Minutes December 18, 2007
MINUTES OF THE
NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL
A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held on December 18, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Center. Present were: Mayor Benita White, Councilmembers: Jackie Dahlquist, Michael Green, and John Torrey. Absent: Tyler Richter. Also present: Fin. Officer Meri Jo Anderson, Dir. of Public Works Greg Hall, Officer Johnstone,
AGENDA
Moved by Green second by Dahlquist to approve the agenda. Aye: all. Motion carried.
MINUTES
Motion by Torrey second by Dahlquist to approve the December 18, 2007 minutes as presented. Aye: all. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT & BILLIST
The Finance Officer presented the governmental funds sheets. And noted the City to date has spent $44,000.00 more than revenues received.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Deputy Johnstone spoke about stop signs and the need for better addressing on the houses. Discussion followed on how best to address the addressing issue.
Deputy Johnstone will speak to the sign department about placing a sign when you come into New Underwood from the North.
AUDIT
The Mayor reported that we are on the schedule for the State to come in and audit in 2008. They will notify the City of the date two weeks prior to being here.
The Dir. of Public Works explained that the lot was high on the west end and so longer wainscoting would need to be purchased which require a change order to increase the contract $415.84. A lengthy discussion followed about drainage and elevation of the building. The Council finally went out and physically looked at the lot and structure. Upon returning it was moved by Green second by Torrey to authorize the Mayor’s signature on the change order to increase the contract by $415.84. Aye: all. Motion carried.
POLICY, PERSONNEL, & EMPLOYEE MANUAL
The Councilors Dahlquist & Torrey will meet with the Finance Officer to go over the Policy, Personnel, & Employee manual prior to taking it to the full Council.
AMBULANCE DEPT.
John Torrey explained that the Ambulance Dept. will be a full service Ambulance Department again when the hardship case they applied for through the State comes through. The Siren will sound for all calls to the Ambulance Dept. They will not need to be added to the City’s insurance.
MESSAGING SYSTEM
Resolution Number 07-10 was introduced.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 07-10
WHEREAS the City of New Underwood is requesting a grant from the South Dakota Homeland Security Grant Program to help pay the costs of a calling system that will deliver important information and messages to all residents in the community within minutes, 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 18th day of December, 2008
(seal) Benita R. White, Mayor
Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer
Motion by Torrey second by Dahlquist to approve this resolution and order the Phone Tree system. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, and Torrey. Motion carried.
2008 ELECTION
Moved by Dahlquist second by Green to appoint Connie Carmichael, Donna Rankin, and Kay McKee as election officials for 2008 and to combine with the School for the election on April 8, 2008. Aye: all. Motion carried.
CONTINGENCY TRANSFER
Motion by Dahlquist second by Torrey to approve the transfer of $9,000.00 from contingency to Solid Waste – truck repair. Aye: all. Motion carried.
SNOW REMOVAL
Resolution Number 07-11 was introduced on the snow removal policy. Motion by Green second by Torrey to approve this resolution. Roll call vote. Aye: Dahlquist, Green, and Torrey.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 07-11
SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY
It is the policy of the City of
The Director of Public Works, or his assignee, has the responsibility for initiating all snow removal actions using his best judgment and considering all prevailing weather conditions, amount of snow fall, and type of snow fall. He will also commence operations in emergency or extreme conditions.
The general practice will be as follows: When snow fall is at least two (2) inches all roads and sidewalks in priority route schedule will be followed. At this time plowing or sanding may commence before, during, and after normal working hours as well as weekends and holidays. Deviations will occur. For example, storm severity may preclude all snow removal operations or seriously impede response or an emergency may require a different allocation of resources.
1. Sidewalks in Central Business District
2. “A” Ave and parking areas in Central Business District and Fire Hall concrete
3. Ash Street from “A” Avenue east to the school then north on
4. Parking lots at the school: east, west and south side
5. Oak Street east from “A” Avenue to
6. All other streets by efficiency routes as determined (someone has to be last)
NOTE: Sanding and plowing of any streets may be stopped at any time to go back to higher priority streets to re-sand or plow, if conditions warrant.
If immediate need for Police, Fire and Rescue assistance, City personnel will leave the public right-of-way to respond. Snow removal crews will provide necessary assistance such as opening a driveway or parking lot to give access to the emergency crews. Isolated problem areas where traction is urgently needed before all other areas are handled.
Conditions may warrant the application of sand or salt or a mixture thereof. Materials will be applied on “A” Avenue,
City snow plows will not clear private driveways or private property, such as parking lot, except in an emergency as previously discussed. Snow placed in a driveway or on sidewalks where the driveway or sidewalk meets the street by City plows is the responsibility of the property owner to remove.
To the extent that any previous rule, regulation, policy or past practice, written or unwritten, is in conflict with the provision of this policy, such is hereby withdrawn, voided, and all personnel should conduct themselves in conformity with this policy.
This policy is not intended to create any duty to any individual member of the public or to protect any particular or circumscribed class of persons. All or parts of this policy may be affected by at least one or more of the following which will delay all or some of the services provided.
1. Equipment breakdown
2. Vehicle disabled in deep snow
3. Weather so severe as to cause crews to be called in from the streets
4. Equipment rendered inadequate by the depth of the snow or drifts
5. Crew breaks, and breaks requiring for refueling, refilling of material spreaders and installing chains and new blades
6. Unforeseen conditions and emergencies
Dated this 18th day of December, 2008
(seal) Benita R. White, Mayor
Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer
OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED:
- It was reported that Chad Feldman passed his solid waste certification class.
- The fence for well # 2 is being installed.
- The move to Kids Kastle will take place tomorrow. The tree service said the tree on the SE corner can be moved.
- Well #3 update tabled.
- Article on Uranium in RC Journal.
Being no further business the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
(Seal) Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Officer