“You can’t trust water: Even a straight stick turns crooked in it.”

W. C. Fields

The  July 20, 2023, meeting of the Alcester City Council was called to order on by  Councilwoman Darla Reppe, mayor pro tem at 7:00 p.m. with Councilman Kerry Hedden, Councilwoman Kendra Hatle, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom,  Attorney Austin Felts present. Absent were Mayor Lukas Driesen, Councilman Kyle Vanden Hul, City Attorney Sam Nelsen and Patricia Jurrens.  The council and gallery recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

(00:39.33)  AGENDA ITEM #3 – Approve Agenda  as amended– Move agenda item #5 ahead of Agenda Item #4.  Vote X 5Ayes.

(00:01:39.80)  AGENDA ITEM #5  –  Public Input

(00:02:58.13) VICKIE LARSEN commented on a FOIA for copies of check written to Paula Fagre for art work,  Patricia Jurrens acting as a gallerist during her time working for the city, and sales tax reporting.

(00:04:12.13)  BRIAN JOHNSON comment issues relating to the loss of mayors, police officers and council members and the single cause for those changes.  He reported since 2016 the city has had three (3) mayors, three (3) Police Chiefs, and eight (8) council members.

(00:06:15.10) AARON LARSEN commented on the police officers pay and the messed up agenda at the July 18, 2023, meeting in which the officers request was not dealt with as it should have been.  Asked for a revisit of the agenda item due to the poor language in the agenda of the July 18, 2023 meeting.

(00:08:53.27)  HOWARD CLOSSON commented on the under-lying reason of our lack of continuity, Finance Officer Patricia Jurrens.

(00: 13:10.07)  BRIAN JOHNSON presented the facts of the roll-over of city personnel and the reason for it.

(00:14:50.97)  DALE JURRENS commented on behalf of his wife, who elected not to be present.  (00:15:25.00)   he began name calling Mayor Driesen , “…a baby…a big baby”  Really?

 (00:15:42.90)  DELILAH WEBSTER commented on our streets and the pot holes.    

(00:16:29.77)  MINDY SELCHERT commented on Mayor Driesen’s wonderful work and care in doing his job as mayor.

 (00:18:50.90)  AGENDA ITEM #4 – Employee Matter. In executive session at 7:20 P.M. and Out of executive session at 7:33 P.M.  (00:20:56.00) Motion was made to terminate Patricia Jurrens, Seconded with a roll call vote that was unanimous.  Councilwoman Kendra Hatle-aye, Councilman Kerry Hedden – aye, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples – aye, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom – aye and Councilwoman Darla Reppe – aye  

(00:21:40.03)  AGENDA ITEM #6 – Community Center purchase of double door           freezer.  Discussion took place with some further research the council will address the issue at the July 31. 2023, meeting.

(00:28:50.47) AGENDA ITEM #7 – Executive Session if needed

(00:29:02.23)  AGENDA ITEM #8  –  Adjourned at 7:40 PM

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

SPECIAL ALCESTER CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
JULY 24, 2023
ALCESTER CITY HALL
OLD SCHOOL CENTER, 500 Dakota Street
7:00 PM – MEETING

Executive Session: SDCL 1-25-2- 1(Employee Personnel), 3(Legal Counsel, Pending Litigation or Contractual Matters), 4(Contract Negotiations)
File Name: C:\Users\Finance\Documents\Agendas\2023 Agendas\2023 July 24 Council.docx
Date Printed: 7/20/2023 3:13:12 PM

1. Open Meeting
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve Agenda
   Motion by: _ Seconded by: _ All Yes: _ Yes No _
4. Employee Matter
   a. Motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(1) – Personnel
   Motion by: _ Seconded by: _ All Yes: _ Yes No _
   b. Discussion and Consideration of Employee Matter
5. Community Center/Golf Course – Freezers
   a. Motion to approve spending up to $______________ for double door freezer
   Motion by: _ Seconded by: _ All Yes: _ Yes No _
6. Executive Session – (if needed)
   a. Motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2( )
   Motion by: _ Seconded by: _ All Yes: _ Yes No _
7. Adjourn
   a. Motion to adjourn Council
   Motion by: _ Seconded by: _ All Yes: _ Yes No _

Folks here we go, you are invited. Although there is an agenda item missing, Public Input.

Public Input should be on the agenda because line item #5 Community center/Golf Course – Freezers a vote for the purchase of a double door freezer. Note there is no cost attached to the agenda item, so folks how much of our tax dollars are going to pay to keep the beer cold? The public is entitled to comment on this expenditure. There will also be a motion for employee matter.

Let the council know how you feel about FOPat’s insubordination of Mayor Driesen’s mayoral directives and that she needs to be removed.