The Marion City Times

September 5, 2007 City Council Proceedings

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in regular session on Wednesday, September 5, 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 and Keith Weber, together with the Mayor Ron Globke and Finance Officer Kari Muller. Also attending the meeting was City Maintenance employee Dustin Sulzle. City Zoning Administrator Rick Weber was present from 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present from 7:50 – 8:00 p.m. Absent: Dave Viet.

Motion was made by Herlyn, seconded by Schlunsen to transfer $7866.00 out of the Contingency Fund for placement in designated funds as follows: $2522.00 in Audit, $5000.00 in Government Buildings, $344.00 in Library. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

Discussion was held on a travel trailer concern. Zoning Administrator Weber advised he had met with some concerned/neighboring parties and would meet with an additional party to attempt to resolve the matter.

Ed and Dee Barr were present, along with realtor Bucky Heyer. Heyer introduced the Barrs as the new owners of the Silver Spur Dakota Dining establishment. The Barrs respectfully requested a liquor license transfer and submitted the required documents. A public hearing for the transfer application will be held during a special session meeting of the Council, with the date TBD.

Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier was present and a monthly law enforcement report for the month of August was distributed. Nogelmeier provided an update on the swimming pool vandalism case, advising suspects had been identified and charges will be brought by the State Attorney’s office. Nogelmeier was advised of a vehicle parked in the City Park for the last week and asked to check into it.

It was advised the Broadway Circle cul-de-sac in the Industrial Park will be completed by Doyle Becker Construction this fall.

Discussion was held on the City’s new generator. Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Konda to have Kettwig Electric do the necessary hook-up labor for the bid of $8706.00. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

It was advised the DOT is requesting to house their snowplow in the City’s storage building again for the winter season. The decision was made to allow storage of the DOT snowplow.

A bid from Turbo Cleaning for stripping & waxing the meeting room & bathroom floors was presented. Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Herlyn to have the work completed by Turbo Cleaning. Motion carried.

It was advised the final paperwork has been prepared for the lot being purchased by the City for the development of a Veteran’s Memorial Park. Discussion was held on some preliminary work to be done once the City has possession of the land.

Ashley Donlan, Sara Kettwig & Heidi Ptak, MACC Summer Recreation Program committee members, were present and provided an end of the year report for Summer Rec. A detailed financial report, including information on projects completed this season, was distributed and reviewed. Donlan requested the Council’s input on revising the sign up process, as there have been problems with getting the full registration fees, as well as additional problems with getting jerseys returned. The decision was made to implement and enforce new rules regarding registration/participation for the next summer rec season. Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Herlyn to reimburse the MACC $500.00 for 50% of the infield keeper wages and release the remaining $3200.00 Summer Rec funds to the MACC. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. The mayor and members of the council expressed appreciation to the committee members for the successfully run summer rec program.

Taking rubble from a house demo to the landfill was discussed. It was advised the Council would consider a reduced fee arrangement as has been done with previous demos.

Mayor Globke advised the Rural Fire Department will be holding a meeting on September 11^th regarding the proposed fire department consolidation.

It was advised public hearings will be held by the Planning Commission and City Council to consider approval of the plat for the Deckert Addition, Lot 1, as filed in the City Office.

Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Jeno to raise the 2008 monthly garbage rate from $15.50 to $17.50. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote. Motion was made by Jeno, seconded by Schlunsen to approve the 2008 City Budget. Motion unanimously carried upon roll call vote.

Information was provided on the South East Facilitation Project (SEFP). Council members were encouraged to complete and return the survey each had received from SEFP.

Discussion was held on private swimming pools, with verification to be completed on state building codes regarding cover/barrier requirements. Information was provided on the Capitol for a Day to be held in Parker on September 19^th. An invitation to an Open House for a recently expanded local business was conveyed to all.

The City Council will meet in special session on September 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Herlyn to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried.

September 10,  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 tenth day of September, 2007 at 4:00 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: None.

Call to order was made by Vice President of the School Board, Peter Preheim, at 4:03 P.M.

Action 07/08-15: Agenda – On motion by Nelson, second by Koehn to amend the agenda to the following: 9A – Building Repairs, 15 – Teacher Leave, 16 – Coalition of Schools, 17 – Alternate Delegate to ASBSD, 18 – Professional Development for Board Members, 19 – Concerns, 20 – Executive Session, 21 – School Board Tour, 22 – Adjourn; and then to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-16: Minutes – On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to amend the previous month’s minutes for the August 7, 2007 Superintendent Concerns as follows: “She also informed the Board that school pamphlets will be printed for the Open House on August 23;” then to approve the previous month’s minutes and to acknowledge the receipt of the Cornbelt Educational Cooperative minutes. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-17: 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: $617,615.46 + $115,907.62 - $102,688.47 = $630,834.61; Capitol Outlay Fund: $390,394.21 + $2,836.82 - $36,306.63 = $356,924.40; Special Education Fund: $39,981.84 + $4,650.29 - $10,275.70 = $34,356.43; Pension Fund: $26,751.47 + $177.62 - $0.00 = $26,929.09; Food Services Fund: $4,009.61 + $4,920.81 - $269.24 = $8,661.18; Trust & Agency Fund: $17,426.33 + $14,810.68 - $6,681.94 = $25,555.07; Unemployment Fund: $21,119.11 + $124.11 - $0 = $21,243.22. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-18: Bills for Consideration – On motion by Nelson, second by Langerock to approve the following claims against the District for the month of September, 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.

Secondary Principal Adam Shaw gave the Principal Report. He informed the Board of the Homecoming Royalty candidates as follows: King – Justin Garry, Drew Nelson, and Heath Petersen; Queen – Megan Herlyn, Jessi Langrock, and Baylee Smith. Homecoming week will run from Saturday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Sept. 21. Mr. Shaw also informed the Board of a High Schools That Work workshop that he will attend, and of AP classes now available to high school students for college and high school credit.

Superintendent Denise Fox gave the Superintendent Report. She informed the Board on information from the faculty in-service meeting, Consolidated Application funding, building repair quotes, Winter Sports athlete counts, and an upcoming Teacher Leadership conference. Mrs. Fox also informed the Board that Ron Nelson and Karla Harms each received Career and Technical Education program certificates for the 2007/2008 school year.

Action 07/08-19: Building Repairs - On motion by Koehn, second by Nelson to proceed with chimney liner repairs and roof repairs for the new gym. Motion carried.

Business Manager Aaron Thompson gave the Business Manager Report. He informed the Board on an upcoming Business Manager meeting he will attend this month in Pierre, and also shared some information on the school’s Transportation and Food Services. Mr. Thompson also discussed the opt-out and tax levy requests. The maximum opt-out amount to request is $150,000.00 per year and the Board requested $130,000.00 for 2008. The maximum levy request for the Capitol Outlay fund is $3.00/$1000 and the Board requested $2.70/$1000 for 2008.

Resolution 07/08-20: Opt-Out / Tax Levy Request – Let it be resolved that on motion by Langerock, second by Preheim to adopt the Annual Budget Levy Requests for the year of 2008 as follows: General Fund – maximum levy of $2.71/$1000 for AG, $3.71/$1000 for NA-Z, $4.26/$1000 for OO, $9.11/$1000 for OTH/UTIL; General Fund Opt-Out amount – levy $130,000.00; Capitol Outlay Fund – levy $2.70/$1000; Special Education Fund – maximum levy of $1.40/$1000; Pension Fund – levy $10,000.00. Roll call vote: Bialas – yes, Koehn – yes, Langerock – yes, Nelson – yes, Preheim – yes. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-21: Approve Contract – On motion by Koehn, second by Langerock to approve the Educational Aide contract for Gayle Gross in the amount of $9.00/hr. as needed for the 2007/2008 Fiscal School Year. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-22: Alternative Instruction – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to approve the Alternative Instruction applications of families A and B for the 2007/2008 Fiscal School Year. Motion carried.

AYP test results were discussed. The Marion Elementary, Junior High, and High School were all cited as Distinguished Schools.

Action 07/08-23: Teacher Leave – On motion by Preheim, second by Nelson to grant an unpaid personal leave request from a teacher. Motion carried.

Action 07/08-24: Coalition of Schools – On motion by Langerock, second by Koehn to request Marion School District’s membership into the SD Coalition of Schools for the 2007/2008 Fiscal School Year. Motion carried.

School Board President Joel Bialas appointed Peter Preheim as the alternate voting delegate to ASBSD.

Discussed different options on professional development for School Board members.

School Board Concerns: School Board member Danny Koehn gave a concern on plywood around the window air conditioning units, and quotes for air conditioning and sprinkler systems. School Board member Peter Preheim asked if any Board members would be interested in meeting with representatives and community members from other districts in order to discuss education, legislation, etc. School Board President Joel Bialas gave a concern on the outside building and grounds appearance. He also asked where the school should put the new flag pole, and whether we should look into getting a milk machine.

Action 07/08-25: Personnel Matters - On motion by Langerock, second by Nelson to go into executive session for the purpose of Personnel Matters at 6:16 P.M. Motion carried. President of the Marion School Board Joel Bialas declared out of executive session at 6:35 P.M.

Action 07/08-26: Adjourn – On motion by Preheim, second by Koehn to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 6:37 P.M. Motion carried.

The School Board took a tour of the Marion School after the Board meeting, which included a Promethean Board Presentation.

