Month: November 2021

11/15/2021 A Voice From the Gallery

A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence.

          Mayor Haeder called the November 15, 2021, city council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. recited the pledge of allegiance with Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen and City Attorney Sam Nelson present for the city. 

          Mayor Header then called for the approval of the agenda.  The agenda was approved. 

Agenda Item #4 – Vacant Ward II seat interviews – None,  No one wants a “Pat on their back”   

Agenda Item #5 – Alcester Chamber of Commerce presentation by Kim Erickson and Christine Hakl.  The two young women gave a presentation on the December 3, 2021, event planned for ‘main street’ Alcester and which necessitated the closure of a portion of Iowa Street and Second Street.  Motion to block those portions off for the event was unanimously approved. 

Agenda Item #6 – Banner Engineering/Tanya Miller.  Ms. Miller was unable to make the meeting and would be rescheduling.

Agenda Item #7 – Public Input

(13:09.13) Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples wanted to point out a proof reading error in the minutes of the November 1, 2021.  Apparently the payment the city awards to the Alcester Fire Department of $1400.00 has become on more than one occasion $1,400.00.00.

(13:48.50)Vickie Larsen asked the following questions; the status of the Chesterman/Coca Cola sponsorship, Missing months of FOI request missing VISA payments for the months of May 2020, July 2020, September 2020, and September 2021.  (14:35.20) Payment was contingent upon a visual inspection by Lonnie Johnson of the street department.  But a check was cut on October 30, 2021, before Mr. Johnson ever left town to go to Cedar Rapids and before the vote by the council. 

(15:08.83)  I asked about a check in payment for a bill submitted by the city of Hawarden for $97.02 called maintenance.  I asked, “…did a resident ask for this?…”  FO Pat’s response (15:28.57) Care to try that one again FOPat?  You see I served a FOI on City Administrator Michael De Bruin and it proved to be interesting.

(15:53.27) I asked about a warrant for a clothing allowance payment of $115.98 for Wanda. Pat’s answer, Wanda gets a clothing allowance because she reads meters…Really? What does she need, extra long sleeves when she holds the meter reader? Does she need special boots to wade up to windows? By the way, FO Pat, where is the inventory of these pieces of clothing so if Wanda quits they can be check back in? H-m-m?

(16:22.63) Councilwoman Darla Reppe repeated the concern about alcohol being served in this event.

(16:39.90) Reporter Gordan Richard asked about the opening date for the Alcester Community Building.  (17:02.97) Pat’s response among many excuses was, “a water situation” which translates into the building cannot be opened to the public due to a fire code problem regarding water pressure or the lack thereof which may trace back to the water source hook up being before the water tower connect or after the water tower connect.  So tell us about the water hook up short cut that caused this oopsy-doodle.

(17:31.00) Councilman David Larsen moved from his seat at the council table to “stand and deliver” his rebuttal of perceived ‘mean’ comments.  (18:03.53)  “…45 years in town…Best city staff”  So what about what appears to be your Freudian slip by not including the finance office in that statement speaking of the ‘best city staff’  Let’s speak of the comment, “…Chamber Chair…”  the person writing on Facebook was not writing as the Chamber Chair anymore than a city councilperson singing in the front pew of her church is not singing as a city councilperson but as an individual penitent.  And yes sir, MY siding is dimpled and it shows.  (22:16.83) Councilman Larsen says, “..like Pat and Wanda whenever I was doing that stuff, I did not charge for the time spent or any mileage…”  Now sir you have been on the council for eight (8) years I think you said, did you or did you not see the OT hours accrued by that pair, did you or did you not hear and witness the health insurance stipend for Wanda and did you or did you not hear and witness that outburst by Wanda asking for on-call time.  (22:26.67) Councilman Larsen says, “…those of you that don’t like and I’m talking not to the group here but anybody in that camera, those you who don’t like the way the city is being run, Run for office…”  Sir, I Vickie Larsen did and was appointed, but you know how that turned out, don’t you.  In fact YOU voted to expel me.  You cannot have it both ways. Mr. Larsen goes on to say, “…Next April we have an election…there is going to be, I know three (3) spots available…petitions you can start circulating in February…The job pays $125 a month, we have at least two meetings, probably more, there are few benefits…there are some headaches and some sleepless nights and if you’re one of those people that would like to do that, sign on for the long term, ’cause it’s going to take you 6 or 7 months to know what’s going on… and for those of you who like the way things are going, might not hurt to tell somebody on the city staff you like the way things are going, ’cause like anybody else we like a “Pat-on-the-back” (23:40.50)

Agenda Item #8 – Jeff Nohava  (24:05.30), Mr. Nohava (26:01.36) states he, “was hired by the board”  So how much money are they paying ya.  You do realize that,

“…No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered  to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, to pay any necessary costs and expenses, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set for herein…”  (Articles of Incorporation NSO14556) (28:09.37)  

Mr. Nohava goes on to claim, (28:19.10) “We have hired an accountant and an attorney…”  and (28:57.23)  “…just part of my squad!…” 

(29:51.30)  Councilman David Larsen asks a question on funds.  (30:00.37) Mr. Nohava’s answer.  Mr. Nohava speaks of a power cot, folks these devices Stryker brand 6500 Power Pro w/XPS Power load combo runs $33,045.00 (30:27.90) and a 12 Lead PHYSIO AED will run somewhere around $36,000.00 to $50,000.00.  Mr. Nohava speaks of sharing the expenses. (31:24.63)  So does that mean the sharing will includes some portion of ownership, too? 

(32:53.00) Former President now Ass’t Director Jon Serck takes over speaking.  Mr. Serck speaks of the South Dakota Department of Health, Deputy Administrator of Rural Health Marty Link contacted the Alcester EMS about state interventions.  Folks Mr. Serck neglects to tell all.  I resigned from the ambulance in or around 2012.  Around 2020 I started getting calls regarding the ambulance from folks the ambulance owed money to, insurance company’s who were not getting billings and delinquent billing.  In fact there was a time frame billing for transports had not happened for three months.  You see folks, my name was on the documents as being one of the incorporators.  I was embarrassed to hear an entity I worked hard to get running, was running amok.  I contacted Mr. Serck asking pointed questions and was promptly lied to.  I asked was bill such-n-such paid and Mr. Serck told me it was.  I called the complainant and told him it had been paid and to let me know if he did not get it.  The complainant called me again, this time I told the complainant I would take care of the situations.  Mr. Serck got Vickie Larsen – the collector.  In that period of time, I did speak to Mr. Link and was not at all impressed.  All Mr. Serck and Fire Chief Kast could do was to whizz and moan about a fellow EMT.  Boys the situation to which I was treated was on your watch!  Trip reports had to be on time, Billing had to be on-time and bills had to be paid on time. 

          Regarding Mr. Serck’s (33:33.93) and Mr. Kast’s exuberance over the number of calls they have been experiencing.  On my watch our ambulance ran an annual average of around 100 ambulance calls.  This should not to be confused with the current number of calls because comparison is not apples to apples.  ‘Cause the powers that be,  mandated somewhere around 2020 the ambulance was to be paged out on every Fire call.  We had trouble with crewing during the day due to employers resistance to their employees leaving during the workday.  NOW all of a sudden no problem?  H-m-m! 

