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Crete Volunteer Fire and Rescue member Terry Petracek was honored for 50 years of service on the department at the regular City Council meeting Tuesday evening at City Hall. The Council approved Resolution 2024-05 Recognizing Terry Petracek's 50 years of service to Crete Fire & Rescue.
Terry joined the department in May of 1974.
Mayor Dave Bauer presented Terry with the framed resolution in front of a full council chambers with city officials and staff, Terry's family, fire department members, and guests.
The mayor said Terry’s continuous dedication is noted by his active service for 50 years, often making more calls than many of his fellow members over the years. He said Terry has touched a lot of lives for a great legacy of leadership.
“When Terry is first through the door on a call, he puts family members at ease by the way he treats people. He has taught a lot of young people in the department what it means to be a good leader.”
Terry Petracek thanked the mayor and council for the recognition, saying he is proud to serve. He also thanked the department members of 50 years ago who wanted him as a member. He wants this recognition to encourage people in the area to think about their ability to serve as a volunteer firefighter because 50 years goes by fast, but you feel it in your heart.
A standing ovation followed.
Crete Fire & Rescue will hold a 50th Anniversary Open House for Terry on Sunday, April 21, from 1-3 p.m. at the fire station at 14th and Linden Ave.
Individuals and media outlets are encouraged to contact the City Administrator for additional details or clarification on the following material. Regular meetings of the Crete City Council are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall; Council Standing Committees may meet prior. View a list of City Officials and current council and committee meeting agendas.
The next Crete City Council regular meeting will be on Tuesday, May 7
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, April 16
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments
Kyle Frans, Council Member Ward 2, was absent.
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
The Council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-05 Recognizing Terry Petracek's 50 years of service to Crete Fire and Rescue.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Jessica Wilkinson as Library Director. Director Joy Stevenson submitted her resignation in March and her last official day is April 30. Wilkinson will start on May 1; she comes from Columbus where she was on staff at the Columbus Public Library.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve pension plan changes.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $2,468.99.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve adopting Resolution 2024-04 Authorizing the termination of the Emergency Dispatch Service Interlocal Agreement with Beatrice and the City of Crete.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Master Fee Schedule amendment. City Administrator Tom Ourada said the change is primarily for the garbage rate, adjusted annually, if the council chooses to approve it by franchise agreement.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Mutual of Omaha Insurance contract changes. Ourada said this item was recommended by the Personnel Committee to change the renewal date to 7-1-24, instead of 10-1-24.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the SCADA System.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Drug and Alcohol Policy for Part-Time and Seasonal employees. The Personnel Committee recommended this item, the substance of which is to test only by cause from either accident or incident.
The Council voted 5-0 to deny the liquidated damage proposal. Ourada explained the general contractor for 22nd Street triple box culvert project incurred significant liquidated damages for late completion of this project; the contractor proposed trading resources in lieu of cash payment.
The Council voted 5-0 to ratify LARM's insurance action on the North side of 15th St.
The Council voted 5-0 to ratify LARM's insurance action on the South side of 15th St.
The Council opted to seek additional information on the Family Learning Community Network Commitment Agreement.
Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:
Officer Reports:
Reports may be given by Officers, Departments, Committees, or Council members 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.
Meeting adjourned.
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, April 2
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the application SE24-01 for the Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Ashley Newmyer, Parks and Recreation Committee chair, said they talked over the details of this third annual celebration and recommended approval to the council.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the Crete Urban Area Map. City Administrator Tom Ourada said the state sends out changes to the urban area map; the city did contact the state to note the population line was incorrect, however it wasn’t an issue for the state.
The Council voted 6-0 to authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to provide a termination notice to Beatrice.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the RMS Quote.
The Council voted 5-0 (Papik abstained) to approve the payment of claims to Crete Ace Hardware in the amount of $336.91
The Council voted 6-0 to waive three readings and enact Ordinance NO. 2197 Relating To The Vacation Of Streets or Alleys. Ourada explained this follows the council’s act to vacate Quince Ave north of 9th Street, reserve the utility easement, and move to sell the vacated property to abutting property owners at $1 per square foot.
The Council voted 6-0 to waive three readings and enact enacting Ordinance NO. 2198 Amending Plat Requirements. Anna Burge, City Attorney, said this advises changes to plats to allow the Saline County Clerk and Register of Deeds to stamp the front page without blocking other information; and state statute requires printed names of signatories applicable to the document.
Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:
Officer Reports:
Reports may be given by Officers, Departments, Committees, or Council members 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.
Meeting adjourned.
The City of Crete will hold the annual Spring Cleanup May 4-10, with Transfer Station specials on two days, major appliance pick-up, downtown street cleanup, and shred day sponsored and hosted by Pinnacle Bank.
Free Shred Day: Bring old paperwork to be shred for FREE on Saturday, May 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Pinnacle Bank, 143 East 13th Street, 402.826.2121. Please no 3-ring binders, cardboard or plastic. Maximum of 10 boxes per person. Help stock the BVCA Saline County Food Pantry - requested items include: toilet paper, laundry soap, pancake mix/syrup, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, cereal.
