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04/04/2023 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

April 4, 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, & David Sladek. Absent Phyllis Schwab 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 Collier to approve the minutes from March 7^th Regular meeting & March 22^nd Special meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, & Collier. Absent Schwab. Nays none.

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

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

Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve Hospital Finances reports from February. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Absent Schwab. Nays none.

The claims approved were as follows: March  Payroll, 40951.56; Ameritas, 7009.80; EFTPS, 13325.06; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 2128.63; ACE Industrial Supply, Inc. su 441.40; Baker & Taylor Books, su 33.97; Beatrice Concrete Co, su 2679.79; Beaver Hardware, su 232.07; Big Blue Diesel Repair LLC, se 990.41;Black Hills Energy, fe 1212.62; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 4270.62; Candlewood Suites Kearney, fe 405.99; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00;  Core & Main LP, su 795.00; Credit Bureau Services, fe 97.42; Crowne Plaza Kearney, fe 767.00; Culligan Water Service, su 154.00; Demco, su 490.40; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Eakes Office Solutions, su 340.15; Fairfield inn & Suites, fe 329.85; First Wireless, su 147.98; Gale, su 90.71; Holiday Inn of Kearney, fe 574.75; Hometown Leasing, fe 93.01; Internal Revenue Service, fe 1298.56; John R. Schwab, re 145.41; Mastiff Systems, fe 100.00; Chris Michl, fe 403.20; Midwest Laboratories, se 218.67; Midwest Radar & Equipment, se 80.00; Modern Marketing, su 221.06; Mutual of Omaha fe 527.80; Ne Municipal Power Pool,  fe 842.06; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 30.00; NE Statewide EMS Conference, fe 1650.00; NMC Exchange, su 146.48; Diane Odoski, re 124.21; One Billing Solutions, fe 210.74; On Call Concepts, Inc. se 57.86; Sargent Drilling, se 3002.70; Seward County Independent, fe 566.38; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Sports Express, se 48.91; Stutzman Digging & Excavating LLC, se 650.00; Sutton Electric, se 70.00; US Cellular, se 609.62; The Volzke Corporation, fe 324.65; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, fe 2359.20; Total Claims Approved: 94239.63

Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approve all lifeguard applications and the two Assistant Manger applications with starting wage at $10.50 hourly with 50 cent increase for returning lifeguards. Assistant Manager Emma Olsen starting at $12.00. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Absent Schwab Nays none.

Discussion on letter of support for Saline County Area Transit. Instructed City Clerk to write the letter of support.

Vacant Property Exemptions- No action taken.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the Special Designated License application by Ford Banka American Legion Post #183 for 5 May 2023. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Absent Schwab. Nays none.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to allow the Friend Rescue Squad to purchase a stair chair. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Absent Schwab. Nays none.

Friend Community Healthcare Systems- Became a Veterans Administration approved provider. Working on getting new equipment to offer more services.

Building Inspector – Requested to place an ad in the newspaper reminder of building permits.

Fire Department – No report

Police Chief Shawn Gray gave his report. More cases handled last month than in the previous months.

Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave his report.

City Clerk John R. Schwab asked permission to attend the Accounting & Finance Conference in June. And to pay for it when it opens for application. Attended Clerks school obtained new knowledge to help with the office.

Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to authorize application and paying of Accounting & Finance Conference in June 2023. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Absent Schwab. Nays none.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Milton, seconded by Collier, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Absent Schwab. Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.