MINUTES OF THE
NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL
A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held on January 16, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall. Present were: Mayor Benita White, Councilmembers: Jackie Dahlquist, Michael Green, Tyler Richter, and John Torrey. Also present: Fin. Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Dir. of Public Works Greg Hall, Officer Johnstone, Tralice Ellis, Chad Feldman, Wes Flint, Marvin Rask, Dub & Sharon Vanneman, Cris Allen, and Travis Madsen.
AGENDA
Moved by Richter second by Green to approve the amended agenda. Aye: all. Motion carried.
MINUTES
Moved by Richter second by Dahlquist to approve the January 2, 2008 minutes as presented. Aye: all. Motion carried.
WELDER
The Dir. of Public Works requested permission to purchase a wire feed welder, bottle lease, wire, & start up kit totaling $1,027.00. Motion by Richter second by Dahlquist to grant this request. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, Richter, and Torrey. Nay: none. Motion carried.
CITY ATTORNEY
The Mayor reported that she & the Finance Officer had met with John Nooney, who has done work for the City in previous years, when Portia Brown was the City Attorney. Mr. Nooney would be willing to handle legal affairs for the City of New Underwood. Moved by Green second by Richter to that we enter into an agreement with Mr. Nooney for legal services. Aye: all. Motion carried.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
The Mayor reported that she had a complaint that citizens are crossing with vehicles from the west side of the street to park at the post office creating a danger. The council instructed the Public Works staff that when weather allows, yellow parking lines will be painted in the central business district.
ABATEMENT
Request for abatement on taxes for 5 months in 2007 from Kids Kastle. Motion by Green second by Torrey to authorize the Finance Officer’s signature on a favorable action on this abatement. Aye: all. Motion carried.
VIABLILITY OF WELL #1
The Mayor reported that we need to take a look at the old well to make sure it is not collapsing. Discussion followed on whether to look at the viability of the old well or drill a new one.
WATER AT ENGLEHART
Brian Johnson & Linda Foster, representing the Engelharts Estates Homeowners Association, presented a preliminary proposal to the City requesting City Water. They recapped the engineering study showing that expansion is available on the City Water System, which could double in size without any problems. Their proposal was they would extend the main to their property with no cost to the City, and they would pay for all the infrastructure in their development, if the City would waive all impact fees and tap fees and charge them the within the City water rate. They explained that the City would have no initial investment and twenty-four more customers.
The Council explained that City property owners had paid for the existing system with user fees and tax dollars, so there is an impact. Adding more users would increase pumping costs and tax our pumps making another impact on the system. The Council also explained that with City water to Engelhart that land would become more valuable which would be an advantage to the Homeowners Association, not the City of New Underwood. The Mayor explained that she personally would want Engelhart Estates to pay for all improvements plus all impact fees, tap fees, and the rural rate in place, since the tax payers of New Underwood are the ones who ultimately pay for improvements. There was also audience participation in the discussion. Other points brought up were operation & maintenance costs, bonding issues, annexation, water treatment, and setting precedence. The Council will take up this issue at the next meeting.
PUBLIC WORKS BLDG. CHANGE ORDER #2
Motion by Torrey second by Richter to approve the following: change order #2; increasing the contract by $202.98; skylights on the wall. Aye: all. Motion carried.
BUILDING PERMIT
P08-01; Travis Madsen; 706 S. “A” Ave.; Grain bins, tanks, concrete pads.
After discussion it was moved by Torrey second by Richter to approve this permit. Aye: all. Motion carried.
TREES IN RIGHT OF WAY
Councilman Torrey reported that there are some trees in the right of way along Ash Street. The Mayor or Councilman Torrey will talk to the land owner.
OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED:
- Municipal Government Day at the Legislature is February 5 & 6, 2008 in Pierre. Councilors Dahlquist & Richter and the Finance Officer will attend.
- The fence at the north well house is complete.
- Officer Johnston reported some traffic cones had been taken from Good Sam.
- Public Works building is progressing.
- The Policy, Personnel, & Employee Manual was tabled. Councilors Dahlquist and Torrey will meet with the Finance Officer on Thursday January 24, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. to go over this manual.
- The Mayor reported she had all the minutes from Planning & Zoning and Penn. Co. Commissioners on the Industrial Park by Box Elder and was now more informed.
- Rental rates for City Equipment will be re-evaluated at the next meeting.
- Lowering the value on the backhoe in the insurance policy saved the City about $200.00.
- Mr. Hall will check the hydrant with the broken valve on the east end of Elm.
Being no further business the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
(Seal) Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer
2008 Statement of Salaries for New Underwood, SD
Mayor - $5,000.00/yearly
Council - $50.00/meeting
Attorney - $150.00 - $200.00 hourly
Engineer - $90.00-$125.00 hourly
Deputy Sheriff - $36,239.00 yearly
Director of Public Works – $16.75 - $17.25 hourly
Maintenance Men - $9.37 – $12.50
Finance Officer - $13.88 - $14.38 hourly
Bookkeeper - $8.24 - $8.74 hourly
Laborers - $5.35 - $8.50 hourly