September 13,  2007 Business & Professional Organization Proceedings

The Marion Business & Professional Organization met on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tieszen Memorial Home with 10 members in attendance.

Kari Muller, Secretary/Treasurer, distributed the August 9^th meeting minutes and a financial report. Motion was made by Barc Smith, seconded by Bryan Luke to approve both as presented. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the promotional drawing for the month of October. The decision was made to hold a drawing for a Halloween-themed decoration, as donated by Getskow Pharmacy.

Aaron Thompson, Marion School Business Manager, distributed information on the MHS Homecoming activities and parade, including a parade route map. Discussion was held on the organization’s parade entry, with final details to be taken care of by Diane Schoenwald and Muller. Rex VanHove volunteered to drive the parade vehicle.

The monthly Southeast Enterprise Facilitation Project facilitator report was distributed and reviewed. A reminder was given for responding to the surveys mailed out by SEFP earlier in the month

Muller provided an update on behalf of the Marion Development Foundation, advising of ongoing activity in the Industrial Park.

Thompson advised the school has put out a new booklet/calendar, with a copy distributed for review. It was advised the School Board had decided at the September board meeting to take a lower opt-out amount, requesting $130,000 of the opt-out amount for 2008. The maximum request is $150,000 per year.

Smith provided an update on the Habitat for Humanity project. Seven homes will be going up in our local area in 2008, with the breakdown as follows: five in Sioux Falls, one in Baltic and one in Marion. Smith advised Habitat has families selected for each home. Discussion was held on holding a fundraiser for the project, with a decision to be made at the October meeting.

The next meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on October 11, 2007 at the Tieszen Memorial Home.

The regular monthly meeting of the MDF was held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29^th in the City Meeting Room. Members present were Dick Luke, Cam Becker, Scott Laible, Doyle Becker and City Economic Development Coordinator Kari Muller. Absent: Kevin Wieman.

The treasurer’s report was presented, providing an update on account funds and outstanding loans.

Discussion was held in regard to the Broadway Circle cul-de-sac. Luke advised he was present at the August 6^th City Council meeting where discussion was held on the same matter and the decision was made to have the cul-de-sac put in as platted. Various aspects were discussed, including pins, clay/dirt hauling and associated costs. It was advised the work will be completed by Doyle Becker Construction this fall.

Additional discussion was held on miscellaneous items, with no action taken.

No other business was brought before the board and motion to adjourn was made at 12:30 p.m.

A meeting of the MDF was held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14^th in the City Meeting Room. Members present were Dick Luke, Cam Becker, Scott Laible, Doyle Becker and City Economic Development Coordinator Kari Muller. Absent: Kevin Wieman.

An offer on Lots 15-19 in the Industrial Park was presented, reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Laible, seconded by C. Becker to counter offer for the original asking price, contingent on a business plan. Motion carried.

Additional discussion was held on miscellaneous items, with no action taken.

No other business was brought before the board and motion to adjourn was made at 12:30 p.m.

The City Council of the City of Marion, South Dakota met in special session on Monday, September 24, 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 Superintendent Larry Hopf. Absent: none. Rick Nelson was present from 7:25 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Mayor Globke advised he and Weber attended the September 11^th Rural Fire Department meeting, at which discussion was held on the proposed fire department consolidation. Various issues and concerns were discussed, including township contracts, funding and other related matters. It was advised a committee will be set up to further pursue the matter, with two members from each entity (rural, volunteer, city) serving on the committee. The first meeting of the committee will be held on October 3^rd with City Attorney Jeff Cole present. Weber and Schlunsen will attend as the city representatives.

A Public Hearing was held at 7:10 p.m. for a Transfer of the Retail On-sale and Sunday liquor license for Silver Spur Dakota Dining to EDB, Inc. Present for the hearing was Bucky Heyer. Ed and Deanna Barr appeared before the council in favor of granting the transfer. No one appeared before the council in opposition of granting the license transfer. Motion was made by Viet, seconded by Konda to approve the transfer. Voting aye: Konda, Viet, Schlunsen, Jeno, Weber. Voting nay: Herlyn. Motion carried.

Rex Stockwell, Jon Brown and Jon Fischer of Stockwell Engineers were present to report on water and sewer study results for the city. A report on Water System Improvements was distributed and covered in detail by Stockwell and Brown. A preliminary study for a Wastewater Collection Facilities Plan was distributed and covered in detail by Fischer and Brown. It was advised an analysis of the current water and sewer rates will be conducted to assist the city in properly addressing its water and sewer needs.

Motion was made by Schlunsen, seconded by Konda to transfer $2500.00 out of the Contingency account for placement in the Other Public Safety account. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Weber, seconded by Viet to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. Motion carried.