The Marion City Times

July 2, 2007 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, July 2, 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, Judy Schlunsen, Dave Viet and Keith Weber, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Also attending the meeting was City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present from 7:45 – 8:00 p.m. Absent: none.

Discussion was held on the proposed water & sewer improvements in the Broadway Circle development in the Industrial Park. Present for the discussion was Dick Luke, Marion Development Foundation president. It was advised the City is still working with the City Engineer on the matter, with a completion timeline not established at this point. Luke addressed fire protection needs. Luke advised the MDF has sprayed the area for weed control and is working with City Superintendent Hopf on the matter as well. Discussion was held on the City acquiring Lots 6 & 11 from the MDF, with the decision made to have City Attorney Cole draw up the necessary paperwork.

Follow up discussion was held on the issue with stray cats in town. Present for the discussion was Dr. Peter Preheim. Additional information was provided from Second Chance Rescue Center. Various city ordinances were reviewed, including animals running at large and leash requirements. The decision was made to place reminder notices in the paper regarding animals running at large. The ordinance draft prohibiting the feeding of strays, presented at the regular May meeting, was reviewed. Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Herlyn to hold the first reading of Ordinance #285 – Prohibit the Feeding of Stray or Abandoned Animals. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. The second reading will be held at the regular August meeting.

Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present and distributed a monthly law enforcement report for the month of June. A listing of properties in violation of city ordinances regarding matters such as grass height and rubble/junk on property was presented and reviewed. The property addresses were provided to Sheriff Nogelmeier to proceed with photo documentation, following which Finance Officer Muller will direct letters to the necessary parties.

The 2007 street oiling map was distributed and reviewed.

Discussion was held on the condition, spraying and ownership of the old ‘satellite’ site in the northeast corner of town. The decision was made to conduct research to verify ownership of the property and proceed from there.

Mayor Globke advised an estimate was received from LPL Construction for roof replacement on the north side of the water plant, as well as renovation of the entire north side. Following discussion, the decision was made to verify the source of the roof leak in order to repair the problem to allow for budgeting of the renovation project in 2008.

An inquiry was made into the status of the City’s new generator as it has not been received by the City as of yet. Muller will look into the matter.

It was advised an announcement was made at the Alumni Banquet regarding the City’s proposed development of a Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The clothing allowance policy for lifeguards for reviewed. The decision was made to amend the written policy for clarification purposes.

An inquiry was made into the placement of the new camper pads. It was advised the new pads were located there because power was already there, due to the area being originally designated as a camping pad for two units.

A request was received and presented for permission to hold an adult ball tournament at the Twin Fields on August 11^th. The decision was made to allow the use of the big ball field on Nebraska Avenue, with the additional condition of no alcohol allowed.

Mayor Globke provided a brief overview of the Southeast Area Elected Officials Workshop he attended on June 28^th in Brandon.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Viet to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.

July 9,  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 Ninth day of July, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of a Budget Hearing for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year.

Members Present: Bialas, Koehn, Luke, Petersen, and Preheim. Absent: None.

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

Guests Present: Larry Langerock, and Rick Nelson.

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Joel Bialas at 6:34 P.M.

Action 06/07-199: Agenda - On motion by Preheim second by Luke to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

The 2007/2008 fiscal school year budget was discussed. No motions were made.

Action 06/07-200: Adjourn – On motion by Preheim second by Luke to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 7:00 P.M. Motion carried.

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 Ninth day of July, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

Members Present: Bialas, Koehn, Luke, Petersen, and Preheim. Absent: None.

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

Guests Present: Larry Langerock, Rick Nelson, Scott Meyer, and Janice Williams.

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

Action 06/07-201: Agenda – On motion by Koehn, second by Preheim to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-202: Minutes – On motion by Luke, second by Preheim to approve the previous month’s minutes and to acknowledge the receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-203: Financial Reports – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to approve the financial reports of the District as follows: (Beginning balance + receipts – disbursements = current balance) General Fund: $687,192.47 + $112,057.19 - $293,114.06 = $506,135.60; Capitol Outlay Fund: $409,756.77 + $22,845.32 - $31,551.34 = $401,050.75; Special Education Fund: $49,746.25 + $21,518.84 - $37,423.56 = $33,841.53; Pension Fund: $30,169.50 + $1,132.01 - $4,637.60 = $26,663.91; Food Services Fund: $(509.53) + $7,522.77 - $3,095.92 = $3,917.32; Trust & Agency Fund: $33,163.42 + $4,350.25 - $4,594.81 = $32,918.86; Unemployment Fund: $20,609.15 + $467.09 - $0 = $21,076.24. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-204: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Luke, second by Petersen to approve the following claims against the District for the months of June and July, and then to approve warrants to be issued in their payment. Motion carried.

