The Marion City Times

February 4, 2008 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, February 4, 2008, 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. Dave Viet arrived at 7:50 p.m. Also attending the meeting was City Superintendent Larry Hopf and City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Mackert was present from 8:10 p.m. – 8:17 p.m. Absent: Judy Schlunsen.

A status update was provided on the proposed sewer improvement project. It was advised the City’s application to be placed on the State Water Plan was submitted. An income survey will be conducted in the Marion community to assist with applying for grant funds.

Copies of the Town Hall Meeting overview were distributed and brief discussion was held on the various topics covered.

Discussion was held on installing meter pits for the manufactured homes in town. Additional discussion on the matter will be held at the regular March meeting.

An ongoing issue with drainage in the southeast corner of town was discussed, with possible solutions reviewed. Additional information will be obtained regarding the matter and follow-up discussion will be held at the regular March meeting.

A problem with snow being placed on City streets after they’ve been plowed was addressed, with no action taken.

Discussion was held on the recent siren testing that was conducted by an independent contractor. A service proposal for the new outdoor warning sirens was presented and reviewed. The service would be provided by the company through which the sirens were purchased. The decision was made to review the proposal further and place the item on the March meeting agenda. Discussion was held on concerns regarding hearing the sirens in the southwest corner of town, with possible remedies addressed.

Swimming pool wages and rates were reviewed. 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 the ad for the Summer Help position.

A second estimate for the removal of three trees on the City’s property at 200 S. Broadway was distributed and reviewed. Following discussion on the matter, it was decided to place the item on the March meeting agenda.

Information was provided on a tree grinding service out of Sioux Falls that was featured on the local news. Discussion was held in relation to the service utilizing wood from landfills. Muller will contact the company for additional information.

Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Mackert was present and a monthly law enforcement report for the month of January was distributed and reviewed, with discussion held on miscellaneous police matters. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Konda to authorize the Mayor and Finance Officer to sign the Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the City and Turner County. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Weber to approve having Hopf & Sulzle attend the Annual S.D. Water and Wastewater Association Seminar on February 6^th & 7^th in Sioux Falls. Motion carried.

Media advertising information was provided. Discussion was held on the matter, with the decision made to obtain additional information.

The following individuals were selected to serve as Judges and Clerks for any Municipal Election in 2008: 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 Jeno, seconded by Konda to approve the Judges and Clerks as appointed. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Herlyn to enter into Executive Session at 8:38 p.m. for legal matters. Motion carried. The Mayor declared to come out of Executive Session at 8:48 p.m. and Council thereupon adjourned.

February 12,  2008 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 twelfth day of February, 2008 at 7:00 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: Becky Mohr and Ed Smedsrud.

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Joel Bialas, at 7:02 p.m.

Action 07/08-72: Agenda – On motion by Langerock, second by Koehn to amend the agenda to the following: 16 – Negotiations (Executive Session), 17 – Personnel (Executive Session), 18 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-73: Minutes – On motion by Preheim, second by Nelson to approve the previous month’s minutes and to acknowledge the receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-74: Financial Reports – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to approve the following financial reports of the District: (Beginning balance + receipts – disbursements = current balance) General Fund: $702,567.35 + $155,874.32 - $118,559.46 = $739,882.21; Capitol Outlay Fund: $383,601.97 + $788.05 - $1,899.62 = $382,490.40; Special Education Fund: $68,141.58 + $8,913.32 - $23,246.42 = $53,808.48; Pension Fund: $31,944.97 + $31.57 - $0.00 = $31,976.54; Food Services Fund: $3,173.07 + $9,995.99 - $7,261.75 = $5,907.31; Trust & Agency Fund: $34,755.81 + $11,268.20 - $14,021.94 = $32,002.07; Unemployment Fund: $21,344.72 + $0 - $0 = $21,344.72. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-75: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Koehn, second by Langerock to approve the following claims against the District for the month of February, and then to approve checks to be issued in their payment. Motion carried.* *Bills to be published in paper.

Barb Pritchard gave a conference call presentation to the Board on the School Reach messaging system.

Ed Smedsrud presented the Board with South Dakota legislative updates, including SB187 and SB150. He gave this presentation as part of his Administrative internship through SDSU.

There were no Teacher Reports.

Business Manager Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager Report. He gave the Board information regarding school buses, the 2006/2007 fiscal year auditor’s report, growing enrollment funds, and a payroll policy proposal.

