(Information current as of July 6)

For the general public:

The City of Crete will continue to share relevant and timely information and recommendations from public health services - State of Nebraska and the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local Public Health Solutions.

The City of Crete advises all residents to follow the statewide Directed Health Measures from state officials during this COVID-19 outbreak. The city is in regular communication with health officials on the best courses of action for communities and will continue to share relevant and timely information. Directed Health Measures issued by the state are restrictions on individuals and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read more about the DHM and find agency links. Saline County cases related directly to Crete.

Status of City of Crete facilities and services:

The City of Crete has the health and safety of employees and community residents in mind by increasing already routine cleaning and disinfection procedures during the current COVID-19 outbreak. City officials are in communication with local partners, schools and industries to discuss health and safety plans.

City Hall:

City Hall and Utilities Office: As of July 6, City Hall is currently closed to walk-in access. City staff are available by phone or email during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (See below for contact information.)

Utility Bills can be paid in the drive-thru during regular business hours or left in the night dropbox. Access the drive-thru/night drop by entering on Linden Ave. between the Post Office and the City Park tank and driving along the south side of City Hall, then turn left at the “Public Works Business Only” sign. Exit onto East 13th Street.

Utility payments can also be mailed to City Hall (243 East 13th Street, Crete, NE, 68333) or made online (with a convenience fee). Find more information on utility bills and payments.

City Hall phone numbers: 

• Administration, Utility Office, Public Works, Building Inspector: 402.826.4312
• Finance Director, City Clerk, Human Resources: 402.826.4313
• Parks and Recreation: 402.826.4314
• Community Assistance Office: 402.826.6405 or email: nancy.tellez@crete.ne.gov
• Find more phone numbers and staff emails.
• See end of article for more online links

The City will provide updates and any changes in access to city services as they become available. Find information on the city website and social media accounts, @CreteNE.

Crete Police Department - lobby:

The lobby of the police station (1945 Forest Ave.) is open to walk-in access. Details are available in the Police Department section of this site, including:

• Burn permits are now available online. Permits will not be provided at the station. 
• Police Reports will be sent only by email. Paper reports will not be provided.
• See the Animal Control and Licensing page for pet licenses and animal impounds
• See the Parking Enforcement page for parking tickets and vehicle impounds.

If residents wish to report a crime that doesn't immediately need a police officer to respond, please call 402.826.6422 for the administration/records section Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. For police response call 402.826.4311. An officer may contact you by phone or in person, depending on the call type.

Crete Public Library:

Public access to Crete Public Library is limited to patron computer use by appointment; materials can be reserved for the pickup window only until further notice. Library staff is on hand and can provide limited services through the pickup window on the south side of the building and through phone calls, 402.826.3809. Read more about current library access.

The annual Summer Reading Program (June-July) will be held with online and virtual programs, as we all outdoor activities children and families can complete on their own. Read more...

The Library service hours are as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
• Tuesday and Thursday - 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.;
• Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Parks and Recreation:

Update June 1: Crete's public parks will reopen on June 18; Wildwood Pool will remain closed. Social distancing guidelines must be followed - groups of six or less and six foot separation between groups. Read more...

Update, May 26: Tuxedo Park is open to approved baseball and softball participants under new guidelines. Read more...

Update, March: Youth Soccer, Micro Soccer, Micro T-Ball, T-Ball, and RipTide swim team programs are canceled for this spring and summer. 

Registration fees for Youth and Micro Socer programs will be refunded to all participants via mail as soon as possible. Youth Soccer participants (grades 1-6) that have not yet received their soccer shirt may pick it up at the recreation office at City Hall after April 13. Read more...

Recreation questions can be directed to Dan Dunaway, Recreation Coordinator, 402.826.4314, or email dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov

Transfer Station:

Transfer Station regular hours will continue to be 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). 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. Under current social distancing guidelines, no payments will be accepted at the Transfer Station; attendants will instead collect contact information from residents and the city will issue a bill for disposal of garbage items. Bills can be paid by mail or through the City Hall Utilities Office drive-thru.

The city provides an abundance of information on departments, services, and programs online. See tabs above or these links:

• City Hall phone numbers and emails
• Full City Code, with searchable keywords; 
• City Zoning Regulations;
• Forms & Documents;
• Building Inspector: Building permits and Call Before You Dig information;
• Crete Police Department services - pet licenses, vehicle tickets and impound
• Community and Economic Development programs (LB 840 and TIF);
• Parks and Recreation information, including park locations and amenities and recreation program signup on RecDesk;
• Crete Public Library - staff contact information; Overdrive audio and ebooks;
• Living in Crete - community links for agencies, programs, recreation

Crete Public Library's Summer Reading Program scavenger hunt:

How well do you know your hometown? Do you know where to find the items/buildings pictured on the scavenger hunt form?

