05/03/2022 Regular Meeting
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
May 3, 2022
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, David Sladek, Shane Stutzman & Jeremy Collier. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
Mayor Knoke lead 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 Stutzman to approve the minutes from the April 5 meeting. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Stutzman, & Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes of the April 19 Special Meeting. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Stutzman, & Sladek. Nays none.
The Mayor commented on the bank balance.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Stutzman to approve the April Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Collier, & Stutzman. Nays none.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Milton to approve the Hospital financial report. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Stutzman, & Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve the claims and payroll. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Milton, Sladek, & Collier. Nay none.
The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 26646.21; Ameritas ; EFTPS, 7758.27; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1263.01;American Legion, su 377.08;BNSF Railway Company, fe 1203.53; Baker & Taylor Books, su 120.06; Barco Municipal Prod, su 322.61; Border States Ind, su 52.05; Brothers Equip, su 9.18; Center Point Large Print, su 91.08; City of Crete, su 322.50; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 450.00; Consolidated Management Co, se 138.34; Craig Bontrager, fe 198.60; Diode Communications, se 46.45; Ralph Drake, re 600.00; Eric Riley, fe 874.95; Friend Fertilizer, su 4.40; Gale, su 45.73; Hometown Leasing, fe 88.78; Johnson Service, fe 16994.00; KBK Creative Designs, fe 119.00; Mastiff Systems, se 325.00; Matheson Tri-gas, fe 27.79; NE law enforcement Train Ctr, fe 72.00; Ne Municipal Power Pool, su 550.00; Ne Public Health Enviro lab, fe 30.00; Nick’s Farm Store, su 874.92; Norris Public Power District, fe 9014.69; Diane Odoski, re 217.08; Postmaster, fe 206.33; Real Concrete, 3600.00; Schindler Elevator Corp, fe 184.92; Seward County Independent, fe 201.30; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Sports Express, fe 780.03; Aliscia Stutzman, re 250.00; Waste Connections, fe 440.00; Darla Welch, fe 450.00; White Electric, su 1033.22: Total Claims Approved 81319.18
Discussion on city gaining the ability to accept debit/credit cards. It was decided to gather more information, and revisit later.
Chad Svboda from Svboda Insurance presented options for long, & short-term disability.
Joe Stump from AMGL CPA’s & Associates presented terms to perform audit and budget services.
Steven Melnick of Colonial life presented options for voluntary insurance.
LTD Broadband presented information about services to the City of Friend.
Jim Bellows of AFLAC Insurance presented options of AFLAC polices available.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning for Shane Stutzman’s garage. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, & Collier. Stutzman abstains. Nays none.
Discussion on allowing metal buildings within city limits in a residential district. Need to gather more information.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to renew the water bond cd for 17 months. On roll call voting aye Collier, Stutzman, Sladek, & Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Stutzman to donate $3500 to the 4th of July fireworks. On roll call voting aye, Milton, Sladek, Stutzman, and Collier. Nays none.
Discussion of the results from the independent building inspector. Discussed the possibilities to bring building up to a safe condition. Report next month with a plan.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Sladek to grant Officer Smith a $1 hourly raise since completing the academy. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Sladek, & Stuzman. Nays none.
Discussion on Grasshopper mower table until Billy’s report.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve the lifeguard application. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, & Stutzman. Nays none.
Discussion on providing a stipend in lieu of Insurance. Decide to gather more information.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to contact Nebraska Sign to evaluate the neon Friend sign and provide a quote for repair. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, & Stutzman. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke reported on the Friend Community Healthcare Systems. Open house tours available by appointment.
Mark Stutzman building inspector reported possibility of 2 new homes to be built.
Fire chief Brent Milton & Assistant Chief Stanely Krause gave update on status on new Fire Hall. Looking for options to raise funds for the new fire hall.
Chief Shawn Gray reported that Officer Smith graduated the academy April 14th. Discussed First Net phone system. Motion by Stutzman, seconded Collier to cancel the Verizon account and set up new account with First net. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Stutzman, Collier, & Milton. Nays none.
President Milton commented on the Pool. Walkthrough with Carrothers went well.
Billy Baugh public Works Supervisor presented his report. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman to purchase a new Grasshopper Model 729T for $15500. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Collier, Mitlon, & Sladek. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Stutzman to allow Billy Baugh to have up to 10 additional hours of overtime to work on the Norris report. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Stutzman, Milton, & Collier. Nays none.
John R. Schwab City Clerk presented his report.
Councilman Sladek removed the discussion of personnel and equipment from the agenda.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Stutzman, Milton, & Sladek. Nays none. Absent Stutzman. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.