Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. February 3rd, 2026 City Council Minutes 
3.A.2. February 3rd, Public Works Committee Minutes 
3.A.3. February 3rd, 2026 Finance Committee Minutes 
3.A.4. February 3rd, 2026 Personnel Commitee 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 the BNSF Railway Company Supplemental Agreement No. BN-256 Project No.: RRX-76(51)
4.B. Consider the Amendment No 2 To Task Order 240578 
4.C. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,639.56
4.D. Ordinance 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal 
4.E. Consider the Engineer's recommendation for the hangar project 
4.F. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program
4.G. Consider Ordinance 2268 amending sewer and water deposits 
4.H.  Consider Zuercher Addendum#3 Extending The Expiration Date For The Interlocal Agreement 
4.I. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at W 12th & Arizona-extending roughly 275' East of Arizona. 
4.J. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between Juniper and Ivy from 7th Street to 10th Street. 
4.K. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy Between 13th & 14th St and Boswell & Hawthorne Ave. 
4.L. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between 13th/12th St and Juniper/Boswell Ave. 
5. Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
6.A. January 2026 Permit Logs 
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: February 17, 2026 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.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.A.1. February 3rd, 2026 City Council Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. February 3rd, Public Works Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. February 3rd, 2026 Finance Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. February 3rd, 2026 Personnel Commitee 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 the BNSF Railway Company Supplemental Agreement No. BN-256 Project No.: RRX-76(51)
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this safety project is located on Arizona Ave. The project is for the installation of flashing light signals and gates. This will be a 100% federally funded project. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the BNSF Railway Company Supplemental Agreement No. BN-256 Project No.: RRX-76(51) Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.B. Consider the Amendment No 2 To Task Order 240578 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is a Task Order in the amount of $11,830 from JEO for inspections and public engagement for the Street and Alley Improvements project. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Amendment No 2 To Task Order 240578 Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,639.56
Discussion:
Mayor Dave Bauer voted to have a quorum on this item. Bauer voted yes on this item. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,639.56 Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Abstain (With Conflict)
Attachments:
Subject:
4.D. Ordinance 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this item was tabled in the Legislative/Development Committee until the next meeting. 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled Ordinance 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal Tabled with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider the Engineer's recommendation for the hangar project 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that JEO will be providing the notice to be published for the hangar project. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Engineer's recommendation for the hangar project to publish the notice JEO will be providing. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.F. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is the second grant the City of Crete is applying for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Corridor Crossing Safety Study. Ourada explained that this would be 100% federal funds with no match from the City. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize the City of Crete to apply for the The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.G. Consider Ordinance 2268 amending sewer and water deposits 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this would update the deposits so the policy matches what is done in practice. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2268 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.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2268 amending sewer and water deposits Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Dan Papik.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H.  Consider Zuercher Addendum#3 Extending The Expiration Date For The Interlocal Agreement 
Discussion:
Chief of Police Gary Young explained that this Addendum#3 extends the Interlocal Agreement until the Master Agreement is ready in June. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Zuercher Addendum#3 Extending The Expiration Date For The Interlocal Agreement Carried with a motion by Dan Papik and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at W 12th & Arizona-extending roughly 275' East of Arizona. 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is one of four permits Black Hills Energy is applying for. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at W 12th & Arizona-extending roughly 275' East of Arizona. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.J. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between Juniper and Ivy from 7th Street to 10th Street. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between Juniper and Ivy from 7th Street to 10th Street. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.K. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy Between 13th & 14th St and Boswell & Hawthorne Ave. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy Between 13th & 14th St and Boswell & Hawthorne Ave. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.L. Consider the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between 13th/12th St and Juniper/Boswell Ave. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for a Permit to Occupy City of Crete Right-of-Way from Justin Truong with Black Hills Energy at Alley between 13th/12th St and Juniper/Boswell Ave. Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Kyle Frans: Absent
  • Ashley Newmyer: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
5. Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns
Rationale:
  • Resident 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:
  • Officer Noah Zach has been awarded the Nebraska American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The Crete Police Department has had two previous winners one of them being a national winner. Zach’s name will be forwarded for regional consideration, if chosen then national consideration. Having three officers’ awarded in a small department is great is and their actions speak for themselves. The Department is very proud of Officer Zach.
  • Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated the following:
  • The Crete Public Library was granted a gift from the Carnegie Foundation in the amount of $10,000. Some of those funds will be used for more storage in library.
  • The Nebraska Library Commission awarded the Library a $1,000 internship award. Will be going through the hiring process to hire an intern for the summer.   
  • $1,000 Youth Grant was awarded and Youth Services Librarian Maridza Vasquez will be purchasing more items for the Library of Things.
  • $500.00 grant was awarded for continuing education and Librarian Zoraida Ramos will be attending the American Library Association Conference in Chicago.
  • Touch A Truck Event will be on April 25th, 2026.
  • Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • Met with Crete Public Schools fourth graders for a mystery reader event about Nebraska Pilot and national hero Jack Knight. Debuted a City of Crete paper plane.
  • Food Bank of Lincoln will be at Tuxedo Park on February 26th, 2026.
  • Youth Soccer registration is open until February 27th, 2026 and Micro Soccer is open until March 13th, 2026.
  • Still in need of youth soccer coaches and referees.
  • Doane University students looking for volunteer opportunities. Cody thanked the Doane University Football Coach for his help.
  • Building Inspector Trent Griffin provided the January Permit Log and stated there were about 20 permits taken out.
  • City Council member Tom Crisman asked City Administrator Tom Ourada if the tar pot is running and Ourada stated that yes, it is.
  • City Council member Dale Strehle stated that the Runzas that he provided were a thank you to everyone for their work and effort.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Thanked Strehle for the Runzas
  • The northside paving project has commenced. Trees removal is moving along fast.
  • Will be meeting with Dr. Sarah Brown.
  • City Staff has been working really hard on grants.
  • Partnering with Burlington Northern Santa Fe on applying for two grants, including the BUILD Grant just approved.
  • The tar pot is working. They would ordinarily be using it but there was a water main rupture that happened on 9th street and Boswell Ave. It took out half a block of paving on 9th street. The Street Department has been working there.
  • Mayor Dave Bauer thanked the employees that worked on that. Ourada added that the Tuesday before at the City Council meeting it was approved to move one of those employee positions to salary. He then spent all night working on that water main rupture. Ourada stated that he will be allowed consideration for those hours worked.

 
Subject:
6.A. January 2026 Permit Logs 
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

 
 

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