Take a walk/drive to find the location and write it in the space to the right of each photo. If you get REALLY stuck, we might be persuaded to give you a hint. Maybe. Probably. Oh, okay. We’ll give you a clue!

Download the form or pick one up at the library's drive-up window.

Return at the library book return (drive-thru on the south side of the building) no later than Aug. 3. 

Update June 30: Four patron computers will be available by appointment only starting on July 1. Call the library, 402.826.3809, to reserve a time. Computers will be located in the front entrance area and instructions for use will be posted. These include:

• Face covering is required and must be worn at all times. If you don’t have a face covering, a mask will be provided. Take your mask with you when you leave.
• First-time computer users must sign a waiver located at the workstations. They will be kept on file for future reference.
• No access to restrooms or drinking fountain.
• Patrons must sanitize hands after entering and before leaving the library. Sanitizing station located just inside the library doors.
• Patrons may use the computer for 45 minutes. If no one has made an appointment for the next time slot, patrons may stay at their workstation for a longer period of time.
• Computer use is for individuals aged 12 and above. No children aged 11 and under are allowed inside the building.
• Two people who reside in the same household may sit at the same workstation.
• Patrons must bring their own headphones.
• Printing services are available.
• Additional instructions are located at each workstation - read these carefully.
• Ring bell and a librarian will meet you at the door.

Patrons may continue to reserve and checkout library materials through the online library catalog and pick up at the window on the south side of the building. (See below for more details.)

Update June 1: Crete Public Library's Summer Reading Program is moving online for 2020 due to current public health conditions. "Imagine Your Story" is this year's theme and library staff aim to provide multiple ways for library patrons and young readers to participate through online partners, Zoom, and outdoor activities families can do on their own. Find more information in the Summer Reading section.

Update March 18: Access to the library collections is closed to the public until further notice. Library staff is on hand and can provide limited services through the pickup window on the south and through phone calls, 402.826.3809.

Limited services and materials from the library are available:

• Normal due date and other circulation policies will remain in effect, i.e. length of checkout and damaged materials. 
• The Library pickup window hours are as follows:
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
  • Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.;
  • Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Drive-thru pickup of items is available at the pickup window on the south side of the building, near the 15th Street and Forest Avenue intersection.
  • Patrons may call the library and request that items be held at the for them at the library.
  • Or reserve items from the online Library Catalog. Log in to your account using your patron card number (without the P), and the phone number you have listed on your library account (without the 402 or hyphen. Only include the area code if the phone number does not have a 402 area code). Find the item you wish to check out and click on the title. Click on 'Reserve this item. Find more information on reserving materials.
  • All materials are available to be reserved except board books and magazines
  • When you arrive at the pickup window, please call the library phone number (Listed on a sign at the window) and we will be there to help you as soon as possible.
• InterLibrary Loan (ILL) service is open for books not in the CPL collection, but available at other libraries that are still offering the service at this time; patrons do pay the mailing cost (one way only) for books loaned through this service.
• All returned materials are wiped down with disinfectant and put in “quarantine” for four days. Then they will be checked in. This is to ensure that items on hold are not made available until the quarantine is complete. If a patron receives a reminder to return a book that was already returned, patrons are requested to ignore these messages. If fines start accruing during the quarantine period, these will be forgiven.
• OverDrive offers patrons access to online, downloadable AudioBooks and eBooks. To use these resources, you’ll need either an individual or a family library card in good standing. 
• Mobile printing is available
• Patron WIFI is available in the seating areas outside the library. Password is: CreteLibrary

Public Parks: The City of Crete will reopen public parks and playgrounds to public access on Thursday, June 18 after a vote at the regular city council meeting on June 2. 

The public is strongly encouraged to follow basic social distancing recommendations when visiting the city’s public parks. Individual groups should be six people or less and should have at least six feet separation from other groups. Gatherings in all should be limited to 25 people or less. All recommendations can be found in current statewide Directed Health Measures documents, which took affect statewide on June 1, allowing businesses, venues, and other facilities to reopen under certain guidelines.

Baseball practices resumed at Tuxedo Park on June 1 and games are allowed to begin June 18. Read more...

Crete's parks and playgrounds have been officially closed to public access since April 23.

Wildwood Pool: Mayor Dave Bauer, city council members, and city officials further discussed Wildwood Pool at the June 2 meeting and determined it was in the best interests of the city and community that the pool remain closed this summer.

City officials based their decision on a number of items, including existing public health recommendations, hygiene and cleaning requirements, the ability to monitor social distancing guidelines, the ability to certify enough staff and total staffing considerations, and the ability to monitor attendance fairly to all community residents based on allowed pool capacity limits in place under the current DHM.

City officials are in contact with a number of public health, state, and risk management officials as well as counterparts in other cities and towns. Some municipal pools in the state are choosing to reopen under strict capacity limits and disinfection procedures, while others will stay closed this season.

