Minutes March 2, 2011
MINUTES OF THE
NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL
A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Center on March 2, 2011. Present were: Mayor Dahlquist, Council member’s: Rikka Buchtel, Russ Tiensvold and Joe Whitney. Absent: Michael Green. Also present: Dir. Public Works Greg Hall, Public Works Supervisor John Bale, Finance Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Deputy McPherson, Sgt. Brubakken, John Torrey, Jack Trullinger, Cris Allen, and John Torrey. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dahlquist.
AGENDA
Moved by Whitney second by Buchtel to approve the agenda. Aye: all. Motion
carried.
MINUTES
Moved by Whitney second by Buchtel to approve the February 16, 2011 minutes. Aye: all. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT & BILL LIST
The financial reports, bill-list and vouchers were presented. Motion by Buchtel second by Tiensvold to approve the financial reports and the following warrants as presented. Aye: all. Motion carried.
February bills payable March 2, 2011
GENERAL FUND
Salaries – Finance -1353.86, Public Works – 3245.72, Council – 693.35; Merchant Bank (visa charges) – 49.84; Elan (Norton virus) – 74.19; Tri County Program (donation) – 200.00; Wellmark (Health Ins) – 2440.90; IRS – EFTPS (Feb) – 1242.52; SD Retirement (Feb) – 691.71; WREA (Service) – 1687.78; Golden West (Service) – 290.62; RC Landfill (dump fees) – 1918.05; SD State Treasurer ( Sales Tax) – 271.50; Steve’s (fuel) – 527.78; NU Post (publishing) – 259.14; Penn. Co. Highway (fuel) – 143.73; Betsy Hoffman (clean CC) – 90.00; Avenet (annual fee) – 350.00; Dakota Business Center (minute book) – 185.83; Jenner Equipment (parts cleaner) – 611.78. TOTAL: $16328.30.
WATER FUND
WREA (Service) – 368.09; WRT (monthly radium removal charge) – 1912.50; Omni Site (alarm) – 23.00; Dakota supply Group (gaskets) – 7.44. TOTAL: $2311.03
SEWER FUND
Salaries - Finance – 1353.86, Public Works – 2706.99; IRS – EFTPS (SS & FWT) – 986.17; SD Retirement (Feb) – 601.25; WREA (service) – 72.19; Omni-Site, Inc. (alarm) – 23.00; Alltell (service) – 111.12. TOTAL: $5854.58
YEARLY COMPARISONS
The Finance Officer presented the yearly comparisons for the last 10 years on income and/or expenses on propane per bldg.; water; sewer; garbage; sales tax; swimming pool; community center, and year end totals.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Bale reported that the public works staff has been working on snow removal, backhoe repairs, placing new brushes on the bobcat.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Deputy McPherson presented written monthly report. DARE graduation will be delayed until April 14th, since he will also be adding two classes on bullying.
ELECTION BOARD
Motion by Tiensvold second by Buchtel to appoint Leroy Rankin as alternate for the election board. Aye: all. Motion carried.
ANNUAL REPORT
The finance officer presented the 2010 annual report. Motion by Buchtel second by Tiensvold to accept the 2010 annual report and forward it to the South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit. Aye: all. Motion carried.
SNOW REMOVAL POLICY
The Council was presented with the current written snow removal policy. Mayor Dahlquist reminded them that the public works staff tries to go out after it quits snowing so they are not continually plowing. The Council thanked them on the excellent job they do.
PRIORITIZATION LIST
Last years prioritization list was presented to the Council for updates. A lengthy discussion followed on the placement of the different long and short term projects. The Council would like to change the prioritization list from a five year outlook plan to a useable working 1-2 year plan and the five year plan combined. The finance officer will type up a new list for their perusal including estimated costs at this time and whether the project will be done in house or contracted.
HEALTH INSURANCE
A progress report on the self insurance portion of the city health insurance was presented and the pricing of the renewal with Wellmark. Motion by Tiensvold second by Whitney to raise the deductible to $4,000.00 (which the self insurance fund covers) and renew the group health insurance with Wellmark through Fisher Rounds. Aye: all. Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION & BUILDING PERMITS
Motion by Buchtel second by Whitney to table the annexation, spiking permits, building permits and executive session, since they were not needed. Aye: all. Motion carried.
CLEAN UP DAY
Discussion followed on beautification of the City and presenting a positive and helpful attitude in getting citizens involved in cleaning up their property. Mayor Dahlquist noted that if citizens have vehicles to dispose of they should contact City Hall prior to clean up day and this is a service the City provides throughout the entire year. Placing an ad in the Post and the Profit or hand delivering flyers to get citizens more involved for clean up weekend are approaches the Council is considering. They requested the NU Post do a story on this subject to bring attention to citizens to become more proactive in beautification.
Other items discussed:
- The Mayor reported she had met with Cris Allen, aquatic director, to discuss the upcoming pool session.
- Shelter Training will be at the Community Center Saturday March 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- The Pet Clinic will be held Sunday, April 17, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Public Works Shop.
- April 19 district meeting in Keystone.
- Equalization appointments will start at 5:30 p.m. on Monday March 21st. Per state law objection forms must be received by March 17th.
- Voter Registration notice.
Being no further business the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
(Seal) Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer