The City of Crete and Crete Public Library held a ground breaking ceremony for the new library on Wednesday morning at the site - 1515 Forest Ave. with the event Live on the City's Facebook Page.

“We thank everyone involved from getting this on the ballot to all the pre-planning, design and donors - you all get to see the new library on the horizon,” Mayor Roger Foster said Wednesday morning at the site of the new library and community spaces.

Foster and others acknowledged the many contributions of time, expertise, and financial donations which have made this decade-long effort a reality for the Crete community. Donations have included those from private citizens, entities, businesses, and the Friends of the Crete Public Library, which have now topped $2 million. Prior to the ceremony, Foster accepted a donation of $50,000 from Windstream’s State Operations President, Brad Hedrick, for the naming rights of the technology space.

Present to move the first shovelfuls of dirt were Mayor Foster, City Council President Travis Sears, City Administrator Tom Ourada, Library Director Joy Stevenson, Library Advisory Board President Peter Clarke, Manny Dimas with Friends of the Library, Saline County Commissioner Willis Luedke, Sampson Construction Project Manager Joe Nerud and architect Ryan Hier with BVH Architecture. 

Stevenson also expressed her appreciation to the many individuals and parties involved, especially library staff, who have sustained the longtime support this project has within community. She quoted a recent New York Times article, “Libraries are the kinds of places where people with different backgrounds, passions and interests can take part in a living, democratic culture. They are the kind of places were the public, private, and philanthropic sectors can work together to reach for something higher than the bottom line.”

Ourada said putting the initiative on the ballot in 2016, a sales tax increase of one half percent, was a bold move on the part of Mayor Foster and the council as well as on the part of the community to support it. The increase will also incorporate funds towards community safety in the form of two new police officers in addition to funds to build the library and adjoining community room.

Crete City Council members and Mayor Foster accepted the bid of $5,559,000 from Sampson Construction last month to build the 20,000 square foot facility on the block once occupied by Crete’s former hospital. The building, designed by BVH Architecture and projected for a Winter 2019 completion, includes the new library with youth, adult and technology spaces, separate community room, which doubles as a storm shelter, as well as a new park.

This facility is a pinnacle of recent public improvements in Crete, Ourada said, which in the past few years have totaled $50 million. Ongoing and upcoming projects include downtown revitalization and business expansions, new residential developments and a new hotel.

Renderings of the site plan, building layout and exteriors form BVH Architects for June 7, 2018.

Crete Waggin’ Tail Dog Park

Crete’s newest park to-date is for the dogs (and accompanying owners) on 3 acres of City-owned land at the corner of East 13th Street (West Sprague Rd.) and County Road 2400, just to the west of Crete Municipal Airport. The park opened in July 2015 and was made possible by a large grant from the Nestle Foundation. (Go to Parks and Recreation Department Main Page)

The entire park is fenced and divided into large and small dog areas. Each side includes a water hydrant and bowl, and benches donated by local businesses and individuals. Each side also has a pergola, constructed by Crete High School students, and a picnic table donated by the Crete Rotary Club. Trees were planted on each side to break up the formerly open pasture land.

The park is open from dawn to dusk and patrons are asked to adhere to the rules posted at the entrance.

CVFD Membership Requirements

Interested individuals are asked to complete an application for membership to the Crete Volunteer Fire Department.

Basic requirements for candidates are:

• high school graduate or equivalency
• at least 19 years of age
• good health and physical condition
• must be a resident of the Crete Fire District
• no felony conviction (unless waived by Department for good cause)
• valid driver’s license
• must become EMT certified within 2 years

Duties and responsibilities include:

Work involves the responsibility for performing appropriate fire department functions in the fire station and assigned districts of response. Work normally consists of routine duties including maintaining fire station and grounds in a presentable condition. Duties also consist of participating in independent study, company drills, scheduled training at the fire department training grounds, fire prevention, inspections, fire fighting and rescue operations in residential and mercantile structures and providing emergency medical services in the field where assigned. Duties in emergency situations may be performed under hazardous conditions during fire fighting and rescue operations in all weather and 24 hours a day. Additional information is available in the Membership Application below.

View/Download CVFD Membership Application

Recently approved additions to the Crete City Code are part of elected officials’ proactive efforts to improve community appearance by calling attention to objects and materials on streets, sidewalks, alleys and other rights-of-way. The Crete City Council adopted new codes to manage materials deposited on or near streets, alleys, etc. and as with other city laws, voluntary compliance is far more desirable than enforcement actions.

