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01/06/2026 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

January 6, 2026

Council President Kristen Milton called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Advanced notice of the meeting was given by publication in The Sentinel, the appointed method for giving advanced notice. All proceedings shown were taken while the meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

Council President Kristen Milton presided, and Deputy City Clerk Heather L. Varney recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, and Phyllis Schwab. Mayor Judith Knoke and Councilmember Jeremy Collier absent. A quorum being present, the meeting was duly convened. The following proceedings were had and done.

Council President Milton led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Council President Milton announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act has been posted on the south door of the City Hall meeting room for all in attendance to review.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from December 2, 2025, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve the December Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve December claims and payroll. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

No Hospital Financial Report for December.

Council President Milton commented that the Community Club would be meeting next on February 12^th at 7pm.

The claims approved were as follows: December Payroll, 28176.18; Ameritas, 3187.29; EFTPS, 6742.13; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1209.41; AMGL, fe 8660.00; Architectural Design Assoc., fe 3965.50; Allen Bruntz, se 1618.38; Arbor Barber LLC, se 9200.00; BOK Financial, fe 21983.75; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 1252.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Claire Brejcha, se 100.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 21732.06; Culligan Water Service, se 152.00.00; Depository Trust Corp. fe 5715.00; Drake Refrigeration Heating/Cooling, se 40.30; EMS Connect, fe 55.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 431.84; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 175.73; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 194242.98; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; Lee Enterprises, fe 710.00; MMC Consulting, se 7996.75; MacQueen Equipment, su 11536.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 334.40; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1268.35; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 146.00; NE Rural Water Association, fe 300.00; Nick’s Farm Store CO., su 6346.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 7255.00; Diane Odoski, re 49.02; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 109.54; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 22.88; Postmaster, se/su 1000.00; Precision Signs & Graphics, LLC, su 8132.00; Pribyl Plumbing & Heating, Inc., se 975.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 178.36; Qwik 6, su 492.11; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Seward County Independent, se 3474.32; Kyle Sharkey, se 680.00; Sparq Data Solutions, se 4250.00; US Cellular, se 264.40; Waste Connections, se 14400.86; Windstream, se 2807.86; Young’s Welding, se 2025.00.  Total Claims Approved: 390003.28

Discussion to cash in Certificates of Deposit and General ICS Account, and moving other funds from checking account to Certificates of Deposit. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve redistributing city funds. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion to set date and location for city employee appreciation dinner. No action taken.

Discussion about Sargent Drilling recommendation to drill a new water well and to hire an engineer to design and prepare bid documents, etc. No action taken.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to postpone annual appointments of staff, boards, and committees until February meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve hiring of Trent Roesler for Public Works Supervisor at discussed wage. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve hiring of Travis Peterkin for Police Chief at discussed wage. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

No Hospital report.

No Building Inspector report.

Brent Milton, Fire Chief, gave Fire report. No action taken.

Ray Rohrig gave Rescue Squad Report. No action taken.

Kristen Milton gave Police report. No action taken.

Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to hire Splashtacular to inspect the play structure at the pool for no more than $4000.00. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Public Works reported by Kristen Milton. No action taken.

Heather L. Varney, Deputy Clerk, gave Clerk’s report. No action taken.

Deputy from Saline County Sheriff Department came in at this time to add to police report. No action taken.

Diane Odoski, Head Librarian, gave Library report.. No action taken.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.