City of Friend Logo

09/02/2025 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

September 2, 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, the meeting was 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 Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from both August 5, 2025 Regular Council meeting, and August 18, 2025 Budget and Special meetings. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

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

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

No Hospital Financial Report.

The claims approved were as follows: August Payroll, 28504.60; Ameritas, 1936.21; EFTPS, 7282.96; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1161.23; 34 Electric, LLC, se 12564.25; Architechtural Design Assoc., fe 1530.63 ; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 1825.98; Baker & Taylor Books, su 17.57; Beatrice Concrete Co., Inc., se 2115.63; Beaver Hardware, su 100.90; Black Hills Energy, se 710.72; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4215.43; Bruning Law Group, se 3520.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Colten Long, se 214.00; Core & Main LP, se 809.26; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 229.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 253.90; Faller Landscape, se 1044.42; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 1345.81; First Wireless, Inc., se 947.50; Friend Historical Society, re 4760.00; Guardian Life, fe 11.99; H&S Plumbing, Heating & Air, se 480.00; Heather Black, re 57.86; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; MMC Consulting, se 4837.50; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Miller & Associates, se 23250.00; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 615.73; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 687.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 8934.00; Diane Odoski, re 106.43; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 538.57; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 19.25; Kelly Paulsen, re 255.00; Pepsi-Cola of Hastings, su 186.65; Pieper’s Pottys LLC, se 192.60; Postmaster, fe 304.40; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 143.64; Qwik 6, su 2884.29; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 206.49;  Seward County Independent, fe 538.32; SENDD, fe 3430.00; Aliscia Stutzman, re 125.17; Troyer Concrete, se 4400.00; US Cellular, se 296.83; Utilities Section, fe 762.00; ; Visa, su 2205.78; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 8758.36; Windstream, se 1699.05.  Total Claims Approved: 144433.47

Chris Miller from Miller & Associates presented the 1 & 6 Year Plan. Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve Resolution 25-05, accepting the 1 & 6 Year Plan as presented. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

RESOLUTION 25-05

Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Friend that the One-and-Six-Year Street Improvement Program, as prepared by Miller & Associates be adopted.

Motion by Collier, Seconded by Schwab to approve Resolution 25-04, authorizing the Mayor to sign the Annual Certification of Program Compliance. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

RESOLUTION 25-04

Whereas: State of Nebraska Statutes, sections 39-2115, 39-2119, 39-2120, 39-2121, and 39-2520(2), requires and annual certification of program compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and standards; and

Whereas:  State of Nebraska Statute, section 39-2120 also requires that the annual certification of program compliance by each municipality shall be signed by the Mayor of Village Board Chairperson and shall include the resolution of the governing body of the municipality authorizing the signing of the Certification.

Be it resolved that the Mayor of Friend is hereby authorized to sign the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance.

Discussion on Ordinance 25-810 to issue a Tax Anticipation Note of $630,000.00 to provide financing for certain operating expenses of Warren Memorial Hospital. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve Ordinance 25-18. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

ORDINANCE NO. 25-810

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF A TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $630,000 TO PROVIDE FINANCING FOR CERTAIN OPERATING EXPENSES OF WARREN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (AKA FRIEND COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS); PRESCRIBING THE FORM AND DETAILS OF THE NOTE; COVENANTING TO PAY SUCH NOTE FROM THE REVENUES OF WARREN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (FRIEND COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS) AND, IF NECESSARY, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE NOTE; PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM AND RELATED MATTERS and ordering said ordinance be published in pamphlet form.

Said ordinance was published in pamphlet form.

City Attorney Katie Spohn joined for discussion about 113 Maple St and updates to a plan for resolving the nuisance. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to postpone decision until after Health Board meeting on Sept 8^th, 2025, to allow new owner to be contacted. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.

Roger Brandt spoke about his concerns for his property adjacent to 113 Maple St. No action taken.

Discussion about placing “No Parking” sign on south side of 11^th St south of the pool, next to the football field. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve posting three “No Parking” signs. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about opening and Amazon Prime account for the City’s use. No action taken.

Discussion about personnel and job openings. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to table further discussion until executive session at end of the meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Diane Odoski, Head Librarian, gave Library report. No action taken.

Jared Chaffin, CEO of Friend Community Healthcare Systems gave Hospital report. No action taken.

No building inspector report.

Stanley Krause, Assistant Fire Chief, gave Fire report. No action taken.

No Rescue Squad Report.

No Police Report.

No Pool Report.

Nathan Hanneman gave Public Works report. No action taken.

Heather L. Varney, Deputy Clerk, gave Clerk’s report. No action taken.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab, to enter executive session, inviting Nathan Hanneman. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none. Entered executive session at 8:14 pm.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none. Executive session exited at 8:53 pm.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.