08/06/2024 Regular Meeting
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
August 6, 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 Deputy Clerk Heather Varney recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, Phyllis Schwab & Jeremy Collier. Absent none. 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.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from July 2, 2024, regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the July Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve the claims and payroll. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to hold approval of the July Hospital financials until next month. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 78129.86; EFTPS, 13918.38; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1999.34; AMGL CPA’s & Advisors, fe 11000.00; Addison L. Lehr, re 100.00; Ameritas life Ins, fe 4379.33; Aniston Meints, re 100.00; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 3699.20; Arbor Barber LLC, se 6750.00; Atticus Perkins, re 100.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 35.75; Beatrice Concrete Co., Inc., su 419.36; Black Hills Energy, fe 1086.70; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 3249.16; Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Champlin Tire Recycling, Inc., su 1756.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Cordova Customs, LLC, su 63.90; Culligan Water Service, su 223.01; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Drake Refrigeration, se 341.30; Exeter Lumber Co., su 57.45; Fairfield Inn & Suites, se 714.75; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 485.69; Gabrielle Theis, re 100.00; Gale, su 97.46; Isabel C. S. Weber, re 100.00; J&C Cemetery Repairs, se 6125.00; Jeff Combs, re 300.00; Johnson Pharmacy Inc., su 62.86; Keltyn Kirchhoff, re 100.00; League of NE Municipalities, fe 3516.00; LillyAnn Ellison, re 100.00; Lily Lehr, re 100.00; Malorie Lawver, re 100.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 505.00; Mel Northey Co. Inc., su 1497.00; Melanie Schluter, re 50.00; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Middle Creek Printing, su 120.00; Midwest Assistance Program, Inc., se 500.00; Midwest Hydroseeding, se 2000.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc., se 32.80; Municipal Supply Inc of Omaha, su 1761.39; Mutual of Omaha, fe 448.50; Nebraska Library Association, fe 500.00; Nebraska Municipal Clerks’ Association, fe 100.00; Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency, se 81.00; Nick’s Farm Store, su 536.62; Diane Odoski, re 240.16; One Call Concepts, Inc, fe 13.14; Pieper’s Potty LLC, fe 577.80; Power Manager, su 753.75; Precision Signs & Graphics, LLC, se 116.05; Principal Mutual Life Ins, fe 112.40; Reagan Bartley, re 100.00; Schindler Elevator Corp, se 198.12; Selah Petersen, re 100.00; Seward County Independent, fe 140.43; Shelly Bresson, re 115.96; Marvin Slepika, fe 2000.00; Aliscia Stutzman, re 251.82; Stutzman Digging & Excavating, se 4175.00; Taylin B. Schluter, re 100.00; The Friend Sentinel, fe 35.00; Troyer Concrete, se 7900.00; US Cellular, fe 269.12; Utilities Section, fe 737.00; Vynalek Insurance Agency, fe 1705.20; Young’s Welding & Repair, se 28.65. Total Claims Approved: 168591.54
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 24-03
RESOLUTION NO. 24-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, ACCEPTING A PETITION PURSUANT TO SECTION 17-954 OF THE NEBRASKA REVISED STATUTES.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve Resolution 24-03. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 24-04
RESOLUTION NO. 24-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, PURSUANT TO THE NEBRASKA LOCAL OPTION REVENUE ACT, PROPOSING AND SUBMITTING TO VOTERS AT THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION AN INCREASE OF THE LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT FROM ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT (1 ½%) TO TWO PERCENT (2%).
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve Resolution 24-04. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Milton, Sladek. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 24-05
RESOLUTION NO. 24-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 17-954 OF THE NEBRASKA REVISED ELECTION A PROPOSITION TO ISSUE BONDED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE CITY IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF UP TO THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A FIRE STATION AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve Resolution 24-05. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke introduced and readi Resolution 24-06
RESOLUTION NO. 24-06
SIGNING OF THE MUNICIPAL ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF PROGRAM COMPLIANCE 2024.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve Resolution 24-06. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.
Jim Ryan presented Community Redevelopment Association Financial reports: Occupation Tax and TIF.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to approve OccTax report and allow Mayor Knoke to sign. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve TIF report and allow Mayor Knoke to sign. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve updating regulations on planning & zoning. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve BNSF crossing at Main Street at no cost to city. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve donation to Saline County Area Transit of $2437.00. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.
Discussion about new ownership of city dump.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to sign lease with Country Compost, LLC for dump. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Discussion about a quote for Insurance on the Dump. No action taken.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to purchase video cameras and service up to $1000.00 for dump, and to revisit at a later date an increase in utility bills to compensate for additional dump costs. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.
Discussion about report from Health Board. No action taken.
Jared Chaffin from Friend Community Healthcare System presented a report of the Hospital.
Building Inspector, no report.
Stanley Krause, Assistant Fire Chief, gave update on the progress of the new fire hall.
Rescue Squad, no report.
Shawn Gray, Chief of Police, gave his report.
Heather Black, Pool Manager, gave her report.
Billy Baugh, Public Works Supervisor, gave his report.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve sending Nathan Hanneman to water school. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Milton abstain. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve Heather Varney painting railings, etc around town. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Collier seconded by Schwab, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.