The Crofton City Council gathered for its May meeting on Monday, May 2, and approved a resignation of one of its members, which will begin the process of finding a replacement for the remainder of the term.
Council member Ila Roeder submitted a letter of resignation from her position as councilperson, effective mid-April, because she had moved to another community to be closer to family.
The resignation was approved, which starts a chain of events to find a replacement through the end of Roeder’s term, November of 2022.
Any registered voter in Crofton that can hold the seat is welcome to apply to Mayor Sharol Lawhead in writing prior to the special meeting to choose a new replacement on May 16.
At the May 16 meeting, the Mayor will recommend to the Council a replacement, and if that person is approved by the remaining members of the Council, they will immediately take the oath of office and be seated. If the Council does not approve the nomination, the group will take the issue up at the next regular meeting, currently planned for June 6 and be required to vote on nominations until one is accepted.
Pool Update/TIF approved
At the April Council meeting the members heard that the work ordered for the Crofton Pool had not yet been completed, but the contractor understood that the City hoped to have the existing pool open by Memorial Day this year.
Plans are still in motion by the City’s pool committee to obtain the refurbishment “liner” to be installed in the pool, and to do the construction to make the pool a zero-depth entry facility as previously announced.
Fundraising is still being pursued to hopefully raise the additional $350,000 or so needed to complete the project.
Also at the April meeting, the Council gave first round approval to Michael Guenther to pursue his project on Highway 121 on the west end of Crofton for new construction.
Guenther had requested Tax Increment Financing for his new business ventures, which was discussed at the May meeting for a conditional use permit to include a new car wash as the “first phase” of that new construction.
The Council approved the TIF financing request, and will be holding a public hearing if the conditional use permit passes the Planning and Zoning hearing later this month. More phases of the project are expected to come before the Council as it progresses.
In other business the Council:
Discussed new mowers for the City, and asked for the information to be presented in another way;
Discussed a request from the State of Nebraska to have the city “cost share” construction of a water main to the State shed, which would allow the City to bill for water usage and use the main;
Discussed the street projects;
Discussed the search for office staff and police/law enforcement with advertisements being placed and the search continuing.