“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.
The October 17, 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 Cyndi Peeples, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom, Councilman Brian Johnson, Alcester City Assistance Finance Officer Abigail Moore and Alcester City Attorney Austin Felts.
Agenda item #3 Approval of the agenda. (00:42.03) The agenda was approved with the amendment of adding an executive session 1-25-2.1 to Agenda Item #7 Police Department SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel. Motion was made by Councilman Brian Johnson to approve the agenda as amended; Second came from Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom. Unanimous vote aye, motion passed.
Agenda item #4 Approval of minutes of the October 3, 2023, meeting. (01:40.87) Councilwoman Peeples moved to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2023 meeting with no changes, second from Councilwoman Hatle. Unanimous vote aye, motion passed.
Agenda item # 5 Public Input (02:01.41) Vickie Larsen input dealt with revising the existing warrant form and possibly consider app. which would convert audio recording of meeting minutes to written form. The logic being a back up so meeting data is not missed and as a second source to make sure the minutes are accurate reporting of meeting discussions.
I would like to make some comments here to clarify my process of my videos of the Alcester City Council meetings. It is my practice once I have assembled the segments of my recording is to listen to the entire video so I may log and enter what I call time markers for salient points in my video and accompanying blog.
During the video of the October 17, 2023, Alcester City Council meeting I was logging the time markers in my video and when I got to the Agenda Item #9 Public Hearing part of my video, I realized in order to present the proposed amendments to the 2018 revised Alcester Zoning Regulations I needed to explain what was being changed and what exactly the changes were. I needed to have acopy of the 2018 revised Alcester Zoning Regulations for that information.
I went to the existing city website expecting to find those regulations on the site. Unfortunately, the Zoning Regulations were not there and the most current collective Alcester, City Ordinances were 2014 with the only ordinances approved after that 2014 Document were from 2022 and 2023. So, any ordinances, resolutions and so-on from the intervening years of 2015-2021 were apparently not recorded for public viewing on the Alcester website by previous finance officer Jurrens. If the City Municipal Ordinances appeared on the website, so should the Zoning Regulations in their entirety on the city website. If the residents are expected to abide by these regulations, they should have ready access to read them and apply them to their property projects. Property owners should have the ability to read and understand before they receive a violation notice from the city via Geoff Fillingsness.
As you will hear during this discussion of the push back from some residents as it deals with Alcester ordinances and zoning regulations. These ordinances and zoning are for the benefit, safety and property values of all residents of Alcester.
With that said, I would respectfully suggest the city publish the Zoning Regulations on the city website along with the City Ordinances. So, residents can actively work with the city to fix the problem, to find a workable and mutually agreeable solution to the issue and speak to their municipal representatives to that end.
In my opinion those who challenge the city’s authority with words like, “…you can’t touch me” or “…do you know how influential I am?” Well, me boyos, if y’all have such a large presence, then y’all can afford the fine with which you will be rewarded, you can afford the gas to Union County Court and recompense/expenses back to the city and its residents who made the effort to comply with the city regulations.
Agenda item # 6 Finance Office (03:54.46)
Council discussed the implementation of Banyon Software (accounting program user friendly and suitable for Alcester’s municipal needs). This discussion was tabled to the next regular meeting of the city council.
(06:11.53) Motion and second for Executive Session for SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel, unanimously approved. In session at 6:07 P.M., Out of session at 6:29 P.M. (07:13.26) Motion and second to hire Chris Hedden as Deputy Finance Officer at $16.00 per hour. Roll call vote: Councilman Johnson – Aye, Councilwoman Sundstrom – Aye, Councilwoman Peeples – Aye, Councilwoman Reppe -Aye, Councilwoman Hatle – Aye and Councilman Hedden – abstain. Motion approved.
(00:15:51.05) Motion to pay City’s share amounting to $2268.93 of the city obligation of utilities at Old School Center, 500 Dakota Street. Motion and second to pay, 5 ayes and one temporarily absent. Motion approved.
Agenda item # 7 Police Dept. (02:16:28.94) Updates on city building security and lock changes. Discussion on types of locks for all city offices and buildings. (00:02:24.08) Motion and second to go into Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel In session at 6:44 P.M., Out of session at 7:00 P.M. (00:22:07.33) Motion and second to hire Kyle Kleinschmit as part-time police officer at $25.00 per hour. Vote x 5 ayes, 1 nay. Motion carried.
