New Underwood, South Dakota

A  regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall on August 19, 2015. Present were: Mayor Jack Trullinger, Councilmembers: Rikka Buchtel, Larry Graham, Laurie Holloway, and Kathy Trullinger. Also present: Finance Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Deputy McPherson, Wes Flint, Nancy Bain, and Dianne Trullinger.

AGENDA

Motion by K. Trullinger second by Buchtel to approve the agenda. Aye: all. Motion carried.

MINUTES

Moved by Graham second by Holloway to approve the August 5, 2015 as published.  Aye: all. Motion carried.

PUBLIC WORK

• Mr. Hall is in Huron getting certified in wastewater.
• The distributor broke down when they went to pick it up from the repair shop. A new carburetor has been installed and it is running fine currently.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Deputy McPherson presented his written monthly report. He is currently having issues with a person who is walking or riding bike around town intoxicated. The Sheriff will check and make sure that the family that had people living in a travel trailer have abated this nuisance.

ORDINANCE #15-10 RESERVE POLICY

Ordinance Number 15-10 received its second reading.

ORDINANCE NUMBER 15-10

ARTICLE II – GENERAL

SECTION XI - RESERVES

BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council for the City of New Underwood that Article II; Section XI; General; Reserve Policy be as follows:

CITY OF NEW UNDERWOOD

RESERVE POLICY

1. The establishment and maintenance of adequate cash balances and reserves allow the City financial and security and is recognized as an important factor considered by bond rating agencies and the underwriting community when reviewing City debt issuance. Along with maintaining the City’s credit worthiness, such cash balances and reserves provide the means to handle economic uncertainties, local disasters and other unanticipated financial hardships, as well as to meet cash flow requirements. In addition to the designations noted below, the fund balance levels will be sufficient to meet funding requirements for projects approved in prior years that are carried forward into the new year; debt service reserve requirements; reserves for encumbrances; and other reserves or designations required by contractual obligations or generally accepted accounting principles.

1. General Policies

1. A positive cash balance should be shown in the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. At a minimum, the balance should be 25% of general fund appropriations for the succeeding fiscal year in order to provide adequate cash flow and emergency cash funding. With the long term objective of 50%.

2. Restricted cash reserves should not be used to finance routine operating expenses that exceed budgeted levels.

3. Cash reserves should not be used to finance capital projects, unless those reserves were specifically earmarked for a project.

4. Revenues will equal or exceed expenditures for each budget year unless there are funds available in excess of the cash reserves requirements of this policy. Excess cash reserves may be used to balance revenues and expenditures as long as the minimum cash reserve requirements of this policy are met.

5. Short-term borrowing, such as Tax Anticipation Notes, in order to meet the requirements in a. through d. of this section is prohibited.

6. The City’s annual budget is considered balanced if the cash reserve requirements, the working capital requirements, and the revenue and expenditure requirements of this policy have been met. (Sections 2-4).

    

1. Working Capital

1. The City will assemble sufficient cash reserves in operating funds for working capital so that short term cash flow financing is not required. The cash reserve will be no less than 25% of the next year’s operating budget. Operating funds are defined as special revenue and enterprise funds. With the long term objective of 50%.

    

1. Capital Project Reserve Fund

   a.   The Council may designate specific fund balance levels for future development of capital projects that do not require bond financing. The Council may annually transfer to the fund any balance from operating funds in excess of the cash reserve requirements within this policy.

   (seal)                                                                            

                                                                                                       Jack W. Trullinger, Mayor

   Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer

    

   First reading: August 5, 2015

   Second reading: August 19, 2015

   Publish Date: August 27, 2015

   Effective Date: September 16, 2015

    

   Motion by Graham second Holloway by to accept the second reading of Ordinance Number 15-10. Roll call vote. Aye: Buchtel, Graham, Holloway, and K. Trullinger. Nay: none. Motion carried.

    

   2016 BUDGET

   The Council went over the 2016 proposed budget, after discussion Budget Ordinance #15-11 received its first reading. Motion by Buchtel second by K. Trullinger to accept the first reading of Ordinance 15-11. Aye: all. Motion carried.

    

    

    

   REMOVING MOBILE HOME AT 517 S. “A’ AVE

   Removing mobile home at 517 S. “A” Ave. (Benita’s Tax Service) was discussed. The Mayor requested that instead of condemning the mobile home he would like the Council to declare it a nuisance and have it removed. The Mayor has spoken to the executor of the Estate and he thought that it was already gone, and agrees it should be removed. Mr. Flint did not agree with this approach, and would still like the property condemned and removed and charged to the estate as per SDCL 21-10-06, using no city funds to get this removed. Motion by Holloway second by Buchtel to declare this property a nuisance and have it removed as per SDCL 9-29-13, and city ordinance. Aye: all. Motion carried.

    

   SPIKING PERMITS

   Spiking Permit #15-06; Theresa Derr; October 3, 2015

   Moved by Buchtel second by Graham to approve this spiking permit. Aye: all. Motion carried.

    

   ABATEMENT

   Nancy Bain spoke and showed pictures to the council of her neighbor’s property at 210 S. “B” Ave. which she would like abated. A letter of abatement to mow the grass and clean up the property was sent on Monday. The Mayor explained the process to abate a nuisance in the City of New Underwood. She felt the City should appoint an individual to go through the City and issue abatements for people to clean up their property. No motions were made.

    

   ALARMS AT THE WELL AND LIFT STATION

   The Omni-site, who manages the alarms at the well and lift station, called and the current alarms we have need upgrades for a total cost of $384.00. Motion by Buchtel second by K. Trullinger to get these upgrades. Aye: all. Motion carried.

    

   BUILDING PERMITS

   BP#15-14; Joe & Jessica Weishaar; 106 S. Madison; fence & shed (renew 14-15) Moved by Buchtel second by Holloway to approve this permit. Aye: all. Motion carried.

   BP#15-15; Jim Szymonski; 101 S. Monroe; fence & shed (renew 14-12) Motion by Buchtel second by Holloway to table this permit until permit received. Aye: all. Motion carried.

   BP#15-16; Jessica Schauer; 110 S. “C” Ave; move on mobile home (double wide)

   Motion by Holloway second by Buchtel to table this permit until pictures & permit completely filled out. Aye: all. Motion carried.

    

   OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1. The Mayor reported the swimming pool is closing for the season Thursday.

2. Two letters of abatement were sent on mowing, vehicle parts, and vehicle paint smell.

    

   Being no further business Mayor Trullinger adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

    

   (Seal) Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer