Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. February 17th, 2026 City Council Minutes 
3.A.2. February 17th, 2026 Public Works Minutes 
3.A.3. February 17th, 2026 Public Safety Minutes 
3.A.4. February 17th, 2026 Legislative_Development Minutes 
3.B. Accept the City Treasurer's Report
3.C. Approve the Payment of Claims Against the City
3.D. Mayor's appointment of Sarah Brown to the Board of Health 
3.E. Mayor's appointment of Gary Young to the Board of Health 
4. Items of Business
4.A. Consider the Audit 
4.B. Consider the amended LB840 Application from Heath Sports 
4.C. Consider City of Crete LB840 funds to cover 5% for Downtown Revitalization Program (DTR) to make it 80/20 
4.D. Consider the LB840 Application from Gary and Denise Lothrop for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
4.E. Consider the LB840 Application from Edith M Cabrera for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
4.F. Consider the LB840 Application from The 1206 LLC for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
4.G. Consider the LB840 Application from Yoidier Rodriguez and Mary Alvarez for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
4.H. Consider the Application for Special Event Permit for a Tractor Safety Course from the Saline County 4-H, NE Extension 
4.I. Consider the Crete Freightliner Chassis Purchase Agreement 
4.J. Consider authorizing the Crete Volunteer Fire Department to apply for the grants from Gary Sinese Foundation, Firehouse Subs, USDA and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. 
4.K. Ordinance 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal 
4.L. Ordinance 2269 amending Section 2-1204 of Crete Municipal Code To In Accordance With State Law, Changing The Individual Who Can Remove Individuals From The Commission From Mayor To The Appointing Authority
4.M. Ordinance 2270 Amending Salaries and Wages in Ordinance 2257 2263 and 2267
4.N. Consider the AirMethods Agreement 
4.O. Consider authorizing to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Roundabout Infrastructure Project 
4.P. Consider authorizing to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Doane Substation Project 
5. Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
6.A. February Permit Log 
6.B. Planning Commission Minutes 
6.C. Airport Minutes 
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: March 3, 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 Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Subject:
3.A.1. February 17th, 2026 City Council Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. February 17th, 2026 Public Works Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. February 17th, 2026 Public Safety Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. February 17th, 2026 Legislative_Development 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. Mayor's appointment of Sarah Brown to the Board of Health 
Subject:
3.E. Mayor's appointment of Gary Young to the Board of Health 
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 Audit 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Audit Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
4.B. Consider the amended LB840 Application from Heath Sports 
Discussion:
City 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the amended LB840 Application from Heath Sports Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.C. Consider City of Crete LB840 funds to cover 5% for Downtown Revitalization Program (DTR) to make it 80/20 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this was previously approved for the past rounds of the Downtown Revitalization Program. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved City of Crete LB840 funds to cover 5% for Downtown Revitalization Program (DTR) to make it 80/20 Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
4.D. Consider the LB840 Application from Gary and Denise Lothrop for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
Discussion:
Council member Tom Crisman asked what the City's obligation is for the alley projects. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that it would be half of the applicants' projects, and it wouldn't exceed half of the alley. Mayor Dave Bauer asked if other than LB840 if the City would be paying more money into the project. Ourada stated that the City of Crete has no cost in it. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Application from Gary and Denise Lothrop for Business Infrastructure Improvements Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: No
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.E. Consider the LB840 Application from Edith M Cabrera for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Application from Edith M Cabrera for Business Infrastructure Improvements Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: No
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.F. Consider the LB840 Application from The 1206 LLC for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Application from The 1206 LLC for Business Infrastructure Improvements Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: No
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.G. Consider the LB840 Application from Yoidier Rodriguez and Mary Alvarez for Business Infrastructure Improvements  
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Application from Yoidier Rodriguez and Mary Alvarez for Business Infrastructure Improvements Carried with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: No
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.H. Consider the Application for Special Event Permit for a Tractor Safety Course from the Saline County 4-H, NE Extension 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for Special Event Permit for a Tractor Safety Course from the Saline County 4-H, NE Extension Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Tom Crisman.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. Consider the Crete Freightliner Chassis Purchase Agreement 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Crete Freightliner Chassis Purchase Agreement Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.J. Consider authorizing the Crete Volunteer Fire Department to apply for the grants from Gary Sinese Foundation, Firehouse Subs, USDA and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved authorizing the Crete Volunteer Fire Department to apply for the grants from Gary Sinese Foundation, Firehouse Subs, USDA and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
4.K. Ordinance 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled 2266 Amending 2-1514 Dead or hazardous tree removal Tabled with a motion by Ashley Newmyer and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.L. Ordinance 2269 amending Section 2-1204 of Crete Municipal Code To In Accordance With State Law, Changing The Individual Who Can Remove Individuals From The Commission From Mayor To The Appointing Authority
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that this amendment is to comply with state law. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2269 and moved that the Statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2269 amending Section 2-1204 of Crete Municipal Code To In Accordance With State Law, Changing The Individual Who Can Remove Individuals From The Commission From Mayor To The Appointing Authority Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.M. Ordinance 2270 Amending Salaries and Wages in Ordinance 2257 2263 and 2267
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the amendments to the salary scale are for some of the Parks and Rec positions that are going up with the minimum wage. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2270 and moved that the Statutory rule requiring three separate readings be suspended Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2270 Amending Salaries and Wages in Ordinance 2257 2263 and 2267 Carried with a motion by Tom Crisman and a second by Kyle Frans.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.N. Consider the AirMethods Agreement 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that City Attorney Anna Burge helped to make some changes to the agreement. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the AirMethods Agreement Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.O. Consider authorizing to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Roundabout Infrastructure Project 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the City of Crete is going to be submitting a request to Congressman Adrian Smith's FY2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for a Roundabout Infrastructure Project  that would include two roundabouts and a pedestrian underpass. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Roundabout Infrastructure Project Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
Subject:
4.P. Consider authorizing to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Doane Substation Project 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved to authorize to apply for the Adrian Smith FY 2027 Appropriations Request for Community Project Funding for Doane Substation Project Carried with a motion by Dale Strehle and a second by Anthony Fitzgerald.