(00:25:48.95) Further discussion relating to Bonding information for the police department.
Agenda item #8City Website Renewal (00:24:13.25) Discussion on WIX.com website regarding Wix Plan $2000.00 per year opposed to the WIX Core plan at $354.00. (00:37:20.38) Motion and second to go with the WIX.com, Core Plan paid upfront for one year at $324.00. Vote X 6 aye, unanimous.
Agenda item #9Public Hearing. (00:37:54.27) Motion and second to adjourn city Council. Motion carried City Council adjourned at 7:19 P.M. (00:40:17.55) Motion and second to convene Alcester Planning and Zoning Board convened, (00:40:58.53) at 7:19 P.M.
* Note here I failed to spell check the word convene and it made it into the video spelled incorrectly…what can I say…OOPS
(00:42:37.17) 2023-05 change in Chapter 4, section 4.09 of the 2018 Revised Zoning Ordinance Regulations 2023-05. Simply put, the change reduces the rear set-back on residential from 25 feet to down to 15 feet for multi-family dwelling, single family detached dwelling, single family attached dwelling, all other uses 25 foot down to 7 foot and with the addition of stand-alone garage uses with a 7-foot rear set-back. Motion to recommend approval of 2023-05 amendment of Chapter 4, section 4.09. Unanimous vote X6
(00:43:02.25) 2023-6 change in Chapter 10, section 10.03 (k) of the 2018 Revised Zoning Ordinance Regulations. Simply put from the current language of the 2018 Revised Zoning Regulations of Chapter 10, Section 10.03 (k)… “In the event a fence is to be constructed on the property line, abutting property owners shall be notified prior to the issuance of a permit. It is recommended, but not required, that the property owners sign a fence maintenance agreement and file it with the Finance Officer and Union County Register of Deeds…”to the 2023-06 Chapter 10, Section 10.3(k) change of language presented to the Planning and Zoning Board “…1. Section 10.03(k) to amended to read: Chapter 10, Section 10.3(K) “There shall be no required setback for any constructed fence. In the event a fence is to be constructed on the property line, abutting property owners shall be notified prior to the issuance of a permit. For a fence constructed on the property line, property owners shall sign a fence maintenance agreement and file it with the Finance Officer and Union County Register of Deeds…” *
*NOTE-I would be careful of the definition of the terms ‘constructed’ fence and include ‘all abutting property owners’ shall sign agreement.
I would also strongly suggest to legal that any changes in existing ordinances/regulations use the strike-through option of what is being changed or deleted, followed by the amendment for clarity to the council and to the public.
Motion was made with a second to recommend approval of 2018 Revised Zoning Regulations amended listed as 2023-06. Unanimous approval.
(00:44:02.89) Agenda item 9(g) which involved approval of the plat for Farmers Elevator Tract, an addition in the SD1/4 of NE1/4 and NE1/4of SE1/4, Section 28T95N, 5th P.M., Union County, SD. This item was tabled due to a question on a private residence being assigned to FCS. Also. the lawsuit FCS launched against the City of Alcester and Tristam Rhoads family has not been resolved.
(00:53:19.43) Motion and second to adjourn the Planning and Zoning Board, unanimous aye Vote. The P&Z Board adjourned at 7:32 P.M.
(00:53:49.19) Reconvene the Alcester City Council Meeting at 7:32 P.M. (00:54:27.76) Motion and second to approve the recommendation of the Alcester Planning and Zoning Board on 2023-05 and First Reading of 2023-05. Unanimous Aye vote X 6, (00:54:51.29) Motion and second to approve the recommendation of the Alcester Planning and Zoning board on 2023-06 and First Reading of 2023-06. Unanimous vote X 6 Ayes.