          Serck, Kast, Nohava and Mayor Haeder’s elation over the number of members on the ambulance roster.  Again not comparing apples to apples.  Our ambulance roster consisted solely of Nationally registered EMTs and Paramedics.  Today’s ambulance roster is made of a handle full of EMT’s, non- EMT Drivers, Nurses given special permissions and so on due to changes in regulations.  (34:48.03) 

          Again I do want to draw your attention to the financial side of the ambulance’s inability to generate funds.  You do the math, when I was on the ambulance we had calls to Hawarden, Canton, Sioux Falls, Sioux City and Vermillion.  Load fee was $300 with $8.00 per loaded mile. so Hawarden was $364.00, Canton was $484.00, Sioux Falls was $660.00*, Sioux City was $684.00 and Vermillion was $556.00 billable.  Spread that over 100 calls at a simplified average amount for the sake of example. $549.60 (100 calls) =$54,960.00.   Now, all transfers go to Hawarden and at $364.00 (100 calls) = $36,400.00    You do the math.  I was there, folks we paid a brand-new ambulance off in five years. *majority of our calls were going to Sioux Falls, where the patient or family wanted to go.

Agenda Item #9 – Legal Updates

Agenda Item #10 – Redistricting  Here we go again and again, and again and again.  Redistricting happened without us.  We had Attorney Sam advising us, yet we managed to miss the train.  We dinked around and dinked around, wasted our attorney’s time and our money.  No resolution but we sure did manage to whizz legal fees down our collective pant legs. (40:21.53) Nope, We’re Not Happy!

Agenda Item #11 – Updated 2021 Council committee and Chairperson.  How many revisions does that now make.

(43:57.97)  Mayor insists there are no classes for Elected Officials,  Au contraire Monsieur Maire, there are classes, seminars, tutorials, and SDML handout manuals for Elected officials (https://www.sdmunicipalleague.org/vertical/Sites/%7B2540DC39-A742-459F-8CAF-7839ECF21E89%7D/uploads/Aldermanic_Form_for_Packets_2021.pdf.

Agenda Item #12   Chair person Updates –

Agenda Item #13 – Police Dept  pushed back Chief was called away.

Agenda Item #14 – Golf Course

Agenda Item #15 – Community Building- Hiring more staff for an uncertain start

Agenda Item #16 – Finance Office

Agenda Item #17 – Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.1 In executive session for approximately 1/2 hour with no decisions made in open session.  Both Pat and Wanda were included in the Executive Session.

Agenda Item #13 – Return to Police Department  Chief Schuller has returned.  Austin was awarded his on-call time as he presented again with chafing from Mayor Haeder perhaps he should have refrained from the Pat-on-the-Back he allowed with the previous police officers.

Agenda Item # 18 – Adjournment  7:53 p.m.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

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11/09/2021 A Voice From the Gallery

You as a patient have the right to tell the ambulance where to take you, and, if they’re able to do so safely, they usually will. However, some ambulances are assigned specific “zones” and are not allowed to transport patients outside of those territories.

insert photo

Folks I heard about this impending fiasco, so I went down to see for myself. As you can see from the photo it is true.

It is sad to watch something you helped build be ripped down and stomped into oblivion.

In 1996 after what I believe was a long absence of an Alcester Ambulance, the PA Diane Weber started recruiting to restart our city ambulance.  I remember her coming across the street, asking if I would take the class so we could get an ambulance back in town.  I was a Girl Scout leader at the time and every time I took the girls on a trip out of town, I have to find a nurse or first aider to come with us.  I immediately said yes, I could smite two birds with one stethoscope.  So I took the class.  Our first class was somewhere around 30 people willing and eager to take the training and testing to become EMT’s and bring our ambulance back.  And so began our journey.

As we journeyed through the anatomical systems of the body, wandered through the lobes of the brain, learned signs and symptoms, the treatment of catastrophes caused by trauma’s of all kinds, how to extricate without causing further damage to the patient, how to keep ourselves safe on scene, have situational awareness and EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course)  We had our practical testing which was hands on treatments and then we had the written test.  I had my National Certification as an EMT Basic.  Little did we know that was the easy part.

