The Marion City Times

January 4, 2010 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Mike Ellefson, Dee Herlyn, Jeff Jeno, Bill Konda, Dave Viet and Keith Weber, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Also attending the meeting was City Superintendent Larry Hopf and City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Rebelein was present from 7:20 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Absent: none.

Motion was made by Ellefson, seconded by Viet to transfer $904.82 out of the Contingency Account to balance the budget, for placement in designated accounts as follows: $529.90 in Mayor & Council, $157.47 in Fire Department, $217.45 in Swimming Pool. Motion carried. Information was provided on a sales tax matter.

Marion School/City Librarian Linda Luke was present and advised that the current library system utilized is quite old and becoming obsolete. Luke advised new software is being looked into and provided the Council with information on a possible option. Information was also provided on donations of numerous books for the library.

Discussion was held on a community center, with Ryan Wieman present for the discussion. Wieman addressed the Council regarding renewed interest in the possibility of getting a community center in Marion, with the focus being on a more basic, functional building. Various aspects were addressed, including size, location, uses, funding and multiple entity involvement. It was advised the matter will be pursued.

Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Rebelein was present and a monthly law enforcement report for the month of December was distributed and reviewed. Follow up discussion was held on a noise disturbance matter and a dog issue.

Discussion was held on snow piles, with no action taken. It was advised a residential mailbox on South Broadway was damaged during snow removal over Christmas. It was advised the City will replace the mailbox.

Follow up discussion was held on the matter of Central Farmers Cooperative leasing land from the City at the rubble site. Mayor Globke advised he met with Central Farmers and a prospective plan was discussed. The decision was made to have the city attorney draw up a lease.

Follow up discussion was held on the issue of the city sirens going off sporadically for unidentified reasons. It was advised the matter is being worked on by dispatch in Canton, as well as Vantek Communications and SF Two-Way Radio.

Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Konda to hold a joint election with the school on April 13, 2010, with the election to be held in the City meeting room. Motion carried.

Muller advised of the upcoming Municipal Government Day at the Legislature. All municipal officials and employees are invited to Pierre to watch the Legislature in action on February 3, 2010.

Weber submitted his written resignation, effective immediately, as a Councilman in Ward 3, due to relocating outside of Marion. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Konda to accept the resignation. Motion carried. Mayor Globke, on behalf of the City Council, thanked Weber for his years of service to the City as a Councilman.

Following are the wages for City Personnel for 2010: City Operations Superintendent - $18.07/hr.; City Maintenance - $16.18/hr.; Finance Officer - $34,668.96 annually plus $35.00 per meeting; Deputy Finance Officer - $13.83/hr.; Landfill Supervisor - $9.79/hr.; Asst. Landfill Supervisor - $9.46/hr.; Zoning Administrator - $125.00/month; Fire Chief - $500.00 annual vehicle expense.

Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Viet to enter into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. for personnel matters. Motion carried. The Mayor declared to come out of Executive Session at 8:50 p.m. and council thereupon adjourned.

January 14,  2010 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 13 members in attendance. Businesses present were: Central Farmers, City Economic Development Coordinator, CPA Heather Hofer, Getskow Pharmacy, Luke H/C/P, Postmaster Diane Schoenwald, Rapp Chevrolet, Rex’s Plumbing, Schmidt Country, SEFP, Southeastern Electric, Tieszen Chiropractic Clinic and Tieszen Memorial Home.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the December 10^th meeting minutes and a financial report, with both approved as presented.

Muller provided a recap for the 2009 Community Christmas Celebration. A total of thirty-eight businesses, service organizations and individuals donated prizes, with a total of 73 adult and 4 youth prizes given out. Santa Claus gifted 96 children with presents and goody bags. Over 300 individuals were served the free lunch. A breakdown of the celebration’s expenses was provided. Discussion was held on increasing the food order for the 2010 celebration. Muller advised a new organizer will need to be identified for the 2010 celebration. Schoenwald expressed appreciation to Muller for her efforts in organizing the celebrations.

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of February. The decision was made to hold a drawing for $25 Marion Bucks. The drawing will be held on February 12^th.

Nancy Larsen, SEFP facilitator, distributed her monthly facilitator report. It was advised that SEFP territory lines have shifted north to include McCook County. Larsen reported she had five inquiries in the month of December and is currently working with 18 different projects.

Muller advised that both the City Council and Marion Development Foundation were in support of the Hwy 44 sign improvement project initiated by the organization. Discussion was held on previously proposed sign projects, including a brick Welcome to Marion sign and an MHS State Champion sign.

Discussion was held on the organization obtaining a tax identification number, with the decision made to pursue the matter.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on February 11, 2010 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

January 11,  2010 School Board Proceedings

Pursuant to the call and the notice thereof, the School Board of the Marion School District 60-3, Marion, Turner County, SD met in regular session on the eleventh day of January, 2010 at 3:30 pm.

Members Present: Bartscher, 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: Jerry Kippes

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 3:35 pm.

Action 09/10-63: Agenda – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 09/10-64: Minutes – On motion by Nelson, second by Bartscher to approve the previous month’s minutes, and to acknowledge receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 09/10-65: Financial Reports – On motion by Bartscher, second by Koehn to approve the financial reports of the District as shown in Table 1 (to be published in paper). Motion carried.

Action 09/10-66: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Bartscher, second by Nelson to approve the following claims against the District for the month of January, 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.

School Board President Peter Preheim had questions on legislative issues and if the “Did You Know” column would be printed in the Marion Record soon. Preheim also informed the Board that January 11 through January 15 has been recognized by Governor Rounds as School Board Appreciation Week.

Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager report. He handed out audit reports for the 2008/2009 financial records, and gave updates on the Marion School Food Service program. Mr. Thompson will be in contact with other schools, comparing the food service programs.

Adam Shaw gave the Secondary Principal report. He informed the Board on Students of the Month, Conference Basketball and District Wrestling to be hosted in Marion this year, Juniors going to a career fair in Centerville next month, SRP changes, credit recovery with NovaNet, high school graduation requirement updates, and judging for this year’s Senior Projects.

Denise Fox gave the Superintendent report. She gave the Board information on a roof replacement estimate, enrollment updates, snow days to make up in May, SD State Legislation, Coalition of Schools update, State Aid information, Northwestern Energy gas rates, and ideas for the Capital Outlay five-year plan.

Mrs. Fox updated the Board on this year’s band trip. Members of the Marion Band & Chorus will travel to St. Louis for three days this April. The itinerary was given to the Board.

Mrs. Fox and Mr. Shaw informed the Board that the Wrestling team has a shortage on matching uniforms, and would like to purchase one or two sets for next year. A uniform review was given for all sports.

Mrs. Fox led a discussion on fundraising, and suggested that changes be made to club fundraisers and concessions.

The Board discussed the option of renewing the General Fund opt-out for five more years. Mr. Thompson brought information before the Board on the School’s current opt-out, as well as procedures for renewing the opt-out.

Action 09/10-67: School Board Election Date – On motion by Koehn, second by Bartscher to hold a joint election with the City of Marion on April 13, 2010. Motion carried.

School Board Election workers will be appointed by Aaron Thompson if an election is necessary this year.

The 2010/2011 Marion School calendar was discussed. A four-day school week was also discussed. Mrs. Fox will gather more information from schools that have implemented a four-day week.

Resolution 09/10-68: Resolution for Opt-Out – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Nelson, second by Bartscher the Governing Board of the Marion School District #60-3 do state that the above said board is unable to operate under the tax limitation measure currently in statute. We therefore OPT OUT of such tax limitation in the amount of $150,000.00 starting with calendar year 2010 taxes payable in the calendar year 2011. This opt out will be for five years, which will be through taxes payable in the calendar year 2015. This action has been taken by the board and approved by at least a two-third vote of the board. This opt out would be a continuation or renewal of the district’s current opt out of $150,000 maximum per calendar year. This is not an addition to the current general fund opt out amount. This decision may be referred to a vote of the people upon a petition signed by at least five percent of the registered voters in the district and filed with the governing body within twenty days of the first publication of this decision (by Feb. 3, 2010). Unless this action is referred to a vote of the people and reversed by such vote, this resolution authorizes the county auditor to spread an excess levy to raise tax dollars in the above stated amount. Motion carried with a unanimous decision of the Board.

Action 09/10-69: Personnel – On motion by Bartscher, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 6:29 pm. Motion carried. President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, declared out of executive session at 7:54 pm.

Action 09/10-70: Personnel (Superintendent Evaluation) – On motion by Koehn, second by Bartscher to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel – Superintendent Evaluation at 7:55 pm. Motion carried. President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, declared out of executive session at 8:40 pm.

Action 09/10-71: Adjourn – On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to adjourn the school board meeting at 8:41 pm. Motion carried.

february Calendar of Events