New Underwood, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE

NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL

A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held on March 20, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.  Present were: Mayor Benita White, Councilmembers: Jackie Dahlquist, , Tyler Richter, and John Torrey.  Absent: Michael Green.   Also present:  Fin. Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Dir. of Public Works Greg Hall, City Staff:  Tralice Ellis, Rob Goodman, & Mike Holloway, Laurie Holloway, Ron & Linda Parsons, Al Ackerman, Cris Allen, Kris Kroll.  Arriving Later:  Officer Kent & Mary Ann Trople.

PUBLIC HEARING

Hearing on Linn Street - one way traffic.  Again discussed was direction of traffic flow, signage, barricades, time frames.  New ideas were the school addressing parking & closing the middle gate, so children must exit at the ends.  Everyone present & those who called and stated something needs to be done and felt one way traffic may be a solution.  The hearing adjourned at 6:20 p.m. and the regular meeting reconvened.

AGENDA

Moved by Dahlquist second by Torrey to approve the amended agenda.  Aye: All.    Motion carried.

MINUTES                                                               

Motion by Dahlquist second by Torrey to approve the March 5, 2007 minutes & the 2007 Local Board of Equalization minutes as presented.  Aye: all.  Motion carried. 

ONE WAY TRAFFIC

From discussion accumulated at the hearing the Council decided the school can address this problem and gave them permission to allow one way traffic on Linn Street.  The Council & citizens suggested that a letter be sent from the school to the parents describing the route for the one way traffic, also locking the middle gate, so children must exit at the streets, and have parking reserved for the parents on the north side of the Ag. Shop. 

CITY HALL

The Dir. of Public Works presented the blueprints for a new city hall.  The Mayor explained that she would like cost estimates on the three different options, before a decision is made on going to bid.  Cost estimates will be obtained on 1)  The new building completed, not just a shell; & removal of old building;  2)  Kids Kastle, adding a meeting room, and cold storage, and take down old;  3) Hiring a structural engineer to find out if City Hall is structurally sound, remodeling & refurbishing it & building cold storage.  Councilman Richter has quotes on the concrete for the new building and has quotes coming on the electrical and plumbing and heating.  Mayor White just wants everyone to be informed on the wisest use of the money.  

COMMUNITY CENTER

Dennis Johnson spoke to the Council about the geothermal at the Community Center.  The savings within the first three years should pay for the system.  It boiled down to spend $20,000.00 on geothermal or spend $15,000.00 on air conditioners. And this system could be expanded to include the Swimming Pool.   Motion by Richter second by Torrey to go with the geothermal at the Community Center.  Roll call vote.  Aye:  Dahlquist, Richter, and Torrey.  Nay:  none.  Motion carried.

RAILROAD

DM&E was contacted on the concern expressed about the length of time “A” Ave. was blocked.  The railroad representative explained that by state law you can only block an intersection for ten minutes, but if the train moves a little bit the time starts over again.  If this should ever happen again we are to call him with the date, time, and actual length of time the intersection was blocked.  He said they definitely try not to let this happen.

Another concern expressed by one citizen was the bells ringing from 7 am to 5 pm.  The Madsen’s were contacted and they have leased the track for one year.  The railroad brings in five cars at a time and leaves them.  The Madsen’s have 3 days to fill them and then they are hauled out again.  So when this happens the bells will ring off and on those three days while they are filling.  There is no way to shut them off, he tried.

BUILDING PERMIT

A question on whether a building permit is required to remove dirt from ones property was discussed.  The Council felt a permit is required.  The property owner will be contacted. 

LOSS CONTROL SURVEY

Safety Benefits conducted an inspection for safety at City owned properties.  There were only four items that need implemented or corrected.  These will be taken care of and the date completed reported to Safety Benefits.  Motion by Richter second by Dahlquist to approve The City Staff’s signatures on these papers.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPT.

The city has an extra ice machine, the top of this machine is interchangeable with the one in the Community Center.  Mayor White requested the City donate this ice machine to the Athletic Department at the School.  Motion by Richter second by Dahlquist to grant this request.  Aye:  all.  Motion carried.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The health insurance went up 9.4% again.  Discussion followed, but no viable options were presented.  The Finance Officer will try to find less costly alternatives this year for next year.  Motion by Richter second by Torrey to authorize the Finance Officer’s signature on the 2007 Dakotacare contract.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

NEW OFFICE CHAIRS

The Council thanked National Electronic Warranties for the 24 office chairs.  They have been placed in the meeting room.

ORDINANCE NUMBER 07-01

Ordinance Number 07-01 received its first reading.  This ordinance further clarifies that the property owner is responsible for costs associated with a service line.  The City only provides mains.  Motion by Richter second by Dahlquist to approve the first reading of Ordinance Number 07-01.  Aye: all.  Motion carried.

The Council would also like a sheet that must be signed by the property owner/customer stating they have received a copy of the ordinance on their responsibilities.  A brochure will be made up.

OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT MEETING

1. Clean Up Week-end is April 21^st & April 22^nd and the Pet Clinic will be held April 29^th from 1-3. 
2. Outhouses at the Park are removed and port-a-potties will be put up May 15 thru Sept. 15. 
3. The Mayor reported the Catholic Church Carnival is cancelled, but they will have a picnic at the park & rent the Community Center this summer.  The Council did not have a problem with them using the park.
4. The Finance Officer presented the governmental funds sheets.
5. Officer Przymus presented his written monthly report and discussed it with the Council. 
6. Mark Barnes melodrama was tabled.

Being no further business the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.

(Seal)  Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer