The Marion City Times

March 2, 2009 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, March 2, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Dee Herlyn, Jeff Jeno, Judy Schlunsen, 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 Matt Mackert was present from 7:10 p.m. – 7:23 p.m. Absent: Bill Konda.

Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Mackert was present and a monthly law enforcement report for February was distributed and reviewed. Mackert advised the sheriff’s department is again at full staff.

An update was provided on the sanitary sewer improvements project. It was advised the survey is done and the plans are near completion. The plans will likely be submitted to the State in mid-March, with bid opening tentatively scheduled for late April.

Discussion was held on the matter of snow being placed in the streets by property owners after the plows have gone through. The ordinance regarding the matter was reviewed, with the decision made to place a notice in the paper & post flyers clearly stating what the ordinance is as well as advising that beginning with the 2009/2010 winter season, the City will be enforcing the ordinance, including assessing costs for removal.

Information was provided on a 1991 Maintainer, with the decision made to address the matter of purchasing a different maintainer at budget time in August.

An update was provided on the Veteran’s Memorial Park project. It was advised the fence was unable to be put in as previously scheduled due to ground conditions. Mayor Globke advised the landscaping plans are underway and the dedication plans are coming along as well.

Additional discussion was held and new information was presented on a swimming pool slide. It was advised more information on the matter needs to be compiled before any decisions are made.

Applications received for the Swimming Pool manager and lifeguards positions were reviewed. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Schlunsen to hire the following individuals for the 2009 season: Linda Luke, Pool Manager; Tera McVay, Head Lifeguard; Jessi Langrock, Lifeguard; Cara Schardin, Lifeguard; Allison Luke, Lifeguard. Motion carried. Wages will be established at the regular April meeting.

Discussion was held on the schedule for pool maintenance/repairs, to be completed by MC&R. Hopf was directed to contact MC&R to obtain a more specific timeframe.

An application received for the Summer Help position was reviewed. Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Herlyn to hire Josh Viet for the Summer Help position at the wage of $8.00/hr. Voting aye: Herlyn, Schlunsen, Jeno, Weber. Abstaining: Viet. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on two lots owned by the City along Park Place Drive, with no action taken.

The council will meet as the Local Equalization Board on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. and if needed, Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Information was provided on the District 3 Meeting to be held on March 31^st in Vermillion.

Brief discussion was held on Junior Volunteer Firefighter programs, with no action taken.

A Thank You card to the City Council from the Marion Senior Citizens was distributed. A request from the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire seeking building permit information was reviewed, with the decision made to provide the Association with the requested information.

Council permission was given for Muller to participate as a judge for the MHS Senior Experience Projects on April 30^th at the school. Council permission was given for Hopf and Sulzle to attend the 2009 Annual Wastewater Seminar in Mitchell on April 1^st & 2^nd.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Viet to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Motion carried.

March 9,  2009 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 March, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

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

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

Guests Present: Jerry Kippes, Sara Kettwig, Devin Nelson, Kaitlyn Engbrecht, and Michael Cremer.

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

Action 08/09-89: Agenda – On motion by Nelson, second by Langerock to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 08/09-90: Minutes – On motion by Langerock, second by Preheim to approve the February minutes and to acknowledge receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 08/09-91: Financial Reports – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to approve the financial reports of the District as shown in Table 1 (to be published in paper). Motion carried.

Action 08/09-92: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to approve the following claims against the District for the month of March, 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.

The School Board and Administration moved to the Sixth Grade room to view a student presentation by Devin Nelson, Kaitlyn Engbrecht, and Michael Cremer. This presentation was from an online wiki project they worked on with a group of students from Kansas over the book “The Island of the Blue Dolphins.”

School Board Reports: School Board Vice President Peter Preheim presented the Board with updates on legislative bills from the State. He also had a question on the School’s fire panel. Denise Fox informed the Board that a new fire panel had been ordered and will be installed soon. Preheim also shared Service Awards info from ASBSD. School Board President Joel Bialas stated that Board representation will be needed at the Equalization Meetings in Marion and Monroe. Bialas read a letter from K-12 teachers in support of the Accelerated Reader program. This prompted a discussion on the AR program regarding data, test scores, and high school AR. Juniors will begin reading novels as part of their English curriculum rather than doing AR tests, while seniors will fulfill their reading requirement with their Senior Projects.

Joel Bialas read an email from Aaron Thompson for the Business Manager Report. This email included information on the School Board election, transfer of General Fund balance from year to year, and estimates in State funding for the 2009/2010 fiscal school year. Audit reports were also handed out to the School Board members.

Adam Shaw gave the Athletic Director and Secondary Principal Reports. He informed the Board on students of the month, Dakota Step testing, upcoming school events, purchases of athletic uniforms, volleyballs and basketballs, and 7 double-header basketball games to be held next year (both home and away). Mr. Shaw also congratulated the Rebels wrestling team for placing 11^th at the State tournament and for a very successful wrestling season this year.

Denise Fox gave the Superintendent report. She wanted to recognize the wrestlers for their achievement at the State meet, and the kitchen staff for a 98% on a recent health inspection. Mrs. Fox also gave information on staff leave, staff negotiators, updated school events, the school flyer, Kindergarten & Jr. Kindergarten numbers for next year, yearbook flyers, Capitol Outlay budget items, and a letter of apology from a Freeman Academy fan. She informed the Board that the last day of school will be May 15 for students and May 18 for staff.

Action 08/09-93: Surplus Property – On motion by Koehn, second by Preheim to declare library books as surplus property to be disposed of as Administration sees fit. A list of the library books will be filed in the Business Office. Motion carried.

Action 08/09-94: Personnel – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 10:16 pm. Motion carried. President of the School Board, Joel Bialas, declared out of executive session at 10:46 pm.

Action 08/09-95: Negotiations – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to go into executive session for the purpose of Negotiations at 10:47 pm. Motion carried. President of the School Board, Joel Bialas, declared out of executive session at 11:26 pm.

Action 08/09-96: Adjourn – On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to adjourn the school board meeting at 11:27 pm. Motion carried.

March 12,  2009 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 13 members in attendance. Businesses present were: Al’s Studio, City Economic Development Coordinator, Donlan’s Foodland, Farmer’s State Bank, Getskow Pharmacy, Luke H/C/P, Marion Medical Clinic, Marion Veterinary Clinic, Post Office, Rex’s Plumbing, SEFP, Tieszen Chiropractic Clinic, Tieszen Memorial Home.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the February 12^th meeting minutes and a financial report, with both approved as presented.

Information was presented on a state champion sign, with discussion held on various aspects, including layout, letter size and wording. Additional information will be gathered and the topic addressed at the April meeting. General discussion was held on an inquiry into a sign recognizing non-athletic achievements.

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of April. The decision was made to hold a drawing for an Easter ham, as donated by Donlan’s. The drawing will be held on April 9^th.

Nancy Larsen, SEFP facilitator, distributed her monthly facilitator report. Larsen highlighted various aspects, including year-to-date stats, Regional Career Fair results and the upcoming Investor Reception.

Muller extended an invitation to the Marion Development Foundation’s annual meeting, which will be held on Thursday, March 26^th at 7:30 p.m. in the City Meeting Room. It was advised there will not be a City Election this year but there will be a School Election.

Dr. Peter Preheim, Marion School Board member, spoke to school funding issues.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on April 9, 2009 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

March 16,  2009 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in special session on Monday, March 16, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: Dee Herlyn, Bill Konda, Judy Schlunsen, Dave Viet and Keith Weber, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Absent: Jeff Jeno. Rick Nelson, representing the Marion School Board, was also present. The purpose of the meeting was to convene as the Local Board of Equalization.

Mayor Globke called for a moment of silence in acknowledgement of the death of Turner County Deputy Chad Mechels.

Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Schlunsen to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Gary Wieman was present and expressed a concern on the taxes for his home at 104 Cherry Avenue, as well as the direction the taxes are going for Marion. Thorough discussion was held on various aspects relating to the matter, including valuations & taxes of neighboring cities, mill levies and other property valuations in Marion. No action was taken.

No other written appeals were received at the City Office.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Viet to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. Motion carried.