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01/02/2024 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 2, 2024

Mayor 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 City Clerk John R. Schwab recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, & Phyllis Schwab. Absent 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, 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 Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from December 5^{th, 2023,} regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Absent Collier Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the Hospital financials. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Absent Collier.  Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: Dec Payroll, 23395.67;  EFTPS, 6935.17; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1118.30 ; Ameritas life Ins, fe 3199.58; 34 Electric LLC, se 1531.57; Awards Unlimited Inc, fe 32.55; Baker & Taylor Books, su 17.57; Beaver Hardware, se 186.02; Black Hills Energy, fe  1480.39; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 3702.65; BOK Financial, fe 23390.00; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Jacob & John Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 1432.97; Depository Trust Company, fe 5715.00; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Eakes Office Solutions, su 650.85; Gale, su 94.46; LifeGuard MD Inc, su 390.00; Mastiff Systems, se 145.00; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Mutual of Omaha, fe 521.24; NE public Health Environment Lab, se 817.00; NMC Exchange LLC, se 3331.02; Diane Odoski, re 112.82; Kelly Paulsen, re 302.96; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 112.40; Qwik 6, su 248.21; Sandry Fire Supply, se 405.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 4928.57; Sensus USA Inc, fe 1949.94; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Sparq Data Solutions, fe 4100.00; Stutzman Digging & Excavating LLC, fe  1447.60; Sudrla Water Service, fe 600.00; US Cellar, fe 134.28. Total Claims Approved: 95855.52

Third of 3 readings:

Mayor Knoke introduced and read Ordinance 23-803.

ORDINANCE NO. 23-803

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 98: NUISANCES OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF VACANT SEASONAL RESIDENCE; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSTING OR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve Ordinance 23-803. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Mayor Knoke introduced and read Ordinance 24-804.

ORDINANCE NO. 24-804

AN ORDINANCE TO GRANT A VARIANCE TO THE ZONING REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO FRIEND CITY, BULWAN ADDITION W. 135’ OF LOT 3, COMPRISED OF .86 ACRES identified as Parcel #760147155, in THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. 

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to waive the three readings. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Absent     Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve Ordinance 24-804.  On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve the Mayor’s recommendations for the 2024 appointments. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to place advertisement in the paper to hire Pool Manager and Assistant Manager starting February 1^st and for Lifeguards March 1^st.  On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to leave all fees for the 2024 pool season the same as the 2023 season. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to renew membership in the Nebraska Rural Water Association. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Mayor Knoke read the report from Warren Memorial Hospital.

Billy Baugh Public works supervisor gave his report.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve to Send Doug Welch to the Snowball Conference. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve to send Billy Baugh to the NRWA Conference March 11-13. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Absent Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab  to approve the renewal of the Mini-X lease. On roll call voting aye  Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Absent Collier. Nays none.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Milton, seconded by Sladek, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Absent Collier.  Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.