FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING February 2, 2021 Mayor Knoke called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02 p.m. at the City Hall. Councilmembers present: Kristen Milton, Jeremy Collier, David Sladek, and Shane Stutzman. 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. Motions were made, seconded, and passed unanimously for the following: -to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2021, Regular Meeting and the January 2021 Treasurer’s Report -that claims and payroll be approved -to approve continued discussion with Village of Exeter regarding Interlocal Agreement of Police Services -to table Marvin Slepicka’s request for an increase of the monthly fee at the city dump -to approve City Hall office personnel working four 10-hour day work week for a 90-day trial period -to approve revision to the Friend Police Department “Use of Force” Policy -to approve the 2020 CRA Year-End Cash Statement and Financial Reports for TIF & Occupation Tax -to approve $4000 as City’s Contribution for the Fourth of July/150th Celebration Fireworks Display -to approve the 2020 Annual Report for Gilbert Library -to adjourn the meeting The claims approved were as follows: January Payroll, 27,890.09; Ameritas, 2,773.55; EFTPS, 8,746.92; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 1,474.91; Aqua-Chem, su 1027.00; Baker & Taylor Books, su 50.36; Eric Bardell, re 20.00; Beatrice Concrete, su 687.57; Black Hills Energy, fe 957.14; BCBS of NE, fe 8,395.25; Border States, su 102.33; Bruning Law, fe 6479.75; Carrothers Construction, fe 340,871.65; CAT Financial, fe 7438.75; Center Point Large Print, su 88.68; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 450.00; CRA, fe 1705.31; Cole Dickinson, re 40.00; Diode, fe 46.45; Dollar General, su 33.25; Eakes, se & su 910.45; Family Handyman, su 13.00; First Wireless, su 98.00; Gale, su 45.73; Galls Inc, su 211.96; Great Plains Uniforms, su 466.95; Debra Hulse, re 40.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 25.99; Judith Knoke, re 40.00; Seth Knoke, re 80.00; NE Public Health Environ Lab, se 30.00; NE Rural Water, fe 175.00; NEMSA, fe 230.00; National Arbor Day Foundation, fe 20.00; Norris Public Power, se 5302.44; One Call Concepts, se 11.54; Orkin, se 60.32; Kelly Paulsen, re 68.26; Principal Mutual Life, fe 63.12; Mindy Rohrig, re 20.00; Ray Rohrig, re 40.00; Seward County Independent, fe 127.22; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1250.00; Smart Apple Media, su 399.99; Sons of American Legion, fe 780.00; Southern Living, su 15.00; Steve’s Repair, se 708.24; Aliscia Stutzman, re 20.00; T&R Electric, su 4895.00; Waste Connections, se 338.84; Darla Welch, fe 450.00; White Electric, su 340.56. Total Claims Approved $426,556.57. Proposed Ordinance No. 21-771 was read by title, by Mayor Knoke. ORDINANCE NO. 21-771 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 92: PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, TO REGULATE SNOW, ICE, AND REFUSE MATTER IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSTING OR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT. (A complete copy is available for review at City Hall during regular office hours.) Proposed Ordinance No. 21-769 was read by title, by Mayor Knoke. ORDINANCE NO. 21-769 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 97: FIRE REGULATIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, TO REGULATE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES, TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSTING OR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT. (A complete copy is available for review at City Hall during regular office hours.) In public comments, Chantel Collier brought a request to council regarding sidewalk repair in front of her clinic on 2nd Street. She would also like to install a handrail at the street to assist patients onto the sidewalk. Shane Stutzman stated she would need to complete a building permit and discuss her plans with Mark Stutzman. Chantel stated she would like to have a copy of this section of the code book and will contact City Hall about that. No other public comments offered. Discussion was held again on Marv Slepicka’s request for an increase of his fee at the city dump. Jeremy Collier stated he thinks it best to agree on an amount that is satisfactory for both Marv and the City and get a signed lease. Another option discussed was to go back to having the dump open just certain days and at specific times. Marvin states he has tried that and it does not work. Council will discuss this at the next meeting. Discussion was had on the interlocal agreement between Friend and Exeter for Police Service. Chief Gray will present to the Village of Exeter Board next Tuesday and go from there. Mayor Knoke reported on behalf of Friend Community Healthcare System. Knoke stated that the invitation for bids opened up. Kristen Milton provided the Council with an update on the pool construction. Milton stated they are 2/3 done with project. The Bulldog slide has arrived, been wrapped up and put away. Discussion was held on the addition of having a couple areas of turf at the pool. It provides a cooler area for kids to hang out on during breaks and is easy maintenance. All light poles can have speakers on them. The bath house will start going up soon. There was no Building Inspector report. Police Chief, Shawn Gray, reported they are still on par for calls and Hampton is working out well. Billy Baugh reported on behalf of the Public Works department. Items he reported on included the following: -Rick Nelson has requested to plant a tree in memory of his mom and dad. This will most likely be planted at the park over on South 10th Street; -17 locates; -rock for hospital lot was ordered and then canceled due to snow; -changed out a power pole on 6th Street; -guardrails are ready to install in the alley by Congregational Church; -recycle bins have been moved to West Third Street and graveled that road; -graveled three blocks on 3rd St and over at “Dead Man’s Curve”; -rate study for electric, water and sewer; -setting fee for baseball/softball teams. On behalf of the Friend Community Redevelopment Authority, Jim Ryan attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and Council the CRA’s 2020 Year-End Financial Reports. Motion to approve the CRA’s 2020 Year-End Financial Reports for Tax Increment Financing and Occupation Taxes from the Enhanced Employment Area was made by Sladek, seconded by Milton. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Collier, Milton, Sladek. Nays none. Motion carried. Discussion was held on having a single course for garbage collection that would be billed monthly on the city bill. Information was reviewed for cost proposals between Waste Connections and Lancaster County Waste. Discussion will continue at the next meeting. Motion was made by Milton, seconded by Sladek, to enter into agreement by and between certain cities, villages and rural fire protection districts of the State of Nebraska to create a mutual finance organization, known as the Saline County Rural Fire Protection Mutual Finance Organization, as authorized by the Nebraska Municipal Finance Assistance Act by authorizing Mayor Knoke to sign necessary documentation upon receipt. On roll call voting aye, Collier, Stutzman, Sladek, Milton. Nays none. Motion carried. No further business to come before the City Council, meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m. Judith K. Knoke, Mayor ATTEST Kimberly S. Goossen, City Clerk FS — February 24, 2021
