08/18/2025 Special & Budget Meeting
RIEND CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET MEETING
August 18, 2025
Mayor Judith Knoke called the budget meeting of the City of Friend to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Advanced notice of the meeting was given by posting notice at three places in town, one method for giving advance 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, Phyllis Schwab, and David Sladek. Jeremy Collier absent. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
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.
Mayor Knoke led the pledge of Allegiance.
Joe Stump from AMGL presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Department heads and council discussed and made suggestions. No action taken.
Discussion of budget concluded, motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to adjourn budget meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
August 18, 2025
Mayor Judith Knoke called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Advanced notice of the meeting was given by posting notice at three places in town, one 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, and Phyllis Schwab. Jeremy Collier absent. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
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.
Mayor Knoke led the pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion of meeting minutes. No action taken.
Discussion of 113 Maple Street as advised by Health Board, with property owner and City Attorney Katie Spohn joining by phone. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to pass Resolution 25-03. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
WHEREAS, Jeremy Ross was given notice of the City of Friend Board of
Health’s finding declaration of a public nuisance on the property located at 113 Maple Street, Friend, Nebraska on or about August 11, 2025;
WHEREAS, on August 18, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. the City Council of the City of Friend, held a hearing affirming the City Board of Health’s finding of a public nuisance at 113 Maple Street and that the nuisance was unabated;
WHEREAS the City Council ordered the nuisance to be abated on or before September 1, 2025;
WHEREAS, Jeremy Ross was given notice of said public nuisance finding
required by law;
WHEREAS, after consideration of all the evidence received, the City Council finds that the condition of said property is a public nuisance and due to the overall condition of the property, said nuisance should be remedied.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA AS FOLLOWS:
1. That Jeremy Ross and any subsequent owners of the property are ordered and directed to remedy the public nuisance at once on the property described above;
2. Upon failure to comply by September 1, 2025, the above parties may be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 for every day the nuisance is not abated pursuant to Section 98.99;
3. Upon failure of the above parties to comply with this order by September 1, 2025, the City shall proceed to abate the described public nuisance;
4. Costs and expenses of abatement shall be paid by the owner and, if unpaid for 30 days after such work is completed, the City Council shall proceed with levy and assessment of the costs and expenses to the real estate.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to move discussion of Police Chief Position to end of meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none.
Discussion of payment of property taxes on Public Safety Building. No action taken.
Discussion about pay request #3 from Hampton Commercial Construction for Public Safety Building totaling $329,445.03. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve payment. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
Discussion about repairs to pond well. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve inspection costing no more than $9000. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
Nathan Hanneman gave Public Works update. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve $500 total per year for Midwest Assistance Program. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve Axline bid for tree and debris removal in park not to exceed $38,600. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to enter executive session to discuss police and personnel. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none. Entered executive session at 8:42 p.m.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Collier absent. Nays none. Exited executive session at 9:06 p.m.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to make offer to Police Chief applicant, and if accepted, to allow him to be employee contingent on background check and paperwork. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Collier absent. Nays none.
No further business to come before the City Council, a motion was made by Schwab, seconded by Sladek, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Collier absent. Nays none. Nays none. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.