Agenda item #10– Legal Updates (00:55:25.28) Discussion on Building Permits, Regulation and Ordinance enforcement and remedies for those folks who violate regulations and ignore notices of violation. My comments which I expressed under Agenda item #5 stand. Folks, please contact your city council representative, the council as a whole or feel free to view the regulations yourselves to seek resolution to any regulation infringements. Instead of adopting a “tude” about your infringement, look at how it affects your neighbors, your safety, your property taxes, your insurance and your liability. Think about it. Just think about that $25.00 per hour the city must pay Geoff Fillingsness to spend distributing violations notices can instead go to reducing your taxes or those taxes of your neighbors.
Agenda item #11– Banner Associates – (01:20:51.17) Motion and second to pay Banner Invoice # 40853 for $3325.00. Unanimous X 6 Ayes. (01:21:25.00) Motion and second to pay Banner Request #6 for $226,857.95. Unanimous vote X 6 approval of payment. (01:22:52.72) Motion to schedule public hearing for CDBG and DANR 2024 Funding application. Date set for public hearing is November 21, 2023. Unanimous Vote X 6 approval.
Agenda item #12 – Community Center (01:24:03.56) Visions payment in the amount of $24,000.00. Motion, Second and Unanimous approval X 6 to pay the amount due. (01:28:10.56) Bond payment $7,486.83 approval. Motion, second and unanimous vote X 6 ayes for approval of payment.
Agenda item #13 – Annual Liquor License Renewals (01:29:11.61) It is noted here to make mention of abstentions in some of the votes. This happens when a council member has a pecuniary interest in the vote. In other words, the council member’s vote could be accused of benefiting, themselves or an employer.The mayor will call for a roll call vote to make a clear record of aye votes, nay votes and any abstentions.
Agenda item # 14 – Golf Course (01:33:58.84) Golf course discussion on the rental of a John Deere Gator. Lease amount is $912.00 for a ten (10) month duration of usages. Motion, second and unanimous approval of entering into this lease.
Agenda item #15 – City Government Forum Night (01:37:25.27) Scheduled for December 11,2023, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Motion, second and unanimous X 6 aye vote.
Agenda item #16– City Insurance (01:39:04.58) This item was table for more information.
Agenda item #17 – Street Department (01:39:59.53) Motion, second and unanimous vote X 6 ayes to approve the expenditure of $12,791.58 due November 1, 2023, for street sweeper. Discussion on street signage with no action taken.
Agenda item #18– Park and Pool (01:50:12.23) discussion on three posts.
Agenda item #19 – Executive session if needed (02:04:40.17) No Executive Session needed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our mayor and council members for all they have endured, the extra miles they are taking to get our city back on track. I know the time, effort and research you all have taken to rescue our city. We are still not out of the woods, but with the help of residents, Mayor Driesen and our council, Councilwoman Reppe, Councilwoman Peeples, Councilman Hedden, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Hatle and Councilwoman Sundstrom. Folks I have gone through just four or five tubs of city records which I had requested FOIA and for which I paid the fees for copying, and I cannot even imagine the time Councilwoman Kendra spent trying to get the city budget in line and on time. Thank you for the councilmembers who have vounteered their time and expertise to solve some of the city’s more pressing problems.
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 Cyndi Peeples, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom, Councilman Brian Johnson, Alcester City Finance Officer David Hodgson and Alcester City Attorney Austin Felts.
Agenda item #3 Approval of the agenda. The agenda was approved with the amendment of adding an executive session 1-25-2.1 Personnel to agenda item #8 Finance Officer to accommodate a change in employment of current staff, and approving authorization on city bank accounts. Motion was made by Councilwoman Peeples to approve the agenda as amended; Second came from Councilman Johnson. Unanimous vote aye, motion passed.
Agenda item #4 Approval of minutes. (00:01:46.84) Councilman Hedden moved to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2023, meeting and the minutes of the September 19, 2023, meeting as written. Unanimous vote aye, motion passed.
Agenda item #5 Approval of warrants. (00:02:27.51) Councilwoman Peeples moved, Councilman Johnson seconded to approve the warrants from July 2023 through September 2023. Unanimous vote aye, motion passed.
Agenda item # 6 Public Input (00:02:58.53) (00:03:06.46) Vickie Larsen input dealt with City Visa credit cards/statements and the computer App titled ‘work from home’ which was purchased the former finance officer. (00:06:55.16) Kyle Kleinschmit input dealt with the circumstances surrounding his resignation as full-time officer.
