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10/01/2024

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

October 1, 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. 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 Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from September 3, 2024, regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from September 23, 2024, tax request hearing. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve the minutes from September 23, 2024, setting of budget meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

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

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

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

The claims approved were as follows:  September Payroll, 28425.89;  EFTPS, 7933.80; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1314.08; Ameritas, fe 2649.25; AMGL, se 5200.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 36.36; Beaver Hardware, su 35.47; Black Hills Energy, fe 302.04; Blue Blossom Florist, su 75.00; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 3871.54; Boundtree Medical LLC, su 243.48; Brother’s Equipment, su 5499.00; Bruning Law Group, se 1600.00; Center Point Large Print, su 95.88; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00;  Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 92372.48; Consolidated Management Company, se 410.55; Core & Main LP, su 19827.67; Country Compost LLC, fe 6000.00; Culligan Water Service, su 99.00; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Eakes Office Solutions, su 873.27; Farmer’s Union COOP, 903.62; Friend Insurance Center, se 66340.82; GT Distributors, Inc., su 486.00; Gale, su 72.72; Global Chemicals Inc., su 2107.39; Great Plains Uniforms LLC, su 227.16; Heather Long, su 523.42; Hometown Leasing, se 95.61; Mastiff Systems, se 110.00; Middle Creek Printing, su 406.78; Midwest Laboratories Inc., se 352.52; Mutual of Omaha, fe 524.58; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 417.00; NE Library Commission, fe 500.00; Diane Odoski, re 73.69; One Billing Solutions, se 217.18; Paper Tiger Shredding, se 35.00; Plains Tree Farm Inc., su 8800.00; Qwik 6, su 1800.78; Reminisce Books, su 41.71; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 624.04; School of EMS, fe 3574.00; Sergey Nastin, re 15.00; Seward County Independent, fe 231.47; Marvin Slepicka, su 100.00; Stutzman Digging & Excavating LLC, se 2955.00; Mark Stutzman, fe 4400.00; Verizon Wireless, se 89.51; Visa, su 3136.28; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 6486.41; Windstream, se 1295.27. Total Claims Approved: 284704.17

Chris Miller from Miller & Associates presented the 1 & 6 Year Plan hearing. Discussion was held regarding Resolution 24-08. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to amend 1 & 6 year plan to extend project M-292 (4A) to Sycamore Street, and to then approve Resolution 24-08. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.

Jim Niemeier from Citizen’s State Bank presented an explanation and request to proceed with ICS (Insured Cash Sweep). Discussion was held. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to proceed with ICS. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion about moving date of  November City Council meeting due to Election Day. Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to move November regular meeting date to November 4^th at 7:00pm. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Schwab, Milton, Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about setting date for special meeting to adopt Sales & Use tax ordinance. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to schedule special meeting for November 18^th at 7:15pm. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to discuss employee wages in executive session. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the Professional Service Agreement for the Friend Historical Society. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve the Drawdown Request by Community Development Block Grant Program for the Friend Historical Society. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about LARM insurance for the city. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to postpone decision until more clarification. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Mikayla Carney from Friend Community Healthcare System presented a report on the Hospital.

Building Inspector, no report

Fire report: tree removal has begun at site for proposed fire hall. Yard signs distributed

Rescue Squad, no report.

Shawn Gray, Chief of Police, gave his report.

Public works report

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve signs for city dump. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to approve repair of public works vehicles. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to enter executive session. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none. Entered executive session at 8:02pm

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none. Exited executive session at 8:27pm.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve employee pay raises as discussed in executive session. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to adjourn meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm.