The Marion City Times

January 3, 2012 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Brian Burge, Jeff Jeno, Dick Luke and Rick Nelson, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller.  Mike Ellefson joined the meeting at 7:08 p.m.  Dave Hughes joined the meeting at 7:25 p.m.  Also attending the meeting was City Superintendent Dustin Sulzle. Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Schooley was present from 7:22 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.  Absent: none. 

Motion was made by Burge, seconded by Ellefson to transfer $978.87 from the Water Fund to the Sewer Fund and $5991.25 out of the General Fund Contingency account to balance the budget, for placement in designated accounts as follows: $1338.11 in Government Buildings, $126.17 in Fire Department, $2191.90 in Streets, $684.20 in Street Lighting, $1567.40 in Contracted Services-Garbage, $83.47 in Sales Tax-Garbage.  Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

TC Sheriff’s Deputy Schooley was present and the law enforcement report for December was distributed and reviewed.  Discussion was held on miscellaneous law enforcement matters, including accident reports and animal complaints.

An update was provided on the 2009 Utility Improvement project fixes.  A revised letter of agreement was distributed and reviewed, with discussion held on various aspects.  It was reported the contractor will be signing the letter, following which the mayor will sign for the City.  The work is scheduled to be completed by June 15, 2012.

Follow up discussion was held on the Safe Routes to School program.  It was advised the city engineer has compiled estimates and is preparing a proposal.  Discussion was held on the likelihood of meeting the March application deadline, with it decided to continue working on the project for submission in the next application round.

Council permission was given for Sulzle and City Maintenance Josh Picek to attend a water conference in Sioux Falls on February 22^nd & 23^rd.

Sulzle provided an update on a sewer service matter, reviewing the results of video inspection of the line.  Discussion was held on possible causes for the problem, with the decision made to have Sulzle and Picek complete the excavation and repair. 

It was advised the chains have been replaced on the park’s suspension bridge, resulting in increased stability.  Discussion was held on possibly replacing some of the boards in the near future.

Discussion was held on a nuisance vehicle matter, with the decision made to contact the city attorney for additional information/verification.  Discussion was held on additional vehicle issues, with no action taken.

Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Nelson to hold a joint election with the school on April 10, 2012, with the election to be held in the City meeting room.  Motion carried.

Information was distributed on 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 8, 2012.

Following are the wages for City Personnel for 2012: City Operations Superintendent - $17.68/hr.; City Maintenance - $12.75/hr.; Finance Officer - $36,246.40 annually plus $35.00 per meeting; Deputy Finance Officer - $14.46/hr.; Landfill Supervisor - $10.24/hr.; Asst. Landfill Supervisor - $9.89/hr.; Zoning Administrator - $125.00/month; Fire Chief - $500.00 annual vehicle expense.

Motion was made by Ellefson, seconded by Burge to adjourn at 8:34 p.m.  Motion carried.

January 9,  2012 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 ninth day of January, 2012. Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 5:03 pm.

Members Present: Nicole Bartscher, Larry Langerock, Josh Luke, Shannon Luke, and Peter Preheim.  Absent: None.

Officers Present: Adam Shaw, Superintendent; and Chad Allison, Secondary Principal.  Absent: Aaron Thompson, Business Manager.

Student Delegate Absent: Stephanie Haiar.  Guests Present: Diane Engbrecht.

Action 11/12-69: Agenda – On motion by Bartscher, second by Shannon Luke to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 11/12-70: Minutes – On motion by Shannon Luke, second by Bartscher to approve the previous month’s minutes. Motion carried.

Action 11/12-71: Financial Reports – On motion by Bartscher, second by Shannon Luke to approve the financial reports of the District as shown in Table 1 (to be published in paper). Motion carried.

Action 11/12-72: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Bartscher, second by Josh Luke 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)

Diane Engbrecht asked about administration at away school events.  There was no Student Report.   School Board member Larry Langerock shared information on the ASBSD Negotiations workshop.   Aaron Thompson emailed the Business Manager report to the Board. 

Chad Allison gave the Secondary Principal report. He gave updates on Students of the Month, a regional career fair, athletes of the month, and athletic schedule changes.

Adam Shaw gave the Superintendent report. He informed the Board on roof project updates, the Governor’s State address & education initiative, PTO fun night, NCLB, State Legislation issues, Capital Outlay flexibility, Parent/Teacher conferences, and the February School Board meeting. 

Resolution 11/12-73: Activities Coop Resolution – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Langerock, second by Shannon Luke that the Board of Education of the Marion School District 60-3 pursue the feasibility of co-curricular activity cooperatives with the Parker School District 60-4 for the period beginning November 2012 through June 2017 with both districts sharing equal (50/50) responsibility in any co-curricular cooperative agreement. Motion carried.

