MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
MENNO, SOUTH DAKOTA
Mayor Darrell Mehlhaf called the city council to order at 7:30 p.m. on June 7, 2010 in the finance office at city hall. Roll Call: Darrell Mehlhaf, Ronald Diede, Jerry Fischer, Galen Guthmiller, Jerome Hoff, Jerome Kotalik and Scott Simonsen; quorum present. Others present: Finance Officer Peggy Thranum, Superintendent Fred Sayler, City Attorney Ken Bertsch, City Engineer Vernon Arens, Dale Weiss, Aaron Matthaei, Sharon Guthmiller, Karen Dolan, Bill Headley, Chris Christensen, Lori Woehl and Erik Kaufman.
Guthmiller
moved to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add
– NorthWestern easement, Lori Woehl-tree Correction – delete Police change to
Policy “Re-do Water Purchase Police Policy-Pump House”. Hoff seconded; all
ayes.
REGULAR MEETING ITEMS: Hoff moved to approve the minutes of the May 3 regular meeting. Fischer seconded; all ayes.
Hoff moved to approve the May finance report. Simonsen seconded; all ayes.
FINANCE REPORT:
|
|
General |
Water |
Sewer |
Perpetual Care |
Totals |
|
Checking Balance 4/30/10: |
208,227.53 |
17,735.34 |
18,742.44 |
819.28 |
245,524.59 |
|
Warrants: |
(39,866.02) |
(9,887.12) |
(9,478.13) |
0.00 |
(59,231.27) |
|
Receipts: |
85,812.43 |
9,186.45 |
5,606.00 |
225.00 |
100,829.88 |
|
Interest: |
43.04 |
2.87 |
2.51 |
|
48.42 |
|
Month End Checking Balance 5/28/10: |
254,216.98 |
17,037.54 |
14,872.82 |
1,044.28 |
287,171.62 |
|
Water Deposits Held |
|
(4,950.00) |
|
Restricted |
(4,950.00) |
|
General Purpose CD |
50,000.00 |
|
|
Account |
50,000.00 |
|
Designated Purpose CD's |
116,945.07 |
52,412.28 |
57,580.88 |
50,927.00 |
277,865.23 |
|
Total Cash Assets: |
421,162.05 |
64,499.82 |
72,453.70 |
51,971.28 |
610,086.85 |
|
Profit or (Loss) for the month |
45,989.45 |
(697.80) |
(3,869.62) |
225.00 |
41,647.03 |
Fischer moved to approve the warrants. Kotalik seconded; all ayes.
WARRANTS APPROVED: Payroll: Council 503.72; Mayor 161.61; Finance 1044.27; Building 124.91; Police 2673.52; Streets 1991.59; Garbage 513.85; Cemetery 121.29; Ambulance 355.73; Library 256.82; Development 137.10; Water 1042.80; Sewer 1036.42; Group Insurance: Wellmark BCBS, 2489.88; Principal Life 704.33; Avesis, vision 30.32; AFLAC 143.64; Menno State Bank, payroll taxes 2582.82; SDRS, retirement 1257.18. Professional Services: Bonnie Heirigs, 3 cemetery mowings 1890.00; Rocky Zeeb’s Garbage Service, 287 residential 3587.50. Utilities: Golden West, Phone 332.04; NorthWestern Energy, electricity 1463.78; Verizon Wireless, police cell phone 36.30. Postmaster, stamped envelopes 237.75; Petty Cash-Pool 100.00; Power People 4-H Club, flowers 5th Street 200.00; Matthew Hutto, NSF check 100.00; Arens Engineering, Smoke Study 3000.00 & Hwy 18 sewer 1600.00; Bertsch Law Office, legal fees 106.40; Brown & Saenger, office supply 75.94; BPI, toner-paper 150.92; B-Y Water 1.840 million gallons water 6200.00; Colonial Research, sewer aid 119.50; Country Pride, weed eater R&M 9.60; Dept. of Revenue, sewer samples 31.00; Dust-Tex, towels & holders-pool 92.57; F.I.R.S.T., defibrillator 2062.75; Hawkins, pool chemicals 1223.36; HD Waterworks, 6 water meters 377.91; Kaiser Appliance, chain saw R&M 29.99; Ken’s Electric, rewire park shelter-’09 storm 688.01; Klaudt’s, fuel 546.78; Menno Food Market, pool supply 22.72; Menno Lumber, picnic table, ladder, pool R&M 391.11; Mettler Fertilizer, spray 143.56; Mid-American Research, sewer aid 220.60; One Call Systems, Locates 90.85; Petty Cash-General, postage/supplies 34.31; Petty Cash-Water, water sample 2.58; Radar Shop, re-certify radar 39.00; Marsha Schelske, renew EMT-I 0899 30.00; SD State Treasurer, sales tax 249.42; SCPI, publishing 229.96; Second Chance Rescue, professional services 84.92; Smith Tree Service, cut trees/remove stumps-park 1180.00; Vantek Communications, siren R&M 285.50-install base/battery pack 435.25; Walter Welding, sharpen blades 18.00-heat shut off 32.95; Western Office Plus, pool clocks 55.09-copier drum 170.99