There were no Delegations.

Social Studies teacher / football coach Scott Meyer gave a Teacher report, informing the Board of his plans for watering the football fields this summer.

Secondary Principal Adam Shaw gave the Principal report. He informed the Board that he will be going to Mitchell this month for Fortnet Security training. Mr. Shaw also informed the Board that the State will be testing students in the field of technology starting this upcoming school year.

Superintendent Denise Fox gave the Superintendent report. She shared progress reports associated with the audits that were conducted at the Marion School during the 2006/2007 fiscal school year. Mrs. Fox also gave the Board a timeline detailing certain revenues and expenditures incurred in recent school years, as well as some expected revenues and expenditures over the next few years.

Business Manager Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager report. He informed the Board of the General Fund excess balance percentage for the 2006/2007 fiscal school year, that Marion will be under the hard cap and soft cap, therefore receiving no monetary penalty from the State. Mr. Thompson also informed the Board of the recent school bus inspections.

Action 06/07-205: Amend 2006/2007 Fiscal Year Budget – On motion by Preheim, second by Petersen to amend the 2006/2007 fiscal year budget to add $20,000.00 to both the Special Education revenue and expenditure budget amounts; also to transfer $5,000.00 from the General Fund to the Food Service Fund in order to give the Food Service Fund a positive balance for the 2006/2007 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-206: Amend Certified Contract – On motion by Koehn, second by Petersen to amend the certified contract of Sara Kettwig to include the position of Special Education Director in the amount of $3,000.00 for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-207: Approve Certified Contract – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to approve the certified contract of Janna Christiansen as K-12 Special Education Teacher in the amount of $26,000.00 for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

There was a discussion on the future of Marion Junior High sports.

Action 06/07-208: Junior High Sports – On motion by Preheim, second by Luke to pursue a Junior High Boys Basketball coop with the Canistota School District for the 2007/2008 school year. Motion carried.

School Board Concerns: School Board member Danny Koehn gave a concern on the quality of the speaker system in the school’s gym.

School Board President Joel Bialas presented plaques to Laurie Petersen, recognizing her for her 12 years of service on the Marion School Board, and to Shannon Luke, recognizing her for her 6 years of service on the Marion School Board.

Action 06/07-209: Board Member Recognitions – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to officially recognize both Laurie Petersen and Shannon Luke for their service on the School Board and their commitment to the Marion School District. Motion carried.

Action 06/07-210: Adjourn – On motion by Luke, second by Petersen to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 8:06 P.M. Motion carried.

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 Ninth day of July, 2007 at 8:15 P.M.

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

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

Guests Present: Janice Williams.

Call to order was made by Business Manager Aaron Thompson at 8:15 P.M.

The oath of office was given by Peter P. Preheim for a three year term, Larry Langerock for a two year term, and Rick Nelson for a three year term.

Official roll call was taken: Bialas – present; Koehn – present; Preheim – present; Nelson – present; and Langerock – present.

Action 07/08-1: Agenda – On motion by Bialas, second by Nelson to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-2: President of the School Board – Nominations were opened for President of the School Board of the Marion School District #60-3. On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to nominate Joel Bialas as School Board President for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried. Nomination cease by Preheim, second by Langerock. Joel Bialas was elected School Board President for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-3: Vice President of the School Board – Nominations were opened for Vice President of the School Board of the Marion School District #60-3. On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to nominate Peter Preheim as School Board Vice President for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried. Nomination cease on motion by Koehn, second by Langerock. Peter Preheim was elected School Board Vice President for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-4: Designations for the 2007/2008 Fiscal School Year – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to adopt the following designations/authorizations for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year:

A. adopt Robert’s Rules of Order as the official parliamentary procedure;

B. name the Marion Record as the official newspaper, Farmers State Bank as the official depository, the second Monday of every month as the official meeting date, to set Board Member compensation at $50.00 per meeting and Board President compensation at $60.00 per meeting, Kaufman Law Offices as the official legal counsel, per diem at the State rates, and State rate for mileage, and to authorize the signature stamps of Business Official Aaron Thompson and School Board President Joel Bialas, and to authorize the electronic signature of Business Official Aaron Thompson;

C. name Business Official Aaron Thompson and/or the Administrative Secretary as the official Finance Officers for the Trust & Agency and Food Service Funds;

D. name President Joel Bialas as the official Hearing Officer for the School Food Services;

E. set lunch prices as follows: K-6 students - $1.75, 7-12 students - $2.00, and adults - $2.75;

F. authorize Superintendent Denise Fox to close school for weather, health condition, disease, and as deemed necessary, to be played on radio station WNAX and television stations KELO, KSFY, and KDLT;