Now we had to purchase an ambulance because the city had donated the old ambulance to Hawarden, we had to find a place to keep it, radios and pages and equipment. $$$$$  We had limited access to the funds left over from the previous ambulance group, but now we had to raise money to pay for the ambulance vehicle, cots, radios and all the stocking of an operating ambulance.  We were so proud and excited.   Our community backed us all the way, but it was slow going.  It took almost two years and in 1998 we were up and running our own ambulance, but we did it. 

The crew was entirely voluntary.  Some runs over a meal-time we got a quick meal on the ambulance tab.  Some runs we didn’t even make it back to Alcester before we were called out again on an emergency, but we always, always took our patients to the hospital of their choice.  Our rate was $300 load fee, and $8.00 per loaded mile which put a trip to Hawarden at $364.00 and a trip to Sioux Falls at $620.00  Paula handled the administrative action, I handled the books and the laundry when I couldn’t trade dirty laundry for clean at the hospital and Dan handled all the maintenance.

When I left in 2012, we had $250K in the ambulance account.  We were saving our money to be able to build our own ambulance facility because due to HIPPA we were obligated to keep all records secure and confidential plus we needed an upgrade ambulance.

Unfortunately around 2019 I began to get phone calls that an ambulance check had bounced, ambulance payments were very late or insurance companies did not have patient trip billings yet.  I was shocked and embarrassed our ambulance had reached such condition.

I would like to acknowledge the current members of the Alcester Ambulance who have worked hard to get their certification/training and are willing to donate their time to the residents of Alcester.

However I do not condone paying Mr. No-hava no-sense $22,000 consulting fee and taking that money off the top.  Add to that it appears that Mr. No-hava no-sense has promoted a program where the Alcester Ambulance can only transport Alcester residents to Hawarden and IF you do not want to go to Hawarden they just will not show up.  I sure hope that is not the case!  Some lawyer is gonna  make a whole lotta money.

Folks when we took the class we were warned if we did not take the patient where they wanted to go, that would be the equivalent of kidnapping.  If ya’ll took them across the state line, well then that was a federal case!

Mr. No-hava clue, you ranted and raved about me.  I asked reasonable questions after I identified myself, you told me  “…I gotta go, I have an ambulance call…” and hung up.  When I called the Hawarden City Office to ask those questions, is Hawarden ambulance an arm of the city or an arm of the hospital and was the city of Hawarden aware you were being paid a fee of what I believed to $22K consulting fee by the Alcester Ambulance you were busy calling me back.  According to the message you left you managed to resolve the ambulance call within the space of three minutes  So Mr. No-hava-clue do you have an answer for us on how you were hauling in a substantial consulting fee while the City of Hawarden footed the bill of YOUR training.  I had more questions but you just wanted to rant at me, telling me, “…You sit and listen…”  You kept hollering I was wrong!  Well sir, I was trying to get truthful answers to my question.  Like the $22K and you told me, “…it is none of your (Vickie Larsen’s) business…”  I beg to differ with you.  It is my business!  It is the business of my neighbors.

11/01/2021 A Voice From the Gallery

Let It All Hang Out*

The Hombres – 1967

written by Jeff Paris/Moon Calhoun

“A preachment, dear friends, you are about to receive
On John Barleycorn, nicotine, the temptations of Eve”
(Bronx cheer)* to Finance Office

No RV parkin’ near the sewer line

Dang that cat needs a tag, ’cause the city’s broke

Water drippin’ out the water tower spout

But we don’t care, let it all hang out!

Mayor Haeder called the November 1, 2021, city council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen and City Attorney Sam Nelson present for the city.  Present in the gallery were Gordon Richard-reporter, Jennifer Schuller, Amanda Ericson, Brian Johnson, Aaron Larsen, Theresa Deem, Vickie Larsen-blogger and city ‘what-evah’ Wanda Halverson.  The assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance and so it goes, we’re gonna let it all hang out! 

Clingin’ to a metal chair with my knees

Sun is still shinin’ in the street

Nobody knows (not even the Mayor) what the agenda is about

It’s too much man, we’re gonna let it all hang out!

