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01/07/2025 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

January 7, 2025

Mayor 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 & Jeremy Collier. Absent none. A quorum being present, and the meeting 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 Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve the minutes from the December 3, 2024 Regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2024 Special Meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve the minutes from the December 30, 2024 Special Meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

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

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

No Hospital Financial report.

The claims approved were as follows: December Payroll, 36166.16; Ameritas, 3136.35; EFTPS, 10079.61; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1781.51; AMGL CPA’s & Advisors, se 4540.00; BOK Financial, fe 22702.50; Baker & Taylor Books, su 73.32; Beatrice Concrete Co., Inc., se 894.66; Benchmark Government Solutions LLC, se 363.50; Black Hills Energy, se 1299.25; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 3871.54; Blue360 Media, LLC, su 201.70; Bound Tree Medical LLC, su 178.74; Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 5110.87; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Crete veterinary Clinic, se 154.00; Culligan Water Service, se 116.00; Drake Refrigeration, se 306.82; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 360.40; Food Network magazine, su 19.97; Gale, su 194.92; Geneva Tire & Auto Center, se 1836.18; HGTV Magazine & Food Network Magazine, su 19.97; Heath Sports & Tees, su 121.96; Hometown Leasing, fe 95.61; IIMC, fe 235.00; MMC Consulting, se 1181.25; Macqueen Equipment, su 11312.9; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Midwest Living Magazine, su 7.00; Miller Agri Sales, su 8.33; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 315.00; NE Dept. of Environment and Energy, su 280.00; NE U.C. Fund, fe 143.20; Norris Public Power District, su 7337.00; Diane Odoski, re 74.46; Postmaster, se 283.36; Railroad Management Co., fe 417.05; Saline County 4-H Council, se 50.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 901.14; Seward County Independent, fe 497.24; Sparq Data Solutions, se 4100.00; Taste of the South, su 49.98; US Cellular, se 253.23; USA Blue Book, su 225.56; United States Treasury, fe 7509.85; Utilities Section, fe 576.00; Verizon Wireless, se 106.48; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 600.00;  Total Claims Approved: 133472.26

Christian Pohlenz from Eakes spoke about refreshing training in DocManagement. Collier made a motion, seconded by Milton, to move forward with two step training sessions,. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays, none. 

Paul Johansen spoke about the City reimbursing him for his plumbing bill from Sudrla Water Service. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to postpone voting on payment awaiting an itemized invoice. On roll call voting aye, Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays, none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to appoint Christopher Miller, License #1091 Class A as Street Superintendent from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton, to postpone naming Chris Miller city engineer, and instead confirming that Kirkham Michael is the City Engineer for 2025. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to approve electric bill for city dump to be put in Jared Stutzman’s name. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about water main on Maple Street. No action taken.

Discussion about Miller & Associates’ Comprehensive plan flier & survey, and setting dates for survey. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to approve both flier & survey, and to have survey available at the earliest convenience. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to postpone payment to Friend Country Club for Fire and Rescue Christmas Party until invoice is received. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about City Employee Appreciation Dinner. No action taken.

Discussion about city employee benefits and wages. No action taken.

Friend Community Healthcare Systems- celebrating REH 1 year anniversary Friday, January 10^th.

Building Inspector – Reminder that building permit process to be completed before applicant starts project.

Fire Department – No report

Rescue Squad- No report

Police report- interviews being conducted

Pool Report- hiring process to start next month.

Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave his report. Discussion to allow Adam Smith to change out light fixtures in Grange Hall. Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton, to approve. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve sending Billy Baugh to NE Rural Water Convention in Kearney for 3 days. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

An Executive Session was requested. Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve. On role call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none. Entered Executive Session at 8:05pm.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to exit Executive Session. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Milton, and Collier. Nays none. Returned from Executive Session at 8:20pm.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab.. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.