The Marion City Times

February 5, 2007 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, February 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Jeff Jeno, Dave Kohl, Bill Konda, Judy Schlunsen, Dave Viet and Doug VonEye, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Also attending the meeting were City Superintendent Larry Hopf and City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. Absent: none.

Gary Fedderson, owner of Silver Spur Dakota Dining, was present and expressed a concern with the county law enforcement. Also present was Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier. Fedderson advised traffic stops outside of his place of employment have negatively impacted his business, specifically his out-of-town patronage. Discussion was held on the matter, with the Mayor reiterating from a previous discussion with Fedderson that he, as the Mayor, would not instruct the Sheriff’s Department to not perform their required duties, particularly pertaining to drinking and driving offenses. Fedderson advised he is working on getting a taxi service going. Both the Council and Sheriff Nogelmeier advised they would welcome this.

Sheriff Nogelmeier distributed a monthly report summary for the month of January. The decision made during the August 2006 budget meetings to increase the city’s law enforcement coverage in 2007 was reviewed. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by VonEye to increase the City of Marion’s weekly law enforcement coverage to 34 hrs/wk. at the rate of $26.15/hr., effective March 1, 2007. Motion carried.

Cam Becker and Dick Luke, representing the Marion Development Foundation, were present and requested the release of Economic Development funds for infrastructure expenses in the Industrial Park. Motion was made by VonEye, seconded by Konda to release $12,500.00 from the Economic Development Fund to the Marion Development Foundation. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

John Ptak, representing the Tieszen Memorial Home, was present and discussion was held on the water and sewer needs for the Home’s planned four-plex east of Nebraska Avenue. Proposals for both 4” and 6” water lines were reviewed. Public safety/firefighting needs were addressed. Discussion was held on running a 6” water line south from State Street. Ptak advised the City would be able to obtain an easement from the Home for this. A mutual agreement was arrived at regarding financial responsibilities and easement provisions.

Discussion was held on the condition of the City’s maintainer, with the decision made to begin budgeting for a new (used) one. The Council commended Hopf and Sulzle for the snow removal on the City’s streets.

It was advised the remaining materials are in for the Water Plant and Hopf will coordinate efforts to complete the project.

Viet advised an offer was received from Brian Dykstra for refurbishing the Howitzer cannon currently located in the City Park. Dykstra agreed to volunteer the labor if the City paid for the materials needed for refurbishing the cannon. The decision was made to have the work completed per this agreement.

Swimming pool personnel and rates were discussed. The decision was made to place the ad in the paper seeking a manager and lifeguards for the upcoming pool season. It was also decided to run an ad for the Summer Help position.

Discussion was held on revisions to the Personnel Manual. Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Jeno to adopt the Workplace Violence policy as presented. Motion carried. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by VonEye to adopt the Notice of Vacation (Annual Leave) policy as presented. Motion carried. Additional discussion was held on adopting a physical exam and drug testing policy for new hires.

Viet advised Hope & Sulzle will be attending an OSHA Trench Safety class on February 15^th. Purchasing work shirts for the City Superintendent and Maintenance employee positions was discussed, with no action taken.

It was advised that Linda Luke, school librarian, will be attending a Summer Library Kickoff class in Yankton on February 23^rd. This is first time a class of this nature has been offered and with Luke new to the librarian position, it was advised her attendance would be beneficial to the City/School Summer Library program. The City and school will be sharing costs associated with the class.

Discussion was held on correspondence received from the Turner County Emergency Services Association, with the decision made to obtain additional information on the organization.

Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Jeno to enter into Executive Session for personnel matters at 8:55 p.m. Motion carried. The Mayor declared to come out of Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Viet to raise Finance Officer Kari Muller’s annual salary to $31,727.00 retroactive to January 1, 2007. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Jeno to hold the first reading of Ordinance #284 – Street Oiling Assessments. Motion carried. The second reading of the ordinance will be held at the March 5^th Council meeting.

The status of the proposed Community Center project was reviewed and discussed. The decision was made to direct the project’s committee chairman to organize a meeting of the committee to review and discuss the information received at this point and report back to the council.

The following individuals were selected to serve as Judges and Clerks for any Municipal Election in 2007: Ward One – Rosella Schwartz, Eleanor Becker, Mavis Knutson; Ward Two – Erma Langerock, Myrtle Rasmussen, Verda Nickel; Ward Three – Janice Loof, Grace Duerksen, Ella Tieszen. In the event of a citywide election, Rosella Schwartz would serve as Judge with a Clerk selected from the other two wards. Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Viet to approve the Judges and Clerks as appointed. Motion carried. It was advised the City of Dolton has requested to hold a combined election with the City of Marion and the Marion School on the second Tuesday in April. Muller will sign an agreement for the combined election, along with Dolton Finance Officer Sidney Garry and Marion School Business Manager Aaron Thompson.

Mayor Globke advised the County is looking into a Building Inspector position and inquiring of the cities their interest in the proposed position. Following discussion on the matter, the decision was made to have the Mayor advise the County that the City of Marion is interested and requests additional information.

