The  January 9, 2023, meeting of the Alcester City Council was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder at 6:00 p.m. with Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilman Kyle VandenHull, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples present with City Attorney Sam Nelson absent.  The council and gallery recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

(00:53.53)  AGENDA ITEM #3 – APPROVE AGENDA  approved unanimously X 4 aye votes.

(00:02:11.00)  AGENDA ITEM #4 – APPROVE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5TH AND 19TH, 2022  Approved unanimously X 4 aye votes.

(00:02:56.70)  AGENDA ITEM #5 – PUBLIC INPUT

          (00:03:04.07)  POLICE CHIEF AUSTIN SCHULLER Chief Schuller   read a statement to the councilannouncing his resignation.

          (00:06:15.77) VICKIE LARSEN – I spoke to the resignation of both Alcester police officers noting coverage of patrol is not an option with the sheriff’s department.  I spoke to the very real possibilities of robberies, assaults and increased drug presence in our community.   I spoke to the inance office and our options for a new finance officer, noting we could do an internship with an accounting student or contract with our accountants or    the finance officer in another city for oversight while the city replaces the Finance Officer with a suitable candidate.  While I did not call for the termination in the council meeting, I now call for the resignation or termination of Finance Officer Jurrens for cause.  I spoke to the replacement or recall of Mayor Haeder.  In my  opinion he is as effective in his duties as chief law enforcement of the city of Alcester as hockey puck and his role as Mayor is not to ride rough-shod over the council, to allow the bullying and retaliatory behaviors as exhibited in his staff.  Still using hockey terms his  type of failures are usually rewarded with a charge of checking and removal from the ice.  So folks we do have the power to remove him by recall.

          (00:10:23.10)  KERRY HEDDEN  addressed the council with his concerns over the budget shortfalls and transfers of money.  He asked the question, “…what is going to happen next year…” to which he received an “…I don’t know answer from Mayor Haeder and FOPAT.

          (00:17:15.83) BABETTE MERCHANT addressed the council on the loss of our police officers as a resident and as a member of the Alcester Ambulance crew.

          (00:22:47.77) HOWARD CLOSSON addressed the council speaking to the treatment and slanderous statements made by Finance Officer Pat Jurrens, threatening letter of Alcester Building Inspector Geoff Fillingsness and the ineptitude of Mayor Haeder.  Mr. Closson is the owner of 307 Iowa street property.  Mr. Closson is a US Army Decorated Combat Veteran having spent 14 years in the Army, a former Gregory County deputy sheriff and has no criminal record! NOTABLE POINTS           (00:25:18.63) Geoff Fillingsness approved a building in Canton  which collapsed within days of the approval. (00:28:04.80)  Haeders mayoral take over.  (00:29:05.13)  Officer Lass is ordered by Mayor Haeder to remove Mr. Closson.  Officer Lass asks on what charge?  Listen to the exchange folks.

          (00:29:45.20)  RICHARD AKLAND addressed the council.

          (00:30:51.63)  MAYOR HAEDER addresses a orange sediment in the      water complaint.

          (00:37:33.77)  COUNCILMAN KYLE VANDENHUL spoke to attendance at the meeting.

(00:38:27.43)  AGENDA ITEM #6 – FIRE WORKS  TRAVIS ROBINSON  No show, no action taken.

(00:41:05.03) AGENDA ITEM #7 –  POLICE DEPARTMENT Office Lass addressed the council.  Listen (00:42:00.63)  to Mayor Haeder cast aspersions on the PD, is it any wonder why we no longer have officers to protect us.  Who is going to protect us from the Mayor?

(00:46:06.10)  AGENDA ITEM #8 – RESIGNATIONS  – Motion to accept resignations of Chief Austin Schuller and Officer Grayson Lass.  Approved unanimously X 4 aye votes.  Further discussion on equipment and advertising for police officers.