The first item affects garbage and recycling totes, which may only be placed or left near the curb on the evening before or day of pick-up. Residents should remove receptacles from the curb once the items within have been picked-up. Fines range from $10 to $50 if the containers are left at the curb. (§4-207.02 RESIDENCE; REFUSE/RECYCLE RECEPTACLES; PLACEMENT AT CURB)

Also dealing with items at the curb or similar areas, furniture and other items cannot be left at or near the curb for more than 24 hours. Residents who wish to offer items that someone may want are allowed to leave it near the curb for 24 hours; after that, items need to be removed. Fines for this code violation range from $100 to $500.  (§4-319 FURNITURE, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS, LITTER, DISCARDED MATERIAL ON RIGHT-OF-WAY; PROHIBITED)

In addition, the elected officials wanted to address the practice of rock, gravel, dirt, construction material, litter, and/or containers placed upon any street, alley, right-of-way, or sidewalk. Prior permission is needed from the city for residents wanting to place materials in those areas. Fines range from $100 to $500. (§8-311 LITTER, OTHER MATERIAL DEPOSITED ON STREET, ALLEY, RIGHT-OF-WAY, SIDEWALK; PROHIBITED)

For questions, please contact the City of Crete Public Works Department at City Hall, 402.826.4312.

Nuisance Control

The people of Crete desire a safe and orderly community. The City government encourages residents and land owners to maintain their property in such a manner. When a property appears to be unsafe and/or disorderly, encouragement by the City first takes the form of corrective notices to those responsible. The City seeks the cooperation of responsible residents, landowners, etc. to abate and remove nuisances; however, should cooperation not occur or actions to abate and remove the nuisance not achieve a satisfactory end, Nuisance Control Officers may issue an order requiring compliance. (Return to Crete Police Department Main Page)

Nuisances may take many forms and these are managed by different City departments under the oversight of the city administrator. The Building Inspector manages nuisances related to dilapidated structures. The Parks and Recreation director and Street Supervisor manage nuisances related to stagnant water and worthless vegetation. The Police Department manages general nuisances, abandoned and unregistered vehicles, and litter.

Police Actions

Cooperation is a key element of a safe and orderly community. With the cooperation of those responsible, the vast majority of all identified nuisances are abated in relatively short periods of time. Even so, cooperation is not guaranteed; therefore, State law permits local governments to establish and enforce regulations which require those responsible to abate nuisances.

Order to abate nuisance - Pursuant to Nebraska State Statute, the City may issue an order requiring those responsible to abate a nuisance within five (5) days. However, officers may also issue warnings, prior to a five (5) day order.

Community Service Officer - The Department’s Community Service Officer(s) holds primary responsibility for nuisance property investigations, among many other duties.  Police officers also perform these investigations as other responsibilities and priorities permit.

Regulations

The City has established nuisance regulations which are detailed in Chapter 4 Article 3 of the City Code and referenced in this article. A synopsis of the most pertinent regulations is located below:

Keep lot or piece of ground free of nuisances - Owners, occupants, lessees, mortgagees or person in possession, charge or control of any lot or piece of ground must keep such lot or piece of ground free of nuisances including (1) General nuisances; (2) Abandoned vehicles; (3) Litter; (4) Stagnant water; (5) Unregistered vehicles; (6) Worthless vegetation and (7) Dilapidated structures.  (§4-302, §4-304, §4-305, §4-307, §4-308)

Order to abate nuisance - Any nuisance control officer may issue a written order to abate and remove a nuisance to each owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee or person in possession, charge or control of the lot or piece of ground upon which a nuisance is found. Such notice may be made by personal service or certified mail conspicuously marked as to its importance. If notice by personal service or certified mail is unsuccessful, notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City or by conspicuously posting the notice on the lot or ground upon which the nuisance is to be abated and removed. 

If the owner or occupant of the lot or piece of ground does not request a hearing with the City or fails to comply with the order to abate and remove the nuisance, within five (5) days, the City may have such work done with the costs and expenses of any such work to be paid by the owner. (16-230 RS Neb.)(§4-310)

Hearing - Within five (5) days after receipt of a notice to abate and remove a nuisance… each owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee or person in possession, charge or control of the lot or piece of ground may request a hearing with the City to appeal the decision to abate or remove a nuisance. This request for a hearing must be filed, in writing, with the office of the City Clerk. 

• The mayor forms the Hearing Board comprised of no less than three (3) members of the governing Body to include: Himself/Herself and at least two (2) members of the Public Safety Committee. The city attorney presents the City evidence describing the nuisance and the appellant (or representative) presents evidence to the contrary.
• The Hearing Board shall immediately deliberate, in open session, to: (a) Find the conditions upon the lot or piece of ground to be a nuisance, as described by the City, and in violation of City Ordinance; or (b) Find the conditions upon the lot or piece of ground to be a nuisance, as described by the City, excluding specific items found not to constitute a nuisance, and in violation of City Ordinance; or (c) Find the conditions upon the lot or piece of ground not to be a nuisance, as described by the City, and therefore not in violation of City Ordinance.
• If the Hearing Board finds the conditions upon the lot or piece of ground to be a nuisance and in violation of City Ordinance, in part or whole, the city administrator may direct: (a) The Parks and Recreation Department to abate and remove nuisances consisting only of worthless vegetation, with any and all associated costs incurred by the City for such abatement, removal and disposal to be paid by the violator, as billed by the City; or (b) The city attorney to seek an order from the Court permitting the City to abate and remove or cause the abatement and removal of said nuisance to include the collection and disposal of all materials which constitute said nuisance. (§4-311)

Emergency or imminent threat - When a nuisance presents or may present an imminent threat to the life, health, or safety of any person or persons, as determined by the city administrator, the city administrator shall direct the city attorney to petition the Court for an order directing the City to immediately abate and remove or cause the immediate abatement and removal of said nuisance to include the collection and disposal of all materials which constitute said nuisance, with any and all associated costs incurred by the City for such abatement, removal and disposal to be paid by the violator, as billed by the City.