Various areas of concern with the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG), the City’s planning district, were discussed. The original formation/structure of SECOG, technical assistance provided to local governments and recent revisions to the board make-up was reviewed and discussed. It was advised that additional information regarding these areas will be provided as it becomes available.

Mayor Globke expressed interest in organizing a Town Hall meeting. Following discussion on the matter, the decision was made to designate a date, time, agenda, etc. at the regular March Council meeting.

Discussion was held on a question regarding the insurance requirement in the City’s Towing Contract with Brian Dykstra. Additional information will be obtained regarding the issue.

The Council will meet in special session on Tuesday, February 20^th at 7:00 p.m. for Public Hearing purposes.

Motion was made by VonEye, seconded by Viet to adjourn at 10:05 p.m. Motion carried.

February 5,  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 special session with the School Board of the Canistota School District # 43-1 on the Fifth day of February, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

Marion Members Present: Joel Bialas, Danny Koehn, Shannon Luke, Laurie Petersen, and Peter Preheim. Absent: None.

Marion Officers Present: Denise Fox – Superintendent, Adam Shaw – Dean of Students, and Aaron Thompson - Business Manager. Absent: None.

Canistota Members Present: Gary Parry – President, Susan Anderson – Vice President, Lincoln DeKramer, Donna Larson, Steve Marquardt, Bridget Ortman, and Garrett Pritchard.

Canistota Officers Present: Wayne Wormstadt – Superintendent, Chad Janzen – High School Principal, and Lori Jansen – Business Manager.

Guests Present: Pat Jolley – Canistota Athletic Director.

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Joel Bialas at 7:00 P.M.

Action 06/07-124: Agenda - On motion by Preheim second by Luke to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Sharing in-services and schedules with other schools in the Cornbelt Conference was discussed. Advantages of using block schedules discussed. Longer class periods can give students more time to interact with teachers or work on assignments at school. Teachers can specialize in fewer subjects, and could more easily teach at another school every other day. There was a discussion on a four day school week. Advantages include saving money, raising attendance and/or morale of the students and staff. Questions were brought up on daycare issues in reference to the extra day off from school.

Charts shown on the cost savings for shared administration. A question was raised on the requirements of a technology coordinator. This position has no education requirements; qualifications include a competency in the technology field. The Technology Coordinator position will likely need to put in more hours in the future; student tech groups may be able to cover some of the tasks of this position. There was a discussion on the difficulties of hiring and retaining quality teachers and rewarding the teacher for excellent education techniques.

Sports cooperatives were discussed. Marion is looking for any Canistota students interested in joining the Marion/Freeman wrestling program. Sports cooperatives could help student athletes compete against others at their own age/experience level. Marion and Canistota both seem interested in sports cooperatives, as there is a need for more participation. Other cooperatives for extra-curricular activities were discussed, such as FFA.

More discussion followed concerning the future of our school districts.

Action 06/07-125: Adjourn – On motion by Luke second by Larson to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 9:04 P.M. Motion carried.

February 8,  2007 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. in the City Meeting Room with 16 members in attendance.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the January 11^th meeting minutes and a financial report. Motion was made by Doug VonEye, seconded by Rex VanHove to approve both as presented. Motion carried. A reminder was given for the 2007 dues.

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of March. Motion was made by Dick Donlan, seconded by VanHove to hold a drawing for $25.00 in gold dollars. Motion carried. The drawing will be held on Friday, March 16^th.

Diane Schoenwald provided information on another community’s efforts to recognize and reward excellent customer service. Discussion was held on the B & P implementing a similar program. Motion was made by Dr. Peter Preheim, seconded by Alan Astleford to have a three-member volunteer committee formed to pursue the matter and present information to the organization at the March meeting. Motion carried. The committee was formed as follows: Schoenwald, chairperson; Germaine Stratton and Muller.

Barclay Smith advised a new supply of Marion Bucks is in and currently available at the bank. The currency has undergone revisions, including sequential numbering. Smith inquired into the organization’s interest in taking over the handling/managing of the Bucks. It was advised the Bucks, if under the jurisdiction of the B & P, would be handled out of the City Office by Muller. The decision was made to verify with the City Council if this would be permissible. Von Eye, Ward 3 councilman, advised he will address it with the Council at the regular March City Council meeting.

Adam Shaw, Marion School Dean of Students, advised the Marion School Board held a joint meeting with the Canistota School Board on February 5^th to discuss sharing resources, among other topics. It was advised the Board is looking at how sharing resources will best benefit both entities, whoever they may be. Shaw also spoke to the proposed school consolidation bill before the Senate, wherein schools with an enrollment under 200 would be forced to consolidate.

Schoenwald provided information on a Town Meeting being held in Monroe on February 8^th regarding postal services. Muller provided information on four public hearings to be held by the City Council on February 20^th.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on March 8, 2007 at the Silver Spur.