Agenda item #7Finance Office (00:09:10.64) Motion from Councilman Johnson, second from Councilman Hedden to go into Executive session 1-25-2.1 Personnel. Unanimous vote aye. In executive session at 6:10 p.m. and out of executive session at 6:44 p.m. (00:10:18.07) Motion by Councilwoman Reppe, second by Councilwoman Sundstrom to hire Abigail Moore part-time in the finance office starting October 7, 2023 through October 31, 2023, at $25.00 per hour rate. Unanimous vote aye. (00:10:50.94) Motion by Councilman Johnson, second by Councilwoman Peeples to authorize Finance Officer David Hodgson as User ACH at Premier Bank-City Bank accounts. DISCUSIONIT WAS NOTED ON THIS ACTION OF AN PROCEDURAL ERROR BY COUNCILWOMAN REPPE. PROCEDURALLY FORMER DEPUTY FINANCE OFFICER ABIGAIL MOORE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMIER ACCOUNT DUE TO HER EMPLOYMENT CHANGE, THEN MOTION COULD BE MADE TO AUTHORIZE FINANCE OFFICER DAVID HODGSON AS ONLINE BUSINESS USED ACH PREMIER BANK. (00:13:16.01) Motion by Councilwoman Reppe, second by Councilman Johnson to remove Abigail Moore as authorized user on the city accounts at Premier Bank. Motion passed by unanimous vote aye. (00:14:15.06) Motion (do over) by Councilman Johnson, second by Councilwoman Peeples to approve Finance Officer David Hodgson as authorized ACH user on the city bank accounts at Premier Bank. Unanimous vote aye.
Agenda item #8Police Department Update (00:14:47:70) Chief Thompson gave an abbreviated update with some concerns. (00:16:26.00) Motion to go into Executive session to discuss PD personnel SDCL 1-25-2.1 Unanimous vote aye. Council moved into Executive session to discuss hiring a part-time police officer at 6:50 P.M. (00:17:02.18) Council out of Executive Session at 7:04 P.M. (00:17:10.13) Motion was made by Councilwoman Peeples to hire Jason Baker as part-time police officer at $25.00 per hour, seconded by Councilwoman Hatle, motion passed with unanimous aye vote to hire.
Agenda item #9 City Website Renewal (00:17:44.94) Discussion included the renewal due date, the limited, convoluted administrative issues with this website. Discussion took place on finding a better suited website and just plain over-all user-friendly city website which would cover all of the city’s needs. Decision on final requirements to take place October 17, 2023, meeting.
Agenda item #10 Legal Updates (00:27:04.73) Discussion on the Property Maintenance ordinance with regard to fair for all not just a handful of residents.
Agenda item #11 Summer Rec Program (00:42:48.93) Question over the lack of the city’s past funding contribution of $500 per year in past year few years.
Agenda item #12 Community Center (00:51:15.47) Pay the balance due even though it seems a final inspection has not been made or construction failures not corrected and discussion.
Agenda item #13 Streets (00:58:52.49) John Deere repairs. Discussion on repair or replace. $7250.00 project cost of repairs which has already been approved versus what sounded like to me exorbitant machine replacement cost on a ‘new’ used machine.
Agenda item #14City Government (00:01:02:23.15) A social event designed to involve residents with their city officials. Discussion took place and develop a plan and date for this event.
Agenda item #15City Insurance (00:01:05:30.29) Discussion and review of city insurance policies. At present the city insurance plan is replacement versus used. $38,642.00 fee.
Agenda item #16 Executive Session if needed (00:01:07:11.54) Was not needed.
Agenda item #17 Reminders (00:01:08:02:11) Recap of upcoming events and a review of what clean items would be allowed in the dumpsters.
As you have seen on my blog, I have published the number and ilk of the anonymous, malicious maelstrom of Mailed letters I received. Thank you, Anonymous Annies, for making it easy for me to prove what type and genre of harassment to which our Mayor and his family were exposed. To date I have received 35 plus anonymous, malicious missives and I am still receiving them.
I longer need to allow you any place on my blog to prove my point.
