09/07/2021 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
President Kristen Milton called the 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.
President Kristen Milton presided, and City Clerk John R. Schwab recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: President Milton, Jeremy Collier, Shane Stutzman, and David Sladek, absent Mayor Judith Knoke. A quorum being present, and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, President Milton 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.
President Milton lead in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Collier, to open the public hearing to receive comments relating to the proposed Tax request. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Sladek, Milton, and Collier. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:05p.m.
President Milton announced that public comments would be received at this time. No comments were offered.
Resolution No. 21-05 was introduced and read by President Milton.
Resolution Setting the Property Tax Request
RESOLUTION NO. 21-05
WHEREAS, Nebraska Revised Statute 77-1601.02 provides that the Governing Body of the City of Friend passes by a majority vote a resolution or ordinance setting the tax request; and
WHEREAS, a special public hearing was held as required by law to hear and consider comments concerning the property tax request;
NOW, THEREFORE, the governing Body of the City of Friend resolves that:
- The 2021-2022 property tax request be set at:
General Fund: $ 314,242.50
Bond Fund: $ 183,182.50
- The total assessed value of property differs from last year’s total assessed valued by 57 percent.
- The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be 0.772955 per $100 of assessed value.
- The City of Friend proposes to adopt a property request that will cause it’s tax rate to be 0.791465 per $100 of assessed value.
- Based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the City of Friend will increase or decrease last year’s budget by -7.71 percent.
- A copy of this resolution be certified and forwarded to the County Clerk on or before October 13, 2021.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to adopt Resolution 21-05. On roll call voting ayes Milton, Sladek, Collier, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion made by Collier, seconded by Sladek to close the public hearing relating to the proposed Tax request. On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Collier, Milton, and Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried. Hearing closed at 7:20 pm.
Motion by Sladek, seconded by Collier to open the hearing to receive comments relating to the proposed budget. On roll call voting ayes Sladek, Stutzman, Collier, and Milton. Nays none. Hearing opened at 7:21 pm.
Discussion was held with the board members and Gayle D. Steiger, CPA on the phone to answer any and all questions presented.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Sladek to close the hearing relating to the proposed budget. On roll call voting ayes Collier, Stutzman, Sladek, and Milton. Nays none. Motion Carried. Public hearing closed at 8:21pm.
Motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman to adjourn the hearings. On roll call voting ayes, Sladek, Stutzman, Collier, and Milton. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Collier, seconded by Stutzman to adopt the proposed 2021-2022 budget as presented. On roll call voting ayes Milton, Stutzman, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to approve the minutes from the 8/3 Regular, 8/5 Special, and the 8/19 Special meetings. On roll call voting Milton, Sladek, Collier, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Collier to table the Treasurer’s report. On roll call voting ayes Stutzman, Milton, Collier, and Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Collier, seconded by Sladek to approve the Hospital treasurer’s report. On roll call voting ayes, Collier, Sladek, Stutzman, and Milton. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Collier, seconded by Sladek 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 ayes Sladek, Collier, Milton, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: August Payroll, 46,468.00; Ameritas, 3,568.06; EFTPS, 9,623.90; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1,477.59; Aqua-Chem, su 34.47; Baker & Taylor Books, su 65.59; Bartels Body Shop, fe 359.43;Beaver Hardware, su 582.12;Black Hills Energy, fe 672.38; BCBS of NE, fe 6449.98; Brothers, su 138.86;Bruning Law, fe 3415.50; Center Point Large Print, su 88.68; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 450.00;Culligan Water Service su&se 238.75;Dan Drake, fe 420.00; Danko, se 51.11; Diode, fe 46.45; Dollar General, su 106.46; Eakes, se & su 953.73;Emer Med Products, su 412.40;Farmers Union Coop, su 261.79;Friend Community Healthcare System, fe 208.73;Gale, su 44.23;General Fire & Safety Equip, fe 81.50;Graber Outdoors, su 7562.00;Heather Black, re 62.84;Hometown Leasing, fe 88.78;John R. Schwab, re 26.98;Johnson Pharmacy, su 61.94;Mastiff Systems, se180.00; Melinda Kaye Rohring, re 132.68;Midwest Laboratories, fe 694.61;NDEQ, fe 300.00;NE Dept of Rev, fe 25.00;NE Municipal Power Pool, fe 275.00;NE Public Health Environ Lab, se 106.00;NWEA, fe 900.00;National Safety Council Nebr, fe 425.00;NE Library Comm, fe 500.00;Nebr Municipal Clerks Assoc, fe 70.00;Nebraska Sign, fe 1602.65;Norris Public Power District, se 51.00; Diane Odoski, re 159.57; One Call Concepts, se 16.54; Paper Tiger Shredding, se 30.00;Postmaster, fe 183.58;Principal Mutual Life, fe 197.46;Quick Med Claims, fe 272.11;Qwik 6, su 1539.28;Mindy Rohring, su 545.08;Saline County Register of Deeds, fe 10.00,Sandry Fire Supply, su 2292.65;Sargent Drilling, fe 1200.00,Seward County Independent, fe 649.90; Marvin Slepicka, fe 2150.00;Verizon Wireless, se 280.47;Waste Connections, se 6345.93;Darla Welch, fe 450.00;Windsteam, se 1346.04;Youngs Welding & Repair, su 4.29. Total Claims Approved 1
Discussion was held about Waste Connections as the provider of the recycling bins.
Motion was made by Collier, seconded by Stutzman to have Waste Connections provide the bins and empty them every other week at $220 per load. On roll call voting ayes Stutzman, Milton, Sladek, and Collier. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding the quote from Nebraska Sign to repair the neon FRIEND sign along the highway.
Motion was made by Stutzman, Seconded by Collier, to have Nebraska Sign repair the sign pending explanation of work and warranty. On roll call voting ayes Sladek, Milton, Stutzman, and Collier. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the purchase of plot in Palky’s addition.
Motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Stutzman to table the item. On roll call voting ayes, Collier, Sladek, Milton, and Stutzman.
Discussion was held on purchasing the upgrade for Power Manager in the office.
Motion was made by Sladek, seconded by Collier to purchase the upgrade to Power Manager. On roll call voting ayes, Sladek, Milton, Collier, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on solar panels. A resolution will be created to cover all aspects of solar panels and uses.
Discussion was held on having Linda Jensen come to train clerks.
Motion was made by Collier, seconded by Milton, to have Linda Jensen come to Friend to train clerks. The fee of $0.56 per mile and $20 per hour will be paid for her services. On roll call voting ayes, Sladek, Collier, Stutzman, and Milton. Nays none. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 21-06 was introduced and read by President Milton.
Resolution Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2021
RESOLUTION NO. 21-06
WHEREAS, State of Nebraska Statutes, sections 39-2115,39-2119,39-2120,39-2121, and 39-2520(2), requires an annual certification of program compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards; and
WHEREAS, State of Nebraska Statue, sections 39-2120 also requires that the annual certification of program compliance by each municipality shall be signed by the Mayor or Village Board Chairperson and shall include the resolution of the governing body of the municipality authorizing the signing of the certification.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Friend is hereby authorized to sign the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Milton to adopt resolution 21-06. On roll call voting ayes Collier, Milton, Sladek, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Building Inspector Mark Stutzman presented his report. No action required.
Public works supervisor Billy Baugh presented his report. No action required.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Milton, seconded by Stutzman, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Sladek, Collier, Stutzman, and Milton. Nays none. Motion carried. meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.