12/02/2025 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING December 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, 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 Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve the minutes from November 4, 2025, Regular Council meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve the November Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve November claims and payroll. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve November Hospital Financial Report. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke made her comments.
Public comments included announcement that State Representative for Senate Mark Schoenbrock will be at Friend Country Club for a Meet & Greet on Thursday, December 4th from 6-8pm; plans for Independence Day celebration for 2026; reminder of Community Christmas Celebration Wednesday, December 17th from 5-8pm, with holiday lighting contest and raffle contest.
The claims approved were as follows: November Payroll, 12233.19; Ameritas, 1702.50; EFTPS, 3171.57; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 543.7; Architectural Design Assoc., fe 4438.50; Allen Bruntz, se 4209.33; Beatrice Sand & Gravel, su 2062.19; Black Hills Energy, se 632.62; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 4560.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Claire Brejcha, se 100.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 7494.67; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 72.00; Depository Trust Corp. fe 104598.75; Eakes Office Solutions, su 550.92; Farmer's Union Cooperative Co., su 276.82; Feld Fire, se 501.00; Food Network Page 1 of 4, 2025-12-02 Meeting minutes MINUTE RECORD Magazine, su 29.97; Friend Country Club, se 1084.00; Friend Public Schools, fe 1440.00; Guardian Life, fe 448.69; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 71998.45; Hero 24/7, su 440.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; J.P. Cooke Company, su 101.00; Lee Enterprises, fe 2107.00; MMC Consulting, se 6564.95; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 126.70; Mussman Excavating LLC, se 19575.00; NDWEE- Fiscal Services, fe 6624.09; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 2550.93; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 121.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 6278.00; Diane Odoski, re 146.21; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 653.07; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 14.29; Postmaster, se/su 755.00; PowerManager, se 8338.06; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 75.08; Qwik 6, su 446.17; Railroad Management Co., se 458.76; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Shop Hello June Designs, su 162.67; Southeast Nebraska Development Dist.; fe 4480.00; Sudrla Water Service, se 1500.00; US Cellular, se 313.67; Windstream, se 1602.79. Total Claims Approved: 293706.45
Austin Partridge from Northland Securities spoke about Ordinance 2025-11: to revise Bond Ordinance for Public Safety Building. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve Ordinance. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Discussion about Telecommunications License Agreement with Unite Private Networks, LLC to bury fiber optic cable on the east side of State St south of Highway 6 to approximately 4th St. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to sign agreement. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to appoint Layton Dockweiler to Community Redevelopment Authority to replace Brian Himmelberg. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve hiring Michelle Schiffern as Assistant Librarian. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.
Discussion on EMF post Prom support. Request denied due to lack of motion or second.
Discussion about cashing in Certificates of Deposit and General ICS Account and moving other funds from the checking account to Certificates of Deposit. No action taken.
Discussion about approving payment of internal loan from Street Department to Street Bond Department for $36,581.00. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve internal loan. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.
Discussion about date and location of City Employee Appreciation Dinner. No action taken. Discussion to approve Resolution 2025-12 Certifying Authorized Employee(s) to make Changes on the City Credit Card Account. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve Resolution 2025-12. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve Annual NDOT Highway Maintenance Agreement & Certificate of Compliance. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.
Diane Odoski, Head Librarian, gave Library report. Library hours will be adjusted depending on new Assistant's availability. No action taken.
Jared Chaffin, CEO of Friend Community Healthcare Systems gave Hospital report. No action taken.
Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken.
Stanley Krause, Assistant Fire Chief, gave Fire report. No action taken.
Ray Rohrig gave Rescue Squad Report. No action taken.
No Police report.
Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. No action taken.
Public Works reported by Heather Varney. No action taken.
Heather L. Varney, Deputy Clerk, gave Clerk's report. No action taken.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton, to enter executive session for three phone interviews and to discuss personnel. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none. Entered executive session at 8:16pm pm.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none. Executive session exited at 9:05 pm.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to adjourn. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.