Agenda item #3 – Mayor calls for Approval of the Agenda.  No changes in the line-up, so they’re gonna let it all hang out!

Agenda Item #4 – Mayor calls for Approval of the Minutes of October 4, 2021, and October 18, 2021, and so with no challenges or corrections in FO Pat’s version of the minutes the council voted to accept.

No one steppin’ up to take a Ward II chance

No council interview to make FO Pat spill her Victoria’s Secrets

No time to waste on a fade out

It’s a cause lost, so we’re gonna let it all hang out!

Agenda Item #5 – Interviews of the vacant Ward II council seat.  No takers, FO Pat must be losin’ her touch in her search for protections against Patty Whackers.

Agenda Item #6 – Alcester Chamber of Commerce – Amanda Ericson appeared on behalf of the Alcester Chamber of Commerce to request street closure for the Christmas Tree Lighting event.  Her request was granted by the council but with the codicil Mayor Haeder wanted to consult with Chief of Police Austin Schuller.

Pinned up with my button plea

I listened to the following opinioned input

Much of it held some clout

It smacked and walloped, but we’re gonna let it all hang out!

Agenda Item #7 – Public Input.

(12:42.00) Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples voiced her concerns with the public Facebook criticisms of the Finance Office.  Councilwoman Peeples stated, “…First people I met when I moved here were the city Finance Officer Jurrens…Chief Jeff Christie and Police Officer Austin Schuller.  They are the reason I fell in love with this town…”  (16:27.10) Councilwoman Peeples went on to comment on the signs that were put into place by the Commercial Club-now known as the Chamber of Commerce.  These signs are in a condition which fails to give a welcome message.

(17:57.53)  Vickie Larsen was next.  I asked if Chief Austin’s On-Call was paid.  I was told he had received his On-Call pay November 1, 2021, two weeks after the council voted to pay the On-Call time.  I questioned why the payment was delayed since the council voted to pay the debt on October 18, 2021.  I asked why FO Pat delayed payment.  She used a variety of excuses why she deliberately failed to pay Chief Austin.  From she didn’t want to do a special payroll, so she delayed the payment.  Oh and yes (18:38.80) FO Pat, “…I don’t appreciate that comment…”Yo, FOPat do ya realize the penalty of delaying payment to an employee?  Folks check out the FLSA.  Usually government entities cannot be sued but if any delay in payment is deliberate or punitive, immunity may be waived.  In addition, if a city employee takes this action on her own initiative she may be liable for damages actual and punitive and may rise to criminal. 

>I noted the Freedom of Information for the credit card itemized billings were missing a month or two, but that I would be sending which months were missing in the warrant records I was given access to on Monday, October 11. 2021, at 10:00 a.m. 

>I asked whether former Police Chief Jeff Christie was paid for his On-Call time.  Mayor Haeder answered, (19:10.46) “I believe his account was completely settled up when he left.”  In other words, Mayor Haeder did not know firsthand and was working off FO Pat’s ‘word’ Chief Christies’s On-Call time was paid, on time and in full.  

(19:18.40) Jennifer Schuller voice her displeasure of the delay in payment to Chief Austin for his On-Call time.  She spoke of On-Call time covering a span from June 6, 2021 to September 25. 2021.  She spoke of the FO Pat’s failure to post the job opening for several weeks. (20:26.93) Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Alcester City Safety Committee responded to Jennifer Schuller’s comments, acknowledging the city dropped the ball.  (21:53.43) We should have been doing our job.  (22:56.27)  Mayor Haeder states it is going to be paid, it is being paid acknowledging the city failed Chief Austin.  (23:49.90)  FO Pat injections. “I’m going to stand up for our office because our office took the brunt of all these negative comments that were made…there was not communication from the public safety committee or the mayor”.  WOW such loyalty, you sure did through your bosses under the bus.  Too bad your employee evaluation cannot be made public.  Maybe the public would like to file their own evaluation of how ya’ll are doin’ your job.  FO Pat goes on to say, “…we didn’t know…”,   Yo Pat welcome to our world, you commented one time in the office at the auditorium when I was in the hallway waiting, “what the council doesn’t know…”!  (25:39.27)  Mayor says, “we’re not trained…there’s no class we can go to”  Tell us again Mayor Haeder, ’cause FO Pat knows about them and so should City Attorney Sam Nelson.  It’s call SDML (South Dakota Municipal League) and the city of Alcester is a member.  In fact folks there was a conference just this past October.  Point of fact, October 7, 2021, Thursday at 9:00 a.m. there was a workshop/class for Elected Officials:

