FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING April 7, 2026 Council President Kristen Milton called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Kristen Milton, David Sladek, Phyllis Schwab, and Jeremy Collier. Mayor Judith Knoke absent. A quorum being present, the meeting was duly convened. Council President Milton led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Council President Milton announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act has been posted on the south door of the City Hall meeting. Motions were made, seconded, and passed unanimously for the following: -to approve the minutes from March 3, 2026 Regular meeting and March 30, 2026 Special meeting -to approve the March Treasurer report -to approve March claims and payroll -to postpone approval of Hospital Financial report to next meeting -to postpone approval of Resolution 26-01: Ambulance Building Transfer Agreement until next meeting -to postpone approval of Fiber Internet Permit request for 514 S Chestnut St until next meeting, needing more information -to approve new Document Station lease for City office pending confirmation of payment amounts -to approve Vossler Addition, pending confirmation that Council President/Acting Mayor Milton is permitted to sign -to approve bid for repair on doors at Grange Hall for $8100 -to approve writing off uncollectible utility bills as presented -to approve adding Amie Underwood to signature cards at Citizens State Bank -to approve $1400 bid to fix sink hole on Main St by the school -to approve hiring Sheena Perkins as Assistant Pool Manager -to enter Executive Session, inviting Ray Rohrig, for strategic planning for personnel. Entered at 9:00pm -to exit Executive Session at 9:16pm -to adjourn meeting at 9:17pm The claims approved were as follows: March Payroll, 29027.33; Ameritas, 1647.06; EFTPS, 4575.94; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 795.19; 34 Electric, LLC, se 10568.75; AMGL, se 8725.00; Beaver Hardware, su 56.98; Big Red Fencing, LLC, se 5500.00; Black Hills Energy, fe 924.77; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 712.77; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; City of Crete, fe 15.00; City of Friend- cash, fe 500.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 6055.89; Computer Concepts, su 584.80; Core & Main LP, su 2173.71; Corporate Warehouse Supply, su 559.85; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 123.75; Danko Emergency Equipment Co., su789.53; EMS Connect, fe 110.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 472.04; Fairfield In & Suites, fe 404.85; Farmer’s Union COOP, su 1700.67; Friend Historical Society, re 48944.67; Friend Volunteer Fire Dept, re 14937.49; Grunwald Mechanical Contractors & Eng., se 2359.91; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; HRW Farming, re 11944.17; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 334285.56; Heartland Radar LLC, su 90.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 16.77; MMC Consulting, se 6234.85; Rose Marie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 1348.75; Chris Michl, se 436.80;; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 45.10; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1276.98; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 462.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 7801.00; Diane Odoski, re 133.26; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 393.70; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 22.45; Pizza Kitchen, se 375.00; Postmaster, se 295.24; Precision Signs & Graphics, LLC, su 8132.00 Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 76.71; Qwik 6, su 720.88; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Kyle Sharkey, se 680.00; South East Library System, fe 25.00; Southern Living, su 23.00; SplashTacular, se 987.50; Strategic Psychological Services, LLC, se 1575.00; Trent Roesler, re 60.00; US Cellular, se 346.08; Visa 4298.54; Waste Connections, se 7365.14; Windstream, se 1674.42. Total Claims Approved: $544525.86 Deputy Smejdir from Saline County Sheriff’s Department gave portion of Police report Public Comments: Introduction of Amie Underwood, new City Clerk. Planning and Zoning meeting April 12th at noon at City Hall. Arbor Day tree dedication April 20th at 6pm at Ball Field. Concerns were raised about Friend Police Department, Comprehensive plan, trees in alle near 113 Spring St, Building Permit fees, brightness on City Hall marquee, and aggressive dogs, and talk about sandwich board sign for community events. Joe Stump from AMGL presented Audit Report for Fiscal Year End September 30, 2025 Mary Jo Weber gave update on condition of property at 503 Cherry St. Follow up May meeting. No action. Discussion on bids for pool painting. No action taken. Discussion on fees for pool parties without membership. No action taken. Discussion about bids for remodel of municipal building. No action taken. Discussion about crack sealing & armor coating street proposal. No action taken. Discussion about status update on house moved in at 105 6th St. No action taken. Diane Odoski gave Library Report. No action taken. No Hospital report Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken. Brent Milton gave Fire Department Report. No action taken. Trent Roesler gave Public Works Report. Ray Rohrig gave Rescue Squad Report. No action taken. Kristen Milton gave Police Report. Reminder for UTV/Golf Cart registration and safety, and electric scooter safety. No action taken. Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. Heather Varney gave Clerk Report. No action taken. Judith K. Knoke, Mayor ATTEST Heather L. Varney, Deputy City Clerk A complete copy of the minutes is available for review upon request at City Hall during regular office hours. FS — April 15, 2026 ZNEZ
