12/05/2023 Regular Meeting
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
December 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.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to open the hearing for the 1-6 plan. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none. Hearing opened at 7:01pm.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from November 7th regular meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the November 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 except for the Friend Community Healthcare System bill. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to postpone the Hospital financials until the next meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to open the hearing for the Historical Society CDBG grant. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Hearing opened at 7:07 pm.
Karsyn Brendenkamp from Southeast Nebraska Development District presented information on the grant available to the Historical Society and the project needing funding for the grant.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Schwab to close the hearing for the Historical Society CDBG grant. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Hearing closed at 7:14 pm.
Mayor Knoke presented and read Resolution 23-08
RESOLUTION AUTHORINZNG CHIEF ELECTED OFFICAL TO SIGN AN APPLICATION FOR CDBG FUNDS.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to approve Resolution 23-08. On roll call aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Milton to allow the Mayor to sign all documents relating to the CDBG Grant. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none
The claims approved were as follows: Nov Payroll, 26188.70; EFTPS, 7577.45; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1295.56 ; Ameritas life Ins, fe 3322.26; Axline Lawn & Landscaping, se 1100.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 138.19; Barco Municipal Products, su 926.00; Beaver Hardware, su 27.78; Black Hills Energy, se 536.68; BCBS of Nebr, fe 3702.65; Center Point Lrge Print, su 93.48; Jacob & John Clouse, fe 850.00; Cornhusker Press, su 81.93; Culligan Water Service, fe 378.86; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Eakes Office Solutions, su 466.96; Friend Community Healthcare System, se 3284.48; Gale, su 94.46; Hometown Leasing, fe 93.01; Hydraulic Equipment Service, se 569.75; Kirkham Michael, se 1029.00; Mastiff Systems, fe 122.50; Mel Northey Co.Inc., su 372.00; Midwest Laboratories, fe 205.12; Mutual of Omaha, fe 521.24; NDEE, fe 6735.86; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 350.00; Nebraska Environmental Products, se 780.28; Diane Odoski, re 100.43; One Call Concepts, se 51.88; Plains Tree Farm Inc, su 8470.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., fe 134.88; Railroad Management Co., fe 379.14; Rosanna M Jones-Thurman, Ph. D., se 320.00; Saline County 4-H Council, se 50.00; Sandry Fire Supply; su 10373.00; Seward County Independent, fe 423.76; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Stutzman Digging & Excavating LLC, se 2675.00; Thrasher Foundation Repair, se 59909.14; US Cellular, fe 591.13. Total Claims Approved: 146369.01
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Ordinance 23-803.
ORDINANCE NO. 23-803
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 98: NUISANCES OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF VACANT SEASONAL RESIDENCE; 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.
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 23-07.
RESOLUTION OF INCORPORATION OF THE CITY OF FRIEND
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve Resolution 23-07. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to pay the camera bill for the sewer line. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to postpone the appointments by the mayor until the January 2024 meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to approve variance recommendation by the Planning & Zoning. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to not grant the variance for construction of Ag building. On roll call aye Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays Sladek.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to charge the base rate for permit fees according to International Residential Code 2018. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek to approve the SDL from Ford Banka American Legion Post #183 for December 13, 2023. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none.
Item to update the Grange Hall directed to get quotes.
220 W 3rd St No action taken.
Motion by Schwab, seconded by Collier to close the 1-6 hearing. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Schwab. Nays none. Hearing closed at 8:01 pm.
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 23-06.
1-6 YEAR STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Motion by Milton, seconded by Schwab to approve Resolution 23-06. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Schwab, and Milton. Nays none.
Friend Community Healthcare Systems- Jared Chaffin & Ron Te Brink reported on the hospital.
Building Inspector- No report
Fire Department – No report
Shawn Gray Friend Police Chief gave his report. Hampton Smith’s last day is December 15th. Discussion on part time police help. Motion by Collier, seconded by Schwab to hire 2 temporary part time police officers, no benefits up to $24 hourly. 10-hour day weekly. Grant the Mayor permission to hire. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Schwab, and Collier. Nays none.
Billy Baugh Public works supervisor gave his report. Motion by Schwab, seconded by Sladek, to pay for the renewal of Doug Welch’s Wastewater Operators License of $150. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Schwab. Nays none
John R. Schwab City Clerk/Treasurer gave his report. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to allow repayment of overpayment of payroll for 25 pay periods. On roll call voting aye Schwab, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schwab, seconded by Sladek, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Schwab. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.