10/04/2022 Regular Meeting
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
October 4, 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 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 Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the minutes from the September 6th Budget Hearing. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Stutzman, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Stutzman to approve the minutes from the September 6th Tax Request Hearing. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve the minutes from the September 6th meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Stutzman. Nays none.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Sladek to approve the September Treasurer report. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Stutzman, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Milton to postpone approval of the Hospital financial report. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Stutzman. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve the claims and payroll. On roll call voting aye Collier, Stutzman, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.
The claims approved were as follows: September Payroll, 25767.03; Ameritas, 4500.98; EFTPS, 7704.07; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1228.38; AMGL CPA’s & Advisors, fe 5550.00; Aqua-Chem Inc, su 2050.50; Baker & Taylor Books, 33.42; Barco Municipal Supply, su 146.64; Beaver Hardware, su 110.16; Black Hills Energy, fe 269.92;Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebr., fe 7130.37; Border States Ind, su 612.60; Center Point Large Print, su 93.48; Central Nebraska Bobcat, fe 608.00; Jacob & John Clouse fe 850.00;Cornhusker Press, su 78.00;Culligan Water Service, se 291.25; Diode Communications, fe 46.45; Emergency Medical Products, su 218.86; Fransyl Equipment Co, se 1069.75; Gale, su 46.48;Generations Insurance Group, fe 52964.00; Heartland Precision Rifle, se 485.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 90.75 Intn’l Inst of Muni Clerks, fe 175.00; Chris Michl, se 453.60;Midwest Laboratories, fe 295.44;Moessner Heavy Truck, se 371.34; Munix Solutions, fe 450.00; Ne Public Health Environmental Lab, fe 148.00; Ne Public Power Dist., fe 70892.53; Nebraska Municipal Clerks Assoc, fe 100.00;Nebraska State Fire Marshall Agency, fe 81.00; Norris Public Power, fe 44.00; Diane Odoski, re 37.20; One Billing Solutions, fe 199.47; One Call Concepts, fe 36.18; Paper Tiger Shredding, se 60.00; Personnel Concepts, su 20.90; Principal Mutual Life Ins, fe 1580.93; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00;The Pioneer Woman Magazine, su 24.00; US Cellular, fe 824.80; The Volzke Corp, fe 243.90; Total Claims Approved: 189984.38
Tom Bliss with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) was present to answer questions and present what the organization does for our community. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek, to approve the dues for membership with SENDD. On roll call voting aye Collier, Stutzman, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none.
Discussion regarding 513 2nd St. The owner stated he does not have time currently to start the refit project. The owner was asked to give a proposed start date. The date given was November 15th. Motion by Sladek, seconded by Milton to approve having Norris Public Power District move the existing line not to exceed cost of $3,000. On roll call voting aye Collier, Stutzman, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, Seconded by Sladek to approve proceeding with Norris Public Power District to take over the city power grid and allow the Mayor to sign all documents pertaining to the same with Katie Spohn’s City Attorney approval On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Sladek, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke read the memorandum of understanding. Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to approve the memorandum. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Sladek, and Stutzman. Nays none.
Mayor Knoke introduced and read Resolution 22-06:
Resolution 22-06
JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN NORRIS PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT AND CITY OF FRIEND THIS RESOLUTION made by and between NORRIS PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT, a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska, (“NORRIS”) and CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, (“CITY”). RECITALS WHEREAS, NORRIS is organized and authorized to own and operate an electric distribution system, together with all required distribution and transmission lines necessary to provide electrical energy to its customers; and
WHEREAS, the CITY is organized and authorized to own and operate an electric distribution system, together with all required distribution lines necessary to provide electrical energy to its customers; and
WHEREAS, the customers of the CITY are located adjacent to the NORRIS service territory; and
WHEREAS, the CITY has examined its methods of doing business and determined that an Electric System Lease Agreement with NORRIS will best serve the interests of the customers and rate payers; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in mutual consideration that the CITY and NORRIS agree to approve an Electric System Lease Agreement with an effective date of January 1, 2023; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Wholesale Power Agreement effective January 1, 2016, between the CITY and NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT be terminated effective January 1, 2023; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Subtransmission Service Agreement effective January 1, 2002, between the CITY and NORRIS be terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve resolution 22-06. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Stutzman, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to cease paying employees for time missed due to positive COVID test results. On roll call voting aye Milton, Stutzman, and Collier. Abstain Sladek. Nays none.
Motion by Milton, seconded by Sladek to hold the appreciation dinner on January 14, 2023, at the IDHE building. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Collier, Stutzman, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to table wage review until end of meeting. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Collier, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman to approve the plat for Hamilton’s East. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Stutzman, and Sladek. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the New corporate manager application. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve the Special Designated License by Ford/Banka Post #183. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Stutzman, Collier, and Milton. Nays none.
Discussion on the following items for clarification.
- Temperature threshold to not disconnect services. In the winter only when daytime temperatures are above 32 degrees.
- If have a contract and they don’t abide to it. Can services be disconnected even with partial payment? Yes, this constitutes a breach of contract.
- At what point can I start sending local people to the collection agency? Do be discussed after Norris switch.
- Can utility connection be refused at new location if customer has an existing outstanding debt at current address? Utilities will not be connected to second address with an outstanding balance at current address.
- Not allow city crew to take payments when going to disconnect. City Public works crews will not accept payments.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman to approve the decisions on clarification of office items. On roll call voting aye Milton, Collier, Stutzman, and Sladek. Nays none.
Discussion on Dog park – No action
Mayor Knoke reported on the Friend Community Healthcare Systems.
Building Inspector – No report
Fire Department – No report
Billy Baugh Public Works Supervisor gave his report
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to enter into executive session to discuss personnel. On roll call voting aye Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Stutzman. Entered executive session at 9:17 pm.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to exit executive session. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Milton, Stutzman, and Collier. Nay none. Exited executive session at 9:52 pm.
Motion by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve raises for city employees. On roll call voting aye Sladek, Stutzman, Milton, and Collier. Nays none.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Collier, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, Stutzman, and Sladek. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m.