarded and they are going to be hosting community events to help families that are in need of car seats and making sure they are installed properly.
Library Director Jessica Wilkinson passed out the library monthly report and stated the following:
  • There were over 3,000 visitors for the past programs
  • Upcoming programs include the Dungeons & Dragons on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, Soda Pop Curtis’ 1st Birthday Pawty, Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., the Adult Puzzle Race on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 at the 1206 at 5:30 p.m., and Authors Book Signing/Meet & Greet, Saturday, September 27th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
  • Collaborating with Dr. Sara Brown to provide anti scam information.
Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • The new mower from Exmark is in service.
  • Adult Coed Softball is taking place and Flag Football will be starting soon.
  • The Celebrate Crete Event will be taking place on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 at City Park.
Building Inspector Trenton Griffin stated the following:
  • Nuisance property update; 4 signs, 16 dilapidated structures and buildings, 2 fences, and 1 outdoor storage.
  • 2 new single-family homes are being built
Councilmember Anthony Fitzgerald asked if only Building Inspector Trenton Griffin is working on the nuisance cases. City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Griffin works on some of the cases that are related to buildings. The Code Enforcement Officer works on nuisances related to the yard/property but for right now the Police Department is helping with that until a new Code Enforcement Officer is hired.
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Working on the budget the electric, water and sewer have been doing well. The rate increase will help.
  • The airport is at a negative and will continue to be at a negative. The City budgeted $50,000 for management and spent $65,000. Some City funds have been diverted into it and will probably do some more. The airport is part of the City and replaced the septic system.
  • The general fund is in the black so it is doing okay.
  • Sales tax is $18 difference between what we budget and what we got.
  • Street Department is doing well. Fire and Rescue are slightly behind but summer is a busy time and they will catch up. The Police Department budget is a little down. They are short some staff which will make that up. There will be openings for two officers. This doesn’t account for the sergeant that retired. There is still a payout that the City is managing. The remaining general fund departments are pretty close.
  • Hired a new Street Department employee who is also wastewater certified.
  • Ourada will be at the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) Board of Directors meetings in Kearney on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 and Thursday, August 21st, 2025.
  • Received the valuation for this year. Our valuation went up over $70 Million.  The housing and a lot of things have contributed to that. The usable difference that we can use in calculation is about $8 million. We have a factor beside what we get and we do 1.88% additional. The budget will be good. The growth was good we went from $450 million of total valuation to over $520 million.
Mayor Dave Bauer stated the following:
  • The City of Crete hosted some Mayors and City Council members from Romania and gave thanks to City Administrator Tom Ourada, Chief of Police Gary Young, and Council members Ashley Newmyer, Dale Strehle, and Crete News editor Amy Hausman. Next year there might be another opportunity to do this again with a different country.
  • Thanked the Street Department for all their work after the storm. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that there was little power line damage in Crete. However, the Village of Dorchester had sustained more damage. The City of Crete Electric Department worked for a couple of days there.
  • Bauer also thanked the Police Department for the work with the call to Doane University.
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
 
 

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