Month: March 2022

03/24/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.”

George Carlin

          On March 21,2022,  Mayor Dan Haeder made the following remarks:  ((24:55.50) 03/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery video) “…I (Mayor Haeder) have the right to shoot one (a pellet gun) on my property…” ((26:32.17) 03/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery video) Mayor Haeder says, “…I can use a pellet gun…rabbits, ground squirrels, whatever…I can kill anything that doesn’t require a license to hunt…” 

During Agenda Item #6 – Public Input I addressed Mayor Haeder’s remarks on his ‘right’ to shoot a weapon within the city limits.  ((33:09.37) 03/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery video)  Shooting inside the city limits. Mayor Haeder remarked the police chief told him he could, per city ordinance.

          Folks, I invite you to review Mayor Haeder’s statements and his response to my cautionary remarks on the March 21. 2022. meeting video.  The following is the Alcester City Ordinance which deals with his avowal of his rights as a property owner :

08/16/2014 Revised Alcester Municipal Ordinances

CHAPTER 5.03 – FIREWORKS AND FIREARMS

5.0302  Discharging Weapon  – Discharging Weapon. No person shall discharge any pistol, gun, revolver, or other firearm, or any bow and arrow, or any device capable of firing a projectile either by air or compressed gas or any other means which would likely cause injury to any person, or discharge any dangerous weapon, within the City limits.

The following uses are exempt from this section:

          A. Proper use of weapons in a licensed shooting range.

          B. Use by law enforcement or animal control officers in the discharge of    their official duties, or to persons who are authorized by the Chief of Police.

          C. Use by persons engaged in instructional courses using air guns, BB guns,       or bows and arrows if the course has obtained a permit from the Chief of      Police, is conducted by a certified instructor, is covered by adequate liability         insurance, and has been approved by the supervising unit if conducted on   City property. The Chief of Police may establish conditions for granting a       permit to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the general public.

          D. The owner or inhabitant, over 18 years of age, of a parcel of real estate within the City of Alcester may use air guns or BB guns to control predators or pests on such property, provided all such activities comply with South Dakota Statute. It shall be a defense to a charge of violation of this section t    hat a person was engaged in lawful self defense, as set forth in SDCL 22-5-1, SDCL 22-5-9, and SDCL 22-18-4.

          Please note it is very clear, “No person shall discharge any pistol, gun, revolver, or other firearm, or any bow and arrow, or any device capable of firing a projectile either by air or compressed gas or any other means which would likely cause injury to any person, or discharge any dangerous weapon, within the City limits.”

          However, the ordinance section does enumerate exempt situations.  Exemption D does allow for the use of air guns or BB guns to control predators or pest on such property provided  all such activities comply with South Dakota Statute. 

          The language and definition of predator or pest is vague to the point of invalidating the exemption in my opinion.  Predator – zoological- any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms and Pest – any organism that damages crops, injures or irritates livestock or humans, or reduces the fertility of land.  However, both of these terms can be applied to human beings as well as organisms. 

          Now folks Mayor Haeder insinuates it is his RIGHT to sit in a lawn chair with a pellet gun or a BB guns and open fire on bunnies, squirrels, ground squirrels, cats,  predatory birds and etc.  Think about it folks, this Barney Fife clone has the school parking lot on his east property border, he has the city pool on the west side of his property, an apartment building on the south and the Alcester Community Center and Sixth Street on the northern portion of his property.  There he stands with his pellet gun/ BB gun at the ready for a quick draw as the circus shooting gallery starts its run across his sights.  There is a reason why people are not allowed to discharge a firearms within the city limits, it endangers the public.

          So folks do you want your students, your kids at the pool, our drivers on Sixth Street, our Golfers and guests of the Community Center to become inadvertent targets of some clown who wants to shoot bunnies, cats and so forth? There is a remedy and it appears as the last item in the municipal ordinances as follows:

08/16/2014 REVISED ALCESTER MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES

CHAPTER 11.01 – PENALTIES AND REPEALING CLAUSE

11.0101 Penalty in General. Except in cases where a different or additional penalty is imposed by this ordinance or by some existing provision of law, every violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars. Each day in which a violation of this Ordinance or other ordinance continues shall constitute a separate offense. (SDCL 9-19-3)

11.0102 Conflicting Ordinances Repealed. All former ordinances or parts of former ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance or relating to the subject matter of this ordinance, except as stated in this chapter, are hereby repealed; provided however, that nothing herein shall be construed as repealing any special ordinances, appropriation ordinances, franchise ordinances establishing fees and charges, levy ordinances for the issuance of bonds, or special ordinances of like character, nor shall this ordinance repeal or modify the provisions of any zoning ordinances or any other ordinances requiring a special method of adoption, nor shall this ordinance repeal or modify the provisions of any resolution heretofore adopted by the City of Alcester unless the provisions of this ordinance either modify, repeal, or amend such resolution; and all such ordinances and resolutions shall remain in full force and effect.

