Crawford council approves permits, water-testing purchase and veteran parking signs; names snow removal coordinator

Mayor April Grant called the Crawford City Council to order on Nov. 11, 2025, at Legend Buttes Golf Course and the council moved through a series of routine agenda items that resulted in several unanimous votes.

The council voted 3-0 to approve an amended consent agenda after removing one building-permit item for separate discussion. Council Member Christopher Dean said the permit for 823 2nd Street had been partially completed without prior Planning Commission or council approval; after discussion the council approved the permit. Attorney Adam Edmund said no future construction should proceed without Planning Commission review and council approval.

Dennis Krotz, reporting for the Water Department, said the plant pumped a little more than 3 million gallons last month, sold roughly 2 million to residents, 800,000 to commercial accounts, about 250,000 to government accounts and 70,000 to churches, and reported "we have about a 1% total loss, which anything under 5% is very good." The council approved a budgeted purchase of a Hach pocket colorimeter and testing supplies described by Krotz; the quoted total for the equipment and reagents was $1,256.

Jess Espinoza presented a letter from Barbara Moody-Richards supporting placement of building-mounted veteran-priority parking signs at local businesses including the Corner Bar, Herren's and the Crawford Clipper, noting the signs could help veterans and visitors attending the American Freedom Tribute on Patriots Day 2026. The council approved placement of those signs and discussed other possible locations such as the post office and Fort Robinson.

On personnel and operations matters, Council Member Christopher Dean proposed and the council approved a requirement that employees obtain prior authorization from the mayor before accruing overtime or comp time and submit a form documenting the need for any approved overtime. The council also designated Tim Schultz of the Street Department as the snow route coordinator with authority to supervise plow operations and schedules during snow events; Dean listed Kevin Hall, Amanda Lager, Dennis Krotz and Edward Blacksheep as staff who may assist.

The council approved the treasurer's report and a claims list totaling $119,225.82 that included contracts and major line items such as the Dawes County law enforcement contract ($18,016.67), Swann Landfill ($15,783.60), Crawford Rural Fire Department contract ($9,729.36) and a JEO Consulting Group invoice for the Rodeo Grounds project ($8,624). The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

The council set next steps on several items: staff will finalize permit paperwork and parking-sign placement logistics, order golf cart permit stickers for a future ordinance discussion, and finalize the overtime request form for use with payroll.