Recovery of costs - The Public Works Department will submit a bill to the owner and/or occupant of the lot or piece of ground for the costs of abating and removing the nuisance. (§4-315) If the costs billed by the City, are unpaid for two months after such work is done, the city attorney shall:

• 1) Levy and assess the costs and expenses of the work upon the lot or piece of ground so benefited as a special assessment; or
• 2) Recover in a civil action the costs and expenses of the work upon the lot or piece of ground and the adjoining streets and alleys. (§4-313.04) 

Click on the links below to download forms

• Building Permit Form
• Plumbing Permit Form
• Mechanical Permit Form
• Fence Permit Form
• Sign Permit
• Curb Cuts
• Demolition Permit
• Well Permit
• Right-of-way Permit
• Septic System Permit
• House Moving Permit
• Mobile Home Placement Permit
• Plumbing License Renewal Form for 2018
• Application For Variance
• Flood Plain Development Permit

City of Crete
Departments of Public Works
Utilities and Payments

City Hall - 243 E. 13th Street
(Public Works Utility Office main entrance on south side)
P.O. Box 86
Crete, NE 68333
Public Works Directory

Public Works Office - Bills and Payments:

• A service deposit is required on all addresses; transferable if the resident moves to a new address within City service;
• All utility billing statements are mailed the last business day of the month;
• Bills are due by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th of each month;
• Bills paid by the 15th receive a 10% discount; accounts paid after the due date are subject to forfeiture of this discount;
• Accounts not paid by the due date receive a courtesy notice; a disconnect date is noted on the original bill and the courtesy notice;
• Payments can be made in person (drive-thru available) at the Public Works Office at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; night drop, mailed or online;
• Personal checks, money orders or cash are accepted; debit/credit cards accepted with 2.5% convenience fee.
• Pay utility bills 24/7 through the online bill payment option. Make a payment online
  • Cards, checking or savings account can be used (with routing and account numbers)
  • Information required: name on the utility account, address, and the utility account number 
  • Email address is requested in order to receive a receipt
  • Account will still be credited on the day the payment is made. 
• If you have any other questions, visit the Public Works Office at City Hall.

Electrical Service: The City of Crete Departments of Public Works Electric System retails electricity within the corporate limits. 

• View Current Electric Rates

Water and Sewer Service: 

• View Current Water Rates
• Residential Sewer Rate: Monthly customer fee $29.70, plus $2.63 per 1,000 gallons average monthly water consumption for the lowest three months of water usage of the five winter months of November, December, January February and March (Calculated each April) or $37.51 average sewer fee for customers without usage history. 
• Commercial Sewer Rates: Contact the Public Works Office at 402-826-4312.

Garbage Collection and Recycling: The City of Crete solid waste service is provided by The Garbage Company. A recycling tote is included free of charge.

• Residential Rates: 
  • Small Tote (65 gallon)    $17.89
  • Large Tote (95 gallon)    $18.18
  • 2 (95 gal.) Totes             $22.98
  • Seasonal Yard Waste     $12.00
• Commercial Rates: Contact The Garbage Company directly at 1-800-322-4272 for service and rates.

Please see the Public Works sections at left for more information on these City services.

Outside Services:

• Spectrum Cable - 1-800-248-8823
• Black Hills Energy (natural gas company) - 1-888-890-5554
• Windstream (local telephone service) - 1-800-347-1991; Repair Service - 611
• Other television and phone services available, check local directory

For many years, Crete Public Library has provided outreach services for the elderly and the homebound in the community. Programs are provided on a weekly basis at The Gardens, Tabitha, Premier Estates, and Centennial Terrace. In addition, books and other resources are delivered to those patrons who are unable to attend the library.

In an effort to reach even more patrons who may benefit from the library's outreach efforts, the Library is now offering curbside delivery for those elderly and disabled patrons who find access to the library physically challenging. Patrons may park in the library's parking lot and staff will deliver resources to them. 

Patrons are encouraged to call the library before 1:00 P.M. on the day they would like to pick up resources. Patrons can request specific titles or library staff will be glad to help with suggestions. 

Pick up time for resources will be decided upon between the library staff and the patron. A current library card is required for all patrons using this service. 

Call the library at 402-826-3809 for more details.