Minutes of March 17, 2004
MINUTES OF THE
NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL
A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held on Mar. 17, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. Present were: Mayor Benita White, Councilmembers: Jackie Dahlquist, Michael Green, Tyler Richter and John Torrey. Also present: The Fin. Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Asst. Fin. Officer Teresa Gossard, Dir. of Pub. Works Greg Hall, Asst. Dir. of Public Works Jack Trullinger, Officers Adrian & trainee. Arriving later: Galen & Donna Niederwerder, Mary Stetson, Jon Madsen, Casey & Carl Knuppe, LeeAnn Schumacher, and Gale & Wendy Bruns.
AGENDA
Motion by Dahlquist second by Torrey to approve the amended agenda. Aye: all. Motion carried.
MINUTES
Motion by Torrey second by Richter to approve the Mar. 3, 2004 minutes with the following correction: Rural Commercial Garbage Rate. Aye: all. Motion carried.
The 2004 Equalization Minutes were presented. Moved by Torrey second by Richter to approve the 2004 Equalization minutes. Aye: all. Motion carried.
YEARBOOK DONATION
A letter from the yearbook staff requesting a donation was presented. The Council agreed that they as individuals should donate and not use City funds for this.
AMBULANCE DEPT.
A letter written from the City to the IRS explaining that the City acknowledges receipt of all assets of the Ambulance Dept. as it has since 1975 was presented. Moved by Torrey second by Green to authorize the Mayor’s signature on this letter. Aye: all. Motion carried. An agreement is being prepared between the two entities that will state that if the Ambulance Dept. breaks away from the City they will take their assets with them.
WATER AUTOCON SYSTEM
After meeting with the City engineer and an electrical engineer the old Autocon system will be replaced with a simple system for emergency use only. The 15,000 gallon elevated tank will be used and the 32,000 gallon ground storage will not be used at this time. When these emergency situations occur we will need the publics help in conserving their water usage. Notices will be posted as soon as possible when these emergencies occur.
COMPUTER
The Dept. of Health is giving away computers for contact with the division of emergency management. Motion by Torrey second by Dahlquist to authorize the Mayor’s signature on this agreement to receive one of these computers. Aye: all. Motion carried.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Officer Adrian reported the DARE graduation is next Friday night. He will try to get a speed radar trailer here.
COMMUNITY CENTER REPAIRS
The public works staff has almost completed painting the interior of the Community Center.
The Mayor will contact the contractor on the progress of the roofing job.
SOUTH WATERLINE AGREEMENT
The final draft on the south waterline agreement that was prepared by the City Attorney was presented to the Council. Motion by Dahlquist second by Torrey to approve this agreement and send it to the south waterline users. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, Richter, and Torrey. Nay: none. Motion carried.
After discussion, with some of the south water users in attendance, it was decided that this agreement must be signed by the users by April 14, 2004 giving them ample time to ask questions.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 04-02
Ordinance Number 04-02 received its second reading.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 04-02
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE III; UTILITY ORDINANCE #3 – GARBAGE; ARTICLE II - SECTION 5 (f); GARBAGE FEES.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council for the City of New Underwood that Article III; Utility Ord. #3 – Garbage; Article II - Section 5; (f) be amended by adding a rural commercial rate as follows:
(d) $43.99 - Rural Commercial Rate
(seal)
Benita R. White, Mayor
Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer
First reading: Mar. 3, 2004
Second reading: Mar. 17, 2004
Publish Date: Mar. 24, 2004
Effective Date: April 14, 2004
Motion by Torrey second by Richter to approve the second reading of Ordinance Number 04-02. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, Richter, and Torrey. Nay: none. Motion carried.
WATER AVAILABILITY
The following rural water availability requests were presented.
Jon Madsen – approximately one half mile west of City limits.
Mr. Madsen requested running a 11/2 inch line across pasture and if the main goes out his direction he will abandon his line and hook onto this main. The Council felt that cost analysis on service line verses main and future growth potential need to be studied. These prospectives will be obtained and this availability request will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
Galen Niederwerder – approximately one half mile west of City limits.
After a lengthy discussion it was moved by Dahlquist to approve this request for availability pending payment and with signature of land purchaser on the south water user agreement prior to land transfer. Seconded by Green. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, and Torrey. Nay: Richter. Motion carried.
SNOW REMOVAL POLICY
Motion by Richter second by Dahlquist to table this discussion until next meeting.
WEST NILE
The Dir. of Public Works attended a seminar in Pierre on March 15 on West Nile. He explained about possible funding and the different steps we can implement to reduce the risks of West Nile. He will have cost figures ready for the next meeting.
RURAL WATER EXPANSION
The Mayor, Councilmen Torrey and Dahlquist, and the City staff met with the City engineer on possible options to expansion of the rural water system. A feasibility study needs to be done in order to get more answers. Resolution Number 04-01 was introduced.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 04-01
WHEREAS the City of New Underwood is requesting a grant from DENR to help pay the costs of a feasibility study on expansion of the rural water system, and
WHEREAS a city official must be designated to sign any and all documents necessary to
apply for this grant, and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the New Underwood City Council that the
Mayor, Benita R. White be designated to sign any and all documents necessary to obtain this grant.
Dated this 17th day of March, 2004
(seal) Benita R.White, Mayor
Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer
Motion by Dahlquist second by Green to accept resolution number 04-01. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, Richter, and Torrey. Nay: none. Motion carried.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
The Consumer Confidence report was received from the State and presented to the Council. A copy of this report is available for public inspection at City Hall.
OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED
- Mr. Hall reported that the Metal at the dump has been crushed.
- Hole in sidewalk along Oak street is being repaired.
- Reminder to fill out the Café plan growth survey and attend the Community Pot Luck on April 23, 2004
- Clean Up Day is the week end of April 24 & 25, 2004. The public works staff will pick the discarded items up on the following Monday & Tuesday.
- The Animal Clinic will be Sunday April 25, 2004
- The dump will be open on the first and third Saturdays starting April 3, 2004.
- Dog running at large – a warning letter will be sent.
Being no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
(Seal) Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer