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09/05/2023 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

September 5, 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, & 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 Schwab to approve the minutes from August 1st regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve the minutes from August 29^th  emergency meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.

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

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

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

The claims approved were as follows: Aug Payroll, 49015.43;  EFTPS, 12679.17; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 2147.96; Addison L. Lehr, re 75.00; Aliscia Alley, su 210.95; Ameritas, 5321.18; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 102.23; Ashley Cruz, re 9.75; Axline Lawn & Landscaping, se 15750.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 69.11; Barco Municipal Products Inc, su 715.05; Beaver Hardware, su 32.36; Black Hills Energy, fe 510.20; Blue Cross Blue Shield, fe 4443.18; Leigha Buresh, re 11.00; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 369.81; Criminal Addiction Inc, fe 300.00; Culligan Water Service, su 211.00; Cutting Edge Landscapes LLC, fe 800.00; Danko Emergency Equip Co, su 453.44; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Donis Painting LLC, se 1680.00; Drake Refrigeration, su 224.00; Dylen B. Collier, re 75.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 570.24; Emergency Medical Products Inc, su 39.89; FES, se 2000.00; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 809.02; Ferno-Washington Inc, su 8988.72; First Wireless Inc., su 286.77; Gabrielle Theis, re 75.00; Gale, su 94.46; Isabel C.S. Weber, re 75.00; Jill Milton, re 48.75; Kate Vossler, re 34.50; Kianna Bachle, re 75.00; League of NE Muni./Utilities Sec, fe 737.00; League of NE Municipalities, fe 2894.00; LillyAnn Ellison, re 75.00; Mastiff Systems, se 100.00; Momar, se 1037.03; Mutual of Omaha fe 517.56; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 460.00; Nickel Automotive, se 61.80; Diane Odoski, re 407.28; Qwik 6, su 2321.27; Reagan Bartley, re 75.00; Sandry Fire Supply, su 8942.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, fe 191.46; Seward County Independent, fe 1020.98; Sid Dillon Chevrolet Buick, se 959.39; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Aliscia Stutzman, su 45.41; Summit Fire Protection, se 90.00; Taylin B. Schluter, re 75.00; US Cellular, se 366.00; Vincent A. Warner, re 75.00; Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation, 150000.00; Amy Weber, re 17.75; Young’s Welding, se 41412.63; Total Claims Approved: 323174.66

Proposed Ordinance# 23-800 was introduced and read by Mayor Knoke. Third and final  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.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to adopt Ordinance No. 23-800. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to close Maple St and the alley between First St. to Seconded St. Oct 1, 2023, from 11 am to 3 pm for Binzebo celebration. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.

Mary Ann Losh, Friend Historical Society was present to present fact about the grant they are applying for. Kelly Gentrup From SENND was present to explain the rules of the grant.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the Historical Society’s request and move forward with the grant process. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

The item of SENND contract was moved up as it coincided with the  previous topic. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to renew the contract with SENND. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab.

Bobby Mercier was not present. No action taken.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to table the discussion of employee raises. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.

The owner of 220 W 3^rd ST was present to discuss his position with the Council. Officer Hampton Smith gave findings of the report. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier, to extend for 30 days to the next council meeting October 3^rd. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none.

Friend Community Healthcare Systems- Mayor Knoke reported for the hospital.

Building Inspector- No report

Fire Department – Fire Chief Brent Milton  reported on progress of land purchase.  Stated they would like to buy another parcel of land. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to allow the Fire Department to sign purchase agreement for 1 ½ acres of land from Sean McMorris for $15000.00. On roll call voting aye Milton, Schwab, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to enter into executive session to discuss employee raises. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none Entered executive session 7:57 pm.

Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none. Exited executive session at 8:22 pm.

Motion by Milton, seconded by Collier to approves the raises as presented. On roll call voting aye Schwab abstaining on John Schwab, Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Knoke. Nays none. Schwab Abstain regarding John Schwab.

No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schwab, seconded by Milton, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.