December 2007 Newsletter

The Marion City Times

December 4, 2007 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Dee Herlyn, Jeff Jeno, Bill Konda and Keith Weber, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Also attending the meeting was City Superintendent Larry Hopf. Turner County Sheriff Deputy Matt Mackert was present from 7:15 p.m. – 7:26 p.m. Absent: Judy Schlunsen and Dave Viet.

County Deputy Matt Mackert was present and discussion was held on issues including snow plowing/ ticketing vehicles, coverage on the north side of town and speed concerns.

Discussion was held on a proposed sewer project. Present for the discussion was City Engineer Jon Fischer and Angie Hilton with the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG). Copies of a revised preliminary cost estimate for the project were distributed, reviewed and discussed. Fischer advised the next step would be to submit an application to be put on the State Water Plan. It was advised the City needs to have a rate analysis completed prior to applying for grant funds. Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Herlyn to have both a water and sewer rate analysis completed by SECOG. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. A tentative date of January 22, 2008 was set for a Public Meeting.

Discussion was held on concerns with snow in driveways, windrows, etc., following plowing of the streets. The Council advised the City is not responsible for clearing snow/windrows in driveways and is unable to do so for any individual.

It was advised arrangements will be made soon to have the City’s old siren, located on the water tower, removed.

Council approval was given for the purchase of a used snow blade.

City Superintendent Hopf advised he is working on a deal with a business to have the concrete at the landfill picked up at no cost to the City. Discussion was held on allowing residents to take what they can use as well. Council permission was given to hire Harlan Becker do some compacting in the pit.

Discussion was held on maintenance of the football field and the cost-share between the City and school. The decision was made to have representatives from each entity get together and put an agreement in writing.

Purchasing an ATV for City use was discussed. Clarification was sought on whether the purchase was approved from the 2007 or 2008 budget. It was advised the purchase could come out of the 2007 budget. Hopf advised he has obtained information from different dealerships. The council advised Hopf to focus on a dealership that will work with a municipality.

The City’s current curfew ordinance was reviewed, with discussion held on amending it to allow for different restrictions for different ages. Additional discussion will be held on the matter at the regular January meeting.

An update was provided on the N. Dakota Avenue travel trailer matter. It was advised the defendant’s initial appearance was scheduled for December 3, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.

Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Herlyn to designate Farmers State Bank as the official depository for the City funds for 2008. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Weber to designate the Marion Record as the official newspaper for the City of Marion for 2008. Motion carried.

The second reading of Ordinance No. 287 – Speeding in School Zones was held. Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Herlyn to adopt Ordinance No. 287. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on community promotion and marketing. The KELO commercial project completed by the Marion Development Foundation and local businesses was discussed. Various promotion/marketing aspects and options were discussed. Additional discussion on the matter will be held at the regular January meeting.

Issues with the trees along 7^th Street to the east of Rapp Chevrolet were discussed, as the overhanging of the branches is posing a problem with traffic. Discussion was held on removing some of the trees. City Superintendent Hopf was advised to follow up on the matter.

It was advised that author Beth Deckert has donated a copy of her book, “Take Care”, to the school library, with the book added to the City collection.

Muller reminded all of the Community Christmas Celebration to be held on December 8^th.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Konda to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried.

December 10, 2007 School Board Proceedings

Pursuant to the call and the notice thereof, the School Board of the Marion School District # 60-3, Marion, Turner County, South Dakota met in regular session on the tenth day of December, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

Members Present: Bialas, Koehn, Langerock, Nelson, and Preheim. Absent: None.

Officers Present: Denise Fox, Superintendent; Adam Shaw, Secondary Principal; and Aaron Thompson, Business Manager. Absent: None.

Guests Present: None

Call to order was made by Vice President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 4:34 p.m.

Action 07/08-48: Agenda – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to amend the agenda to the following: 17 – Personnel Matters (Executive Session), 18 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-49: Minutes – On motion by Nelson, second by Koehn to approve the previous month’s minutes and to acknowledge the receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-50: Financial Reports – On motion by Langerock, second by Koehn to approve the following financial reports of the District: (Beginning balance + receipts – disbursements = current balance) General Fund: $545,072.78 + $299,067.92 - $132,746.99 = $711,393.71; Capitol Outlay Fund: $350,155.90 + $109,630.92 - $12,047.73 = $447,739.09; Special Education Fund: $14,894.01 + $68,399.60 - $15,469.48 = $67,824.13; Pension Fund: $27,215.74 + $4,086.33 - $0.00 = $31,302.07; Food Services Fund: $7,762.94 + $5,231.14 - $10,468.59 = $2,525.49; Trust & Agency Fund: $28,002.65 + $17,752.89 - $11,345.08 = $34,410.46; Unemployment Fund: $21,307.07 + $37.65 - $0 = $21,344.72. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-51: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to approve the following claims against the District for the month of December, and then to approve checks to be issued in their payment. Motion carried. **Bills to be published in paper.

There were no Delegations. There were no Teacher Reports.

Business Manager Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager Report. He informed the Board of a recent audit of the 2006/2007 fiscal year financial records, gave information on the school’s Unemployment Fund, and also shared information on school buses and transportation issues.

Secondary Principal Adam Shaw gave the Principal Report. He informed the Board on the Senior class visiting a Sioux Falls recording studio for their English class, the Winter Concert on Dec. 3^rd, High Schools That Work assessment tests, a Systems Change conference he attended in Chamberlain, and the Marion School Technology Plan. Mr. Shaw also congratulated the Marion/Freeman wrestlers, as they took first place at the tournament in Lake Andes on Dec. 8^th.

