November 2009 Newsletter

The Marion City Times

November 2, 2009 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, November 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, 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 Dustin Sulzle. City Engineer Jon Fischer was present from 7:00 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present from 7:10 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. Absent: none.

The decision was made to change to winter hours at the landfill effective November 21^st. The landfill will be open the 1^st & 3^rd Saturdays following that date.

A Public Hearing was held at 7:15 P.M. for a Retail On-sale and Sunday liquor license and a Package Off-sale liquor license for Bud’s Tavern for 2010. 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. Voting aye: Konda, Viet, Jeno, Weber. Voting nay: Herlyn. Motion carried.

TC Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present and a monthly law enforcement report for the month of October was distributed and reviewed. Nogelmeier advised the sheriff’s department is at full staff. Discussion was held on miscellaneous law enforcement matters.

A Public Hearing was held at 7:20 P.M. for a Retail On-sale and Sunday liquor license for The Back Woods for 2010. 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. Voting aye: Konda, Viet, Jeno, Weber. Voting nay: Herlyn. Motion carried.

An update was provided on the sanitary sewer improvements project. City Engineer Jon Fischer presented Change Order #2, a change order to extend the project completion date to June 16, 2010. As the Contractor who was originally awarded this project by the City of Marion could not furnish their bonds, provide proof of insurance, or execute the Contracts as required, the City was forced to award the project to H & W Contracting, the second lowest bidder. The delay caused by the failure of the original Contractor to furnish the necessary documents, and the delay caused by switching Contractors made the original completion date impossible to meet. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Konda to approve Change Order #2. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. City Engineer Jon Fischer presented the third application and recommendation for payment to the contractor in the amount of $200,912.58 for work completed through October 27, 2009. The itemized application was reviewed, with discussion held on various aspects. Motion was made by Konda, seconded by Jeno to authorize payment in the amount of $200,912.58 to H & W Contracting. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. Fischer provided a progress update for the project. Storm sewer installation was finished on the south end of Broadway Avenue, following which 8” sanitary sewer and 6” water main was stubbed to the north from the Center Street and Dakota Avenue intersection. Water service meter pits were installed for each lot along Broadway Circle. The old trunk line was filled with K-Crete. Streets have been cut to dirt grade and gravel bases installed. Conditions permitting, paving is scheduled to be done on Broadway Avenue this week.

Follow-up discussion was held on recovery zone economic development bonds, which may be used for infrastructure. It was advised South Dakota’s counties have been allocated a specific amount of funding under this bonding program. The decision was made to submit a City drainage project to the County for consideration.

Follow-up discussion was held on a property upkeep matter, with it advised that members of the Council met with the property owner to address the matter and will monitor progress.

Information was given on the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant, to be administered by the State Energy Office, which will award grants to eligible cities and counties for energy conservation projects. The decision was made to contact the local planning district and submit a light fixtures and door replacement project for consideration.

Nominations for Councilman for the Ward Two vacancy were opened and motion was made by Weber to nominate Dave Kohl. Motion failed due to lack of a second. Motion was made by Konda to nominate Bernell Nelson. Motion failed due to lack of a second. Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Viet to nominate Mike Ellefson. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Jeno that nominations cease. Motion carried. Mike Ellefson is to fill the remaining term in Ward Two.

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

November 12, 2009 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 14 members in attendance. Businesses present were: Al’s Studio, Central Farmers Coop., City Economic Development Coordinator, CPA Heather Hofer, Donlan’s, Getskow Pharmacy, Luke H/C/P, Marion Veterinary Clinic, Rex’s Plumbing, SEFP, Southeastern Electric, Tieszen Chiropractic Clinic and Tieszen Memorial Home.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the October 8^th meeting minutes and a financial report, with both approved as presented.

Final details for the 2009 Community Christmas Celebration were discussed. The event will be held on Saturday, December 12^th at the Marion School, with lunch served from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Old Gym. Information was provided on various, related matters, including door prizes, work schedule, vendor list and inflatable donations.

Nancy Larsen, SEFP facilitator, distributed her monthly facilitator report, advising of two new inquiries received in October and one 2008 inquiry callback that is now ready to go forward with a business. Business milestones of SEFP clients were recognized for those celebrating 9-10 year and 5-6 year anniversaries. Additional information was covered on regional cooperation and collaborations.

