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11/04/2024 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

November 4, 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 Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from October 1, 2024, regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to postpone approval of Hospital financials until next month’s meeting. On roll call voting ayeSladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows:  October Payroll, 27466.40;  EFTPS, 7852.37; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1357.36; Ameritas, fe 2496.40; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 2259.62; Barco Municipal Products, Inc. su, 623.73; Black Hills Energy, fe 621.77; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 3871.54; Boundtree Medical LLC, su 243.48; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00;   Consolidated Management Company, se 339.70; Cornhusker Press, su 81.15; Country Compost LLC, fe 6000.00; Culligan Water Service, su 267.75; Eakes Office Solutions, su 534.34; Exeter Lumber Co., su 51.46; Feld Fire, se 480.00; First Wireless, Inc., su 537.60; Fusion Football, re 100.00; Hometown Leasing, se 95.61; Hydraulic Equipment Service, se 3439.87; John R. Schwab, re 34.84; Johnson Pharmacy, su 107.65; Chris Michl, se 420.00; Mutual of Omaha, fe 524.58; Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, fe 250.00; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 6.74; Kelly Paulsen, se 39.94; Power Manager, se 7792.58; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 157.36; Saline County Clerk, se 335.00; Sargent Drilling, se 751.67; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 198.12; Summit Fire Protection, se 906.00; US Cellular, se 221.55; USA Blue Book, su 1323.56; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, se 1023.00; Windstream, se 90.34; Young’s Welding, su 11.40. Total Claims Approved: 69764.48

Clint Simmons from LARM presented the interlocal agreement for insurance. Discussion was held regarding switching insurance. Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to postpone a decision until next month’s meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton. Nay Schwab.

Discussion about updating signature cards at Citizens State Bank to remove John Schwab and add Heather Varney. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to proceed with update. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Discussion about setting date and location for Appreciation Dinner. Will be held on February 1^st and Ihde building. No vote.

Discussion about allowing the Mayor to sign Letter of Support for Lower Blue NRD. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve signature. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Discussion about approving plumbing bill for Harlan Schrock. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve city payment of $480.00 bill to Pribyl Plumbing & Heating, Inc. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion about regular deep-cleaning of Ihde and Grange Buildings. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve seeking bids for twice yearly deep-cleaning. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

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

Building Inspector, no report

Brent Milton presented report from the Fire Department. Discussion about city paying remaining amount of tree removal. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve city paying up to $22,000.00 of tree removal cost. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Rescue Squad, no report.

Kristen Milton gave Pool report.

Shawn Gray, Chief of Police, gave his report.

Billy Baugh gave Public works report.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to enter executive session to discuss filling clerk position. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none. Entered executive session at 8:50pm

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none. Exited executive session at 9:16pm.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to adjourn meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:18pm.