Superintendent Denise Fox gave the Superintendent Report. She informed the Board on staff updates, the Principal Evaluation, building repairs/updates, a visit from the Science on the Move truck, the elementary Winter Program on Dec. 10^th, the high school dinner theater on Nov. 30^th, and that Haley Lund was recognized as a National Cheer Squad winner. Mrs. Fox also asked that the Building and Budget committees meet soon.

Action 07/08-52: Approve Contract – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to approve the Food Service Manager contract for Loretta Rentschler in the amount of $8.60 per hour for the remainder of the 2007/08 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-53: Amend Contract – On motion by Nelson, second by Koehn to amend the Van Driver contract for Jerry Schmidt to remove the route pay and only include Sioux Falls driver and Preschool driver duties for the remainder of the 2007/08 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-54: Approve Contract – On motion by Langerock, second by Preheim to approve the Van Driver contract for Aaron Schmeling in the amount of $1,602.86 for the remainder of the 2007/08 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Resolution 07/08-55: Homework Policy – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Preheim second by Langerock to approve the second reading of the Marion School District Homework Policy, with a copy of the policy available in the Business Office. Motion carried.

Resolution 07/08-56: Cheerleading Policy – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Langerock, second by Preheim to amend the Cheerleading policy as presented to the Marion School District Board of Education, with a copy of the new policy available in the Business Office. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-57: Interest on Investments – On motion by Koehn, second by Preheim to apply all interest earned toward the school’s General Fund. Motion carried.

School Board Concerns: School Board President Joel Bialas informed the Board that he wanted to keep the concerns more concise. School Board Vice President Peter Preheim informed the Board that one of our State legislators is interested in looking at school budgets, and that the Marion School’s budget is open to the public. Preheim also informed the Board that a few of the State legislators took interest in getting money back to the Marion School from a prior General Fund excess penalty. School Board member Larry Langerock asked when the milk machine would be coming to the School.

Action 07/08-58: Business Manager Evaluation – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Business Manager Evaluation at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried. School Board President Joel Bialas declared out of executive session at 6:42 p.m.

Action 07/08-59: Personnel Matters – On motion by Koehn, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried. School Board President Joel Bialas declared out of executive session at 6:57 p.m.

Action 07/08-60: Adjourn – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried.

December 12, 2007 Marion Development Foundation Proceedings

A meeting of the Marion Development Foundation was held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12^th in the City Meeting Room. Members present were Dick Luke, Cam Becker, Scott Laible, Kevin Wieman and City Economic Development Coordinator Kari Muller. Absent: Doyle Becker.

A secretary’s report from the previous meeting was presented and approved as read. The treasurer’s report, providing an update on account funds and outstanding loans, was presented and approved as presented.

It was advised no new information had been received regarding Lots 15-19 in the Industrial Park. Discussion was held on the City’s proposed sewer improvement project, which incorporates the Industrial Park. The decision was made to place an article with photographs in the Marion Record documenting the progress in the Industrial Park over the last year.

Muller provided an update on the community promotion and marketing discussion held at the December 4^th City Council meeting.

Additional discussion was held on miscellaneous items, with no action taken.

No other business was brought before the board and motion to adjourn was made at 12:40 p.m.

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 12 members in attendance. Businesses present were: Al’s Studio, City Economic Development Coordinator, Donlan’s Foodland, Farmer’s State Bank, Getskow Pharmacy, Marion Medical Clinic, Marion Veterinary Clinic, Marion School, Rex’s Plumbing, Schmidt Country/Marion Oil, SEFP, Tieszen Memorial Home.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the November 8^th meeting minutes and a financial report. Both were approved as presented.

Muller provided a recap for the 2007 Community Christmas Celebration. A total of forty-one businesses, service organizations and individuals donated prizes, with a total of 65 adult and 4 youth prizes given out. Santa Claus gifted 81 children with presents and goody bags. Approximately 300 individuals were served the free lunch. Motion was made by Matt Donlan, seconded by Barc Smith to gift Ron Globke and Queena Getskow with $25 Marion Bucks each in appreciation for their contributions to the Celebration. Motion carried.

Muller and Donlan, event organizers, expressed much appreciation to all who contributed to the Christmas event through their time, donations, and any other form of assistance. It was advised that an issue that has come up is the need for more help during the lunch serving portion of the event. Discussion was held on various means to resolve the matter, with the decision made to put together a schedule with each dues-paying member assigned to one (1) shift. Letters & schedules will be mailed to each member in the next month, in addition to one month prior to the Celebration.

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of January. The decision was made to hold a drawing for two (2) oil changes, as donated by Marion Oil. The drawing will be held on January 18^th.

Nancy Larsen, SEFP facilitator, distributed her monthly facilitator report. Larsen reported she had nine new inquiries in the month of November, with four new business plans started. Three start-up businesses will be presented the 1^st Dollar of Profit the end of December or January, with six others in the funding stage. Larsen advised the 2008 Regional Career Fair will be held in the new Freeman Academy gym on February 11^th. Additional information was provided on Small Business trends and characteristics of an Entrepreneurial Community.

Muller provided an overview of the developments in the Industrial Park over the last 12 months. Muller also advised of the community promotion and marketing discussion held at the December 4^th City Council meeting.

Dr. Peter Preheim, Marion School Board member, advised the school’s annual audit had recently been completed and Business Manager Aaron Thompson was commended on his handling of the school’s financial affairs. An update was given on the athletic activities currently underway.

Discussion was held on increasing member attendance at the monthly meetings. Numerous ideas and suggestions were given. The suggestion was made to incorporate prepayment of twelve meeting meals into the membership dues. Motion was made by Getskow, seconded by Preheim to increase dues by $60.00 for the purpose of meal prepayment. Following discussion, the decision was made to table the matter until the January 10^th meeting.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on January 10, 2008 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

january Calendar of Events

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