04/02/2019 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 2, 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 Judith Knoke presided, and City Clerk Debbie Gilmer recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Phyllis Ryan, Shane Stutzman, Harlan Schrock, and Stan Krause. 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.
Motioned by Stutzman, seconded by Krause, to approve the Minutes of the March 5, 2019 regular meeting, and the March 2019 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the March 5, 2019 regular meeting minutes, and the March 2019 Treasurer's Report, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System’s financial reports that were submitted for the month of February 2019. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, 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, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: March Payroll, 34,178.82; Ameritas, 4206.59; EFTPS, 12,588.12; Baker & Taylor, su 83.17; Bartels, se 195.08; Black Hills Energy, fe 822.80; Border States, su 3162.50; Bruning Law, fe 936.00; Bryce Buresh, re 80.00; Leigha Buresh, re 80.00; Center Point Books, su 88.68; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 3400.49; Creative Prod, su 287.72; Culligan, se 57.00; Danko, su 1833.90, 172.44; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Eakes, su 182.83; EMS Billing, se 141.02; Erdkamp Motors, su 53.70; Exeter Lumber, su 165.66; Farm & Ranch Living, su 14.98; Farmer’s Coop, su 1892.25; First Wireless, su 4814.00; FVFD, 3000.00; Gale, su 44.98; Galls, su 25.51; Great Plains Uniforms, su 169.00; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 225.00; Heath Sports, su 279.56; Johnsons, su 10.27; Kirkham Michael, fe 1250.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Matt Friend Truck Eq, su 231.54; Menards, su 211.36; Metro Chem, su 12,876.02 & 10,755.73; Chris Michl, se 415.80; Midwest Radar, fe 80.00; NMPP, su 767.83; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 2109.09; NE Public Health, fe 283.00; NE Public Power, se 67,969.45; NE Rural Water, fe 750.00; NIRMA, su 794.00; Natl Pen, su 97.94; Norris Public Power, se 5389.32, 101.00; Diane Odoski, su 133.72; One Call, se 7.25; Orkin, se 55.85; Principal Ins, fe 119.33; RMA, su 816.85; Ray Rohrig, se 40.00; Seward Ind., fe 5.85; Sid Dillon, se 338.56; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1250.00; Smart Apple, su 284.90; The Pioneer Woman, su 18.00; Verizon, se 510.12; Vyhnalek Ins, fe 2933.00; Waste Connections, fe 310.16; White Elec, su 2491.58; Windstream, se 1000.65. Total Claims Approved $187,936.42.
City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, reported that the City’s annual Arbor Day celebration is planned to be held on April 29th. Further information and details of this event will be communicated as this date approaches.
Continued discussion was had, and a status report was given by Kristen Milton relating to the proposed swimming pool renovation/replacement project. Council agreed to meet/interview Tuesday, April 16th with certain contractors for the purpose of receiving proposals, and to receive information that may be necessary for the beginning phase(s) of the potential pool project.
Betsy Samuelson attended the meeting representing the Southeast Nebraska Development District. As SENDD was instrumental with planning and preparing the survey as well as compiling results from the recent community survey, Ms. Samuelson was available to summarize results and answer questions about such survey.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Police Chief, Shawn Gray, gave his report. (Copy of this report is attached.) Shawn Gray requested council consider authorizing him obtain a credit card for the Friend Police Department, that could be utilized for vendors that do not offer direct billing. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to authorize Chief Gray to obtain a credit card for the Friend Police Department to be utilized for purchases from vendors that do not offer direct billing. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to the possibility of changing the location of the Friend Police Department office. One possible location discussed was 130 Maple Street, formerly used by Pioneer Publishing. No action was taken at this time.
Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, gave his report. Mr. Stutzman requested that council approve a minor plat that was recently recommended by the Planning Commission. After brief discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve Milton Addition as recommended by the Planning Commission at their 10/10/2018 meeting, for property legally described as “north 50 feet of the west 145 feet of Block 6, C.E. Friend’s Third Addition, and Lots 9-13, in C.E. Friend’s Subdivision of Block 4, C.E. Friend’s Third Addition”. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Council discussed and considered their annual donation toward the firework fund. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to donate $3000 toward the cost of the City’s Fourth of July firework display. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Krause abstained. Motion carried.
On behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department, Stan Krause requested Council consider approving the FVFD purchase and/or lease new airpacks for the Department. After discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the FVFD purchase or lease up to 15 new airpacks for the Department. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Krause abstained. Motion carried.
Mayor Knoke announced her recommended appointment of Diane Odoski to the Friend Housing Authority to complete Lois Schweitzer’s term, as Lois Schweitzer is no longer a resident of Friend. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to accept Mayor Knoke’s recommended appointment of Diane Odoski to the Friend Housing Authority to complete Lois Schweitzer’s term, which is up for reappointment in 2022. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Knoke requested motion be made to enter into closed/executive session for discussion of proposed contract/agreement for cemetery sexton position. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing proposal of contract/agreement for cemetery sexton position. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Closed/executive session began at 8:15 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made Schrock, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the City of Friend enter into an agreement with the Andrew Cemetery Board relating to filling the cemetery sexton position, by authorizing Mayor Knoke and Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, sign said agreement. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Stutzman, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman, Krause. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.