Council Summary - Dec. 2, 2025
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, Dec. 16
Summary for Crete City Council regular meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 2
View this Meeting Agenda and attachments.
Council member Kyle Frans was absent.
The council approved the Consent Agenda items:
- Minutes of the following meetings: City Council Nov. 18, Public Works Committee Nov. 18 Finance Committee Nov. 18, Public Safety Committee Nov. 18, Legislative/Community Development Committee Nov. 18
- Treasurer’s Report
- Payment of claims against the City
The Council voted 5-0 to table the following item to the next meeting: Resolution No. 2025-28 Establishing a time and place for the purchase of Real Property North of Crete, Approximately one-half mile north of Highway 33 on Boswell Ave, Crete, Nebraska.
The Council held a Public Hearing to hear testimony in favor of and in opposition to and to answer questions in relation to the proposed zoning change Request PID 760141282 C-2 to C-1. City Administrator Tom Ourada explained this is an area that Ron Sack currently owns between Main and Pine Avenues, 9th to 10th streets. There is a potential sale and construction of a pickleball facility which could not be on the property in its current zone; it meets statutory requirements to change zoning from C-2 to C-1. The Planning Commission recommended this change.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the proposed zoning change Request PID 760141282 C-2 to C-1.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Maintenance Agreement and Certificate of Compliance. This is an annual agreement for state right-of-way through city limits.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve approving the amendments to the Waste Connections Agreement. City Attorney Alison Janecek Borer explained this changed the effective date to January 1, 2026.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve appointing JEO as the 2026 City Engineer.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the Crete Carrier Room Grant Application for a Chamber of Commerce event on Tax Preparer Fraud. Ashley Newmyer said the committee discussed this and agreed it was an applicable use of the grant.
The Council voted 5-0 to authorize applying for the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF). Ourada said this is for City Park improvements and requires a 50% match.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the CavMac Engagement Letter and data request. Ourada explained this firm was recommended by Cline Williams attorneys to calculate retirement benefits for retired police officers.
Petition - Communication - Citizen Concern:
Officer Reports:
Jessica Wilkinson, Library Director:
library was closed for two days for staff to attended maker space training at Innovation Campus in Lincoln;
upcoming events: new tech club will meet once a month, new meal prep class, New Year’s Eve game night and karaoke;
Library will sponsor a free Showing of “Elf” at the Isis Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
HVAC issue in the building - temp in library was 50 degrees; events were canceled on Monday;
Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director:
adjusted schedules for parks staff due to snow clearing activities;
reviewing programming schedules and facilities agreements to reevaluate for the next year; getting feedback from partners;
met with high school’s Grassroots Leadership students;
Trenton Griffin, Building Inspector:
sent out 62 letters for clearing sidewalks, focused on Main Ave, and near the Elementary;
closing out older permits, continuing with current housing permits;
library heating issue - two months ago he and Mike Kalkwarf were looking at boiler issues; control access is through digital devices and they weren’t working properly; we have 2 of 3 boilers working and will still need to look at 3rd with a technician;
Jody Fiehtner, Human Resources Coordinator introduced Sheila Balbuena, part-time Administrative Assistant in the Community Assistance Office; she graduated from Crete High School and from Florida International University then came back to Crete. Her schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday;
Tom Ourada, City Administrator:
Snow removal went generally well, there were some hiccups with downtown business district contractor and we’re working through those;
Mayor Dave Bauer:
received two calls from residents who had calls from the library’s phone number but it was scammers calling about medicare. Those calls are not coming from the city.
Apace Choir is having their Christmas concert in the community room, it’s neat to see that group up there enjoying it every year;
Adam Wackel is hosting Governor Pillen with a meal on Tuesday, 12:30 to 4:00
Meeting adjourned.