“…Lawsuit, n. a machine which you go into as a pig and come out as a sausage…”
Ambrose Bierce -The Devil’s Dictionary
The June 5, 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 Austin Felts present. The council and gallery recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
(00:01:12.00) AGENDA ITEM #4 – Approve Minutes of May 1, 2023 and May 15, 2023. No additions or corrections Vote X 5 Ayes Motion passed.
(00:01:36.93) AGENDA ITEM #5 – Open Council Seat Ward I Interview. No applicants for Ward I at meeting. No action taken.
(00:01:46.10) AGENDA ITEM #6 – Community Center/Golf Course
⇒Landon Nygard presented the updates with figures on profit/loss statement.
⇒Rick Schempp was hired as part-time greens-keeper at $14/per hour.
⇒Wage discussion (0:07:42.50) regarding clubhouse wages: a movement from full time position to part-time position, less than full time hours one week and over-time the succeeding week with payment of wages averaged out over the two week period and the ensuing payment/benefits complaint lodged by the involved employee. WARNING! WARNING!Finance Officer’s manipulation of over-time math in this instance smells like a lawsuit. Motion was made by Councilwoman Reppe, seconded by Councilwoman Hatle and unanimous vote X5 Ayes to favorably adjust Rhonda’s wage retro-active to April 29, 2023.
(00:18:47.80) AGENDA ITEM #7 – Public Input
(00:18:55.27) VICKIE LARSEN INPUT –
⇒I started my input with the advice when the city responds to a wage complaint they should have the complaining party sign a waiver that the complaint remedy has been mutually agreed upon.
⇒I addressed input on the recent charges of wire fraud against an local accountant with the question did this individual audit the city’s books?
⇒With the resignation of Mr. Richards as reporter for the local paper and my increase in traveling, the city is without “window washers” to expedite transparency, I asked about the status of live-streaming the council meetings. I was told it was in progress upon the purchase of a camera suitable to live-streaming capabilities.
⇒I asked about the status of the lawsuit FCS brought against the city and Rhodes family. City Attorney Austin Felts indicated he could not answer my query due to the ongoing status.
⇒I asked the members of the Alcester City Council be apprised of a listing of all vendors contact between them and Finance Office Patricia Jurrens.
⇒Finally I asked the new members of the Alcester City Council be provided ALL materials which will they will need to make their decisions, access to all passwords needed to fact check, audit and over watch all departments within the city of Alcester, the members of the Alcester City Council be made aware of the Mayor’s right to have possession of all keys to all city buildings, edifices, offices and grounds and the make sure those keys have been supplied to him by the Finance Officer and over-see that any directions given to the Finance Officer by the Mayor are duly carried out in a timely manner.
It was my purpose to let the council know the extent of their power and control. As I spoke to the above issues I stressed the duties, privileges and the right of the mayor as well as I touched briefly on the duties, privileges and rights of the council members. Alcester is an aldermanic form of government through and by a mayor and in our case a six (6) member council. There is a mayoral-appointed, council affirmed finance officer (bookkeeper) and most assuredly not a city manager no matter how many times she closes her eyes and clicks her heels! South Dakota is an at-will state where, “SDCL 60-4-4…An employment having no specified term may be terminated at the will of either party on notice to the other, unless otherwise provided by statute…”
(00:25:05.83) HRC JARED DRIESEN INPUT Covered housing projects and opportunities, financing those housing projects beyond the two local entities of the Industrial Board and HRC. Keeping up with demand and creating a choice for all income levels.
(00:39:48.67) Councilwoman Kendra Hatle asked about Beck Drive, its inception and course of construction. Ms Councilwoman Hatle, Beck Drive Inception began somewhere around Councilwoman Patricia Jurrens’ appointment to Finance Officer. Upon her appointment as finance office Ms. Patricia Jurrens along with Mayor Tom Glass bolted from the gates of the their Alcester soapbox derby of Beck Drive sometime prior to 2015. On or around June 2, 2015, it was announced by the soapbox derby duo Glass-Jurrens that work on Beck Drive was schedule to begin on Wednesday, irrespective of a bond in place. So how was the city going to pay for this work, by selling off lots bordering Beck Drive you say? Around August 2016, the first interest payment on Beck Drive is due soon, and Gee Whiz NOT ONE LOT has been sold to cover the interest payment. So how much of the HRC Fund is remaining to cover regular wear and tear maintenance on the Four (4) plex AND Beck Drive construction cost…Whose hobby-horse was Beck Drive?…Why Mayor Tom Glas and Alcester Finance Officer Patricia Jurrens spending the city’s money and leaving the west side of town hauling their own water and watching their streets collapse into gravel-filled pot holes.