  • Dan Papik: Absent
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
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:
  • Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated that the Crete Public Library was awarded $20,000 and it will be used to purchase braille books, audio books and shelving.
  • Chief of Police Gary Young stated Officer Noah Zach was recognized by the local legion on his Nebraska American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. This summer Zach will be attending the state meeting in Columbus, NE. Young stated that he will be out of service for about a week and Captain Jon Pucket will be helping.
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerlad asked Young about officer interviews and City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that they are scheduled for March 12th and 19th, 2026.
  • Building Inspector Trent Griffin provided the February Permit Log and stated that he and Planning Commission Chair Dave Jurena will be attending the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association Conference in Kearney, NE. 
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked City Administrator Tom Ourada about a damaged utility building at Tuxedo Park. Ourada explained that there is no equipment stored and there had been chalk and other things that have now been moved to the baseball field shed. Ourada added that the school would like to add building there.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that the City of Crete is participating in a Brownfields grant that SENDD wrote and was awarded. Park planning for the south Crete Sports Complex might be able to be done through this grant. They are checking with the EPA. The quote that Ourada received was a range from $50,000 to over $100,000.
  • Ourada stated that the City is getting a new airport beacon. The City received a 0% interest loan to be paid back over 5 years.
  • Ourada stated that the Historic Preservation Commission had a meeting and there were concerns with park improvement activities at City Park. Some of the commission members were concerned that the bandstand would be demolished. There isn’t a plan to demo the bandstand and instead the City is looking at possibly relocating it. Ourada spoke with the Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission and Mayor Bauer and they were both happy with the possible solution.
  • As part of the Reconnecting Communities Grant that the City of Crete is also participating in the Paths to Connections that teaches to navigate the federal grants. Ourada and City Clerk Nancy Tellez will be participating in a Zoom meeting in March an person training in Maryland in April, and another Zoom meeting in May. All the expenses are paid for by the grant. Ourada and Tellez will not be at the April 21st 2026 City Council meeting and Finance Director Wendy Thomas will be helping during that meeting. Mayor Dave Bauer added that he will also not be able to attend the April 21st, 2026 City Council meeting.
  • Ourada stated that he met with a person that had questions about the LB840 Program. She had mentioned that many of the people that have been awarded funds can afford to do the projects. Ourada provided information on how the state statutes are structured and how aid is to be used and how this makes money available for people who may or may not be able to afford to do the projects. People have to submit their financials and proof they have financial backing to do so. There was also conversation on this topic during the Legislative Development Committee. LB840 is a good program and it does what the legislature intended it to do.  
  • Ourada stated that the Business Alley Paving is a solution to a problem that really doesn’t have another workable solution. Business expenses are allowed by LB840 and follow several review processes in order to ensure they conform with the program. The City Council can also place limits on project qualifications. The votes being what they were was good as it shows that the City Council is staying on top of things and doing what people were expecting. The City Council reviews things thoroughly.
  • Ourada met with Dr. Brown and she discussed some grants she would work on, and she will be a tremendous asset to the Fire Department. There was discussion of the USDA grant and she will be helping with that.
  • Ourada stated that the City of Crete gets a lot of grants but don’t necessary show up on the audit because they show up on past years or future years.
  • Ourada spoke to JEO about doing a mill and overlay project on Boswell and Hawthorne. These projects are going to be really expensive. You can’t create districts with these projects. By state law these are considered maintenance and are operations activities You can’t assess them and use state funding. When you are doing ten or twenty blocks it is very expensive.
  • There was also discussion on the bid projects that JEO has been doing in other towns and they stated that the bids have been between 52% and 60% of the engineers estimate. Ourada asked them to redo 15th Street estimate to get some updated costs numbers. 
  • Council member Tom Crisman asked if any of the streets can be armor coated. Ourada stated that those are not great for municipalities because they shed a lot of rock and that goes into the gutters and storm sewer. They are also not popular as they can be hard on vehicle finishes.
  • Ourada added that the City of Crete is financially conservative. We have to be since we  are on the low end  of property taxes. Ourada added that revenue-wise, we are not comparable to the communities we typically get compared to.
Subject:
6.A. February Permit Log 
Attachments:
Subject:
6.B. Planning Commission Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
6.C. Airport Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
 

Web Viewer