G. authorize Business Official Aaron Thompson to invest idle funds when available;

H. authorize Business Official Aaron Thompson to borrow fund when deemed necessary to pay obligated bills;

I. authorize Business Official Aaron Thompson to be the representative for Federal Surplus Property;

J. authorize Business Official Aaron Thompson to call for price quotes for gas and diesel fuel for school vehicles, and other items when deemed necessary;

K. authorize Business Official Aaron Thompson to be the representative for the Joint Powers Agreement with the State of South Dakota;

L. designate Superintendent Denise Fox as the administrator for federal programs;

M. designate $5,000.00 for the Imprest Fund;

N. set the admission prices as follows (this no longer includes secondary music concerts): adults - $3.00, students - $2.00, double-headers to be set at adults - $5.00 and students - $3.00; season passes at $20.00 for students (anyone still living at home from the age of high school on down), $45.00 for adults, and $75.00 for families; senior citizens (ages 62 and over) are eligible for free passes upon request;

O. approve the School Board Policy Book, as well as the Teacher and Student handbooks;

P. establish a line of authority in the absence of administrators from the building as follows: Secondary – Jerry Kippes, Elementary – Brett Smith, or as appointed by the administrators;

Q. designate Superintendent Denise Fox as the truancy officer;

R. approve the course of study and curriculum;

S. join the Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact with the State of South Dakota;

T. there were no requests for public school exemption;

U. authorization to apply to immigration and naturalization for permission to enroll non-immigrant alien students;

V. authorize the continuation of existing funds and accounts;

W. authorize Title I Teacher Dinah Jefferis and Superintendent Denise Fox as directors, and Business Official Aaron Thompson as fiscal agent for the Title I program;

X. designate Title I Teacher Dinah Jefferis as the homeless liaison. Motion carried.

School Board President Joel Bialas appointed Peter Preheim as representative of the School Board of the Marion School District #60-3 to the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year.

School Board President Joel Bialas appointed the following committees for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year:

Negotiations - Bialas, Koehn, Preheim – Alternate

Building/Grounds/Transportation - Koehn, Nelson, Langerock – Alternate

Finance and Food Services - Langerock, Preheim, Bialas – Alternate

Curriculum - Bialas, Nelson, Preheim – Alternate

Sports Committees:

Wrestling - Nelson, Koehn

Boys & Girls Basketball - Bialas, Langerock

Boys & Girls Track - Preheim, Nelson

Volleyball - Bialas, Koehn

Football - Nelson, Langerock

Golf - Bialas, Koehn

Cross Country - Preheim, Bialas

School Board President Joel Bialas appointed Joel Bialas as voting delegate to ASBSD/SASD.

School Board President Joel Bialas appointed Peter Preheim as the Board LAN Representative.

School Board Concerns: School Board member Peter Preheim wanted to encourage Board members and Administrators to attend the ASBSD/SASD Convention in August. He also noted that he would continue his position on the ASBSD Board of Directors if no other Board members were interested in running for this position. Board member Rick Nelson had a concern on what issues could or could not be said to coaches or at sports meetings. The chain of command was then discussed and how it relates to athletics as well as academics. School Board President Joel Bialas had a concern over keeping the Board meetings running efficiently.

Action 07/08-5: Adjourn – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 9:17 P.M. Motion carried.

July 12,  2007 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 9 members in attendance.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the June 14^th meeting minutes and a financial report, with both approved as read.

A thank you note was distributed from ElaineVanLoh for the wooden bowl she won from the organization’s June drawing. Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of August. The decision was made to hold a drawing for $25 Marion Bucks.

An overview of the Summer Celebration events was provided. It was advised that 40 prizes were given out to a maximum capacity crowd at the Free Bingo event. A big thank you is extended to businesses and individuals who donated a prize, as well as those who helped work the Bingo event. A thank you was also extended to all who helped with the organization’s parade float.

The monthly Southeast Enterprise Facilitation Project facilitator report was distributed and reviewed. Duane Tieszen, SEFP board member, advised SEFP will be mailing out surveys to various entities, including City Council members and local businesses, asking for input into the services SEFP provides.

Muller, on behalf of the Marion Development Foundation, reported on local development. It was advised the last available lot in the Broadway Circle development has been sold. Discussion was held on infrastructure in the Industrial Park.

Barclay Smith provided an update on the Habitat for Humanity project.

Dr. Peter Preheim, Marion School Board member, advised of the new members serving on the school board. Preheim addressed the matter of co-op talks with Canistota for Jr. High sports.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on August 9, 2007 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

august Calendar of Events