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05/05/2026 Regular Meeting

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

May 5, 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 Knoke presided, and Deputy City Clerk Heather L. Varney recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, Phyllis Schwab, and Jeremy Collier. David Sladek 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 Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from April 7, 2026, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Sladek absent. Nays none.

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

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

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

The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 20280.21; Ameritas, 1607.80; EFTPS, 2874.47; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 729.24; AMGL, se 8725.00; Architectural Design Associates, se 4772.00; BNSF Railway Company, fe 1354.58; Bethany Theis, re 50.00; Black Hills Energy, fe 613.36; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 1557.50; Cengage Group, su 102.00; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Colonial Research Chemical Corporation, su 324.38; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 4608.85; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 157.80; Cutting Edge Landscapes LLC, se 2337.99; EMS Connect, fe 110.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 630.81; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; MMC Consulting, se 7347.15; Mastiff Systems, se 823.75; Metal Tech Partners, se 675.00; Milford Plumbing Inc, se 259.40; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1303.17; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 46.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 7113.00; Diane Odoski, re 147.90; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 247.56; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 18.82; Postmaster, se 288.53; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 114.75; Qwik 6, su 727.05; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 214.85; Southeast Nebraska Development District, se 525.00; US Cellular, se 354.46; Visa 1866.18; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, fe 16569.00; Waste Connections, se 6691.51; Windstream, se 1673.33.  Total Claims Approved: $107207.64

Mayor shared congratulations to 2026 graduating seniors of EMF Public Schools.

Public comments: Announce Independence celebrations July 2^nd-5^th, City Garage Sales June 5^th & 6^th, and City Clean-up June 13^th: more info on each to come. Concerns raised about Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to move Police report to this point in meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Deputy Smejdir from Saline County Sheriff's Department gave Police report at this time. No action taken.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to move Fire report up to this point in meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Collier. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Fire chief Brent Milton gave fire report with Anthony from Hampton Construction. Will be having a meeting to discuss concrete at new Public Safety Building. No action taken.

Discussion about Resolution 26-01: Ambulance Building Transfer Agreement. No action at this time.

Discussion of Resolution 26-02: updating City Credit Cards- authorized business officers. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve changes to account. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Representative from Kinetic for Fiber internet not present. No action.

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

Discussion about update on property at State and 6^th St. Will be discussed at Health Board Meeting May 18^th at 3:00pm. No action at this time.

Discussion about Employee health insurance rate increase and plan options. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to discuss at June meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Dustin Payne presented his mowing bid for ballfield. No action taken.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve Mayor Knoke as authorized signer on behalf of the City of Friend for Beneficiary Claim form. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Collier. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Discussion about employment application from Hunter Svehla for Public Works summer groundskeeping help. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve hire at a rate of $15/hour. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Discussion of Lifeguard applications and wages. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve hire of lifeguards as recommended by Pool Manager Heather Black at rates agreed upon last year. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Discussion on fees for pool parties. Price for pool parties for customers who hold pool pass set at $125/hour. No vote.

Discussion about hiring Nathan Hanneman to help with filling and maintaining swimming pool. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve hire at rate of $25/hour for season. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, and Knoke. Milton abstain. Sladek absent. Nays none.

Discussion on hiring seasonal help for grounds keeping at cemetery. Plan to have Hunter Svehla help as needed. No action taken.

No Library report.

Jared Chaffin gave Hospital report. No action taken.

Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken.

Ray Rohrig gave Rescue report. No action taken.

Pool report given by Kristen Milton and Heather Black. No action taken.

Trent Roesler, Public Works Supervisor, gave Public Works report. No action taken

Clerk report given by Heather Varney and Amie Underwood. No action taken.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to enter Executive Session to discuss employee pay. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Sladek absent. Nays none. Entered Executive Session at 9:13pm. Trent Roesler invited to join executive session at 9:20pm.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to exit Executive Session. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Sladek absent. Nays none. Exited Executive Session at 9:44pm.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier and Schwab. Sladek absent. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.