(00:01:00:06.37)  AGENDA ITEM #9 –  LEGAL UPDATES – Sam Nelson Alcester City Attorney ABSENT.  NO ACTION  (01:01:12.27) Councilman Kyle Vandenhul comments on the absence of the city attorney.  Council members discuss seeking new legal counsel or stay with Frieberg, Nelson and Ask.

 (00:01:10:54.77) AGENDA ITEM #10  2023 RETAINER AGREEMENT – Unanimous X4 aye votes.

(00:01:12:29.73)   AGENDA ITEM #11  2023 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER – Unanimous X4 aye votes.

(00:01:13:22.83)  AGENDA ITEM #12  – 2023 OFFICIAL BANK – Unanimous X4 aye votes.

(00:01:14:06.93)  AGENDA ITEM #13  – 2021 AUDIT REVIEW – Unanimous X4 aye votes.    Mention was made of an increase in fees to do our audit.  Mayor Haeder speculates (01:20:49.57) the new rate to do the city audit will no longer be $9000.00 but with the new company will raise by 45% so conceivable the new rate could be $13050.00?  WOW!

(00:01:24:58.80) AGENDA ITEM #14  ICE MACHINE  Black  mold in the old machine,  discussion on the purchase of a new machine.  Projected cost somewhere around $4691.35.  The city needs to sell the bar, it is a money pit the city cannot afford.  The rent cannot meet the city expenses.  The current lessee had expressed an interest in purchasing the bar.  SELL IT. Unanimous X4 aye votes.

(00:01:39:11.83)  AGENDA ITEM #15  PAYGOV-CREDIT CARD, DEBIT CARD, ACH TRANSACTIONS Unanimous X4 aye votes.

(00:01:44:35.17)  AGENDA ITEM #16 -BILL APPROVAL

• BEELNER SERVICE – Sprinklers  $4770.00
• SECOG – Grant preparation $4000.00
• INDUSTRIAL PROCESS TECHNOLOGY – Bond  $51120.00
• BANNER ENGINEERING – EngineeringServices  $18.083.18

 (00:01:48:17.40)  AGENDA ITEM #17 – FINANCE OFFICE UPDATES

          a) Payroll approval disc. Need advice from City Attorney Sam  no action

          b) Warrants (00:01:54:35.03)  Unanimous X4 aye votes

          c) Workshop 02/06/2023  notification

          d) Resolution of Fees 2023 City of Alcester (00:01:56:57.90) Unanimous X4 aye votes.

          e) 2023 Municipal Election information* (02:10:12.47)

• MAYOR    FOUR (4) YEAR TERM
• WARD I     TWO (2) SEATS OF TWO (2) YEAR TERMS
• WARD II   ONE SEAT ONE (1) YEAR TERM
• WARD II  TWO (2) SEATS OF TWO (2) YEAR TERMS*

*ERROR ON NOTICE OF VACANCY … WHERE IS WARD III THIS INFORMATION CAME STRAIGHT FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE DOCUMENTS. SO PAT YA’LL DON’T PROOF THE DOCUMENTS YA’LL HAND OUT?

          f) 2023 Salaries (02:14:40.67)   Executive session to discuss employees wages (there are no salaried employees in the city of Alcester).  (02:15:42.60) Council enters into Executive session at 8:15 P.M. and exits Executive session at 9:21 P.M.  Note here, after my camera is shut down   Councilman Driesen tells FOPAT she is to leave with the gallery yet she ignores him and remains in the session.  Mayor Haeder allows the city bookkeeper in the wage discussion executive session where she has no say or purpose in that session. Unanimous X4 aye votes to accept the 2023  “Salaries”

          g) Reminders and updates

(02:23:28.77) AGENDA ITEM #18  EXECUTIVE SESSION   NOT NEEDED

(02:23:43.37)  AGENDA ITEM #19 ADJOURN  MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:28 P.M.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                            605-934-2287     

Councilwoman Darla Reppe             605-934-2602

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples           605-934-2096

Councilman Lukas Driesen               605-934-

Councilman Kyle VandenHull          605-934-

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517