“A hypocritical businessman, whose fortune had been the misfortune of many others, told Mark Twain piously, “Before I die, I intend to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I want to climb to the top of Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud.” “I have a better idea,” suggested Twain. “Why don’t you stay right at home in Boston and keep them?”
The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain
Mark Twain
The November 21, 2023, Alcester City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Lukas Driesen with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by the council and members of the gallery. Present were Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Kendra Hatle, Councilman Kerry Hedden, Councilwoman, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom, Alcester City Attorney Austin Felts Councilman and Alcester Finance Officer David Hodgson, Councilman Brian Johnson was absent.
Agenda Item #3 – Approve the Agenda- (00:39.18) Motion was made, seconded, no discussion with unanimous approval of four (4) Aye votes.
Agenda Item #4 – Vacant Ward I Council Seat Candidate interviews if needed. Since there were no candidates present for this vacant Ward I seat, no action was taken. (00:01:10.20)
Agenda Item #5 – Approve November 7, 2023, regular meeting minutes. (00:01:19.49) Motion was made, seconced, no discussion with unanimous approval of four (4) Aye votes.
Agenda Item #6 – Approve November 9, 2023, Special meeting minutes. (00:01:37.42) Motion was made, seconded, no discussion with unanimouse approval of four (4) Aye votes.
Agenda Item #7 – Public Input (00:01:59.62) Vickie Larsen had public input. (00:02:06.60) I made the following comment regarding MY blog,
“…I want to reiterate something that was discussed in a meeting I was not present at. I am the author of ‘avoicefromthegallery’, it is MY opinion! If anybody has a problem with it…they contact me! DON’T jump all over the city!…
thank you.
Agenda Item #8 – 6:15 p.m. Public Hearing Phase I Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements (00:02:35.11)
Agenda Item #9 – 6:30 p.m. Public Hearing Variance request for 301 Lincoln Drive, Alcester. (00:02:52.22)
Agenda Item #10 – Finance Office (00:03:05.01)
- Approve abatement of taxes on 505 Ofstad, 204 Ofstad and 103 west second street. (00:03:12.26) Motion made, seconded, no discussion with unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
- Approve payment of taxes still due o properties of 505 Ofstand, 204 Ofstad and 103 West Second in the amount of $321.64. (00:03:48.53) Motion made, seconded, no discussion with unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
- Approve purchase of Banyon Software per proposal to include UBLite Software, UBLite Online Pay module and annual support costs for $4,010.00. (00:05:01.06) Motion made, seconded, no discussion with unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
- Approve purchase discounted Banyon Software for fund accounting software for $3,196 and payroll software for $1,836 through South Dakota Municipal League discount program. (00:06:00.52 ) Motion made, seconded, no discussion with unanimouse approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
- Approve sponsorship of Union County Fair 2024. (00:06:43.36) TABLED
- Approve donation to Alcester-Hudson High School after prom 2024. (00:07:56.13) TABLED
Agenda Item #11 – Waste Water Treament Plant – (00:09:17.89) Motion to approve change order #5. This involves a change in the contract price. Original contract price was $5,338.000.00 plus increases from change orders 0-4 in the amount of +$27,743.05 bringing to new contract price to $5,360,186.65. Change order #5 will add an increase of $9,635.86 bringing the total contract price to $5,375,378.91 with substantial completion date of November 30, 2024. These costs are attributed to the second re-bid. This project is important to the city of Alcester in that this involves repairs and necessary upgrades due to necessity not whim. Motion was made, seconded with no discussion, unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes. Folks keep in mind the hard, difficult decisions the council of today is being forced to make due to decisions in the past. Motion made, seconded, unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
Agenda Item#12 – City Utilities (00:10:31.17) Discussion onLand fill price increases, (L.P. Gill) and contract with Fischer expires December 31st.
Agenda Item #13 – Legal Updates (00:13:28.38) Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-09 Speed restriction in trailer park. Motion, seconded, unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
REVISIT OF AGENDA ITEM #8 PHASE I SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS. (00:16:31.69) TANYA MILLER (00:22:07.84) HARLEY FERGUSON – SECOG (00:37:12.58) Motion made, seconded to authorize application for public funding of Phase I Collection System Improvement with Banner CBDG and state Revolving Loan Funding unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes.
REVISIT OF AGENDA ITEM #9 – VARIANCE FOR 301 LINCOLN DRIVE. (00:38:08.14) Council took no action after explanation, due to lack of information on property lines.
AGENDA ITEM #14 OLD SCHOOL BUILDING (00:42:36.66) Discussion took place on a proposed 6 month lease agreement with Alcester Industrial Park in the amount of $1000.00 including gas and electric utility costs for city offices. Motion made, seconded and unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes for a six month lease agreement.
AGENDA ITEM #15 CLUB HOUSE DISCUSSION (00:56:57.65) Discussion with Councilwoman Kendra Hatle regarding employee acknowledgement document to job description, duties of job, restrictions regarding duties, agreement to these provisions of employment and signature acknowledging prospective employee.
AGENDA ITEM #16 EXECUTIVE SESSION SDCL 1-25-2.3 LEGAL COUNSEL (00:59:25.64) Motion made, seconded, and unanimous approval vote of four (4) Ayes. Council went into Executive session at 7:00 P.M. and back into open session at 7:42 P.M. No action taken on subject of executive session.
AGENDA ITEM #17 ADJOURN (01:00:42.45)
A Voice from the Gallery 