Muller provided an update on behalf of the Marion Development Foundation, advising the MDF has sold the remaining lots (lots 15-19) in the Industrial Park. Scot and Laurie Petersen purchased the land and will be putting up a large building to house eight trucks, as well as a shop, office and dry storage.

The condition/appearance of the MARION sign on Highway 44 was discussed. General consensus was that the overall appearance was in need of improvements, with suggestions given including brickwork, landscaping and raising the sign. Discussion was held on partnering with other entities on a sign improvement project. Motion was made by Dick Donlan, seconded by Dr. Dean Tieszen to add a $25.00 sign-improvement fee to the 2010 membership dues. Motion carried.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on December 10, 2009 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

November 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 November, 2009 at 7:00 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: Janna Christiansen, Sara Kettwig, Keith Engbrecht, and Diane Engbrecht

Call to order was made by President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 7:01 pm.

Action 09/10-45: Agenda – On motion by Koehn, second by Bartscher to amend the agenda to the following: 18 – Lawsuit Funding; 19 – Personnel (Executive Session); 20 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 09/10-46: Minutes – On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to approve the previous month’s minutes, and to acknowledge receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 09/10-47: Financial Reports – On motion by Bartscher, second by Nelson to approve the financial reports of the District as shown in Table 1 (to be published in paper). Motion carried.

Action 09/10-48: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Bartscher, second by Koehn 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.

School Board member Nicole Bartscher had a question on the School Play, and concerns with School fundraisers. School Board President Peter Preheim gave the Board information on ASBSD meetings, and stated that Administrative Evaluations will take place soon.

Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager report. He informed the Board that the School will be audited on the 2008/2009 financial records starting Wednesday, November 11^th, and he also shared information on the School’s investments.

Adam Shaw gave the Secondary Principal report. He gave the Board information on Students of the Month, Parent/ Teacher Conference turn-outs, a Systems Change conference, the Veteran’s Day Program at the School, winter sports starting this month, District 7B volleyball was hosted in Marion this year, and new graduation requirements given by the State of SD. Mr. Shaw also wanted to congratulate Shayne Becker for participating in the State Cross Country meet, and to congratulate the volleyball and football teams for their successes this season.

Action 09/10-49: Alternative Instruction – On motion by Koehn, second by Langerock to approve the alternative instruction for Family B for the 2009/2010 school year. Roll call vote: Langerock – Yes, Nelson – Yes, Preheim – Yes, Bartscher – No, Koehn – Yes. Motion carried.

A home school request was discussed regarding participation in elementary school activities. No action taken.

Denise Fox gave the Superintendent report. She gave the Board information on the Consolidated Application and ARRA Application, Marion’s fall enrollment count of 211 for the 2009/2010 school year, Balanced Leadership, and Region 4B Volleyball. Mrs. Fox and the Board also wanted to express their condolences to the Ethan School in regards to Ethan Superintendent Terry Mathis, who passed away on Monday, November 9, 2009.

Action 09/10-50: Surplus Property – On motion by Bartscher, second by Koehn to declare several computers as surplus property to be disposed of as Administration sees fit. A list of the computers will be kept on file in the Business Office. Motion carried.

Action 09/10-51: Snow Removal Quote – On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to approve the snow removal quote from Nowstrup’s Backhoe & Trenching for the 2009/2010 fiscal school year. Rates will be $80 per hour for backhoe, tractor and snow blower, and $50 per hour for skid loader as needed. Motion carried.

Superintendent Fox shared updates on the Teacher Handbook with the School Board. The Handbook will be accessible on the Marion School website after all updates are made.

The Board discussed a meeting that had previously taken place between Rick Nelson and Peter Preheim from the Marion School Board of Education, and two Board members from the Parker School Board of Education. The football programs were discussed, along with shared teacher positions. The meeting was for informational purposes only, and the School Boards will not meet again unless there are specific sharing opportunities to be placed on an agenda.

The Board discussed the ASBSD Resolutions, which will be voted on at the ASBSD Delegate Assembly. The Board had a discussion on whether or not to support the school funding lawsuit against the State of SD. No actions were taken.

Action 09/10-52: Personnel – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 9:00 pm. Motion carried. President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, declared out of executive session at 9:35 pm.

Action 09/10-53: Adjourn – On motion by Nelson, second by Langerock to adjourn the school board meeting at 9:36 pm. Motion carried.

DECember Calendar of Events

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