SCHEDULED BUSINESS: City Attorney Ken Bertsch explained an easement request from NorthWestern Energy. Kotalik moved to enter into an easement agreement with NorthWestern Energy to allow them to install underground power lines to provide service to the new hardware store facing Fifth Street on lumber yard property. The easement will be 10’ wide located on the north 75’ of the west property line and 10’ wide the entire length, 175’, of the north lot line. No existing trees are to be removed to install the lines. Diede seconded. Roll call; all ayes. Bertsch left at 7:40 p.m.
City Engineer Vernon Arens discussed the findings from the recent smoke testing and viewing of the sewer lines that have been videoed. A map is posted in the finance office that shows the grade of the sewer lines. Green-lines are okay, they meet the minimum .4% grade allowed by DENR; Yellow-lines are marginal, meaning DENR will allow them as they are between .3% - .4% grade; Red-lines do not meet DENR approval. They are too flat with inadequate drop. Some of these lines were laid in 1910 and 1920’s when they did not have the technology they do today. He gave the council two options for sewer improvements. The first is to replace the sewer line on Park Street from the lift station to Highway 18 plus Highway 18 from west city limits to East Street, $460,000. The second is to replace the sewer line from west city limits on Highway 18 to East Street and install a lift station at Park Street and Highway 18, $240,000. The lift station could later be removed and used elsewhere. The water distribution improvement on Highway 18 of $68,400 would be included with either sewer project.
Kotalik moved to utilize option two of the sewer improvements for $240,000 and the water improvement for $68,400, total $308,400. Arens is to discuss our needs with the state and move forward with the paper work to obtain funding. Guthmiller seconded. Roll call; all ayes. Arens left at 8 p.m.
Hoff moved to approve the renewals of the following malt beverage licenses. Simonsen seconded; all ayes.
Fischer moved to approve a Temporary Malt Beverage Permit for the Menno Alumni on July 4 at the city-school gym. Diede seconded; all ayes.
Guthmiller moved to approve a permit allowing consumption of alcohol in a public place for an alley dance between the Beer Garden and Schnitz on July 2. Hoff seconded; all ayes.
Sharon Guthmiller and Karen Dolan discussed the need for a water supply for the “City Garden” between Zeeb Insurance and Smidt Appliance. Mayor Mehlhaf, with the assent of the council, assured the ladies if they provided a tank, the city would see they had water for the plants in the garden. The ladies left at 8:08 p.m.
Menno School Superintendent Chris Christensen and Business Manager Dale Weiss discussed remodeling the bathrooms and replacing the bleachers in the city/school gym. They will do some checking to be sure any bathroom remodeling will be up to state codes. The mayor will attend the July 14 school board meeting to discuss what percentage the city would be expected to pay for new bleachers. These topics will be revisited at the July council meeting. Chris and Dale left at 8:26 p.m.