(00:41:06.13) AGENDA ITEM #8 – Police Department Chief Jared Thompson
(00:50:11.73) Motion was made, seconded and voted unanimously X5Ayes to hire John Krebs part-time investigator at $19.38/hour.
(00:50:52.63) AGENDA ITEM #9 – Planning & Zoning Fences Fencing discussion. Draft of Ordinance to be provided by Attorney Felts.
(01:02:45.40) AGENDA ITEM # 10– Snow Removal Issue of city responsibility for snow removal damage. Issue was a hold-over from last meeting, it was discussed and allowed to die from lack of motion. No action to be taken.
(01:08:55.37) AGENDA ITEM #11 – Legal Updates Attorney Felts had nothing to present.
(01:09:10.90) AGENDA ITEM #12 – Fairgrounds Update on Fairgrounds issues. Discussion on certain negotiation and a conflict of interest issue as it relates to a commissioner. Issue at large, the city cannot sell a street. Street in question? Clark Street which FCS and Mr. John McDaniel is lusting after. On May 30th, 2023, the county commissioners addressed the sale of railroad land to Farmers Cooperative Society…Resulting vote… per 05-30-2023 Union County Commissioners meeting minutes.
” Motion by Dailey, second by Kimmel to surplus (repost) fair property the strip of land along the railroad: Union County Tract 3 Railway Addition in the NE ¼ of Sec.28, Twp 95N Range 49 W 5th P.M In Alcester SD. Discussion. Dailey and Kimmel voting aye and Joffer and Headid voting nay. Motion Failed…”
(01:21:54.97) ERROR CORRECTION ON STREET INTERSECTING IOWA STREET. IT IS SOUTH STREET NOT 209 STREET.
(01:26:50.97) AGENDA ITEM #13 – Street Parking Discussion. No action taken.
(01:50:53.67) AGENDA ITEM #14 – Bill Approval
Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved payment of the IPT Invoice for $155,610.00 construction services. Vote X5 Ayes.
Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved payment of the Banner Engineering invoice for $6318.08 Engineering Services.
(01:59:45.33) PLAT MAP OF LIND SUBDIVISION AS RENDERED BY McLaury Engineering. Get FOPat’s comment, “…in the near future, WE WILL BE APPROVING the final plat…” Yo FOPat you do not get to approve anything, you are just the bookkeeper. My first thought is why in Hades, is the city going back to this engineer on the Bungler Express. This is the engineer they hired to do the SRTS (safe routes to school) which was bungled and cause flooding for a resident and resulted in a lawsuit to make the flood victims whole again. Now he is doing a survey. Folks if you are not familiar with the area, do a drive-by. Note the significant drop in elevation from the road bed, note the water pathway which cuts its way across the SW tip of the Subdivision. Now it is going need fill and infrastructure. It has a straight-line track down first street to the sewer system access. Take a good look at the travel point and the First street condition. Consider the cost of sewer, water and electrical access to these homes. Add in the possibility of some sort of lift station or intermediary transfer of waste materials. Wanna Guess who is going to pay for this Crapalachian Trail. Think of those folks on the West side of town whose sewer system could be have been the left-over clay from clay pots of our cave dwelling predecessors. I sure hope a strong feasibility study takes a good long look at all the infrastructure involved in this project.
(02:04:08.83) Warrant approve. Motion, second, and unanimous approval of the May warrants. Vote X5Ayes.
(02:07:19.57) AGENDA ITEM #16 – Executive Session. Motion was made by Councilwoman Reppe to go into Executive Session for the purpose of SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel, second to the motion came from Councilman Hedden, vote X5 Ayes. Council in executive session at 8:08 P.M. Council out of executive session at 9:01 P.M. NO ACTION TAKEN
A Voice from the Gallery 