11.0103 Unconstitutionality. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby.

11.0104 Publication and Effect. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and publication of the notice of such adoption as provided by SDCL 9-19-17.

          In other words folks, the exemption which allows a property owner to fire a gun (at bunnies, moles, ground squirrels, cats or whatever) within the city limits can be repealed.  It is up to us as voters.

CONTACT THE MAYOR, TELL THE MAYOR HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR KIDS, YOUR CATS, YOUR DOGS, OR WHATEVER  BECOMING THE TARGET OF SOME CLOWN SHOOTING A PELLET/BB GUN AT A TRESPASSING CAT OR GOPHER.

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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03/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“An apple a day is good enough to keep anyone away, if it is thrown hard enough.”

Stephen Colbert

 “Ever since I learned Uncle Isaac was beaned by a falling apple, I have  practiced batting and I aspire to a .375 batting average!”

Vickie A. Newton

          The  March 21, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples and Councilman Lukas Driesen.  Absent was Councilman David Larsen and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

          Agenda Item #3 – Approval of the Agenda  The council approved the agenda unchanged unanimously.

          Agenda Item #4 – Board of Equalization Meeting

          At (01:38.70) Mayor Haeder fails to announce the Alcester City Council meeting in recess for the local Board of Equalization.  At 6:01 PM Mayor Haeder announces the Board of Equalization in session (01:48.23) but fails (02:03.03) to do a formal roll call of council members who make up the local Board of Equalization and fails to determine a quorum is present:

SDCL 10-11-15. Clerk of local equalization board–Minutes–Form of action–Adjournment in absence of quorum.

The township clerk or municipal finance officer shall act as clerk of the equalization board and keep an accurate record of all changes made in the valuation and of all other proceedings. The minutes shall contain the following information: name of property owner appealing assessment, legal description of property being appealed, change to land or structure value by local board of equalization and reason for such change. All actions shall be taken in the form of a motion, second and vote. If no quorum is present, the clerk of such board may adjourn from day to day, and publicly announce the time to which the meeting is adjourned.

SDCL 10-11-16.1. Appeals–Notice of decision by local board of equalization.

A local board of equalization shall hear individual valuation, classification, and assessment questions of property owners or taxpayers who have appealed to the local board of equalization, and may make adjustments and corrections in the assessment roll. The board shall notify each appellant of the decision affecting the appellant’s property in writing seven days after the adjournment of the local board of equalization.

          Doyle Fickbohm’s objection to the assessed value of the property at 208 Union, parcel number 01.04.02.1015 in the city of Alcester.  Said property was valued by the county at $64,054.00 uncertified.  After discussion, attempts at crafting a motion properly and Mayor Haeder’s refusal to restate the motion (14:47.10).  The council unanimously voted to deny (15:02.83) Mr. Fickbohm’s objection to the county assessment of Parcel number 01.04.02.1015.

          Rob Huber of Sunnyside Rentals, LLC, Lennox, SD (15:13.33) objection to the assessed value of the property at 202 East Sixth Street, parcel number 01.01.24.1025 in the city of Alcester.  Said property was valued by the county at $200,102.00 uncertified.  (15:38.07) Mayor Haeder speaks in rounded numbers rather than actual figures.  During discussion phase of this object Mayor Haeder (16:56.27) states, “…we are just making our opinions known…you (the council) are making your opinions known.”  Notice Mayor Haeder’s repeated use of the “Royal ‘We'” when he speaks then attempts to absolve himself of any potential blame!”  Also note (17:14.73) Mayor Haeder devolves into irrelevance-counting the number of doors to assess valuation.  (19:04.90) I asked for clarification of the county assessed value $200,102.00. (20:14.97) Mayor Haeder AGAIN refuses to restate the motion for the record.  (20:57.80) Council votes unanimously to deny Mr. Huber’s objection to the county assessment of $200,102.00) for 202 East Sixth Street, parcel ID 01.01.24.1025.

