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02/07/2023 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

February 7, 2023

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, Jeremy Collier, & Phyllis Schwab. David Sladek Absent. 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 Schwab to approve the minutes from the January 4th meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Colier, Schwab. Nays none. Absent Sladek

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

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

No Report on Hospital Finances

The claims approved were as follows: January Payroll, 26314.23; Ameritas, 6843.92; EFTPS, 12127.43; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 2012.68; Aqua-chem, su 1574.50; Awards Unlimited, se 78.67; Baker & Taylor Books, su 51.33; Beatrice Concrete Co, su  1742.98; Beaver Hardware, su 124.81; Black Hills Energy, fe 2128.64; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 7904.13; Caterpillar Financial Serves, fe 7438.75; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00;  Coast to Coast Solutions, su 326.16; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 1732.70; Core & Main LP, su 256.91; Culligan Water Service, su 86.50; DHHS-Accounting, re 345.06; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Drake Refrigeration, su 96.60;Eakes Office Solutions, su 802.15; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co, su 97.73; First Wireless, su 3229.92 Gale, su 45.73; Hometown Leasing, fe 90.75; Hometown Leasing, fe 6500.00;Debra Hulse, re 60.00;Jones Automotive, se 739.67; Judith Knoke, re 20.00; Seth Knoke, re 20.00; Rosemarie Markus, fe 50.00; Mastiff Systems, fe 10.00; Matt Friend Truck Equipment, su 548.60; Midwest Laboratories, se 181.92;Modern Marketing, su 297.84; NE Municipal Power Pool, su 240.28; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 46.00; NMC Exchange LLC su 119.01; National Arbor Day Foundation fe 20.00; Nickel Automotive, se 475.06; Norris Public Power Dist, fe 140.00; Norris Public Power Dist, se 6137.70; Diane Odoski, se 187.52; One Billing Solutions, fe 94.34; Kelly Paulsen re, 40.00; Tim Paulsen, re 40.00;Phyllis Schwab, re 402.11; Postmaster, fe 207.92;Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co, fe 1433.60; Qwik 6, fe 1261.00; Reminise fe 22.00;Mindy Rohrig, re 20.00; Ray Rohrig, re 40.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 303.85; Saline County Treasurer, fe 2.00; Seward County Independent, fe 66.87; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Stutzman Digging & Excavating LLC, se 3455.00; US Cellular, se 61.79; White Electric Supply Co., su 208.56; Total Claims Approved: 101895.05

Public Comments - Members of the Friend Area Fund talked about the renovation project on Maple.

The owner of 513 2^nd St was present to give update on progress to fix problems not in Inspectors report. With the cold weather no progress has been made.

Dan Duren from Benefit Management  presented Insurance quotes for the new year. The league of Municipalities is offering a insurance package for Health and life insurance. With accidental death & dismemberment, long & short-term disability. This package offered better benefits to the employees at a lower cost. Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to switch to the LIGHT program for insurance. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none. Sladek Absent.

Jim Ryan was not available to present the CRA report.

Motion by Schwab, Seconded by Collier to approve the Special Designated License for the American Legion Post #183 on February 24^th. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays None. Sladek Absent.

At 8:02 pm Councilperson Sladek joined the meeting.

Discussion on customer deposits. Gather more information call the League of Nebraska Municipalities. Call Hebron.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to keep the 10 days after bills are due for disconnect. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.

Discussion on minimum wage. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to postpone until the next meeting.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek, to not move forward with the housing program with SENDD.

Members for the County Housing committee two names were discussed.

Discussion on vendor fees for electric hookup. Motin by Schwab, seconded by Collier to charge $25 for electric hookup and keep the vendor fee at $10 daily or $100 for a year. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Schwab, and Sladek. Nays none.

Discussion on cameras. No action taken.

Discussion on the Dog Park. Need dimensions for grant.

Friend Community Healthcare Systems- No report

Building Inspector – No report

Fire Department – No report

Police Chief Shawn Gray gave his report. 12 incidents were handled. Letters will be distributed to vacant properties regarding ordinances.

Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave his report.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to go into executive session to discuss personnel inviting Katie Spohn , and Billy Baugh. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Entered executive session at 9:09 pm.

Motin by Milton, seconded by Schwab to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none. Exited executive session at 9:39 pm.

Motion by Schwab, Seconded by Collier with Kevin Barnard’s change in employment stats I move to reduce Kevin Barnard’s pay to $19 hourly as a city employee until mowing season commences, and recommend the Cemetery Board maintain Kenin Barnard’s pay as Sexton accordingly. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Motin by Milton, seconded by Schwab to allow the Mayor to sign documents relating to the CRA’s year end report. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Collier, Milton, and Sladek. 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 Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.