Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. May 5th, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 
3.A.2. May 5th, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes 
3.A.3. May 5th, 2026 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 
3.A.4. May 5th, 2026 Public Safety Committee 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 authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) 
4.B. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE) 
4.C. Consider Ordinance 2276 amending wages and salaries 
4.D. Consider the Special Event Permit Application SE26-04 for Farmer's Limo from 775 Summit Ct to Doane then to Tuxedo Park 
4.E. Consider the Special Event Permit SE26-03 Crete Bulls N Broncs Rodeo 
4.F. Consider the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception SE2026-03 for the Bulls and Broncs Riding 
4.G. Approve the claims from Crete ACE Hardware in the amount of $3,236.78
4.H. Crete New Well and Transmission Bid Results and Recommendation 
4.I. Employee Benefit Insurance Renewal for 2026-2027
4.J. Report on cost cutting measures and results to date 
4.K. Revised Bid Recommendation for Airport Hangar 
4.L. Resolution 2026-10 Authorizing the Mayor to sign for the donations made by Geiorgia Johnson
4.M. Right of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062333 PR #55251
4.N. RIght of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062334 PR #56409
4.O. Consider the LB840 Application from Penny's Pet Wash 
4.P. Request to have carry out parking designation Old Main 
5. Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: May 19, 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.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved Meeting Minutes 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.1. May 5th, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. May 5th, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. May 5th, 2026 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. May 5th, 2026 Public Safety Committee 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 authorizing the City of Crete to apply for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this grant is for the study that would include the pedestrian and vehicle bridge. It is a 80/20 grant. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Authorized the City of Crete to apply for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) 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.B. Consider authorizing the City of Crete to apply for Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE) 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this grant is also for the study that would include the pedestrian and vehicle bridge. It is a 80/20 grant. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Authorized the City of Crete to apply for Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE) 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 Ordinance 2276 amending wages and salaries 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2276 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.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Enact Ordinance 2276 amending wages and salaries 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.D. Consider the Special Event Permit Application SE26-04 for Farmer's Limo from 775 Summit Ct to Doane then to Tuxedo Park 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Special Event Permit Application SE26-04 for Farmer's Limo from 775 Summit Ct to Doane then to Tuxedo Park 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.E. Consider the Special Event Permit SE26-03 Crete Bulls N Broncs Rodeo 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Special Event Permit SE26-03 Crete Bulls N Broncs Rodeo 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 the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception SE2026-03 for the Bulls and Broncs Riding 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Application for Prohibited Animal Exception SE2026-03 for the Bulls and Broncs Riding 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.G. Approve the claims from Crete ACE Hardware in the amount of $3,236.78
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the claims from Crete ACE Hardware in the amount of $3,236.78 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.H. Crete New Well and Transmission Bid Results and Recommendation 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved Crete New Well and Transmission Bid Results and Recommendation for Van Kirk Bros, with a bid of $1,588,987.50 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: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.I. Employee Benefit Insurance Renewal for 2026-2027
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that Dan Duren with Benefit Management explained the employee benefit insurance during the Finance Committee meeting. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Employee Benefit Insurance Renewal for 2026-2027 to continue with the two options that we currently have with a higher premium for the national network and employees would be responsible for the increase premium cost and adding two additional health insurance policies through Medica ACO Network with a matching current premiums that employees can elect for their medical insurance Carried with a motion by Kyle Frans and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Subject:
4.J. Report on cost cutting measures and results to date 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada provided a report on the cost cutting measures and results to date. Ourada stated that the City of Crete is faced with a $640,000 shortfall in Municipal Equalization Fund for budget 2026-2027 and that’s about a 16% reduction of revenue. Discussed savings through staff reductions and that netted about a $350,000 savings. All have been notified and all the actions have taken place. That leaves us about $290,000 short and if you raise the levy $.05 that will get you fairly close. You can raise it between 3 and 5 and depending if you want to do it all this year or some next year. Raising the levy $.05 would yield $270,000 and that leaves us $20,000. We did talk about not having cost of living raises for any department this year and for the tax side that yields about $20,700 so it comes very close to balancing the budget. If you do the $.05 you will need an additional $.01 or $.02 for 2027-2028 and we need to consider that for any rising costs beyond our control like insurance and other operations. We have some bond  levy room that could be helpful in future years.
Subject:
4.K. Revised Bid Recommendation for Airport Hangar 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
The City of Crete has reviewed the Bid Proposals, Bid Tab with Engineer's Cost Opinion, Casper's Construction Bid Proposal Award Withdrawal Letter and Olsson's Bid Recommendation Letter. We make a motion to accept the withdrawal of Casper's Bid Proposal with the understanding that they will forfeit the 5% Bid Guarantee and award the 2-Bay Box Hangar And Hangar Approach Project AIP 3-31-0022-017/018/019/020 to B-D Construction, Inc. of Columbus, Nebraska upon FAA and NDOT concurrence. In addition, we move to allow the signing and execution of any and all necessary paperwork required to complete the FAA Grant and NDOT Hangar Loan paperwork Carried with a motion by Anthony Fitzgerald and a second by Dale Strehle.
