FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING May 5, 2026 Mayor Judith Knoke called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Kristen Milton, Phyllis Schwab, and Jeremy Collier. Mayor David Sladek absent. A quorum being present, the meeting was duly convened. Mayor Knoke led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Motions were made, seconded, and passed unanimously for the following: -to approve the minutes from April 7, 2026 Regular meeting -to approve the April Treasurer report -to approve April claims and payroll -to approve March hospital financial report -to move Police report to early in meeting -to move Fire report to early in meeting -to approve changes to Authorized Business Officers for City credit card account -to discuss employee health insurance rate increase and plan options at June meeting -to approve Mayor Knoke as authorized signer on behalf of City of Friend for beneficiary claim form -to approve hiring Hunter Svehla for Public Works summer groundskeeping help at rate of $15/hour -to approve hiring lifeguards as recommended by Pool Manager Heather Black at rates agreed on last year -to approve price of pool parties for pass holders at $125/hr -to approve hiring Nathan Hanneman to help with filling and maintaining swimming pool at rate of $25/hour for season (Milton abstain, Knoke aye) -to enter Executive Session to discuss employee pay at 9:13pm. Trent Roesler invited to join Executive Session at 9:20pm -to exit Executive Session at 9:44pm -to adjourn meeting at 9:45pm The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 20280.21; Ameritas, 1607.80; EFTPS, 2874.47; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 729.24; AMGL, se 8725.00; Architectural Design Associates, se 4772.00; BNSF Railway Company, fe 1354.58; Bethany Theis, re 50.00; Black Hills Energy, fe 613.36; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Bruning Law Group, fe 1557.50; Cengage Group, su 102.00; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Colonial Research Chemical Corporation, su 324.38; Community Redevelopment Authority, re 4608.85; Country Compost LLC, se 2000.00; Culligan Water Service, se 157.80; Cutting Edge Landscapes LLC, se 2337.99; EMS Connect, fe 110.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 630.81; Guardian Life, fe 269.53; MMC Consulting, se 7347.15; Mastiff Systems, se 823.75; Metal Tech Partners, se 675.00; Milford Plumbing Inc, se 259.40; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 1303.17; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 46.00; Norris Public Power District, fe 7113.00; Diane Odoski, re 147.90; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 247.56; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 18.82; Postmaster, se 288.53; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., se 114.75; Qwik 6, su 727.05; Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 214.85; Southeast Nebraska Development District, se 525.00; US Cellular, se 354.46; Visa 1866.18; Vyhnalek Insurance Agency, fe 16569.00; Waste Connections, se 6691.51; Windstream, se 1673.33. Total Claims Approved: $107207.64 Mayor shared congratulations to 2026 graduating seniors of EMF Public Schools Public Comments: Announce Independence Celebrations July 2nd-5th, City Garage Sales June 5th & 6th, and City Clean-up June 13th; more info on each to come. Concerns raised about Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations Deputy Smejdir from Saline County Sheriff’s Department gave Police report. No action taken. Fire Chief Brent Milton gave Fire Report with Anthony from Hampton Construction. Have meeting to discuss concrete at new Public Safety Building. No action taken. Discussion of Resolution 26-01: Ambulance Building Transfer Agreement. No action taken. Representative from Kinetic for fiber internet not present. No action taken. Mary Jo Weber gave update on condition of property at 503 Cherry St. Follow up June meeting. No action. Discussion about update on property at State and 6th St. Will be discussed at Health Board Meeting May 18th at 3:00pm. No action taken. Dustin Payne presented his bid for mowing at ballfield. No action taken. Discussion on fees for pool parties. Price for pool parties for customers who hold pool pass set at $125/hour. No vote. Discussion hiring seasonal help for grounds keeping at cemetery. Plan to have Hunter Svehla help as needed. No action taken. No Library report. Jared Chaffin gave Hospital report. No action taken. Mark Stutzman gave Building Inspector report. No action taken. Ray Rohrig gave Rescue report. No action taken. Kristen Milton and Heather Black gave pool report. No action taken. Trent Roesler gave Public Works Report. No action taken. Heather Varney and Amie Underwood 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 — May 13, 2026 ZNEZ
