01/08/2019 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2019
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 Knoke presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Phyllis Ryan, Stan Krause, Harlan Schrock, 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 announced that public comments would be received at this time. No comments offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the Minutes of the December 4, 2018 regular meeting, the December 19, 2018 special meeting, and the December 2018 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the December 4, 2018 regular meeting minutes, the December 19, 2018 special meeting minutes, and the December 2018 Treasurer's Report, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
No financial reports were submitted for Friend Community Healthcare Systems.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, that payroll and claims be approved 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, Schrock, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: Dec 2018 Payroll, 28,420.62; NE Dept of Rev, 1397.97; Ameritas, 4841.10; EFTPS, 9417.05; Baker & Taylor, su 50.36; Beatrice Concrete, su 80.00 & 440.63; Beaver Hardware, su 575.35; Black Hills Energy, fe 774.55; Blue360, su 71.25; Border States, se 5268.76; Brothers Equip, su 60.00; Bruning Law, fe 448.50; CLIA Labs, fe 150.00; CAT Financial, fe 7438.75; Center Point, su 88.68; Central States, su 15,180.77; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Core & Main, su 5448.77; CRA, 947.19; Crete Ace Hardware, su 43.18; Crete Foodmart, su 227.96; Culligan, su 157.25; Danko, su 6710.00; Diode Comm, se 46.45; Dollar Gen, su 44.16; EMC, fe 566.00; EMS, fe 377.78; Eakes, su 416.25; Exeter Lumber, su 88.23; Farmers Coop, se & su 1159.18; Finke Gardens, se 285.00; Gale, su 44.23; Gen Fire, su 565.75; Good Old Days, su 12.98; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 225.00; Guideposts, su 10.94; J.P. Cooke, su 59.10; Johnsons, su 29.61; LM Rebates, 6820.98; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Menards, su 534.71; Metro Chem, su 12,481.23; Chris Michl, fe 436.80; Midwest Labs, se 491.50; NE Dept of Rev, Gaming Comm, fe 139.00 & ST 6641.20; NE Public Health, se 267.00; NE Public Power, se 64,102.87; Norris Public Power, se 5396.20; Diane Odoski, re 219.15; One-Call, fe 55.85; Principal Mutual, fe 119.33; Sensus, su 1949.94; Seward Independent, fe 257.07; Sid Dillon, se 639.09; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Southern Lady, su 21.00; Taste of the South, su 18.00; The Depository Trust, fe 7503.75; UNO, fe 446.00; Verizon Wireless, se 437.69; Waste Connections, se 310.16; White Elect, su 916.94; Windstream, se 1023.19. Total Claims Approved $204,698.00.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates gave his report.
Police Officer, Shawn Gray, reviewed police reports for the months of November and December, as well as a report for year to date calls for service (copies of reports are attached.) Officer Gray reported to the Mayor and Council that letters of resignation from the Friend Police Department have been submitted for consideration by Police Chief, Mark McFarland, and Police Officer, Josh Alloway. Both officers have accepted positions with the Seward County Sherriff’s Office. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock to accept the letters of resignation submitted by Mark McFarland and Josh Alloway. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Knoke announced that at this time, she would like to recommend the appointment of Shawn Gray as interim Chief of Police. Official action will be taken on this at a later date.
Stan Krause had nothing to report on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, gave his report.
Kristen Milton reported on the status of the upcoming survey that she and the swimming pool renovation/replacement committee have been working on. Kristen said she and the committee anticipate having the survey ready to circulate within the next few weeks.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to continue holding the regular monthly meeting of the City Council on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of negotiations and deployment of security personnel was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried. Executive session convened at 7:16 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 9:18 p.m.
The City Clerk was directed to post notice of a special meeting of the City Council to be held Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. Items on the agenda for this meeting include extending offer of employment for Police Chief to Shawn Gray, extending offer of employment for Police Officer to Dominic Lombardo, and discussion of acquiring e-citation equipment for police vehicles as mandated by the State of Nebraska.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.