  • Tom Crisman: Aye
  • Anthony Fitzgerald: Aye
  • Ashley Newmyer: Aye
  • Kyle Frans: Aye
  • Dale Strehle: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Motion 2 Carried:
Approved the execution of the C.O. Upon FAA (I have included the contractor's proposal, but it will need to be revised to include the door costs. The City of Crete moves to approve the C.O. No. 1 that will install a 2-Hr firewall on the existing hangar south of the proposed 2-bay box hangar to be in accordance with NFPA 409 per Nebraska State Fire Marshall Review comments. The approval of the change order is based upon FAA, NDOT, and Engineer's concurrence Carried with a motion by Anthony Fitzgerald 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.L. Resolution 2026-10 Authorizing the Mayor to sign for the donations made by Geiorgia Johnson
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that the entity that is doing this for her is requiring a resolution that authorizes the Mayor to sign for the donations to the Police and Fire Department. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adopted Resolution 2026-10 Authorizing the Mayor to sign for the donations made by Georgia Johnson Carried with a motion by Dan Papik 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.M. Right of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062333 PR #55251
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Right of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062333 PR #55251 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: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.N. RIght of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062334 PR #56409
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved Right of Way Occupancy Kinetic Permit Request: 715062334 PR #56409 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: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.O. Consider the LB840 Application from Penny's Pet Wash 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the LB840 Application from Penny's Pet Wash in the amount up to $15,209.90 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: Aye
  • Dan Papik: Aye
Attachments:
Subject:
4.P. Request to have carry out parking designation Old Main 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled the request to have carry out parking designation Old Main Tabled 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: 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.
Discussion:
Francisco Vargas from 425 E 6th St, Crete, NE 68333 addressed the City Council and stated he has complaints about vehicles speeding and having loud exhaust. Mayor Dave Bauer stated that there is a city ordinance to help address this issue. However, police officers cannot always be in all places. Bauer thanked Vargas for addressing the City Council.
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:
  • Council member Tom Crisman asked if there are some Sheriff Deputies that could come to the City of Crete for a few days. Chief of Police Gary Young stated he would speak to the County Sheriff.
  • Chief of Police Gary Young stated the following:
  • The Nebraska SWAT Team was in town and the Crete Police Department has been reaching out to more officers since Crete is a training hub for k-9 training. Crete has a wide variety of facilities to use as training grounds.
  • Thanked the Street Department and officers that helped take pictures after the storm and helped separate the piles of broken trees. There may be FEMA money to help offset some of the costs incurred after the storm. Emergency Manager John Mckee will be coming to assess and help to see if there is funding available.
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked Chief Young if there are substantial hard costs when other agencies come in to do those trainings. Young stated that for example when the Swat Team came to town they used the old water treatment plant and it only cost us the time that the Captain to go there to unlock and do a safety brief and then going back to lock it. Young’s time was connecting with their Lieutenant as a friendly interaction. Every facility they use is free to use and there are no costs incurred. The Crete Police Department gains great knowledge from the trainings and the interactions.
  • Library Director Jessica Wilkinson stated the following:
  • Summer Reading is currently going on and Youth Services Librarian Maridza Vasquez has taken a different approach to it this year by counting the books children read. The goal that was set is 3,000 books for the summer and children have already read 1,450 books.
  • Partnered with Dr. Frans for battle of the books at Crete Public Library and many students used the facility to do book reports and acting out parts of the stories.
  • The Library Advisory Board has decided to cut library hours starting July 1st to help balance the budget. By Ordinance the director and city administrator must concur, which they did.
  • Parks and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • All of the parks staff is onboarding this week.
  • The summer hires are coming onboard tomorrow May 20th, 2026.
  • All of the pool staff has reported for duty and this is the second year that due to cold weather training is indoors in Beatrice.
  • They are likely to change opening date for the pool due to colder weather.
  • Working with all the coordinated partners that use park facilities.
  • T-Ball and Micro T-Ball will be starting May 20th, 2026 and continuing for three weeks.
  • Building Inspector Trent Griffin provided the April 2026 Permit Log and stated that there permits for three new houses and new fences being put in. Griffin will have an updated count for nuisance properties for the next meeting.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Crete News new reporter Courtney O’Brien was present for the Council meeting. Editor Amy Hausman stated that she joined the Crete News team last week and had not attended a public meeting before. Hausman will continue covering the Crete City Council meetings.
  • Will be in Kearney Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 and May 21st, 2026 for the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) Finance Committee and Board of Directors meetings. Ourada is the Board Chairperson.
  • Going to ask the Park and Rec Committee to revisit the Brownfield grant because all of what the City of Crete would like to participate in is 100% covered.
  • Spoke to Mayor Dave Bauer about working on 15th Street. With a recently eligible CDBG grand can do some of it for under $1 Million and will get up to $600,000 of it paid and if we do this right the only assessments will be to the City of Crete for intersections and the rest will be covered. It won’t be for all of it but the part that needs the worst. Another grant calls for public participation for the residence up there.
  • Working on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program and they are pushing the safety action plan with is an 80/20 program. We are looking at that really hard because it will take some money to put up front. They are reauthorizing the SS4A grant program and you need a safety action plan to move forward with that. Those types of grants are around 3 to 4 million dollars. Being a Low and Moderate Income (LMI) community we are finally qualified so we might have to spend $40,000 to get 4 to 14 Million. Ourada will have more on that later.
  • The road grader is promised for this week.
  • There were no electrical problems with the recent storms. The Electric Department went to Fairbury for two days and helped their community along with some other towns.
  • Ourada mentioned that so far at the transfer station there about 140 loads in two days. The transfer station will be open on May 20th, 2026 as well.
  • Ourada stated that they need totrack that to provide the information to get FEMA reimbursement.
  • Doane University had their graduation last weekend and for the past year Ourada worked with several of the Engineering groups. He attended a presentation where students had worked on a pedestrian bridge. Ourada asked their professor Cale Stolle if the presentations can be shared with the City Council and he stated yes and provided it to Ourada.
  • Mayor Dave Bauer thanked all the City employees that helped with the storm.
Attachments:
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
 
 

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