City of Friend Logo

07/11/2023 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

July 11, 2023

President Milton 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.

President Kristen Milton presided, and City Clerk John R. Schwab recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, Jeremy Collier, David Sladek, & Phyllis Schwab. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.

President Milton led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, President Milton 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 Collier to approve the minutes from June 6 regular meeting and the June 29 Emergency meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

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

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the claims and payroll pending phone call from H&S Plumbing. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Schwab and Sladek. Nays none.

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

The claims approved were as follows: June Payroll, 36628.86; Ameritas, 5929.56; EFTPS, 14676.81; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 2242.74; ACE Industrial Supply, su 539.70; Aqua-Chem Inc, su 1239.87; Baker & Taylor Books, su 105.41; Barco Municipal Products Inc, su 105.41; Black Hills Energy, fe 742.47; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 4443.18; BOKF, NA, fe 133960.00; Bonsall Pool & Spa, su 342.68; Brother’s Equipment, su 30.90; Bruning Law Group, fe 3880.00; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 1485.91; Core & Main LP, su     2570.00; Depository Trust Company, fe 5735.00; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Eakes Office Solutions, su 1036.63; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 324.63; Friend Insurance Center Inc, fe 41.00; Gale, su 94.46; H&S Plumbing, Heating, & Air, se 1171.00;  HTM Sales Inc, se 4188.60;  Hometown Leasing, fe 98.01; John R. Schwab, re 56.33; Junior Library Guild, su  2083.64; Kianna Bachle, re 21.00; Mastiff System, fe 200.00; Chris Michl, fe 453.60; Middle Creek Printing, su 185.05; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 231.37; Miller Agri Sales, su 46.74; Mutual of Omaha fe 517.56; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 166.00;  Nick’s Farm Store Co, su 46.58; Nickel Automotive, se 118.32; Norris Public Power District, fe 9032.00; Diane Odoski, re 272.65; One Billing Solutions, fe 399.81; One Call Concepts, Inc. se 14.36; Paper Tiger Shredding, su 275.00; Kelly Paulsen, re 275.00; Kevin Paulsen, fe 700.00; Postmaster, fe 197.61; Qwik 6, su 776.11; Railroad Management Co, fe 344.67; Sargent Drilling, se 1026.67; Schindler Elevator Corp, fe 1033.58; Seward County Independent, fe 76.36; Sid Dillion Chevrolet Buick, se 375.68; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; The Friend Sentinel, fe 32.00; Troyer Concrete, fe 8500.00, Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation, ln 100000.00; Waste Connection of Nebraska, fe 5878.00; Total Claims Approved: 359886.21

President Milton moved the following items up in the agenda order.

Friend Community Hospital- Jared Chafin CFO presented the report on ways hospital is going to increase revenue. No action taken.

Pam Hromadka Friend Historical Society asked for a letter for support for a CDAA grant. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek, to allow the Mayor to construct a letter of support for the CDAA grant. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.

Tyler Cox Thrasher Foundation Repair answered questions on the quote given for Par 3 Dr and Edward St.  No action taken.

Tony Ryan presented concerns over the plugged corporation stops in his neighborhood. Many neighbors have paid to have them cleaned out and reconnected. He is concerned that there is something in the main line causing this problem. Discussion with Public Works Supervisor Billy Baugh will be held to investigate this.

Brent Milton Fire Chief and Stanley Krause Assistant Fire Chief  presented an update on the Fire station. Ask if the Department can use SENDD for grant opportunities. Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to authorize the Fire Department to use SENDD for grant opportunities and writing. On roll call voting aye, Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Proposed Ordinance# 23-800 was introduced and read by President Milton. First reading.

ORDINANCE NO. 23-800

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 150: BUILDING REGULATIONS AND CHAPTER 154 ZONING REGULATIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA TO REGULATE WHEN BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED AND TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AS A PRINCIPLE USE, CONSTRUCTION OF DWELLING UNITS, SPECIAL TYPES, AND TO REGULATE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS IN B-1 OR B-2 BUSINESS DISTRICTS, TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSTING OR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT.

Proposed Resolution# 23-01 was introduced and read by President Milton.

RESOLUTION 23-01

To Authorize Membership in the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT)

            WHEREAS, the Municipality desires to enter into the League Insurance Government Health Team Interlocal Agreement (the “Interlocal Agreement”) attached hereto.

            RESOLVED, that the Municipality approves and enters into the Interlocal Agreement and authorizes the Clerk of the Municipality to execute the Interlocal Agreement.

            RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Municipality approves the attached League Insurance Government Health Team Membership Agreement (the “Membership Agreement”) and authorizes the Clerk of the Municipality to execute the Membership Agreement.

            RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Municipality authorizes and directs the Clerk of the Municipality to execute such documents and take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Municipality’s membership in LIGHT and to obtain coverage for Municipal employees through the LIGHT Member Health Plan.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to adopt Resolution 23-01 and have the Mayor sign all documents pertaining and published in pamphlet form. On roll call voting aye Collier, Schwab, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.

Proposed Resolution# 23-03 was introduced and read by President Milton.

Resolution 23-03

A resolution of the City of Friend establishing water and sewer rates for the customers of the City of Friend; Providing for repeal of conflicting Ordinances or Resolutions; and providing an effective date of implementation.

Be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Friend, Nebraska, as follows:

Section I: That the water and sewer rates, fees, charges, and collections for the use of water and sewer be and hereby are those figures and terms set out in Section II. of this Resolution, which shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection at any reasonable time.

Section II:

All Ordinances, Resolutions and Rate Setting Documents of the City of Friend, in conflict with the terms hereof are repealed: that this Resolution shall be in force and effect and used for the computation of the water and sewer bills from and after the 1^st day of January 2022 and after publication in the Friend Sentinel or in pamphlet form.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to adopt Resolution# 23-03 and publish in pamphlet form. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

Aaron Bos Nebraska CLASS no action taken.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve the request for funding of $2437.00 the City of Friend portion. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Friend Community Healthcare Systems- No Report.

Building Inspector Mark Stutzman gave his report.

Fire Department – No report

Police Chief Shawn Gray gave his report.

Pool Report Kristen Milton reported on the pool.

Public Works – City Clerk relayed the report from Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor in his absence.

City Clerk John R. Schwab presented his report.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to allow Public Works Supervisor and the City Clerk to attend conference in Kearney August 23. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Abstain 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 Sladek, Schwab, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.