“9:00 a.m.  Elected Officials Workshop 1. Public Nuisances: Problems and Solutions Dave Pfeifle, Director, SDPAA ` Ryan Sage, Assistant City Attorney, Sioux Falls • Authority to Access Property for Inspection and Photos • Entry onto Property for Abatement • Junk Car Removal Process • Bring your questions for discussion! 2. Connecting With Your Community, Even During Crisis Heather Hitterdal, Owner, H Squared Communications A variety of projects require public buy-in to succeed. The best intentions don’t matter if the project never gets off the ground because of public controversy. Heather will help you engage the community with accurate and timely information that will inspire trust, acceptance, and support.” https://www.sdmunicipalleague.org

In fact I know Pat Jurrens, a June 2012 council appointee filling the Ward II city council vacancy attended a SDML workshop on Property Maintenance in Pierre.  By-the-way the city paid for her registration and she only attended one class on her way fishing.  Pat Jurrens has also attended the SDML Finance Officers School and Municipal Elections workshop so her whiny excuses, “I didn’t know” should have the Pinocchio rule applied or is there an app for that.  (31:43.90) Mayor Haeder states, “we should have thought about this three months ago…”  IT WAS YOUR JOB, MAYOR!

(33:44.43)  Councilwoman Linda Talbott asked about the interviews and how should she handle the documents arising out of those interviews.  Put them in a safe place and keep them out of the hands of the Finance Office.  ‘Cause I have found in the past, things just ‘disappear’.

(34:44.47)  Theresa Deem asked if the hours of the Golf Course Bar were going to be enforced.  Note the tap-dance Mayor Haeder did about enforcement.  He never said a word about the employee who allegedly sold multiple packs of beer, locked up but left the patrons still sitting on the patio of the golf club house.  (39:23.67)  After a lengthy discussion on city and state laws on alcohol, it was acknowledged it is against the law to send a patron out with a glass of booze in their hand.  OMG shades of the BYOB Birthday party and sending out open bottles of booze with the clean-up crew of one.

(42:26.77) While the Alcester Community Center is not officially open, they have been granted temporary occupation.  Now the building must be inspected by certified professionals in the various fields of inspection to be allowed to have public events or occupations.  Guess who did the inspections?  Why is was none other than Geoff Fillingsness, the city code enforcement officer who is employed at $25 per hour by the city of Alcester to do property maintenance inspections.  What is wrong with this picture? Is he really going to tell Pat he cannot inspect her…building?   Yeah right.

(43:28.03) Mayor Haeder had input regarding the HRC.

Agenda Item #8  –  Legal Updates-nothing consequential.

Agenda Item #9 – Redistricting Resolution- No action taken, draft was not completed.

Agenda Item #10 – Sterling Snow Truck –  (47:35.30)  The Mac is out but now we have a better (?) pick.  It is a 2006 Sterling A9500 for the great price of $39.900.00.  Lonnie Johnson, street department was traveling to Cedar Rapids Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. to have a-look-see.  According to Pat we looked at it on-line and for the edification of the council Pat made copies.  I went on line and looked at the pictures, I sure hope the Sterling stays in Cedar Rapids.  My problem is the warrant and check (?).  Pat says, “…we couldn’t tell from the pictures…” (about the cracks?)  Right fender had a spider webs of what appeared to be cracks in the fiberglass.  This was on the website showing the vehicle.  I believe there were 16 pictures of the interior and the spider-web on the right fender.  Those were not on the handouts.  Unfortunately when I went back to the site to save those photos the unit was no longer on the site.

