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09/03/2024 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

September 3, 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. 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 Milton to approve the minutes from August 6, 2024, regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Absent Collier.

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

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

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

The claims approved were as follows: August Payroll, 33711.60;  EFTPS, 8604.31; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1320.91; Ameritas, fe 2911.68; Angel Armor, su 2315.00; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 336.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 53.93; Barco Municipal Products, Inc., su 409.29; Black Hills Energy, fe 666.37; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 3249.16;  Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Core & Main LP, su 1864.26; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, su 49.50; Deb Paulsen, re 17.00; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Fairfield Inn & Suites, se 124.95; Filament Essential Services se 2000.00; Friend Country Club, se 1119.00; Gail Effken, re 100.00; Gale, su 97.46; Gunslingers LLC, su 500.00; Hometown Leasing, se 95.61; Stan Houlden, se 3996.00; Jill Milton, re 7.50; Johnson Service Co., se 4827.00; Lincoln Winwater Works, su 1135.67; MacQueen Equipment, su 27201.22; Mastiff Systems, se 110.00; Kristen Milton, re 38.00; Mutual of Omaha, fe 448.50; NIFCO Mechanical Systems, se 2056.57; Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, se 142.00; Nebraska Life Magazine, su 52.00; Diane Odoski, re 363.14; One Call Concepts, Inc, fe 10.36; Principal Mutual Ins, fe 224.80; Southeast Nebraska Development Dist, fe 1861.00; Young’s Welding & Repair, se 14.58. Total Claims Approved: 105026.70

Jake Clouse from Friend Insurance presented quotes for city’s insurance. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve coverage from Tokio Marine at $64,380 annual premium with supplemental Wind & Hail deductible buy down policy of  $10,000 per occurrence. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none. Absent Collier.

Discussion to set date for special meeting to adopt budget. Meeting scheduled for September 23^rd at 7:30pm. No vote.

Discussion about Rural Fire Board town hall. Council confirmed committing $25,000 toward new fire hall if passes election. No vote.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve refunding Rezoning Application fee of $15 to Sergey Nastin. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none. Absent Collier.

Discussion about hiring temporary part-time police officer. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve hiring an officer to work approximately 5-6 hours per week for 5 weeks at $21 per hour. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none. Absent Collier.

Jared Chaffin from Friend Community Healthcare System presented a report on the Hospital.

Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, gave his report.

Brent Milton, Fire Chief, gave update on the progress of the new fire hall.

Rescue Squad, no report.

Shawn Gray, Chief of Police, gave his report.

No Pool report.

Billy Baugh, Public Works Supervisor, absent but included print out of report.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek approving bid for loader to attach to John Deere to use at dump, and to purchase a mower from Brother’s Equipment for $5500 for use in the city. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none. Absent Collier.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Sladek seconded by Schwab, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none. Absent Collier. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.