November 2007 Newsletter

The Marion City Times

November 5, 2007 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, November 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the City Building with the following council members present: 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 Superintendent Larry Hopf and City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. Fire Chief Dick Luke was present from 7:55 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Absent: Dee Herlyn.

Discussion was held on a proposed sewer project. Present for the discussion was City Engineer Jon Fischer. Information from the State regarding the City’s request for a modified surface water discharge permit was reviewed. A tentative schedule for the proposed sewer project was presented. Discussion was held on the City’s winter sump pump ordinance, with the decision made to include information on the ordinance with the 2008 water books.

Mayor Globke presented a letter to the Council from an individual purchasing land in the southeast corner of town on which the City has previously expressed interest in obtaining an easement. It was advised once closing is completed, the easement matter can be addressed.

Follow-up discussion was held on possible landfill relocation. It was advised that additional research had been completed on the matter and there are no restrictions requiring relocation. Following discussion on additional aspects, the decision was made to discontinue pursuing the matter.

Mayor Globke advised he was approached by an individual interested in obtaining the City’s old siren located on the water tower. Issues with removing the siren from its current location were addressed. It was advised arrangements will be made to remove the siren. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Jeno to declare the City’s two, old, 3-phase sirens surplus. Motion carried.

A Public Hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. for a Retail On-sale and Sunday liquor license and a Package Off-sale liquor license for Bud’s Tavern for 2008. No one appeared before the council in favor or in opposition of granting the licenses for Bud’s Tavern. Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Weber to approve the licenses. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

The list of representatives authorized by the City to make purchases at the SD Federal Property Agency in Huron was updated.

Turner County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Mackert was present and a monthly law enforcement report for the month of October was distributed. Discussion was held on issues including jake braking, speeding concerns and curfew violations.

A Public Hearing was held at 8:10 P.M. for a Retail On-sale and Sunday liquor license for The Back Woods for 2008. No one appeared before the council in favor or in opposition of granting the license for The Back Woods. Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Weber to approve the license. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

Discussion was held on a Broadway Avenue street sign inquiry for the park and swimming pool. Various aspects were discussed, with the decision made to have Globke, Weber and Hopf get together on location and type of sign. Placement is targeted for next spring.

The MARION sign on Highway 42 was discussed. It was advised that replacement of the lights has become an issue as they are being shot out. It was decided to look into some type of cover for the lights.

An inquiry into the older playground equipment at the City Park was addressed. Weber advised the MACC has discussed purchasing new playground equipment for toddlers. Locating the equipment closer to the Twin Fields was discussed. The decision was made to complete additional research on the matter.

A draft of a Fire Services Consolidation Agreement was distributed to all and reviewed. It was advised the consolidation committee will be meeting again to discuss the draft.

The decision was made to change to winter hours at the landfill effective November 12^th. The landfill will be open the 1^st & 3^rd Saturdays going forward.

Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Schlunsen to hold the first reading of Ordinance #287 – Speeding in School Zones. Motion carried. The second reading will be held at the regular December meeting.

City Superintendent Hopf provided information on Alltel cell phones for city use. The decision was made to purchase two cell phones for use by Hopf and Sulzle while on duty and enter into a contract with Alltel.

An update was provided on the N. Dakota Avenue travel trailer matter. It was advised the complaint will be served and a trial date set.

Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Jeno to approve Muller to attend the Election Workshop on November 29^th in Sioux Falls. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on rental of the City’s Santa suit. The decision was made to allow rental of the suit to businesses and service organizations. The rental fee was set at $25.00.

Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Konda to enter into Executive Session for personnel matters at 9:13 p.m. Motion carried. The Mayor declared to come out of Executive Session at 9:32 p.m. and Council thereupon adjourned.

November 8, 2007 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 15 members in attendance.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the October 11^th meeting minutes and a financial report. Both were approved as presented.

Details for the 2007 Community Christmas Celebration were discussed. The event will be held on Saturday, December 8^th at the Marion School, with lunch served from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Old Gym. Final details on the adult and youth drawings were ironed out.

Discussion was held on the new DEX phone listing for Marion. Concerns were expressed over the revised alphabetical listing, placing Marion under Dolton. A contact name and phone number for a DEX representative were provided.

Dick Luke, Marion Development Foundation president, advised the lights on the Marion sign on Highway 42 will be fixed soon. It was advised it has been too wet as of late to allow the necessary equipment in to repair the lights. Luke advised the cul-de-sac is currently going in on Broadway Circle.

Dr. Peter Preheim, Marion School Board member, spoke to a key legislative issue with school funding. Preheim advised of an upcoming meeting in Tripp for District 19 schools, at which local legislators will be present. Anyone interested was encouraged to attend.

Motion was made by Preheim, seconded by Rex VanHove to set the 2008 dues at $75.00 per business member and $50.00 per individual member with the option for special assessment(s) as warranted. Motion carried.

Muller advised of the decision by the City Council to place signs on Broadway Avenue for the park & swimming pool. The suggestion was made to have businesses located off Broadway Avenue consider placing a sign indicating which direction from Broadway Avenue the business is located.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on December 13, 2007 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

November 12, 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 twelfth day of November, 2007 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: Lila Clay and Matt Donlan.

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Joel Bialas, at 7:03 P.M.

Action 07/08-38: Agenda – On motion by Langerock, second by Koehn to amend the agenda to the following: 12 – Resignation, 13 – Snow Removal Quote, 14 – Homework Policy, 15 – Concerns, 16 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-39: 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 07/08-40: Financial Reports – On motion by Langerock, second by Koehn to approve the following financial reports of the District: (Beginning balance + receipts – disbursements = current balance) General Fund: $571,365.75 + $89,548.35 - $115,841.32 = $545,072.78; Capitol Outlay Fund: $350,027.21 + $3,402.45 - $3,273.76 = $350,155.90; Special Education Fund: $27,050.49 + $11,112.99 - $23,269.47 = $14,894.01; Pension Fund: $27,068.38 + $147.36 - $0.00 = $27,215.74; Food Services Fund: $6,078.54 + $11,261.61 - $9,577.21 = $7,762.94; Trust & Agency Fund: $24,492.10 + $14,892.30 - $11,368.14 = $28,016.26; Unemployment Fund: $21,275.05 + $32.02 - $0 = $21,307.07. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-41: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Preheim, second by Nelson to approve the following claims against the District for the month of November, 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.

Business Manager Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager Report. He informed the Board on an upcoming audit of the 2006/2007 fiscal year financial records and of a recent IRS compliance check. Mr. Thompson also shared information on the school’s transportation.

Secondary Principal Adam Shaw gave the Principal Report. He informed the Board on new Promethian Boards purchased for classrooms, parent/teacher conferences, staff in-services, student assessment tests for High Schools That Work, and this year’s wrestling numbers. Mr. Shaw also informed the Board that he will attend a technology conference in Chamberlain this month.

Superintendent Denise Fox gave the Superintendent Report. She requested that the Board’s Building Committee should meet soon. Mrs. Fox also informed the Board of leaks in the Ag shop roof; a new milk machine, new microphones, and tarps for the school; a Science on the Move lab at the school Nov. 29 & 30; and parent/teacher conferences.

Action 07/08-42: Approve Contract – On motion by Nelson, second by Koehn to approve the Co-Head Wrestling contract for Dean Schoenwald in the amount of $1,820.00 for the 2007/08 wrestling season. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-43: Approve Contract – On motion by Koehn, second by Langerock to approve the Assistant Boys Basketball contract for Aaron Thompson in the amount of $1,300.00 for the 2007/08 basketball season. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-44: Approve Contract – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to approve the Assistant Girls Basketball contract for Edward Smedsrud in the amount of $1,820.00 for the 2007/08 basketball season. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-45: Accept Resignation – On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to accept the resignation of Connie McManus as Food Service Manager. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-46: Snow Removal Quote – On motion by Koehn, second by Preheim to accept the snow removal quote from Nowstrup Backhoe and Trenching in the amount of $80.00 per hour for backhoe work for the 2007/2008 fiscal school year. Motion carried.

The Board acknowledged the first reading of the Marion School District Homework/Makeup Work Policy, with a copy of the policy available in the Business Office. Motion carried.

School Board Concerns: School Board Vice President Peter Preheim brought up concerns on School Board professional development, the possibility of a Board retreat, a time breakdown of School Board meetings, and Board procedures in dealing with certain issues. School Board member Danny Koehn asked if there are any Freeman students interested in cheerleading for wrestling. School Board member Larry Langerock asked about keys for the fifth and sixth grade basketball coaches. School Board member Rick Nelson brought up a concern on schedule conflicts and transportation issues for the basketball and wrestling cheerleaders. School Board President Joel Bialas shared some information on competitive dance and cheerleading. He also brought up a concern over Parker contacting him in regards to consolidation talks. The School Board did not wish to discuss consolidation with Parker at this time.

Action 07/08-47: Adjourn – On motion by Preheim, second by Langerock to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 9:25 P.M. Motion carried.

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