08/05/2025 Regular Meeting
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
August 5, 2025
Mayor Judith Knoke called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:05 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, and Phyllis Schwab. Absent Jeremy Collier. David Sladek late. A quorum not yet being present, and the meeting duly convened, with agenda order being adjusted to delay votes. The following proceedings were had and done.
Mayor Knoke led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Diane Odoski, Head Librarian, gave Library Report. No action taken.
Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector Report. No action taken.
Stanley Krause, Assistant Fire Chief, gave Fire Department Report. No action taken.
No Rescue Squad Report.
Mayor Knoke gave Police Report. No action taken.
Heather Black gave Pool Report. No action taken.
Ann Bruntz gave her report on the Pond and community involvement. No action taken.
Nathan Hanneman gave Public Works Report, and discussed condition of Pond Well. Was told to get estimate on work needed. No action taken.
Heather Varney gave Clerk Report. No action taken.
David Sladek arrived at this time 7:40pm. A quorum now being present, the meeting resumed.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from July 1, 2025 regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve the July Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve July claims and payroll. On roll call voting ayeSladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 49807.85; Ameritas, 2818.14; EFTPS,11548.86; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1599.69; Architechtural Design Assoc., fe 4526.50 ; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 3995.55; Baker & Taylor Books, su 18.18; Beatrice Concrete Co., Inc., se 1009.78; Better Homes & Gardens, su 10.00; Black Hills Energy, se 624.29; Blue Blossom Florist, se 160.00; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 11648.37; Bruning Law Group, se 520.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Claire Brejcha, su 73.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 6556.32; Core & Main LP, se 1608.10; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 302.50; Depository Trust Corp., fe 5715.00; Drake Refridgeration, se 376.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 500.20; Fairfield Inn & Suites, fe 1169.55; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., se 2045.61; Filament Essential Services, se 2000.00; First Wireless, Inc., su 2551.80; Guardian Life, fe 1027.28; Heather Black, re 311.52; Hometown Leasing, fe 95.61; Johnson Pharmacy, su 60.25; League of NE Municipalities/ Utilities Section, fe 54.00; MMC Consulting, se 7425.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 840.50; Chris Michl, se 428.40; Miller & Associates, se 1000.00; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 32636.24; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 117.00; National Arbor Day Foundation, fe 20.00; Nick’s Farm Store Co., se 236.73; Norris Public Power District, fe 8371.00; Diane Odoski, re 129.12; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 83.32; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 44.98; Paper Tiger Shredding, se 35.00; Kelly Paulsen, re 200.00; Pepsi-Cola of Hastings, su 438.05; Postmaster, fe 280.00; Premeir Med Supplies, su 1398.00; Qwik 6, su 2148.83; Saline Co. Area Transit System, fe 2846.00; Saline County Aging Services, fe 2551.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 12866.00; Seward County Independent, fe 229.06; Marvin Slepicka, se 1137.50; SENDD, fe 12221.00; Tuttle, Inc., su 43.00; US Cellular, se 295.68; Visa, su 4478.67; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, se 1705.20; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 5920.80; Windstream, se 1371.54. Total Claims Approved: 2117328.81
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 2025-01. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to waive 3 readings of Resolution. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025 - 01
WHEREAS, the City of Friend, “City” is organized and authorized to own and
operate an electric distribution system, together with all required distribution lines
necessary to provide electrical energy to its customers;
WHEREAS, the City has established a dedicated restricted electric distribution
fund (“Light 250 Fund”) within its annual budget for all revenue and expenses
associated with its electric distribution system;
WHEREAS, the City entered into an Electric System Lease Agreement
“Agreement” with Norris Public Power District “Norris”, effective January 1, 2023 under
which the City incurs no expenses associated with the maintenance and upgrade of the
City’s electric distribution system.
WHEREAS, said Agreement contemplates the payment by Norris of quarterly
lease payments for use of the City’s electric distribution system for the delivery of
service to customers within the jurisdiction of the City.
WHEREAS, said lease payments have previously been deposited into Light 250
Fund but will not be utilized for costs and expenses associated with the maintenance
and upgrade of the City’s electric distribution system;
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Legislature, in LB 34 of the First Special Session of
2024, modified the definition of governmental body found in Neb. Rev. Stat. §13-518(3)
to exclude cities from the limitation of the transfer of surplus fees from restricted funds
as part of a city’s annual budget pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §13-519.
AND, WHEREAS, the City of Friend, Nebraska believes it is in the best interest
of the City to transfer all funds in Light 250 Fund into the City’s General Fund 100, to
close the Light 250 Fund, and to direct all future deposits from Norris relating to the
Agreement into the City’s General Fund 100 as part of the City’s 2025-26 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Friend, Nebraska that the City will transfer all funds currently held in the City’s Light
250 Fund into the City’s General Fund, close the Light 250 Fund, and direct all future
deposits from Norris relating to the Agreement into the City’s General Fund as part of
the City’s 2025-26 budget.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Friend, Nebraska on this
5th day of August, 2025.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve Resolution 2025-01 to transfer all Light funds and future Light payments to general fund. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to authorize Interim City Clerk Nancy Bryan to sign at bank. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve refunding trash billed in error at 215 6th Street, On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve refunding trash billed in error from May 2022 to August 2024 at 238 Maple St. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
Discussion about writing off uncollectible utility accounts. No action taken.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to replace Brian Himmelberg with Amanda Ellison on Friend Housing Authority Board. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve contract with AMGL for performing fiscal year ending 9/30/2025 Audit. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to raise trash rates to 3%, from $14.00 to $14.42 base. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
Discussion on renewing line of credit with Warren Memorial Hospital. No action taken.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve SCAT annual contribution of $2846.00.
On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to exit executive session at 8:27 pm. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.