“…To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones…”

George Washington

The  June 20, 2023, meeting of the Alcester City Council was called to order on by Mayor Lukas Driesen at 6:00 p.m. with Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilman Kyle Vandenhul, Councilman Kerry Hedden and Councilwoman Kendra Hatle,  Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples  and Attorney Sam Nelson present. The council and gallery recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

(00:01:31.87)  AGENDA ITEM #3 – Approve Agenda  as amended to move Agenda Item #8 forward to accommodate discussion of the CBDG Wastewater Treatment Facility public hearing.–   Vote X 5Ayes.  Motion passed.

(00:02:24.30)  AGENDA ITEM #4 – Open Council Seat Ward I Interview.  Applicant Julia Sundstrom for the vacant Ward I seat.  (00:02:41.90)  Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples moved, Councilman Kerry Hedden Second the motion to go into Executive Session to interview Candidate Sundstrom, Vote X5 was unanimous.  The council was declared in Executive Session at 6:02 p.m. at 6:14 p.m. the group exited executive session for Councilwoman Peeples to make the motion with a second coming from Councilwoman Darla Reppe to seat Julia Sundstrom as the Ward I representative until the next election.  Vote was unanimous to seat Ms. Sundstrom. (00:04:13.23) Council appoints Julia Sundstrom to Ward I council seat.

(00:05:45.57)  AGENDA ITEM #5  –  Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements.

          Change Order No.#1 Review Banner representative Tanya Miller describes the five parts of the change order cost increase. (00:05:55.67)  Changes involved are deductions for the 1)pressure valves not needed -$2400.00, 2) storm water pipe needed to be opened +$2700.00 route needed to be insulated, once the gate to this device was opened it was discovered the gate valves were functional just needed to be flushed which was a savings of -$8700.00. 3)Waterline for sludge to pond was in conflict with loading docks which was an increase of +$12,000.00 pipe 4) access patch not needed -$2000.00  for a total overall increase in cost of +$2403.69

Approve Change Order No.#1 modify contract price from $5,338.000.00 to  $5,340,406.69

          M/ Councilman Kyle VandenHul        2nd/ Councilwoman Darla Reppe

Discussion- none

Vote X 6 Ayes

(00:11:08.13)  AGENDA ITEM #8 – CDBG Wastewater Treatment Facility Project Public Hearing  Public Comments – Presentation by Harley Ferguson of SECOG.  Projected cost Funding from ARPA Grant

 (00:15:04.73) AGENDA ITEM #6 – Public Input

           VICKIE LARSEN INPUT dealt with question on the emergency meeting held on June 12, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., Has Mayor Driesen been given all the keys to the city now, and the legality of allowing a first or second grade drive a golf cart with Parent seated in the right hand seat.

(00:18:49.50) AGENDA ITEM #7 Police Department – Jared Thompson

          Executive Session

M/  Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples   2nd/ Councilman Kerry Hedden

Disc none

Vote X6 Ayes

in executive session at 6:30 pm

out of executive session at 6:47 p.m.

          no action taken

(00:19:48.53)  AGENDA ITEM #9 – Planning & Zoning  Fences  City         Attorney Sam Nelsen.  No action taken until further study of the issue.

(00:21:09.30)  AGENDA ITEM # 10  – Community Center/Golf Course  Issues covered in this discussion were the use of cameras and clubhouse hours Open for business versus honor system

 (00:35:38.47)  AGENDA ITEM #11  –  Camera quotes Pool

          Approve of Purchase.  $4697.16

M/Councilwoman Darla Reppe     2nd/ Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Disc  none

Vote X6 Ayes

(00:54:03.67)  AGENDA ITEM #12 –  Legal Updates  None

(00:54:14.10)  AGENDA ITEM #13  –  Old Clubhouse Discussion  No action  taken.

(01:01:27.63)  AGENDA ITEM #14  –  Mowing Bill Discussion

          Approval to Pay Don Drown Mowing $50     505 Ofstad  No action    taken.

(01:04:08.77)  AGENDA ITEM #15  – Fire School

          Approve $1000 sponsor ship

M/ Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples   2nd/ Councilwoman Kendra Hatle

Disc. NONE

Vote X6 Ayes

(01:06:06.17)  AGENDA ITEM #16 – Finance Office Updates 

          Loren Fischer will no longer be accepting payment at the city offices.  Also since the fourth of July lands on Tuesday, Fischer’s will pick up  on July 3, 2023.  In additional Mayor Driesen respectfully reminds residents to pull in their trash containers as soon as possible after they have been dumped by Fischer.  Also a request has been made by the city to trim trees at the curb to save wear and tear on city equipment from scratch and other damage.  Last item asked about by council members is the council emails and when they will become available for residents to contact their representatives.

(01:11:39.50)  AGENDA ITEM  #17  –  Executive Session if needed (SDCL 1-25-2.1)  Motion to go into Executive Session by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Second to motion by Councilwoman Kendra Hatle, not discussion and with a Vote X6 Ayes the group moves into Executive session at 7:39 P.M. and out of Executive session at 8:23 P.M.  No action taken

(01:13:26.23)  AGENDA #18  Adjourn  9:01 P.M.

Contact City Council

Mayor Lukas Driesen         

Councilwoman Darla Reppe – Ward III            605-934-2602

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples – Ward I             605-934-2096

Councilman Kyle VandenHul – Ward II            605-934-

Councilwoman Kendra Hatle – Ward III

Councilman Kerry Hedden –  Ward II

Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom  Ward I