07/06/2021 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JULY 6, 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 John R. Schwab recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, Jeremy Collier, and Shane Stutzman. 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 lead the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Keith Kemmerer was present to discuss the property located at 3rd and Cherry. Keith informed the City that the property belongs to the city according to accounts from the Saline County Assessor Office. Further discussion was held, and it was decided that the Clerk’s office will continue investigation into the ownership of the property.
Paul and Carol Johansen were in attendance to make comment on the agenda item of Annexation of their property. They commented that they are opposed to annexation due to it would increase their taxes by $2000 thus causing a financial burden. It was also questioned as to who caused the capping of the well located on their property. With the time limit being reached the Mayor moved to the next item on the agenda.
Motioned by Sladek, seconded by Milton, to approve the Minutes of the June 1, 2021, Regular Meeting and June 7, 2021, Special Meeting, and the June 2021 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve minutes of the June 1, 2021, Regular Meeting and June 7, 2021, Special Meeting, and the June 2021 Treasurer's Report, On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Milton, Sladek, Collier. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Stutzman, seconded by Collier, 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 Milton, Collier, Sladek, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: : June Payroll, 37,923.08; Ameritas, 3,955.87; EFTPS, 10,650.23; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1,535.42; Aqua-Chem, su 1344.62; BOK Financial, fe 135040.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 50.92; Barco Municipal Products, su 1657.66; Black Hills Energy, fe 1227.35; BCBS of NE, fe 7771.66; Border States, su 426.66;Bruning Law, fe 5939.00; Carrothers Construction, fe 38049.72; Center Point Large Print, su 88.68; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 450.00;Robert Cockson, su 35.00;Country Woman, su 14.98; Crete Ace Hrdwre, su 101.96;Culligan Water Service su&se 279.75; Danko, se 152.94; Diode, fe 46.45; Dollar General, su 153.80; Eakes, se & su 775.83; Ed M. Feld Equip se 600.00;Eric Riley Electric su 6759.00;First Wireless, su 63.26; First for Women, su 19.97; Friend Community Club, fe 2000.00; Gale, su 45.73;Mikayla Hausman, re 50.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 88.78; Junior Library Guild, su 1685.20; Judith Knoke, re 32.12; Lamp Rynearson, fe 5,850.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00;Martha Stewart Living, su 15.00;Mastiff Systems, se 247.50; Matheson Tri-Gas, se 24.30; Menards-South, su 263.84; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Midwest Labs, fe 200.05; Kristen Milton, re 1145.55; NE Public Health Environ Lab, se 15.00; NE Public Power, se 73713.50; Nebraska Power Review Board, se 156.52; Nicks Farm Store, su 902.20;Norris Public Power District, se 6320.20; Diane Odoski, re 447.28; One Call Concepts, se 30.75; Paper Tiger Shredding, se 30.00;Pepsi-Cola of Hastings, su 601.90; Principal Mutual Life, fe 65.82; Qwik 6, su 59.75; Railroad Management Company, fe 284.85;Bob Robinson, se 1500.00; Austin Rohing, re 138.62; Sandry Fire Supply, su 708.50, Sargent Drilling, fe 1200.00, Schindler Elevator Corp, fe 173.40; Seward County Independent, fe 264.78; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2000.00; Stryker Sales Corp, fe 5308.07;Subscription Services, su 18.97; Phyllis Svehla, se 136.50; Verizon Wireless, se 279.40; Waste Connections, se 6291.68; Darla Welch, fe 450.00. Total Claims Approved 368346.37.
Proposed Ordinance No. 21-775 was read by title, by Mayor Knoke. 3rd reading of 3.
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.)
Motioned by Collier, seconded by Milton to approve Ordinance No. 21-775 To annex Certain properties in Corporate Limits (legal description of proposed properties to annex available upon request at City Hall). On roll call voting aye Collier, Milton, nays Sladek, abstain Stutzman.
RESOLUTION NO. 21- 04
A Resolution of the City of Friend to Levy a Special Assessment on 213 Main Street, Friend, Nebraska
Motioned by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to levy special assessment on 213 Main Street. On roll call voting ayes Collier, Stutzman, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was held in reference to the tort claim filed by Pat Gates. Katie Spohn (City Attorney) advised the council not to enter into executive session and to deny the tort claim.
Motioned by Stuzman, seconded by Milton to deny the tort claim. On roll call voting ayes Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion on the current golf cart ordinance to lower the age of operation of golf carts and to allow the use of ATV/UTV in the city limits of Friend. Katie Spohn (City Attorney) will review recommendations and construct the new resolution.
Mayor Knoke reported on behalf of the Friend Community Healthcare System. They had their meeting prior to the City Council meeting nothing to report.
Assistant Fire Chief Stan Krause reported information on grants available for the construction of the new fire hall.
Police Chief, Shawn Gray, reported they are going to take bids on the 2013 Chevrolet Impala. Chief Gray stated it is appraised less than $10000. Motioned by Stutzman seconded by Collier to allow Chief Gray to take bids on 2013 Chevrolet Impala. On roll call voting aye, Milton, Stutzman, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried. Chief Gray also reported that the 150th/ 4th of July Celebration was a successful weekend.
Kristen Milton provided the Council with an update on the pool. The following were covered in her report:
- Last payment to Corrothers is due this month.
- Play structure will not go in until after the pool season.
- Bond payment due July 15, 2021
- Attendance for pool on the 4th of July was over 700.
Billy Baugh, Public Works supervisor gave his report. The following items were included:
- New stop signs were placed at 5th& Chestnut, and 10th& Cherry
- H&L Asphalt will be here in the next couple of weeks.
- The new fencing will be toward end of month.
- He is contacting Murphy-Taylor about sprinklers
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Milton, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried. meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.