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07/01/2025 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

July 1, 2025

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, Phyllis Schwab, and Jeremy Collier. 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, 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 Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from both June 3, 2025 Regular meeting and June 9, 2025 Special Meeting. On roll call voting aye Ilton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to postpone approval of June 2025 Hospital Financial Report until August meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: June Payroll, 33244.28; Ameritas, 1858.21; EFTPS,8010.71; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1172.75; Adam Smith, se 1712.00; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 1504.74; Baker & Taylor Books, su 127.86; Beaver Hardware, su 144.62; Black Hills Energy, se 2107.958; Bruning Law Group, se 120.00; Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Consumer Reports, su 37.65;Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 98.25; Depository Trust Corp., fe 34424.79; Eakes Office Solutions, su 1252.99; Exeter Lumber Co., su 59.00; Gale, su 98.96; Hampton Commercial Construction, se 139729.80; Heather Black, re 486.56; Heather Long, re 212.55; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; MMC Consulting, se 4913.75; Malorie Lawver, re 49.98; Mastiff Systems, se 190.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 838.58; Milford Plumbing Inc, se 626.45; MMC Consulting, se 3581.25; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1142.86; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 283.00; NIFCO Mechanical Systems, se 836.96; Nebraska Environmental Products, fe 6652.45; Nick’s Farm Store Co., se 88.38; Norris Public Power District, fe 5227.00; Diane Odoski, re 61.74; Pieper’s Pottys LLC, se 192.60; Postmaster, fe 278.88; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 95.76; Seward County Independent, fe 90.50; Sid Dillon Chevrolet Buick, se 175.92; SENDD, fe 1861.00; The Friend Sentinel, su 35.00; US Cellular, se 253.47; Verizon Wireless, se 99.91; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, se 13576.00; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 6632.59; Windstream, se 1601.48; Young’s Welding & Repair, su 315.76  Total Claims Approved: 274103.14

Public Comments were made concerning Police Department, drainage at intersection of 5^th & Cedar St, and Speed on HW-6 on East end of town.

Motion by Schwab, second by Collier to move Police report to earlier in meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Deputy from Saline County Sheriff’s Department made Police report. No action.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to add ballot item for general election in November 2026 to remove election wards. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Milton, Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion to update delinquent utility shut-off policy. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve updating policy to hold trash pick-up service and to refuse rental of Community Building, Clubhouse, and pool to patrons with delinquent utility balances. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Ordinance No. 25-809

An Ordinance of the City of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska to Schedule 1, sections 4 and 5 of Chapter 74 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska; and repealing all ordinances of said City in conflict herewith relating to the speeds at which motor vehicles may be operated within the city limits on highway 6 and prescribing when this ordinance shall become effective.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, SALINE COUNTY, NEBRASKA AS FOLLOWS:

section 1: 

That Schedule 1, Sections 4 and 5 of Chapter 74 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend , Nebraska, shall be amended to read as follows:

“The speed limit on U.S. Highway #6 within the corporate limits of the City of Friend, shall not exceed 45 miles per hour from the City limits on the west end of town, 1,370 feet west of State Street, to Cedar Street and from the City limits on the east side of town, 50 feet west of Page Street, to Spring Street; and that the speed limit between Cedar Street and Spring Street, within the corporate limits of the City of Friend, on U.S. Highway #6, shall not exceed 35 miles per hour.”

Section 2:  This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval, and publication or posting as required by law.

Discussion about NDOT updating documentation of speed zones on US-6. Motion by Schwab, second by Collier to approve Ordinance 25-809. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, second by Collier to approve and sign AMGL services letter for financial services to city. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about Saline County Rural Fire MFO Agreement for fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-2028. Motion by Collier, second by Sladek to approve continued participation in MFO Agreement. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion about Public Works Maintenance Job Posting. No action taken.

Discussion about citizen Bradley Drake’s concerns. No action taken.

Library- no report

Jared Chaffin gave Friend Healthcare Systems report. No action.

Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action.

Brent Milton Fire Chief gave Fire report. No action.

Rescue Squad- No report

Kristen Milton gave Pool report. No action.

Discussion to attach change of time limit to Utility shut off policy. Motion by Sladek, second by Milton to approve changing time frame between sending utility shut-off notices and shut-off day from 10 business days to 7 business days. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave Public Works Report. Discussion about Interlocal Storage Agreement with county. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve county storing some equipment on city property in exchange for extended maintenance of county roads. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about Sargent estimate for the shop well. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve work. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Heather Varney Deputy Clerk gave Clerks Report. No action.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to enter executive session to discuss personnel. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none. Entered Executive session at 8:50pm.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to exit executive session at 9:11pm

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.