          Upon no further objections to assessment of properties and before adjourning the local Board of Equalization Mayor Haeder (21:59.20) Once AGAIN Mayor Header Sky Dives down the Rabbit Hole of irrelevance without benefit of an inflated parachute of common sense!

          Agenda Item #5 – Council Vacancy Ward II  No one wants a PAT on their back.  No action.

          Agenda Item #6 – Public Input

          Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples (24:07.43) brought up a concern of a resident about moles in the cemetery and what can be done about them.  Again Mayor Haeder descended into what I would term a grossly, ill-advised diatribe of rant (24:55.50), “…I (Mayor Haeder) have the right to shoot one (a pellet gun) on my property…” (26:32.17)  Mayor Haeder says, “…I can use a pellet gun…rabbits, ground squirrels, whatever…I can kill anything that doesn’t require a license to hunt…”  Question asked of  Mayor Haeder, Poison?  Mayor Haeder responds, “…could..it’d probably be met with a little more resistance because of people that have cats…”  Then there is the morceau de bétise which happens at (27:42.23) when Mayor Haeder in answer to Councilwoman Talbott’s comment about cats.  Where Mayor Haeder states, “…you (Councilwoman Talbott) have the right to do that…” (28:28.03)  So let me get this straight Mayor Haeder, if one does not like cats or birds you can shoot a pellet gun at them.  You are giving your permission Mayor Haeder?  So according to your common sense Mayor Haeder, if you do not like something and ya don’t need a license to hunt it, you can shoot a pellet gun at them.  Is this what you are giving permission to do, Mayor Haeder?

          Richard Akland (28:42.40)   Pickleball update

          Vickie Larsen (32:29.27)

                                (32:45.63) Water Bill assistance result of water bill hikes

                                (33:09.37)  Shooting inside the city limits.  Warning Mayor

                                (38:28.90)  I questioned whether FOPat and Wanda are being paid for their volunteer work?  Notice the quick response from Mayor Haeder.  Makes one wonder, do we have Oxymorons-Paid Volunteers?

          Agenda Item #7 – Affordable Housing Update – Gordon Richard  (39:14.27) Mayor Haeder talks about city paying for infrastructure on acquisition of the alfalfa land south of Beck Drive.  Thing is the property directly south of Beck Drive is Anderson Drive?  I am sure the folks on the west side of Alcester are comforted that they are once again pushed back in the waiting line for update of infrastructure while they are paying the curb tax, the rise in tax assessment and tax levies.

          Agenda Item #8 – Legal Updates  No Sam, No Sign and No action.

          Agenda Item #9 – Committee Department Chair Updates 

          Street                    NO report

          Cemetery              NO report

          Water                    NO report

          Wastewater           advised the Engineering plan is at 90% complete

          Library                  NO report other than Saturday reading group

          Golf Course          Thank you to Gary McKellips for T-Box signs and the updated Pond Biffy.  (46:04.20)  Mayor Haeder wandered down memory lane of irrelevancy with his account of the McCook Biffy.  How the men didn’t care but the women did.  WOW talk about being BIFFY AWARE!

          Agenda Item #10 – Golf Course/Community Center -Hiring- Why isn’t the guy who is actually working with them hiring them?

          Agenda Item #11 – Finance Office- Updates

          Agenda Item #12 – Old Standby – Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2 *.*      WOW  Wonder of Wonders no need.  Amazing!

          Agenda Item #13 – Adjourn  6:56 PM

FOLKS CALL THE MAYOR, TELL HIM WHAT YOUR OPINION IS.

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

03/11/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“Things will only improve when the people – all of us – say to authorities, ‘I will hold you responsible.’ We should all be showing up at city council meetings, lighting up every community with activism and mobilization”.

Erin Brockovich

          I would like to address a couple of portions of the recent council meeting in more depth.

          First I would like to address the point where, I asked the question who approved the verbiage of the advertisement in the local paper for a vacancy in the city finance officer.  Listen to the non-answer I received from Mayor Haeder. (02:56.50), “…I don’t know if anybody had an opportunity to look at it ( the advertisement for a finance office employee)  Well folks if the mayor did not write this fairy story, the council did not write this fairy story and the city attorney certainly did not write this fair story, who did?  My guess is that FOPat appropriated the form and the verbiage.  So, let’s take a gander and see what the goose wrote.  First let’s compare the Finance Officer Description and FOPat’s opinion of her job description:

DUTIES OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICER

SDML

  • KEEP REGULAR BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
  • SUPERVISE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
  • KEEP A RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
  • DRAW AND COUNTERSIGN ALL WARRANTS
  • KEEP THE CORPORATE SEAL
  • COUNTERSIGN ALL CONTRACTS
  • AUDIT AND ADJUST ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD
  • KEEP A BOOK IN WHICH ALL CONTRACTS SHALL BE ENTERED
  • CERTIFY ANNUAL TAX LEVY TO COUNTY AUDITOR
  • MAINTAIN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RECORD
  • FILE BONDS OF ALL EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIAL OF CITY EXCEPT AUDITOR’S BOND
  • PREPARE, PUBLISH AND FILE ANNUAL REPORT
  • MAINTAIN BOND RECORD
  • PREPARE BUDGET BEFORE SEPT 1 OF EACH YEAR AND SUBMIT TO COUNCIL
  • MAINTAIN A FILE OF ANNUAL INVENTORIES
  • RECEIVE MONIES OF CITY AND MAINTAIN CASH RECEIPTS JOURNAL
  • ISSUE PRENUMBERED RECEIPTS IN DULICATE GIVING THE ORIGINAL TO THE PAYER AND THE DUPLICATE TO THE AUDITOR
  • INVEST SURPLUS CASH BALANCES OF CITY
  • MAINTAIN A WARRANT REGISTER LISTING ALL WARRENTS ISSUED BY FUNDS
  • COMPARE CASH BALANCES MONTHLY WITH AUDITOR
  • REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL GIVING A FULL AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ALL RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES SINCE THE LAST REPORT
  • MAINTAIN A REGISTER OF ALL WARRANTS NOT PAID FOR WANT OF FUNDS
  • FILE AUDITOR’S BOND.

DEFINITION OF DUTIES OF A CITY MANAGER

  • MANAGING THE CITY BUDGET
  • OVERSEEING CITY PERSONNEL
  • ADDRESSING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA REGARDING CITY COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
  • MEETING WITH VARIOUS HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ISSUES
  • MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING BUDGETS, PERSONNEL NEEDS AND PROJECTS COST
  • ENSURING COMPLETION OF REPORTS AND STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS
  • OVERSEEING IMPORTANT SERVICES SUCH AS TRASH PICK-UP AND RECYCLING PROGRAMS
  • ENSURING WATER SUPPLIES ARE SAFE
  • WORKING ON IMPORTANT EXONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
  • RESPONDING TO AND RESOLVING DIFFICULT OR DELICAT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OF CITIZENS

PAT JURRENS DEFINITION OF DUTIES

  • RECOMMENDS NEW POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES TO THE COUNCIL, TRAINS AND EVALUATES PERFORMANCE AND DISCIPLINES PERSONNEL USING THE EMPLOYEE STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
  • SERVE AS LIASON BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO WATER, SEWER, STREET AND OFFICE DEPARTMENTS, OFFERING RESOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND EVALUATING THE PROGRESS OF GOALS. 
  • BRIEF COUNCIL MEMBERS ON PENDING AGENDA ITEMS AND OTHER CITY ISSUES PROVIDING ADMINISTRAIVE SUPPORT TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL AS NEEDED
  • PROVIDE ANALYSIS NEEDED TO ASSIST THE COUNCIL TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
  • PERFORM FINANCIAL AND MANAGERIAL ANALYSIS FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL RELATING TO CITY OPERATIONS, GRANTS AND PROGRAMS FOR CONSIDERATION
  • PREPARE THE BUDGET BEFORE SEPT 1 AND SUBMIT TO THE COUNCIL, PREPARE, PUBLISH AND FILE THE ANNUAL REPORT BY MARCH 1
  • COUNTERSIGN ALL CONTRACTS
  • SUPPLY MONTHLY, QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR FOR REVIEW
  • MAINTAIN ANNUAL INVENTORIES AND A LIST OF ALL FIXED ASSETS OWNED BY THE CITY
  • ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS-MAKING PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS SEVERAL  TIMES DURING CONSTRUCTION
  • ISSUE ALL OTHER LICENSES AND PERMITS AS ALLOWED BY THE ORDINANCES
  • ACT AS CUSTODIAN OF BOOKS OF RECORD, ORDINANCES, MEETING MINUTES AND OTHER OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL, THE CORPORATE SEAL AND OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
  • CREATE, MAINTAIN AND IMPLEMENT A POLICY & PROCEDUREAL MANUAL FOR CITY OPERATIONS
  • FILL OUT MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THE SEWER PLANT, RETIREMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND WITHHOLDING AND SALES TAX REPORTS
  • WORK WITH THE ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER ON THE WATER BILLING, DELINQUENT BILLS, ADDRESS UPDATES AND OTHE INNER OFFICE DUTIES
  • LISTEN TO THE REQUESTS AND CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AND RELATE TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.
  • MAINTAIN THE CHECKBOOK BALANCE, PREPARE MATERIALS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AND SCHEDULING GYM EVENTS.
  • ATTEND ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND OTHER MEETINGS AS REQUIRED
  • CONFER WITH THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON FISCAL MATTERS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  • ANY OTHER DUTIES ASSIGNED BY THE COUNCIL.