Lori Woehl was told the tree on the outside of the sidewalk of their property is the homeowner’s responsibility. They would be liable for any damage caused by removing the tree. It was suggested she contact her insurance company. She left the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS: “To Do List” Nothing added at this time.
The mayor reported the city received $2464.50 from Wieman Auction for the sale of the John Deere 420 U tractor and Detroit Harvester Mower.
Hoff moved to table the decision of contributing money to the fire department until it is determined if money from the city is actually necessary for the purchase of the Jaws of Life. Diede seconded; all ayes.
Experience Works expects workers to work year around, not just seasonally and they are not allowed to drive. The mayor asked if the council wished to pursue the Experience Works program or hire seasonal help. The council will need to go into executive session to discuss maintenance workers. This will be moved to the end of the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Hoff moved to give permission to the Athletic Club to sell fireworks for the 2010 season. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
Restricted use site manager Galen Heckenlaible conducted a survey on two different dates concerning changing the hours at the site. First survey of 27 yielded 3 that would like to see a change. Second survey of 36 yielded none that would like to see a change. Hours at the site will remain the same, Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1-4 p.m.
The restricted use site was inspected recently by DENR and we received a very favorable report.
Fischer moved to reapply for an ambulance hardship exemption. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
Guthmiller moved to purchase a 65 pint dehumidifier for the finance office. Diede seconded; all ayes.
Hoff moved to pay expenses for Thranum to attend SDRS training June 24 in Sioux Falls. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
Fischer moved to approve the attorney’s rate adjustment effective July 1, 2010. The billable rate will be $100 per hour. The rate charged for cemetery deeds will be $25 per deed. Additional time spent on verifying descriptions of the deed will be billed in addition to the deed preparation fee. Kotalik seconded; all ayes
Simonsen moved to update the Water Purchase Policy. B-Y Water purchased from the pump house will be 0-1000 gallons $12 and every thousand thereafter $12. (The old price was $10.) Diede seconded; all ayes.
Diede moved to approve the Statement of Extension to continue our Joint Cooperative Agreement with District III through December 31, 2011; dues will be $1066. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
It was decided the city maintenance employees will use their personal cell phones for city business. Since they are all Verizon users, there should be no charge for calls. Their numbers will not be made public. Employees will receive no compensation for this.
Discussion was had on determining water loss; estimated water loss for 2009 is 18.5%. Maintenance is to figure out what it would cost to meter city services. No action was taken on water-sewer rates.
A thank you was received from Cub Scout Pack 191 for allowing use of the meeting room.
For Your Information: The finance officer was contacted by DOH to apply for a Mosquito Control Grant. The city was awarded Package B: 1.5 – 2x2.5 gallon Biomist 3+15 RTU ULV adulticide spray and 1.5 – 2x2.5 gallon Anvil 2+2 RTU ULV adulticide spray. This opportunity was limited to existing mosquito control programs which have been previously funded by DOH’s Mosquito Prevention and Control Program and whose county has been declared flooded (including all entities within) by the SD Office of Emergency Management.
The May MADC packet and SEFP report were given to the council.
New elected official’s packets will be printed in July when they become available.
Bill Headley left the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Sayler said he was approached about the box culvert in front of Gary Ulmer’s shop possibly being rusted out. It was determined the repair would be the city’s responsibility. Fred mentioned they are discharging the ponds so a butterfly valve can be replaced. The baby pool is loosing water and they do not know why; they think there could be a leak in the plumbing. They will fill it from the big pool as needed.
Matthaei stated he had been approached about trucks having problems making the corners on the truck route to the sale barn. It was suggested the trucks come all the way north and then back south to avoid having to make all the corners.
Hoff moved to go into executive session at 9:37 p.m. to discuss maintenance workers. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
The mayor declared them out of executive session at 9:48 p.m.
Hoff moved to place an ad to accept applications for summer help for mowing and other light maintenance work for approximately 20 hours a week. Guthmiller seconded; all ayes.
Simonsen moved to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. until Friday, July 2, 2010 at 5:45 p.m. Hoff seconded; all ayes.
Peggy Thranum, Finance Officer Darrell J. Mehlhaf, Mayor