It is still smokin’ in the big window council room

So FoPat and Wanda how does Face timing with social media mess you up?

Eatin’ you Panera baguettes, bistro soup and Greek sandwiches

Suck it up mesdames, let it all hang out!

Agenda Item #11 – Community Center Staff Hire (54:30.43)

Agenda Item #12  – Community Center Cleaning Contract (01:04:25.87)

Voted to spend $1300 a month for cleaning.

Agenda Item #13 – Community Center Equipment (01:06:48.00)  $19,160.36

Dinnerware , Tableware, food service items.  Now folks I really gotta share this with you ’cause it shows how hard the Finance Officer works.  FO Pat met with Mr. Nyreen and Mr. Nygard October 11, 2021, in the city offices while I was present.  The conversation I heard went like this, FO Pat saying, “…should we use plates for salads or bowls for salads…” and “…we’ll go up to Maxwells tomorrow afternoon make final decisions…”  She spent almost an hour and a half  put her two cents in on what kind of dinnerware, tableware and other items.  Council voted to accept the $19,160.36 price tag.  Oh yeah lest we forget the purchase of 33 dozen dinner plates was included in that figure.

Agenda Item #14 – Wastewater Facility Upgrade  (01:12:35.07)  Council voted to approve boring bid of $6250.00 with a $15.00 per foot. 

Agenda Item #15 – HRC  (01:20:58.53)

Agenda Item #16 – Finance Office Update  (01:31:21.37)

Agenda Item #17 – Executive Session 1-25-2.1 Personnel (01:33:03.33) 

27 minutes of disgusting personnel. 7:34 p.m.- 8:01 p.m.

Agenda Item #18 – Adjourn  8:02 p.m.

Writ’ the story all day, took notes all night

Eyes tired,  Brain numb, can’t stop now

For sure, there ain’t no doubt about FO Pat’s snout,

Kept an open mind and now I’m gonna let it all hang out!*

*inspired by the lyrics of the song, (Let It All Hang Out) 1967 performed by The Hombres written by Jeff Paris/Moon Calhoun

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the folks who attended the city council meeting Monday night, November 1, 2021, to support Police Chief Austin.  You have read, heard and viewed what went on in that meeting.  The Facebook conversations referred to in that meeting, were from individuals offering up their opinions as individuals not entities or organization.   

Mayor Haeder and the council hold the power of the Finance Office, not the other way around.  When FO Pat Jurrens is directed, told, commanded to do something within her job description, she is to do it forthwith!  Not delay, dally or defer to a time when she feels like doing her job.

When I have been questioned by Mayor Haeder or the council at the council meetings, they ask me why am I speaking of the issue?  I usually respond it is something I myself has witnessed or gathered irrefutable proof.  I do have folks who come to me because they feel council listens yet does nothing.  People are afraid for their jobs or retaliation from the Finance Office or Council members if they push back.  I have a bit of advice, for any city employee or any city official who elects to harass a citizen in their workplace, particularly if the citizen is a federal employee.  Be very careful!

Oh yeah, Wanda you happily collect overtime for what-ever-it-is you do but our police officers cannot not!

After what I have witnessed, heard and overheard, it appears we need the Busy Bees come and fumigate our Finance Office and we will gladly pay $1300. 00 for that service.

Heard a man lying through his teeth

Watched a woman honing her on-going criminality skills

Making Charles Ponzi look like a girl scout a sellin‘ cookies

Sorry ’bout that, but I am gonna let it all hang out.*

*inspired by the lyrics of the song, (Let It All Hang Out) 1967 performed by The Hombres written by Jeff Paris/Moon Calhoun

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517