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03/03/2026 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

March 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, and Phyllis Schwab Jeremy Collier absent. 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 Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from February 3, 2026, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to postpone approval of Hospital financials until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: February Payroll, 22552.91; Ameritas, 1628.00; EFTPS, 3648.30; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 622.04; AquaChem, su 1814.71; Black Hills Energy, fe 1560.51; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.25; Brother’s Equipment, su 58.50; Bruning Law Group, fe 2552.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28;  Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 8248.60; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 20.00; EMS Connect, fe 110.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 684.61; Farmer’s Union COOP, su 308.52; Follett Software, LLC, se 1045.68; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 258491.25; Hemmings Motor News, su 25.00; Holiday Inn of Kearney, fe 259.90; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; Lee Enterprises, fe 3305.00; Lichti’s, INC., su 9387.60; MMC Consulting, se 1863.35; Mastiff Systems, se 415.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 162.75; Brent Milton, re 4951.51; MDWEE, fe 40.00; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1183.85; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 30.00; Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, fe 1000.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 31143.49; Diane Odoski, re 242.24; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 243.09; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 12.65; Postmaster, se 305.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 114.75; Qwik 6, su 742.76; Ryan Yoder, re 85.79; Southeast Nebraska Development District, fe 1925.00; Susan Fortune, se 575.00; Taste of Home, su 13.98; Tim Shrunk, re 113.12; US Cellular, se 296.81; Waste Connections, se 7562.25; Windstream, se 1647.94.  Total Claims Approved: $379,017.08

Deputy Vogel from Saline County Sheriff's Department gave his portion of Police report at this time.

Public comments: Community Clean-Up day June 13, 2026. More information to come closer to event.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to postpone approval of Resolution 26-01: Ambulance Building Transfer Agreement until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to postpone approval of zoning modifications and subdivision regulations until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to postpone approval of updated comprehensive plan until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve Class C Liquor License for MacCallum’s Tavern. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Kenneth Lindsay spoke on request for Veteran’s Memorial at Binzebo park. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve with guidance of City for use on City Property. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion about new electric service and deposit with Norris for Public Safety Building. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve payment for installation and utility deposit. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion of annual appointments to committees and boards. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve appointments. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion about bid from 34 Electric to replace lights at Ball Field. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve bid. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to table discussion on outsourcing payroll & possible other accounting functions and other solutions for office staff shortages until Executive Session at end of meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to table discussion on public works raises until Executive Session at end of meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to postpone discussion on bid for repair on south door of Grange Hall until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to postpone discussion of bids for pool painting until next meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion about pool hiring ads. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to accept applications for Pool Manager from March 4^th to April 3^rd, and Assistant Manager and Lifeguards between April 8^th and May 10^th. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion about bid for Ball Field fence repairs. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve bid. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion about pickleball court nets. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve purchase of one anchored net. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to table discussions on clerk position until Executive Session at end of meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Discussion to write off past due utility bills from prior to 2020. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve writing off accounts. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.

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

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.

Travis Peterkin, Police Chief, gave Police report. No action taken.

Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. No action taken

Public Works reported by Trent Roesler. No action taken.

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none. Entered Executive Session at 7:55pm.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to exit Executive Session. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none. Exited Executive Session at 8:25pm.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to post an ad seeking Deputy Clerk assistant. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to update City Clerk ads to offer position as salaried. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.

No action on Public Works wages.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.