Secondary Principal Adam Shaw gave the Principal Report. He informed the Board of a HSTW visit from Feb. 19-21, web page updates, honor roll and Students of the Month updates, curriculum updates for the 2008/2009 school year, laptop initiative and technology updates, seniors versus faculty basketball game in March, and wrestling updates.

Superintendent Denise Fox gave the Superintendent Report. She informed the Board on school accreditation, the articulation agreement, Budget and Negotiations Committees, Cornbelt Conference meeting, legislative sessions, DSTEP testing, an assembly by Sheltered Reality, approval of the T-CAP application, staff development updates, and details on the School Reach messaging system.

Action 07/08-76: School Reach – On motion by Koehn, second by Preheim to purchase a 14 month contract for a School Reach messaging system. Motion carried.

The Board acknowledged the first reading of the Annualized Salary Election / Payroll Policy.

Action 07/08-77: Technology Plan – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to approve the Marion School Technology Plan for the 2008/2009 through 2010/2011 fiscal school years, with a copy of the plan available in the Business Office. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-78: Approve 2008/2009 School Calendar – On motion by Nelson, second by Koehn to approve the Marion School calendar for the 2008/2009 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-79: Approve Administrative Contracts – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to approve the fiscal year 2008/2009 administrative contracts of Denise Fox – Superintendent/Elementary Principal for the amount of $65,000; Adam Shaw – Secondary Principal/Technology Curriculum Director/Athletic Director for the amount of $48,000; Aaron Thompson – Business Manager for the amount of $34,000. Motion carried.

School Board Concerns: School Board member Rick Nelson informed the Board that the Marion/Freeman wrestlers received a fifth-place finish and the Sportsmanship Award at the State Dual wrestling meet in Wagner. School Board Vice President Peter Preheim gave a concern that the Board and Administration should watch for updates in the South Dakota Legislative sessions. School Board President Joel Bialas had questions regarding reports and links on the Marion School website.

Action 07/08-80: Negotiations – On motion by Preheim, second by Nelson to go into executive session for the purpose of Negotiations talks at 9:12 p.m. Motion carried. School Board President Joel Bialas declared out of executive session at 9:50 p.m.

Action 07/08-81: Personnel – On motion by Nelson, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 9:51 p.m. Motion carried. School Board President Joel Bialas declared out of executive session at 10:19 p.m.

Action 07/08-82: Adjourn – On motion by Langerock, second by Preheim to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 10:20 p.m. Motion carried.

February 14,  2008 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 15 members in attendance. Businesses present were: Al’s Studio, City Economic Development Coordinator, Donlan’s Foodland, Farmer’s State Bank, Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Marion Medical Clinic, Marion Record, Marion School, Marion Veterinary Clinic, Post Office, Rapp Chevrolet, Schmidt Country/Marion Oil, Tieszen Chiropractic Clinic, Wieman Land & Auction.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the January 10^th meeting minutes and a financial report. Motion was made by Dr. Peter Preheim, seconded by Dr. Dean Tieszen to approve both as presented. Motion carried.

Muller advised the promotional drawing for the month of March would be two $25 Marion Bucks prizes, as donated by Marion Lumber. The drawing will be held on March 14^th.

It was advised a letter has been sent to the Ethanol Coalition regarding interest in holding a promotional event in Marion.

Follow up discussion was held on incorporating the prepayment of meals into the annual membership dues. Motion was made by Glen Rapp, seconded by Diane Schoenwald to keep the 2008 annual dues at the previously established amounts of $75.00 per business member and $50.00 per individual member. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on recognizing the coordinator and committee members for the All School Reunion for their dedication and years of service. Various ideas were discussed. It was also advised there is a need for recruiting a person and/or committee to take on the coordinator’s job, as the individual who has continually held this position has expressed the desire to step down. Follow up discussion will be held on the matters at the March meeting.

The monthly Southeast Enterprise Facilitation Project facilitator report was distributed and reviewed. It was advised the Regional Career Fair was successfully completed on February 11^th. A reminder was given for the SEFP Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 16^th in Tripp.

Muller advised the Marion Development Foundation’s annual meeting will be held the end of March, with two director positions to be filled. Muller advised income surveys will be mailed out in the near future, in connection with the City’s proposed sewer improvement project. The survey information is needed for the City to apply for grants/project funding. Additional information was provided on a variety of matters, including the Habitat for Humanity project, City election and Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on March 13, 2008 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

march Calendar of Events