12/04/2018 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2018
Mayor Vossler called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:04 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 James Vossler 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 Vossler 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 Vossler announced that public comments would be received at this time. No comments offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the minutes of the November 7th regular meeting with the motion regarding employee salary/wage increases being amended and clarified to state the following: Motion to approve a 1% wage increase for employees Debbie Gilmer, Kim Goossen, Ryan Yoder, Josh Alloway, Mark McFarland and Kevin Barnard. Schrock stated that Patrick Gates, Billy Baugh and Eldon Eklund will not receive pay increases at this time. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the Annual Treasurer’s Report for October 2017 through September 2018, and to approve the November 2018 Treasurer’s Report. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Councilman Shane Stutzman motioned to approve October 2018 financial report for Friend Community Healthcare Systems, which motion was seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, 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, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: November Payroll, 24,992.38; Ameritas, 4558.94; EFTPS, 8,345.46; 34 Electric, se 3540.52; Barco, su 1731.35; BCBS, fe 7042.01; Baker & Taylor, su 117.14; Black Hills Energy, fe 512.88; Border States, su 3033.83; Bruning Law, fe 3081.00; Center Point, su 88.68; Central States, su 15,864.94; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, re 1929.35, Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Drake, se 225.00; EMS, se 197.69; Eakes, su 9.39; Farmers Coop, se & su 2380.39; FCHS, fe 45.00; Gale, su 45.73; Galls, su 284.50; Patrick Gates, re 30.24; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 225.00; Hydraulic Equip, se 61.33; Johnsons, su 21.44; Alicia Lacher, re 34.08; Matt Friend Truck Equip, su 521.00; Menards, su 373.72; Metro Chem, su 11,400.53; NDEQ, fe 6997.65; NE Dept of Rev, sw 1240.25; NE Muni Power Pool, fe 5188.00; NE Public Health, fe 30.00; NE Public Power, fe 64,918.88; Norris Power, se 5278.20 & 689.00; Diane Odoski, re 165.94; One Call, se 8.28; Orkin, se 55.85; Potter Farms, se 3876.60; Principal Mutual, fe 119.33; RR Mgmt, fe 235.41; Salt Creek, se 2130.00; Sandry, Fire, su 12,465.75; Seward Cnty Independent, fe 377.89; Solomon Elect, se 4579.50; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Steve’s Repair, se 556.86; The Depository Trust, fe 98,485.00; Verizon, se 429.12; Waste Connections, fe 310.16; Windstream, se 1026.25. Total Claims Approved $301,153.89.
Mayor Vossler informed the Council that the issue relating to erroneous charges for the Village of Cordova has been resolved.
Utility Superintendent, Patrick Gates gave his report.
Mark McFarland gave his report. McFarland reported that Officer Josh Alloway has accepted a position with another department and that his last day with the Friend Police Department will be December 19th. Mark McFarland also informed the Mayor and Council that he will also be leaving the Friend Police Department for employment elsewhere shortly after the first of the year.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman reported to the Mayor and Council that he has not yet contacted the individuals that have allegedly enclosed lean-to structures without obtaining proper permits to do so.
It was announced that the employee appreciation dinner will be held January 12, 2019, at the Friend Country Club.
Kristen Milton attended the meeting to report to the Mayor and Council, the status of a community survey that has been discussed at previous meetings relating to the potential swimming pool improvement/replacement project. Kristen plans to have additional information gathered and available to report to the Mayor and Council at the January City Council meeting.
No further business to come before the current governing body, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to adjourn the meeting subject to the call of the Mayor. On roll call, voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting of the current governing body adjourned sine die at 7:20 p.m.
Friend City Council President, Shane Stutzman, called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m. Judith Knoke, newly elected Mayor, Phyllis Ryan and Shane Stutzman, elected Councilmembers in the November 6, 2018 election, all being elected for a four-year term, read and signed their respective official oath of office.
Mayor Judith Knoke now presiding. On roll call, those present Krause, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman.
Mayor Knoke announced that next on the meeting agenda was to elect the president of the Friend City Council. Phyllis Ryan motioned to nominate Shane Stutzman and that nominations cease. This motion was seconded by Harlan Schrock. On roll call, voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays, none. Motion carried. The newly elected President of the Friend City Council for 2019 is Shane Stutzman.
Mayor Knoke gave the Council her recommendations for appointments to fill expired/vacant positions on committees for 2019. (See attached.) Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to accept Mayor Knoke’s recommended appointments to fill expired/vacant positions on committees for 2019. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried. (A complete copy of appointed positions and committees is available to view upon request at City Hall during regular office hours.)
On behalf of the Friend Rescue Squad, Ray Rohrig attended the meeting to request approval from the Council for the Rescue Squad to replace their outdated Automatic Electric Defibrillator. After discussion, Council had no objections and approved the Friend Rescue Squad replace their outdated Automatic Electric Defibrillator.
On behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department, Stan Krause asked Council to approve Mayor Knoke sign the Annual Certification for the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act. Motion was made Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve Mayor Knoke sign the Annual Certification for the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act so that eligible volunteers can claim tax credit for 2018. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause to adjourn the meeting subject to the call of the Mayor. On roll call, voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.