Transfer Station Specials: No fees will be charged at the Transfer Station for major appliances delivered on Saturday, May 4 or Tuesday, May 7; yard waste or brush and metal or iron items can be dropped off for free. All appliances with freon must have it removed and tagged prior to disposal.
Fees are charged for certain garbage items and a coupon is available from the local newspaper advertisement in The Crete News on May 1 or downloadable flyer (link below) for Crete residents only to receive $5 off a load of refuse taken to the Transfer Station. (Multiple coupons can be used for multiple trips - see coupon details.)
Transfer station regular hours are Tuesdays, from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The station is located 1/2 mile north of Highway 33 and Boswell Avenue on the east side of the road (478 County Road 2300). Find out what materials are accepted at the Transfer station.
View/Download the Spring Cleanup flyer with coupon - English | Spanish
Curbside Pick-Up of Major Appliances: This service is offered by the City Public Works Department to Crete residents who call ahead to arrange a pick-up before Thursday, May 9 at 5 p.m. Pick-ups will be made Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, May 8, 9, and 10. Call the Public Works office at 402-826-4312.
Appliances with freon must have it removed and tagged; no electronics/TVs/furniture. Pick-ups will not be done for calls made after the deadline.
City of Crete
Departments of Public Works
City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
(Utility Office main entrance on south side)
Phone: 402.826.4312
Help Email: PW.help@crete.ne.gov
Registration is now open for Crete Recreation Swim Team until May 5. Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Limited spaces available.
Crete RipTide Swim Team offers kids ages 7-18 (as of May 20, 2024) a chance to participate in a competitive swim league with Saturday meets in the Kansas-Nebraska Swim League. The head coach for 2024 is Kourtney Martin.
Parent Information Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in the Crete Carrier Community Room at Crete Public Library, 1515 Forest Ave.
Find more information about Wildwood Pool dates and activities.
City of Crete
Parks & Recreation Department
Liz Cody, Director
Dan Dunaway
City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Phone: 402.826.4314
liz.cody@crete.ne.gov
dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov
Registration is now open for Crete Recreation T-Ball and Micro T-Ball programs. Registrations for both are due on Friday, May 3. No registrations are accepted after the deadline.
Program Note - Coach contact:
Participants who are not contacted by their coach by the week prior to the first game, please call the Parks and Recreation Office at City Hall, 402.826.4315, to be connected to your team.
Signup forms and waivers are available on RecDesk or at City Hall. Participants must also have a current liability waiver signed. No late registrations will be accepted.
Registration Notes - Sibling discount and fee waiver for parent coaches:
Micro T-Ball: Micro T-Ball introduces the game of baseball to kids ages 3 & 4. Teams will play on Wednesday evenings: May 22, 29, June 5, 12.
T-Ball: T-Ball introduces the game of baseball to kids ages 5 & 6. Teams will play on Thursday evenings: May 23, 30, June 6, 13.
All games are played at Rotary Park, 9th and Kingwood Ave., starting at 6 p.m.
City of Crete
Parks & Recreation Department
Liz Cody, Director
Dan Dunaway
City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Phone: 402.826.4314
liz.cody@crete.ne.gov
dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov
Applications are now available for Crete residents to rent a plot for the upcoming growing season at the Crete Community Garden, located at 10th and Thornwood Ave.
Cost to rent one plot is $25 with a $20 deposit. Plots, typically measuring 7 by 12 feet, will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Gardeners may rent an additional plot at $20, depending on demand. No plots will be assigned after June 1.
Gardeners may begin planting on May 1. All plants should be removed and plots cleaned by Nov. 30. Gardeners are expected to maintain their own plots weekly unless notice is given to garden coordinators. Gardeners will be given access to the storage shed on the property with a supply of tools; the city provides a water hydrant and hose at the site.
The application includes specific garden information, season schedule, map, and general rules. Forms are available online, on the community garden page of the city website. Printed copies are also available at City Hall. The Community Garden is on Facebook with updates posted during the season.
Individuals, families, student groups, church groups, and service clubs in Crete are all welcome to rent garden plots for the season by filling out the applications and providing names of those who will be responsible for its care. Prospective gardeners under 18 years of age can have a parent sign the application with them.
Crete Public Library's schedule of events through spring and summer includes children's activities, teen nights, adult events, book clubs, and family nights. Watch for more details on these events as well as upcoming details about July's Summer Reading Program. Contact the library with any questions or to RSVP/register where noted.
Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8, 12-3 p.m.
Celebrate National Library Week (April 7-13) with events at the library.
Children's Programming (story times are until the end of the school semester)
Teen Nights
Family Nights
Adult Events
Book Clubs
Email: crete.library@crete.ne.gov
1515 Forest Ave.
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.3809
Current library hours: