05/04/2021 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MAY 4, 2021
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 Kim Goossen recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, and Jeremy Collier. Shane Stutzman was absent. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
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.
Mayor Knoke announced that public comments would be received at this time. Paul and Carol Johansen attended the meeting to discuss the possible annexation of their property into the city limits. Since the Johansen’s bought the property as a farm, Carol voiced concern regarding the animals they currently have and how they would be handled. Mayor Knoke stated the animals would be grandfathered in. Paul reported the far west building on the property does not belong to them, however; the electricity is connected through the Johansens. Carol has previously spoken to County Attorney Tad Eickman and he told her there was a state statute that adjudicated in a court of law and set a precedence. The Johansen’s have come at the mercy of the City Council twice to request not to be annexed into the city limits. As a “luxury” for receiving water service through the city, Johansen pays a higher rate on their utility bill than those customers living in town. Paul said he would check with the county offices to see what the increase would be for their property taxes.
Ray Rohrig reported on behalf of the Friend Rescue stating the new ambulance has been in service since end of March. A huge Thank You for the generous donations of the Ihde Foundation as well as community dollars given through various fundraisers. Ray also stated that the number of calls to date is busier than they were in June of last year. The next item up for purchase will be a power load for the new ambulance. Due to the pool construction and the 150th/July 4th Celebration there will be no Safety Day in June. No other public comments offered.
Motioned by Collier, seconded by Milton, to approve the Minutes of the April 6, 2021 Regular and April 13, 2021 Special Meetings and the April 2021 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve minutes of the April 6, 2021 Regular and April 13, 2021 Special Meetings and the April 2021 Treasurer's Report, Sladek, Milton, Collier. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Sladek, seconded by Collier, to approve the Friend Community Healthcare Systems Financial Reports for March 2021. On roll call voting aye, Milton, Collier, Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Milton, that payroll and claims be approved after review, by the claims committee, and be allowed, and the Clerk instructed to issue warrants on the respective funds to pay same. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Milton, Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 27,753.32; Ameritas, 3,619.14; EFTPS, 8,721.81; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1,454.62; Aqua-Chem, su 2117.43; BNSF Railroad, fe 1168.48; Baker & Taylor Books, su 84.91; Bartels Body Shop, se 120.00; Beatrice Concrete, su 656.57; Beaver Hardware, su 128.37; Black Hills Energy, fe 503.06; BCBS of NE, fe 8,958.10; Border States, su 303.90; Bruning Law, fe 11,702.00; Carrothers Construction, fe 275,435.70; Center Point Large Print, su 88.68; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 450.00; Coast to Coast, su 505.82; CRA, fe 1478.27; Consumer Reports, su 31.04; Country Woman, su 25.98; Diode, fe 46.45; Dollar General, su 100.50; Eakes, se & su 394.46; EMP, Inc, su 162.92; First for Women, su 34.95; Gale, su 45.73; Kimberly Goossen, re 69.20; Dennis Haakenson, re 9.61; Heath Sports, su 64.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 88.78; Lamp Rynearson, fe 7,800.00; Matheson Tri-Gas, se 24.30; Microtel Inn & Suites, fe 207.00; Midwest Labs, fe 180.83; NE Public Health Environ Lab, se 30.00; NE Public Power, se 45,737.83; Norris Public Power, se 6283.20 & 85.00; Diane Odoski, re 172.50; One Call Concepts, se 29.21; Kelly Paulson, re 170.76; Kevin Paulsen, se 1400.00; Principal Mutual Life, fe 65.82; Qwik 6, se 1671.79; Reminisce, su 16.00; Schindler Elevator, se 179.10; Seward County Independent, fe 152.69; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Sparq Data Solutions, fe 4100.00; Steve’s Repair, se 881.21; Tim Stutzman, se 1275.00; Taste of Home, su 13.00; Verizon, se 41.13; Volzke Corp., se 284.40; Vyhnalek Insurance, se 9263.00;WMH Foundation, fe 500.00; Waste Connections, se 338.84; Darla Welch, fe 450.00; White Electric, su 57.12. Total Claims Approved $429,733.53.
Proposed Ordinance No. 21-775 was read by title, by Mayor Knoke.
ORDINANCE NO. 21-775
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, TO ANNEX TERRITORY COMPRISING CONTIGUOUS AND ADJACENT LANDS, LOTS, STREETS, AND HIGHWAYS WHICH ARE URBAN OR SUBURBAN IN CHARACTER IN SUCH DIRECTIONS AS IS DEEMED PROPER TO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY, THE EXACT BOUNDARIES OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH ANNEXATION. . (A complete copy is available for review at City Hall during regular office hours.)
Mayor Knoke reported on behalf of Friend Community Healthcare System. The contractor hit a water main and flooded a portion of the building. They will be responsible for the cleanup.
Fire Chief, Brent Milton and Assistant Chief, Stan Krause were in attendance to report on behalf of the fire department. Chief Milton stated the department has been approached by a couple citizens that have acquired property on the west side of town. The individuals would like to trade that parcel of land for the lot the fire department owns west of City Hall. The Fire Department would like to know what the city commitment would be regarding purchasing the current fire bay. Milton and Krause stated they would gather more information on the details and cost of a new building and what is financially feasible for all entities involved.
Police Chief, Shawn Gray, reported he has filed a change of status for Officer Lombardo which indicates his official resignation.
Kristen Milton provided the Council with an update on the pool. The following were covered in her report:
- state inspection to be done on Thursday, May 20;
- opening day is Monday, May 31 at 1:00 pm;
- discussed the parking lot proposal by Carrothers and the estimate for the street repair from H&L Asphalt;
- discussed hours for the new pool as well as admission cost;
- will set up an account with Pepsi who will provide a cooler;
- check with Qwik 6 on pricing of chips and candy
Motioned by Sladek, seconded by Collier to approve applications and the hiring of pool manager, Heather Black, lifeguard Lexi Banks, and city maintenance/part-time lifeguard, Nathan Hanneman. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Sladek. Milton – abstain. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion made by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve Carrothers Construction pour concrete parking lot at the pool at a cost of $24,865. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Collier. Milton – abstain. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion made by Sladek, seconded by Collier to allow Mayor Knoke to sign the letter of confirmation from Aqua-Chem, Inc, for use of a 200-gallon tank provided by Aqua-Chem free of charge as long as they supply the chemicals to go into the tank. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Sladek. Milton – abstain. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the name for the pool, hours of operation and admission prices. Kristen Milton stated the pool committee decided on Friend Pool for the name. Council determined admission prices as follows: daily admission for ages 3 & up is $3.00; individual pass will be $50; family pass (for household members only) will be $100; Grandparent/grandkid pass will be $100 (up to 4 people at a time); and a daycare pass will be $100 (up to 4 people at a time). Proposed pool hours discussed were Monday-Tuesday from 1-5pm and 6-8:30pm for family swim; Wednesday-Thursday from 1-7pm; Friday from 1-6pm; Saturday from 12-6pm and 7-10pm. These are subject to change based on pool committee recommendation. Motion made by Collier, second by Sladek to approve the pool handbook; the pool name as “Friend Pool”; proposed hours of operation and admission prices as presented. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Collier. Milton – abstain. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Collier, seconded by Milton, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Milton, Collier. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.