City Parks and Recreation staff will continue regular maintenance projects at the pool throughout the summer. The splash pad is still set for replacement after becoming inoperable during the 2019 season.

Read more about the DHM and additional public health guidelines, recommendations and restrictions:

• City of Crete COVID-19 information section
• Statewide Directed Health Measures - gathering limits, recommendations, etc.

Find contact information for City Hall and city officials.

Original Post: As of April 23, all City of Crete parks and city properties are closed to public access. Signs will be posted to inform the public.

With the impending pandemic issues facing the community, the city is in a position to help slow the spread of this virus and by minimizing any associated contacts at any level, the city will be doing what it can to meet the best interests and expectations of the public.

These decisions are not being made lightly and will be rolled back at the first prudent opportunity to do so without jeopardizing the health and welfare of the public.

Crete Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge 2020 will use the Reader Zone app to help keep track of  reading during the eight-week challenge, June 15 - Aug. 10. Below are instructions for signing up. Please call the library with any questions, 402.826.3809. Find more information on additional Summer Reading Program; registration is needed to receive links and passwords to other online programs.

Download the Reader Zone app

• On a smartphone, download the ‘Reader Zone’ app from the App Store or Goggle Play Store. Or go to: https://www.readerzone.com.
• Click on the green button that says “Sign Up” to sign up as a Reader or a Parent.
• A parent can sign up for multiple children. Click “Next”.

Enter the details for each reader

• Enter the program code 3c066 and pick “Crete Public Library Summer Reading”. Then pick a group: 
  • Preschool: Children up to, but not including, kindergarten
  • Elementary: Children through 5^th grade
  • Teen: Middle and High School age
• Click on “+ Create Reader” and then record a reading log.

Reading log

• When entering a book read or time, users will be asked to put in the name of the book or ISBN. If possible, put in the ISBN, most likely on the back of the book, either above or below the bar code. It will start with “978” and is 13 digits.
• For older kids, it is possible to set a timer to keep track of the minutes read, or entered manually. It is also possible to put in books or minutes from earlier days.

Reading Goals

• Preschool – 50 books (6-7 per week)
• Elementary and Teens – 10 hours or 600 minutes (75 minutes per week)

Challenge Awards

• Virtual and physical awards will be bestowed upon reaching certain goals. If a reader completes the final goal, their name will go into a drawing for a grand prize in each category.

The City of Crete Department of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is continuing to provide four energy efficiency programs to assist in lowering energy costs for local utility customers through energy efficiency improvements.

The programs offer cash incentives to make energy efficient upgrades in the areas of insulation, cooling systems, home thermostats and commercial lighting. The programs are available through March 31, 2021 or while program funds last. Here is a rundown of the four programs:

• Smart Thermostat Program 
  • Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a qualifying smart thermostat. 
• Attic Insulation Program 
  • Provides cash incentives of $0.15 / per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. 
• Cooling System Tune-Up Program 
  • Provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of what type or age of cooling system (air conditioner/air or water source heat pump).
• Commercial LED Lighting Program 
  • Provides cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of interior lighting upgrades and replacements.

These programs are available to customers of the City of Crete through its wholesale power partnership with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. For more information on these programs, contact the Utility Office at City Hall, 402.826.4312, or go to www.nmppenergy.org/mean to download program guidelines and application forms.

Crete Public Library's Summer Reading Program is moving online for 2020 due to current public health conditions.

Please register with a current email address to receive program links and passwords.

Registration with a current email address is requested in order to receive links and passwords to online programs, digital resources, and the Reader Zone app.

• To register, please email the following information to librarystaff@crete.ne.gov
  • Subject line: Summer Reading
  • Parent name and address
  • children's names and ages

June Online Programs

Wednesday, June 10: Crane River Theater: School House Rock

Dance, sign, and play as Crave River Theater - Page to Stage brings "School House Rock" to life through this hour-long video program.

Tuesday, June 16, 1 p.m.: Henry Doorly Zoo - Mythical Creatures Quest Virtual Tour

Tuesday, June 23 - Friday, June 26: Imagine Your Science Story - Facebook videos each day at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.  

Tuesday: Steam Lab video

Wednesday: Children's and Tween craft videos, Thaumatrones & Phenakistoscope

Thursday:  Authors J.J. & Chris Grabenstein & Teresa Robeson videos

Friday: Steve Trash Magic Show video

Tuesday, June 23 - Friday, July 3: Imagine Your Fairytale Story

Shows, crafts, author interview

Summer Reading Challenge

June 15 - August 10: Using Reader Zone app

Zoom Story Time - Mondays, 10:30 a.m.

June 15: Unicorns

June 22: Your Royal Highness

June 29: Fairytales

Coming in July

Library Story Walk

Community Scavenger Hunt

Online Escape Room

Dog Man online party