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02/03/2026 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

February 3, 2026

Mayor Judith Knoke 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.

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

Mayor Knoke led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Mayor Knoke 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 Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from January 6, 2026, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve Hospital Finance report. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: January Payroll, 11795.99; Ameritas, 1655.88; EFTPS, 2888.84; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 479.12; Architectural Design Assoc., fe 1943.00; Allen Bruntz, se 1618.38; Black Hills Energy, fe 2614.92; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.23; Bruning Law Group, fe 840.00; Cengage Group, su 197.92; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28;  Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 610.15; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 150.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 610.89; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 237043.37; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; Lee Enterprises, fe 2097.00; MMC Consulting, se 4832.75; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 442.62; Miller & Associates, fe 11625.00; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1145.87; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 30.00; NE Statewide EMS Conference, fe 1100.00; NEMSA, fe 260.00; Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, fe 800.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 8116.00; Diane Odoski, re 184.49; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 212.00; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 18.86; Police Chiefs Assn. of Nebr., fe 120.00; Postmaster, se/su 305.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 114.75; Qwik 6, su 500.58; Reminisce, su 42.98; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Sargent Drilling, se 29049.59; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 206.49; Sudrla Water Service, se 3500.00; TIME, su 20.16; TextMyGov, se 2000.00; US Cellular, se 255.97; Visa, su 3144.54; ; Waste Connections, se 6174.75; White Electric Supply Co., se 1235.03; Windstream, se 542.79.  Total Claims Approved: 348819.32

Doug Yancy from Sargent Drilling and Chris Miller from Miller & Associates led discussion about drilling new well. No action taken.

Discussion about annual appointments of staff, boards, committees, etc. Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to name Isabel Cheesman of Bruning Law as Deputy City Attorney. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to postpone other appointments until March meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion of Father Kenneth Borowiak’s concerns. No action taken.

Discussion about replotting Rick Kubicek’s property. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to follow Planning & Zoning’s recommendations. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion about City’s contribution to Independence Day firework show. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve $4000.00 contribution for annual fireworks. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion about bid from 34 Electric to replace lights at Ball Field and have Norris PPD supply and set the poles. Bid not yet received. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to postpone vote until March meeting. On role call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about raises for Public Works crew. Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to postpone vote until March meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about purchasing pickleball nets for the courts at the park. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to postpone vote until March meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about baseball field use and maintenance. No action taken.

Discussion about rates for trash service. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve rate increase of 3% per the contract with Waste Connections. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about outsourcing payroll and possible other accounting functions and other solutions for office staff shortage. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to postpone vote until March meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to change that all preceding votes be to postpone “until next meeting” instead of “until March Meeting.” On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about City staff clothing stipend. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve $200.00 per calendar year for work clothes, boots, and shirts/jackets with City logo, to be reimbursed. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about utility deposits. Council confirmed that all property owners are required to make utility deposit or face disconnection. No action taken.

Discussion about employee relocation assistance. No action taken.

Public Works reported by Trent Roesler. No action taken.

Jared Chaffin gave Friend Community Healthcare System report. No action taken.

Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken.

Stanley Krause, Assistant 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. No action taken

Heather L. Varney, Deputy Clerk, gave Clerk’s report. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve sending Public Works Supervisor Trent Roesler to water conference in March. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

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

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.