New Underwood, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE

NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL

A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held on April 4, 2006 at 6:15 p.m.  Present were: Mayor Benita White, Councilmembers: Jackie Dahlquist, Larry Graham, Michael Green, and LeeAnn Schumacher.  (Alderman Schumacher arrived at 6:20 p.m.)   Also present: The Fin. Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Asst. Fin. Officer Teresa Gossard, Dir. Public Works Greg Hall, Asst. Dir. of Public Works Jack Trullinger, and Officer Przymus. 

FACILITIES TOUR

Councilman Graham & Green toured the City owned facilities with the Dir. of Public Works prior to the meeting.

AGENDA

Moved by Dahlquist second by Green to approve the agenda.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

MINUTES                                                                

Motion by Dahlquist second by Green to approve the March 15, 2006 minutes and accept the March 20, 2006 equalization minutes.   Aye: all.  Motion carried. 

MEETING DATE CHANGE

The next regular meeting will be Monday April 17, 2006 due to the District Meeting.

FINANCIAL REPORT & BILLIST                                                                                  

The Finance Officer presented the financial reports, bill-list and vouchers.  Motion by Dahlquist second by Green to approve the financial reports and the following warrants as presented.  Aye:  all.  Motion carried.  

March bills payable April 4, 2006                                                                              

GENERAL FUND                                                                                        

Salaries – 5582.06; First Western Bank (SS & FWT) – 1658.23; SD Retirement – 873.00; State Treasurer (Sales Tax) – 352.56; WREA (service) – 869.26;  Golden West (service) – 184.39; Rapid City Landfill (dump fees) – 1334.70; DakotaCare (ins) – 436.79; Janice Jensen (CC Mar.) – 48.00;  Bev Taylor (CC Mar.) – 80.00;  NU Post (Publishing) – 341.01; Steve's (fuel) – 202.42; Elan (GT & PU parts, CC supplies)  – 282.25; Penn. Co. Hwy. (fuel) – 227.93; Dakota Business Center (toner) – 185.94; Sams Club (membership) – 105;Quarterly Mileage – 489.50; B & R Truck Repair (GT repair) – 2381.16; Experience Works (donation elder meals) – 300.00; Black Hills Agency (2006 ins) – 372.00.  TOTAL: $16306.20.            

WATER FUND                                                                                             

Salaries – 1989.15; First Western Bank (SS & FWT) – 628.74; SD Retirement – 334.34; WREA (service) – 360.06; DakotaCare (ins) – 1155.12; Elan (parts) – 6.87;  Omni-site.net (alarms) – 56.00.  TOTAL – $4530.28.

SEWER FUND                                                                                             

Salaries – 650.50; First Western Bank (SS & FWT) – 187.66; SD Retirement – 110.14; WREA (service) – 51.17; Elan (sewer jet nozzle) – 104.96; Alltel (service) – 43.96; One Call System (locate tickets) – 7.96; DSG (pipe) – 34.25. TOTAL –  $1190.60.

CITY TRUCK USE

Meri Jo Anderson, representing the Economic Development Corporation, explained that the group is in the process of trying to purchase a property in New Underwood.  If this property is purchased the existing house will be torn down.  The group requested the City’s help, if needed, by supplying a truck and a driver for one day to haul the demolition debris away.  Motion by Green second by Dahlquist to grant this request.  Aye:  Green & Dahlquist.  Abstain:  Graham.  Motion carried.

Alderman Schumacher arrived.

INSURANCE

Motion by Schumacher second by Green to authorize the Finance Officer’s signature on the health insurance contract and the Public Assurance Contract.  Aye: all.  Motion carried. 

RADIOLOGY SOLUTIONS

The Dir. of Public Works explained that he has taken two radiological samples, one before the phosphates enter the system, and one after the phosphates enter the system, to try to see if this has any bearing on the higher results.  These tests were both sent to the same lab.  His records show that when the test is taken in town the radiological is low, but when we take the test at the point of entry the radiological is high.  The state changed the rule and we must take the samples from the point of entry, so we must try to isolate where the problem begins.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Officer Przymus presented his written monthly report.  He gave details of the report which included:  drunk driving, animal complaints, disturbances, domestic disagreements, minor consumptions, theft, & burglary.   

NORTH RURAL WATER USERS

The meter pits are here and going to be installed for the north water users.  A letter will be sent notifying the consumers involved.

WEST 1416 DRAINAGE

The Dir. of Public Works reported that they will start working on the west 1416 drainage project this month.  The letters were sent to all the affected property owners that the trees will be removed.  Either the property owner can move the trees themselves, if they want to save them, or the City will remove them.

VERIZON TOWER

The City Attorney is looking over the contracts this week and will have a reply for the next meeting.

2005 ANNUAL CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT

A copy of the 2005 Annual Consumer Confidence report is available at City Hall for the public’s inspection.  Motion by Schumacher second by Green to authorize Greg Hall’s signature on this report.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

SPIKING PERMIT

06-04; Teresa Gossard; April 16, 2006

Motion by Schumacher second by Green to approve this spiking permit.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

ELDERLY MEALS DONATION

Moved by Dahlquist second by Green to donate $100.00 for the elderly meals program.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

AMBULANCE DEPT.

Jack Trullinger, Ambulance Chief, reported that the Ambulance Department will be closing on May 5^th, 2006, due to lack of staffing during the day shift.  Once closed, they cannot reopen for one year according to State Law.  The volunteers still plan on continuing their monthly training to hold their EMT certifications.  They are still trying to find solutions before the May 5^th deadline, but finding qualified volunteers is looking bleak.  They are investigating establishing a First Responder Group, which would allow them to be the first on the scene to provide treatment, but would not allow them to transport patients to Rapid.

BUILDING PERMIT

BP#06-03; David Jeffries; 308 S. “C” Ave.; tower

BP#06-04; Travis Madsen; 702 S. “A” Ave; tank

Moved by Green second by Schumacher to approve these permits.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

WATER & SEWER ORDINANCES

The Council has copies of the complete water & sewer ordinances for their perusal.  Motion by Schumacher second by Green to table these ordinances until the next meeting.

OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT MEETING

1. City Hall renovation.  The City is still working with the County, pursuing different avenues for a joint building.
2. Clean Up Weekend - April 22 & 23 Alternate May 6 & 7 (NU Post)
3. Animal Clinic - April 23, Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (NU Post)
4. The aquatic director will attend the next meeting with the summer swim program.
5. Equalization – there was only one property where the County disagreed with the local board’s action.
6. SDML Meeting April 19, 2006 in New Underwood – looks like about 130 will attend from 17 different City’s.
7. The National Incident Management Courses are on line, so the elected official & appointees can take it at their leisure.
8. The new siren at the Fire Hall is still on order and should be here shortly.  The old siren has been taken down, so the pagers are coming in handy.

Being no further business the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

(Seal)  Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer