Meeting Agenda
1. Open Meeting
2. Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3.A. Approve Meeting Minutes
3.A.1. July 21st, 2026 City Council Minutes
3.A.2. July 21st, 2026 Public Works Committee Minutes 
3.A.3. July 21st, 2026 Finance Committee Minutes
3.A.4. July 21st, 2026 Legislative Development Committee Minutes 
3.A.5. July 21st, 2026 Public Safety Committee 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. Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 
4.B. Consider Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 
4.C. Consider Resolution 2026-18 Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2026 
4.D. Ordinance 2279 regulate bicycle, E-bikes, minibikes and other motorized recreational transportation and create penalties for violation of these sections 
4.E. Consider the Davis Estates Administrative Subdivision 
4.F. Consider the Dittmer West Estates Preliminary Plat 
4.G. Consider the Dittmer West Estates Final Plat 
4.H. Consider the Street Right of Way Dedication Plat 
4.I. Amend Caselle Master Agreement 
4.J. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $100.72
5. Petitions - Communications - Resident Concerns
6. Officers' Reports
7. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: August 4, 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
Subject:
3.A.1. July 21st, 2026 City Council Minutes
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.2. July 21st, 2026 Public Works Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.3. July 21st, 2026 Finance Committee Minutes
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.4. July 21st, 2026 Legislative Development Committee Minutes 
Attachments:
Subject:
3.A.5. July 21st, 2026 Public Safety Committee 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. Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is the result of when the City Council was questioning the difference between murals and signs. Ourada asked City Attorney Anna Burge to do some homework and she found some first amendment issues. Burge explained that in reviewing this that the City would be protected from any potential liability on first amendment issues. Business signs have regulations and artistic work is not allowed to be regulated especially if it is content based. The solution is that we maintain our definitions of what is a sign and what is a mural. A sign is related to the business (business name and advertisement of what the business is selling) those types of details are going to remain a sign that is going to be regulated. We are adding a mural special exception permit that would allow someone to put up a mural. There are some non-content based reasons that would prohibit a mural like historic preservation and safety concerns like traffic concerns. City Administrator Tom Ourada added that this went to the Planning Commission and they made a recommendation to the City Council. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Opened the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m. to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 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:
Closed the Public Hearing at 6:09 p.m. to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 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.B. Consider Ordinance 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2280 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 2280 Sign Regulations to amend section 11-802 and create 11-824 of the Crete Municipal Code to amend mural definition and create special exception permits for murals 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.C. Consider Resolution 2026-18 Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2026 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this is to file the Annual Certification of Program Compliance and Signing Resolution with the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Adopted Resolution 2026-18 Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2026 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.D. Ordinance 2279 regulate bicycle, E-bikes, minibikes and other motorized recreational transportation and create penalties for violation of these sections 
Discussion:
Mayor Dave Bauer stated that this would be the third and final reading of Ordinance 2279. Bauer explained that the purpose of this ordinance is for the safety of children. 
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
Introduced Ordinance 2279 and moved that it be approved for its third and final reading. 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:
Move for final passage of Ordinance 2279 regulate bicycle, E-bikes, minibikes and other motorized recreational transportation and create penalties for violation of these sections 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 Davis Estates Administrative Subdivision 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this item went to the Public Works Committee as well. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Davis Estates Administrative Subdivision 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.F. Consider the Dittmer West Estates Preliminary Plat 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that owner Ron Ditterm and Rick Onnen from E & A Consulting Group were also present. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Dittmer West Estates Preliminary Plat 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.G. Consider the Dittmer West Estates Final Plat 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Dittmer West Estates Final Plat 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.H. Consider the Street Right of Way Dedication Plat 
Discussion:
City Administrator Tom Ourada explained that this also went to the Planning Commission. Ourada further explained that the developer that purchased the land brought this to the City for a proposed dedicated street. 
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the Street Right of Way Dedication Plat 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. Amend Caselle Master Agreement 
Action(s):
Motion Tabled:
Tabled to Amend Caselle Master Agreement Tabled with a motion by Ashley Newmyer 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.J. Consider approving the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $100.72
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
Approved the claims from Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $100.72 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:
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:
Officer’s report
  • Fire Chief Tod Allen stated the following:
  • The Fire Department BBQ didn’t go as planned since they didn’t cool the meat.
  • Working on the Rig specs
  • Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked about the count for the Volunteer Fire Department and Allen stated that there are 38 volunteers with a possible 50 maximum.
  • Allen stated they are having conversations with Lancaster county to have a strike team ready so if there is help needed in other communities they will have people ready.
  • There is a rope rescue team that Farmers Cooperative is helping to equip and a couple members of the Crete Volunteer Fire Department are going to be training to be part of the team.
  • Acting Chief of Police Jon Pucket stated the following:
  • During these times of transition thanked the City for allowing people to take time off and thanked the Fire Department for their help during Chief Young’s funeral. Pucket also thanked the community for their support.
  • Park and Recreation Director Liz Cody stated the following:
  • Pool is closed for season;
  • Coed softball season is here
  • Flag football registration for players, coaches and referees until August 30th
  • To replace trees removed along Oak Ave for paving improvements a Trees for Nebraska Towns Grant was submitted for 10 trees
  • Thanked parks staff who have been with the City this season
  • Groundskeeper position is currently open
  • Building Inspector Trent Griffin shared the Administrative Action sign with the mayor and council.
  • Finance Director Wendy Thomas introduced new Human Resource Director Rebekah Willoughby. City Administrator Tom Ourada stated that Willoughby used to work for the State of Nebraska HHS Dept.
  • Council member Tom Crisman thanked Acting Police Chief Jon Pucket for his work and for handling the transition the Police Department is going through. Council members Ashley Newmyer, Dale Strehle, Dan Papik, and Anthony Fitzgerlad also thanked Acting Police Chief Jon Pucket and the Fire Department for their help.
  • City Administrator Tom Ourada stated the following:
  • Started discussions on data centers with the Crete Planning Commission on the different types and will be delving into this at future meetings. He also had a conversation with the Saline County Attorney on this subject.  Planning Commission Chair Dave Jurena added that he has attended a couple of different public meetings on data centers.
  • Ourada spoke about the Civil Service process and that the Chief and Sergeant positions will be opening internally and externally. The Civil Service Commission does the preliminary vetting.
  • Explained the postcards the City Council and Planning Commission Chair received about the yearly District 1 Program Hearing/Highway Commission meeting on August 14th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Council member Anthony Fitzgerald asked if it would help to have council members present at the meeting to discuss the rehab and adding a sidewalk on the Blue River Bridge on highway 33. Ourada explained that would be a different and separate process, but it wouldn’t hurt to have elected officials present at the meeting.
Subject:
7. Adjournment
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
 

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