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04/07/2026 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

April 7, 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 Milton 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. Mayor Judith Knoke 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 Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from March 3, 2026, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve the minutes from March 30, 2026, Special Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none

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

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

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

The claims approved were as follows: March Payroll, 29027.33; Ameritas, 1647.06; EFTPS, 4575.94; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 795.19; 34 Electric, LLC, se 10568.75; AMGL, se 8725.00; Beaver Hardware, su 56.98; Big Red Fencing, LLC, se 5500.00;  Black Hills Energy, fe 924.77; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 712.77; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; City of Crete, fe 15.00; City of Friend- cash, fe 500.00;  Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 6055.89; Computer Concepts, su 584.80; Core & Main LP, su 2173.71; Corporate Warehouse Supply, su 559.85; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 123.75; Danko Emergency Equipment Co., su789.53; EMS Connect, fe 110.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 472.04; Fairfield In & Suites, fe 404.85; Farmer’s Union COOP, su 1700.67; Friend Historical Society, re 48944.67; Friend Volunteer Fire Dept, re 14937.49; Grunwald Mechanical Contractors & Eng., se 2359.91; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; HRW Farming, re 11944.17; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 334285.56; Heartland Radar LLC, su 90.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 16.77; MMC Consulting, se 6234.85; Rose Marie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 1348.75; Chris Michl, se 436.80;; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 45.10; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1276.98; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 462.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 7801.00; Diane Odoski, re 133.26; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 393.70; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 22.45; Pizza Kitchen, se 375.00; Postmaster, se 295.24; Precision Signs & Graphics, LLC, su 8132.00 Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 76.71; Qwik 6, su 720.88; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Kyle Sharkey, se 680.00; South East Library System, fe 25.00; Southern Living, su 23.00; SplashTacular, se 987.50; Strategic Psychological Services, LLC, se 1575.00; Trent Roesler, re 60.00; US Cellular, se 346.08; Visa 4298.54; Waste Connections, se 7365.14; Windstream, se 1674.42.  Total Claims Approved: $544525.86

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

Public comments: Introduction of Amie Underwood, new City Clerk. Planning and Zoning meeting April 12^th at noon at City Hall. Arbor Day tree dedication April 20^th at 6pm at Ball Field. Concerns raised about Friend Police Department, Comprehensive plan, trees in alley near 113 Spring St, Building Permit fees, brightness on City Hall marquee, and aggressive dogs, and talk about sandwich board sign for community events.

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

Joe Stump from AMGL presented Audit Report for Fiscal Year End September 30, 2025.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to postpone approval of Fiber Internet Permit request for 514 S Chestnut St until next meeting, needing more information. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Mary Jo Weber gave update on condition of property at 503 Cherry St. Follow up May meeting. No action.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve new Document Station lease pending confirmation of payment amounts. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve Vossler Addition, pending confirmation if Council President/Acting Mayor Milton is permitted to sign. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve bid for repair on doors at Grange Hall for $8100. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion on bids for pool painting. No action taken.

Discussion on fees for pool parties without membership. No action taken.

Discussion about bids for remodel of municipal building. No action taken.

Discussion about crack sealing & armor coating street proposal. No action taken.

Discussion about status update on house moved in at 105 6^th St. No action taken.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve writing off uncollectible utility bills as presented. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve adding Amie Underwood to signature cards at Citizens State Bank. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

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

No Hospital report.

Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken.

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

Trent Roesler, Public Works Supervisor, gave Public Works report. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve $1400 bid to fix sink hole on Main St by the school. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.

Ray Rohrig gave Rescue Squad Report. No action taken.

Kristen Milton gave Police report. Reminder for UTV/Golf Cart registration and safety, and electric scooter safety.

Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve hiring Sheena Perkins as Assistant Pool Manager. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to invite Ray Rohrig to enter Executive Session for strategic planning of police department. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none. Entered Executive Session at 9:00pm.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to exit Executive Session. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Exited Executive Session at 9:16pm.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier and Schwab. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.