FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 Mayor Judith Knoke 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 A quorum being present, the meeting was duly convened. Mayor Judith Knoke led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Mayor Judith Knoke 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 November 4, 2025 Regular meeting to approve the November Treasurer report to approve November claims and payroll to approve November Hospital Financial report to approve Ordinance 2025-11: to revise Bond Ordinance for Public Safety Building to approve Telecommunications License Agreement with Unite Private Networks, LLC to bury fiber optic cable on the east side of State St south of Highway 6 to approx. 4th St to approve appointment of Layton Dockweiler to CRA to replace Brian Himmelberg to approve hiring Michelle Schiffern as Assistant Librarian to approve payment of internal loan from Street Department to Street Bond Department for $36,581.00 to approve Resolution 2025-12 certifying authorized employee(s) to make changes on the city credit card account to approve annual NDOT highway maintenance agreement & certification of compliance to enter executive session for three phone interviews and to discuss personnel. Entered executive session at 8:16pm to exit executive session at 9:05 pm to adjourn meeting at 9:06 pm The claims approved were as follows: November Payroll, 12233.19; Ameritas, 1702.50; EFTPS, 3171.57; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 543.7; Architectural Design Assoc., fe 4438.50; Allen Bruntz, se 4209.33; Beatrice Sand & Gravel, su 2062.19; Black Hills Energy, se 632.62; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 4560.00; Cengage Group, su 98.96; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Claire Brejcha, se 100.00; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 7494.67; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 72.00; Depository Trust Corp. fe 104598.75; Eakes Office Solutions, su 550.92; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 276.82; Feld Fire, se 501.00; Food Network Magazine, su 29.97; Friend Country Club, se 1084.00; Friend Public Schools, fe 1440.00; Guardian Life, fe 448.69; Hampton Commercial Construction, fe 71998.45; Hero 24/7, su 440.00; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; J.P. Cooke Company, su 101.00; Lee Enterprises, fe 2107.00; MMC Consulting, se 6564.95; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 126.70; Mussman Excavating LLC, se 19575.00; NDWEE- Fiscal Services, fe 6624.09; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 2550.93; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 121.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 6278.00; Diane Odoski, re 146.21; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 653.07; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 14.29; Postmaster, se/su 755.00; PowerManager, se 8338.06; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 75.08; Qwik 6, su 446.17; Railroad Management Co., se 458.76; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Shop Hello June Designs, su 162.67; Southeast Nebraska Development Dist.; fe 4480.00; Sudrla Water Service, se 1500.00; US Cellular, se 313.67; Windstream, se 1602.79. Total Claims Approved: 293706.45 Public comments included announcement that State Representative for Senate Mark Schoenbrock will be at Friend Country Club for a Meet & Greet on Thursday, December 4th from 6-8pm; plans for Independence Day celebration for 2026; reminder of Community Christmas Celebration Wednesday, December 17th from 5-8pm, with holiday lighting contest and raffle contest. Discussion about EMF post Prom support. Request denied due to lack of motion or second. Discussion about cashing in CDs and general ICS account & moving other funds from checking account to CD. No action taken. Discussion about date and location of City Employee Appreciation Dinner. No action taken. Diane Odoski gave Library Report. No action taken. Jared Chaffin, CEO of Friend Community Healthcare systems gave Hospital report. No action taken. Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector Report. No action taken. Stanley Krause gave Fire Department Report. No action taken. Ray Rohrig gave Rescue Squad Report. No action taken. No Police Report. Kristen Milton gave Pool Report. No action taken. Public Works reported by Heather Varney. No action taken. 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 — December 17, 2025 ZNEZ