Now let’s look at the advertisement placed for the ‘Deputy (?)  Finance Office Job’

City of Alcester

Deputy Finance Officer (Utilities Finance Office Employee) Job Opening

Reports to:  City Council and Mayor

Reports to Finance Office supervisor.

Job Summary:  Assist the Finance Officer in Customer Relations and accounting operations;  Bill city patrons for city utilities; Run payroll for city employees.

  • Bills city utilities, run employee payroll.

Performance Responsibilities:  Read and bill water meters on a timely basis to generate operating revenue for the city; remind fellow employees of scheduled happenings, make timely deposits from the funds from the Golf course, pool and Utility payments;  Assist staff with the day-to-day operations of the Golf course, community center, pool and utilities.

  • It is the function of the Finance Officer to make deposits from the various enterprise funds not the Utilities meter reader.  It is the function of the managers of the golf course, community center, pool and utilities to be assisting their staff not the meter reader employee.  So if the advertised Performance Responsibilities are for the Utilities Employee, what the blazes is FOPAT doing to justify her title?  h-m-m?  Where is the over-sight of Wanna-Be FOPat?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Read  approx. 220 meters of the 440 meters in town/Send out 440 water bills per month. Utilities Employee  duty!
  2. Receive, deposit and Record all monies paid to the City (pool, water, golf course, and etc.)  Finance Officer duty not meter reader Utilities employee duty!
  3. Record all entries in the water billing program. Utilities employee duty!
  4. Cover shifts at the pool when needed.  Utilities employee with WSI certification!
  5. Send out delinquent notices monthly, send out  billing notices to residents and send out various licensing notices.  Utilities employee duty!
  6. Get mail.  Utilities employee duty!
  7. Write/type Vouchers and memos.  Finance officer duty not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  8. Calculate payroll, print out checks, do Bi-weekly and monthly reports.  Finance officer duty not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  9. Assist Finance Officer with checkbook balancing, Assist with city council meeting preparation, city council minutes and scheduling events.  Finance officer duties not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  10.  Order all pool Concessions and price.  Finance officer duties not meter reading Utility employee duty!  Community center and golf course items are under the direction of the managers of those managers not the Finance officer!

WHY ARE WE PAYING ANOTHER ADMINISTRATIVE TYPE WAGE FOR TWO EMPLOYEES TO DO THE FINANCE OFFICERS JOB? 

WHY DID THE FINANCE OFFICE FAIL TO SHOW THIS FARCICAL RECITATION OF JOB DUTIES TO THE FINANCE OFFICE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL, A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR EACH AND EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE AD WAS CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON AND PRIOR TO THE SUBMISSION FOR AD PLACEMENT?

          Second  I would like to address a comment made by Councilman David Larsen.  To make a correction of a mis-remembered event attributed to a ‘past mayor’! 

          This would be the air-conditioner discussion broached by Councilman David Larsen.  Agenda Item #11 – Golf Course Surplus Property  (i.e. ice machine)  The ice machine under discussion was not purchased by a former mayor at the time of Councilman Larsen’s addition to the Alcester City Council in or around 2010-2012 as suggested by Councilman David Larsen.

          The history of the ice machine for the golf course occurred as follows:

Councilman David Larsen made a veiled reference in the recent council meeting regarding concerning a former mayor, an ice machine and surplus efforts. (0:56:29.87) 

          Peter Larsen was seated on the Alcester City Council as a councilman for Ward III with Mayor William Koenig as mayor in 2010.  At that time the Council received 2 bids on the Alcester Bar in July 2010.  Bidders were David Duncan and Steve Larsgaard.  David and Jesse Duncan were awarded the bid for the Alcester Bar.

