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03/04/2025 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

March 4, 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 Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from the February 4, 2025 Regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve Hospital Financial Reports from both January and February 2025. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: February Payroll, 16623.31; Ameritas, 1872.12; EFTPS, 4473.40; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 786.29; 34 Electic, LLC, se 255.00; Architectural Design Assoc, se 42948.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 72.97; Barco Municipal Products, su 529.96; Benchmark Government Solutions LLC, se 795.70; Black Hills Energy, se 245.26; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 379.82; Blue Valley Door Co., Inc., se 395.00; Burton Asphalt LLC, se 3788.00; Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Country Compost LLC, fe 4000.00; Drake Refrigeration, se 213.72; Eakes Office Solutions, su 295.00; Follett School Solutions, fe 1045.68; Gale, su 98.21; Generations Insurance Group, se 45.00; Heath Sports & Tees, su 121.96; Heather Long, re 77.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 95.61; Ingrid Cook, re 78.94; MMC Consulting, se 450.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 110.00; Matt Friend Truck Equipment, su 57.60; Miller Agri Sales, su 33.30; Mutual of Omaha, fe 372.42; NDEE, fe 40.00; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 92.00; NMC Exchange LLC, se 1387.15; Nathan Hanneman, re 174.30; National Arbor Day Foundation, fe 20.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 9734.00; Diane Odoski, re 109.57; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 83.99; One Call Concepts, Inc. se 25.84; Postmaster, se 280.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 143.64; Stryker Sales Corporation, su 49148.74; Summit Fire Protection, se 93.00; US Cellular, se 296.97;Windstream, se 73.17;  Total Claims Approved: 140957.52

Lauren Garff presented by Zoom about messaging service from TextMyGov. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve contract for service. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion about City contribution to fireworks. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve $3000.00 contribution. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about raise for Nathan Hanneman for passing Water Operator Certification. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve raising pay rate to $19.25 per hour. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Milton abstain. Nays none.

Discussion about lease of mini-excavator. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve exiting the lease. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about hiring pool manager. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve hire of Heather Black at rate of $17.25 per hour, should she accept. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about City employee benefits and vacation time. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier, to add to April meeting agenda to finalize changes. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.

Friend Healthcare Systems- No report.

Building Inspector – No report.

Brent Milton gave Fire Department report. No Action.

Rescue Squad- No report

Police- No report

Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. Discussion about posting advertisements seeking lifeguards for the pool. No vote.

Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave his report. No action.

Heather Varney Deputy Clerk gave Clerk Report. Discussion about having Nancy Bryan work on city budget and finances. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve 80 or more hours to spend working on the budget and finances. On roll call voting aye Schwa, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting ayeCollier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.