Resolution 11/12-74: Shared Staff Resolution – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Bartscher, second by Josh Luke that the Board of Education of the Marion School District 60-3 directs the administration to explore the possibility of cooperating with neighboring school districts through such means as sharing staff, administration, and programs in order to enhance educational opportunities for the district’s students. Motion carried.

Resolution 11/12-75: Approve School Policies – Let it be hereby resolved that on motion by Langerock, second by Bartscher to approve the following policies as presented to the Marion School Board of Education: Policy JRAA (Collection and Maintenance of Student Records); Policy JK (Rules of Student Conduct and Discipline – Elementary School); Policy JJAB (Equal Access); and Policy JGA (Enrollment of Students from Non-Accredited Schools). A copy of the policies will be kept on file in the Business Office and on the Marion School website. Motion carried.

 Action 11/12-76: School Board Election Date – On motion by Shannon Luke, second by Bartscher to set the School Board election date for April 10, 2012, to be combined with the City of Marion and/or City of Dolton if elections are necessary for any or all entities. Motion carried.  School Board Election workers will be appointed by Business Manager Aaron Thompson if a School Board election is held.

Action 11/12-77: Personnel Matters – On motion by Bartscher, second by Josh Luke to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 6:00 pm. Motion carried.  President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, declared out of executive session at 6:16 pm.

Action 11/12-78: Adjourn – On motion by Langerock, second by Bartscher to adjourn the school board meeting at 6:17 pm. Motion carried.

January 12,  2012 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 14 members in attendance.  Businesses present were: Al’s Studio, Central Farmers, City Econ. Dev. Coordinator, Farmers State Bank, Luke Heating/Cooling/Plumbing, Marion Record, Postmaster Diane Schoenwald, Rapp Chevrolet, Saunders Chiropractic, Schmidt Country, SEFP, Southeastern, Tieszen Memorial Home and Woltman/VanKekerix/Stotz.  

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the December 8^th meeting minutes and a financial report.  Information was presented on the Marion Bucks account, Sign Improvement fund and General fund.  Motion was made by Dick Luke, seconded by Barc Smith to approve the reports as presented.  Motion carried.     

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of February.  The decision was made to hold a drawing for a $25 Marion Bucks and a box of chocolates, as donated by Saunders Chiropractic.  The drawing will be held on February 10^th.

Muller provided a recap for the Community Christmas Celebration held on December 10^th.  A total of forty-two businesses, service organizations and individuals donated prizes, with  71 adult and 5 youth prizes given out.  Santa Claus gifted over 100 children with presents & goody bags and 76 Santa pictures were ordered.  Approximately 400 individuals were served the free lunch.  A breakdown of the celebration’s expenses was provided.

Discussion was held on the need for a full-service restaurant in town, with information provided on an inquiry into the former Backwoods location.  Seeking an owner-operator for the business was addressed.  Discussion was held on having organizations, such as the B & P and Marion Development Foundation(MDF), along with the community, work together to facilitate this.  The decision was made to have B & P members meet with the MDF.

Nancy Larsen, SEFP facilitator, distributed and reviewed her monthly facilitator report, advising of 3 new inquiries this year.  Information was provided on the Regional Career Fair to be held in Marion on February 16^th.  Larsen reported the need for more interviewers for the Career Fair. 

Paul Engbrecht advised of the need for additional volunteers for the Community Bingo event held on Thursday nights at the Tieszen Memorial Home.     

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on February 9, 2012 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.  

January 16,  2012 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 special session on the sixteenth day of January, 2012. Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 5:30 pm.

Members Present: Nicole Bartscher, Larry Langerock, Josh Luke, Shannon Luke, and Peter Preheim.  Absent: None.

Officers Present: Adam Shaw, Superintendent; and Chad Allison, Secondary Principal.  Absent: Aaron Thompson, Business Manager.

Guests Present: Todd Obele, Jennifer Pankratz.

Action 11/12-79: Agenda – On motion by Bartscher, second by Josh Luke amend the agenda to the following: 4 – Personnel Matters (executive session), 5 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

The School Board discussed Marion/Parker coop issues including: coop name, academic eligibility, penalties, admission to events, termination of coop, contract amendments, coaching, facilities, gate splits, concessions, Athletic Director, playing time, complaints, liability insurance, mascot/colors, etc.

Action 11/12-80: Personnel Matters – On motion by Shannon Luke, second by Bartscher to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 7:05 pm. Motion carried.  President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, declared out of executive session at 7:14 pm.

Action 11/12-81: Adjourn – On motion by Bartscher, second by Langerock to adjourn the school board meeting at 7:15 pm. Motion carried.

february Calendar of Events