FRIEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 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 October 7, 2025 Regular meeting to approve the October Treasurer report to approve October claims and payroll to approve Mayor signing Resolution 2025-07, to adopt the Revised Employee Handbook to approve Resolution 2025-08, to suspend employee forfeiture of vacation time for 2025 due to extreme staffing shortage to approve Mayor signing Resolution 2025-09, the year-end certification of city street superintendent Chris Miller of Miller & Associates to approve Resolution 2025-10, to have question on November 2026 ballot for electing council members at large rather than by wards to renew Zito franchise to approve donation to EMF post Prom support equal to past donation if one made. If one not made, will reassess at December meeting (no similar donation found on records) to approve special zoning permit based on Planning and Zoning Board discretion for Payne Automotive to approve Heather Varney registering and attending Clerk School in March in La Vista to enter executive session to discuss potential hiring of Public Works Supervisor, personnel, and strategic planning for police department. Entered executive session at 8:45pm to exit executive session at 9:27 pm to adjourn meeting at 9:30 pm The claims approved were as follows: October Payroll, 13826.68; Ameritas, 1634.47; EFTPS, 3550.36; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 612.76; Aqua-Chem Inc., su 3575.80; BOK Financial, fe 87737.50 Beaver Hardware, su 36.98; Black Hills Energy, se 387.75; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, fe 4608.24; Brother’s Equipment, su 264.46; Cengage Group, su 197.92; Center Point Large Print, su 98.28; Jacob & Johnathan Clouse, fe 850.00; Keith Clouse, re 92.28; Core & Main LP, su 1268.61; Country Compost LLC, fe 2000.00; Crete Area Medical Center, se 300.00; Culligan Water Service, se 113.25; DWEE, fe 150.00; Eakes Office Solutions, su 455.23; Farmer’s Union Cooperative Co., su 261.29; Hometown Leasing, fe 98.60; J & C Cemetery Repairs, se 1075.00; MMC Consulting, se/re 8429.20; MacQueen Equipment, su 305.40; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Mastiff Systems, se 210.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, se 188.12; NE Dept. of Revenue ST, fe 2649.25; Nebraska Sign, se 1303.14; Norris Public Power District, fe 6989.00; Diane Odoski, re 25.18; One Billing Solutions, LLC, se 79.18; One Call Concepts, Inc., se 21.63; Pepsi-Cola of Hastings, su 90.25; Qwik 6, su 626.35 Saline County Clerk, fe 159.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 206.49; Marvin Slepicka, su 200.00; Sudrla Water Service, se 4500.00; TextMyGov, se 300.00; US Cellular, se 354.52; Waste Connections of Nebraska, se 6844.38; Windstream, se 1601.41; Workwise Compliances, su 484.69. Total Claims Approved: 158812.65 Public comments included updates on clean up of property at 503 Cherry St, update that trees/storm debris were being taken to a site at the cemetery to be burned, announcement of a Benefit Burger Feed at the American Legion Hall on November 9th, and report of about 250 kids at Trunk-or-Treat, and reminder of Community Christmas Celebration on December 17th. Discussion about water issue at 811 Main St. No action taken. Council acknowledged Lori Sizer’s resignation from Library. No action taken. Discussion about putting hold on Grange Community Building rentals until doors are fixed. Discussion about winterization bid for the pool. No action taken. Saline County Sheriff’s Department made police report. No action taken. Diane Odoski gave Library Report. No action taken. No Hospital report. No Building Inspector Report. 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 Mayor Knoke. No action taken. Heather Varney gave Clerk Report. 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 — November 19, 2025 ZNEZ