          February 2011 meeting Mayor Wm. Koenig and council members Curt Anderson, Larry Anderson, Peter Larsen, Ron Manning, Steve Johannsen and Wayne Van Gelder received the Ninety (90) day vacation notice from the Duncans regarding the Liquor Store Lease effective February 1, 2011.  Council placed advertisements for the lease of the Alcester City Liquor Store.  April 2011 meeting, Mayor Koenig and council receive one (1) bid for the lease of the Alcester Liquor Store from Bryce Sullivan for $1250.00 per month for a three year term to commence May 1, 2011.  Motion, Second and vote was taken with AYE votes from Councilmen R. Manning, S. Johannsen, C. Anderson, L. Anderson and W. VanGelder with a No coming from Councilman Peter Larsen.  Motion carried 5-1 in favor of accepting the lease bid from Bryce Sullivan.  May 2011  Council authorized Mayor Koenig and Finance Officer Mike Kezar to sign the Alcester Liquor Store Lease.   Last 1/2 May 2011 meeting seated the new city council and mayor.  Mayor Peter Larsen, and council members R. Manning, S. Johannsen, W. VanGelder,  L. Anderson and Curt Anderson.  Within 10 days of the May 2nd Council meeting, Mayor Peter Larsen observed unauthorized building changes and equipment additions which included an ice machine to the Alcester Bar contrary to lease contract.  Mayor Larsen walked to the City Attorney’s office and a Cease and Desist Order was drafted and served upon Bryce Sullivan.  At some point the Sullivans disappeared in the dark of night abandoning equipment and bills, the bar was shuttered with the Sullivans failing to pay the construction workers.  Lawsuits commenced against the Sullivans and the city of Alcester.

          During this same time period, the ownership/acquisition of the golf course was in discussions with the City of Alcester.  Once the golf course became a city asset, arrangements were made to move forward with activating golf course operations.  Again this time the golf course staff were routinely purchasing large quantities of bagged ice.  Mayor Larsen visited with the Golf course director about the ice machine needs and upon information out of that discussion, Mayor Larsen brought the idea of an under counter ice machine to the council.  The council authorized Mayor Larsen to purchase the under counter ice machine model to provide a more economical supply of ice.  The idea being during off hours of demand, the build-up of  ice would be bagged and placed in the freezer for future demand.  Since this under counter ice machine was acquired late in the golf season it only saw a month or two of service.

          January 2012  Mayor Larsen, city council members C. Anderson, L. Anderson, S. Johannsen, R. Manning, W. VanGelder and M. Dykstra added the Alcester Liquor Store to the agenda.  No record of discussion or action regarding the agenda addition of the Liquor Store.  February 2012 City Attorney Chuck Haugland gave an update on the status of the lawsuit.  At some point in this time period in anticipation of the upcoming golf course season the Liquor Store ice machine which was larger was moved to the golf course.  Additionally South Eastern Electric Cooperative became aware of the under counter ice machine no longer used at the golf course offered to purchase to un-used ice machine for what the ice machine originally cost the city.  June 2012 Motion was made to seat Patricia Jurrens to fill the Alcester Ward II vacancy.  This appointment passed, Patricia Jurrens became the Alcester Ward II Council person and as such council member dealt with all the issues arising out of the equipment, lawsuit and CBDG issues regarding the Sullivan lawsuit.

          What I do not know because I have not researched the minutes after that June 2012 meeting leading up to this point in time is whether yet another ice machine for the golf course was purchased after David Larsen became a Councilman and what ice machine decisions he made.

          So as in the words of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot:

                    “…And I would like to have a good, productive relationship with members of the City Council, but I’m not going to allow them to undermine what the people’s choice was and what the people want, which is change…”

Lori Lightfoot

But I was not allowed that opportunity because I did not and would not allow the undermining of the people’s choice, what the people wanted and because I did not follow the rest of the flock!

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

03/07/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”
― Laurence J. Peter, The Peter Principle

The  March 7, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples and Councilman Lukas Driesen.  Absent was Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

Agenda Item #3 – Approve  Agenda which was accomplished without change.

Agenda Item #4 – Approve the minutes of the February 7th and February 21st meetings of the council was achieved without any changes or corrections made.

Agenda Item #5 – Call to fill Ward II vacancy went unanswered, evidently no one wanted a Pat on their back!

Agenda Item #6 – Public Input  – I (Vickie Larsen) answered the call for public input.  I asked the question, who approved the verbiage of the advertisement in the local paper for a vacancy in the city finance officer.  Listen to the non-answer I received from Mayor Haeder. (02:56.50), “…I don’t know if anybody had an opportunity to look at it ( the advertisement for a finance office employee)  I asked about the water rates yet again, no answer.  I have  received comments from folks who only used 200 gallons yet were billed for $110.00 =/- and another about someone who is not yet living in the house, but received a bill for $191.00  I asked about the status of active lawsuits and once again received a non-answer. (03:25.13) and finally I commented on remarks made by a Brosz employee and Mayor Haeder regarding trusting our past chip seal providers/bidders for street sealing to provide the materials they bid with. 

Agenda Item #7 – Legal Updates unavailable.  Evidently City Attorney Sam Nelson did not receive an invitation to the council party last night.

Agenda Item #8 – Police Department  Chief Schuller gave his report, reorganization of police statistics, explained lines of jurisdiction.  (0:19:45.37)  Councilwoman Darla Reppe asked the question about the legality of law enforcement sitting at the side of the road with their lights off.  Councilwoman Reppe related an incident where she was coming into town one evening after dark on 301st street/6th street and came upon law enforcement parked along the road with lights off.  She stated she was startled and worried about hitting the law enforcement vehicle ’cause she couldn’t see it.  I would point out the speed limit notification of 25 MPH speed limit (residential city) is posted twice.  One furthest east is a warning of speed limit and the second sign is the point where the speed limit is 25 MPH.  These signs are posted just below the hill on the east side of the cemetery as one travels west which should slow a vehicle enough to avoid colliding with a vehicle at the side of the road.

(0:25:33.63)  Executive Session called for Police Department SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel.  Council went into Executive Session at 6:25 PM and came out of Executive Session at 6:41 PM having spent 16 minutes in Executive Session.  No action taken.

Agenda Item #9 – HUD Discussion – Discussion took place concerning what I believe was a ZOOM meeting with regarding HRC and housing needs within the city of Alcester.  The Alcester HRC was developed to build housing with a plan that once the that housing unit/units was fully occupied it would be sold with the profits from the sale to build more units.  It was meant to revitalize those portions of the city with aging and dilapidated homes being torn down and replaced with new low to medium income housing.  (0:27:46.87)  Councilman David Larsen made the comment that good ideas came out of the meeting with the suggestion of a survey of needs.  However (0:28:18.13) Councilman Larsen notes that there is a cost to that (a survey) and at (0:28:35.57) Councilman Larsen says, “…the… heh, heh…I am thinking…a couple of thousand dollars…”

Agenda Item #10 – Finance Office Update

          Approval of February Warrants was passed. 

          Property taxes and property valuations were discussed in line with the upcoming Board of Equalization meeting in conjunction with the Alcester City Council meeting on March 21, 2022.  (0:48:49.20) Councilman David Larsen asks the question of FOPat and her response.  (0:49:32.10)  Councilman Lukas Driesen asks the question about the continuation of the ‘curb tax’ or as FOPat calls it the street maintenance fee assessed on our properties.  (0:49:46.00)  Hear FOPat’s answer.  Folks FOPat’s answer is not entirely correct.  She does not ultimately control that fee.  This fee can be revoked by an Initiative.  In South Dakota, people are allowed to propose or refer legislation at the state and also local government levels.  Persons seeking to propose or refer an ordinance or resolution shall first register with the city clerk’s office before the petitions are circulated for signatures.

See additional information SDLRC 9-20 – https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/2036508

Agenda Item #11 – Golf Course Surplus Property.  Items deemed as surplus property were discussed and listed as surplus property valued over $500.00 were itemized as the cart shed and the Rheem A/C unit and per requirement were listed for the advertised sealed bid process. 

          The balance of the surplus items under the $500.00 value were to be listed on market place and in printed advertisement for April 18, 2022, meeting.

          The council also appointed an appraisal committee consisting of three residents of Alcester who are property owners.  This committee will appraise the items of surplus in accordance with SDCL 6-13-1, SDCL 6-13-2, SDCL 6-13-4 and SDCL 6-13-5.

          The council voted unanimously on all three questions of Agenda Item #11.

Agenda Item #12 – Community Center – the purchase of room dividers has moved forward.  The problem that I have, the council has approved the $1894.00 per each of the room dividers but the connectors and the freight was not disclosed to the council or the public.  (1:19:14.97)

          Mayor seems to be blissfully ignorant of what the staff job descriptions of the community center are as he repeats the motion and attempts to match up a wage with a position title.

Agenda Item #13 – Volunteer Roster  Additions and deletions were made and approved by vote.

Agenda Item #14 – Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel  Council went into Executive Session for purposes of SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel at 7:42 PM, asked FOPat and Wanda to join them at 8:15 PM and Exited Executive Session at 8:51 PM. 

Total time spent in Personnel Executive Session, one (1) hour and nine (9) minutes.  No public action taken!

Agenda Item #15 – Adjourn  8:52 PM

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

02/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“True Leaders should always practice the three R’s:  Respect for self, Respect for others, Responsibility for all their actions.”

-Anonymous-

          The February 21, 2022, city council meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance with council members responding Councilwoman Darle Reppe, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilwoman Linda Talbott and Councilman David Larsen.  Absent was Alcester city attorney Sam Nelson.

          A note here, I was not present for this meeting.  I had a videographer make the video record of the meeting for me.  Processing took a bit longer than usual. Thank you Aaron.

          There are a few agenda items I would like to address. 

          Agenda Item #5 – public input was received by Rich Akland resident of Alcester (0:01:52.77).  Mr. Akland thanked Councilman Larsen for his efforts on the community center and golf course.  Although no mention was made concerning the wall cracks.  H-m-m and so it starts.  Mr. Akland also commented on Wanda, the face of city hall and how accommodating her demeanor was with the residents of Alcester.  Lastly Mr. Akland suggested a pickle ball court in the old school gym would be nice.  Councilman David Larsen (0:06:42.40) took time to thank Alcester Union-Hudsonite news reporter Gordon Richards for his coverage and summaries of the minutes of the city council meetings. 

          Agenda Item #6 – Banner Engineering Tanya Miller was not available for a project update.

          Agenda Item #7 – Community Center Updates were presented by (07:47.20) Clint Nyreen and (0:22:37.77) Landon Nygard in their respective positions.

          Agenda Item #8 – HUD Contact  This agenda item was introduced by Mr. Gordon Richards who is a local board member.  A meeting was to be set up to meet with a couple of council members and Mr. Roger Jacob, HUD representative via Zoom.

          Agenda Item #9 – Multi-community Chip Seal Project and Bid Project.  Folks, according to the discussion in the January 17, 2022, the Brosz representative dissing local providers of chip seal (0:07:47.) and (0:11:17.0) and in which Mayor Haeder opined (0:50:31.03) “…cannot trust local…” and Mayor Haeder opined about the contract which carried a questionable line item (0:54:28.97) regarding to Engineering fees not to exceed $10,200.00?  The council had trouble following the document titled, “City of Alcester Chip Sealing of 2022” what they were going to be shelling hefty amounts of money for Brosz to hold our hands and for us to “trust” them.  Listen to the individual voice vote.  Give ’em a chance says Councilman David Larsen,  give ’em (Brosz) a chance with $42,500.00 when we did not get a current bid from the local ‘guys’  What happened with get a quote, and I DO NOT MEAN LAST YEARS QUOTE?  Are we really going to compare “apples to a**soles”.  The council voted to give ’em a chance!  WOW

          Agenda Item #10 – Chief Austin Schuller gave an update and approval for part-time officers.

          Agenda Item #11 – Sam Nelson (No Show or was his invitation lost in the mail?)  Well maybe next meeting?

          Agenda Item #12 – Chairperson updates- Nothing of any consequence.

          Agenda Item #13  TSR quote for repair of plumbing with a side trip to discuss the bar door.

          Agenda Item #14 – Community Center Purchases:  A traveling bar @ $2069.00 plus freight and room dividers @ $3274 plus freight.  Listen closely to the discussion on the traveling bar, especially the comment on having the bar outside for football games.  That is awfully close to school property with liquor and the possibility of traveling liquor onto school property.  Maybe we can get the police chief to park by the convenient gate checking ID’s, Breathalizers and liquor sales violations.  H-m-m?  Room dividers, imagine your pay function on one side of the ‘room-divider’ and discovering the low brow, bourbon brawlers on the other side of the ‘room-divider’ and being charged regular rate?  Yeah  Council approved the expenditures.  So what is happening with the wall cracks in the Albatross?

          Agenda Item #15 – Finance Office Update.

          Agenda Item #16 – Executive session – if needed  This is almost a sure-thing bet.  SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel.  Folks this is abuse and violation of Executive Session, ’cause there is never any action taken out of this session.  If it is not serious enough to take action, it can be talked about in open session.

          Agenda Item #17 – Adjournment  at 8:39 PM

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