Tag: Patricia Anderson Alcester SD

08/01/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

FORWARD

I acknowledge some inadvertent mis-information I shared with the City Council and gallery members during the August 1, 2022, meeting. (1:00:46.97)  I was in error when I made a statement regarding a past contract amount which was signed on the 3rd day of November, 2015 between the City of Alcester and Deem Enterprises and commencing on January 1, 2016 through the last day of December 2016.  In this agreement, “the operator agreed to pay the City the sum of Fourteen Thousand, Four Hundred Dollars ($14,400.00) paying in monthly installments of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1200.00) per month”  which I mis-stated in last night’s meeting.  I apologize for the mis-statement.  In the years prior to the 2016 contract the Alcester Bar had been pulling in much higher rental fees but unfortunately there was an event which cost the city money and the city had no candidates for the Bar lease and the 2016 lease rent dropped substantially, down to $1200 per month.  Each succeeding year after 2016 the rental income from the bar was stagnant but the expenses continued to grow.  I looked at the 2016 lease before the meeting to refresh and verify the monthly income.  Unfortunately only the $14,400.00 figure stuck in my memory last evening.  I should have realized the $14400. was not accurate as a monthly rate but I did not.  My purpose in raising the issue of rent was to recognise the prospective gain in bar lease rents to the point where the rents were even with the expenses.  I make this statement to correct my error.  I still believe the bar building/premises should be sold into private hands and the city get out of the rental business and get away from competing with our local businesses.

Mayor Dan Haeder called the  August 1, 2022, meeting reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Kyle VanderHull, Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson and gallery.

Agenda item #3 – (0:0051.70)  Approve the agenda.  An error in the agenda was noted by Councilwoman Linda Talbott under Agenda Item #6 subsect. (b) referencing the term Quick Claim Deed was incorrect.  The correct term is Quit Claim Deed.  Once that correction identified and made, the council approved of the Agenda with the correcting change in place.

Agenda item #4 – (0:02:03.30)  Approve minutes of the July 5 & July 19, 2022 meetings.  Unanimously approved without additions or corrections.

Agenda Item #5 – (0:02:42.17)  Public Input  

          Vickie Larsen (0:02:49.93) presented input on an opinion on the language of the Alcester Bar Lease.  As I noted in my input ‘troubling language” while I did not address specifically in my video remarks, I will note a few of the here: 

          “…ITEM 10-ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS…All alterations, additions and improvements on or in the demised (fancy legal term for the property the tenant is renting under a lease) premises at the commencement of the term, and any that may be erected or installed during the term of this lease and Operation Agreement, shall become part of the ‘demised premises’ and the sole property of the City.  Operator shall make no alternations, additions and improvements to the described premises without the prior written consent of City…

          VICKIE opinion-Okay so the Operator formally agrees to refer any alternation, addition and improvement plans in advance to the full council of the City of Alcester.  Once said Operator has received formal, written approval by vote of the Alcester City Council, he/she may contract and begin start-of-work of plans which have written approval of the by full  of the City of Alcester.  

ITEM 11-REPAIRS…Operator shall maintain the building premises and any improvements, additions or alterations thereto in a good, safe and substantially condition to the condition existing at the commencement of this Lease and Operating Agreement, and shall use all reasonable precautions to prevent waste, damage or injury to the demised premises.  Operator shall also, at his/her own cost and expense, put, and maintain in thorough repair and in good, safe and substantial order and condition, and free from dirt, snow, ice, rubbish and other obstructions ( you mean the $500.00 garbage cans FOPAT needed?)or encumbrances, the sidewalk areas, gutter and curb in front of and adjacent to the ‘demised premises’…

          VICKIE opinion- By the statement “condition existing at the commencement of this Lease” which is contained within the contract-for-lease, the City of Alcester is indemnifying/guaranteeing conditions within the ‘demined premises’ as being up-to-building code, up-to-health code and safe bar operations code at the time of the effective date and/o date of taking possession by the Lessee/Operator unless any adverse conditions have been made known to the city, identified as needing repair and are on a schedule to be repaired in advance of the possession by the Lessee.

          ITEM 14 – INDEMNITY…The Operator shall indemnify the City against all expenses, liabilities and claims of any kind, including reasonable attorney’s fees, by or on behalf of any person or entity arising out of either (1) a failure by Operator to perform any of the terms of this lease and agreement, (2) any injury or damage happening on or about the ‘demised premises’, (3) failure to comply with any law of any governmental authority (4) any mechanic’s lien or security interest filed against the ‘demised premises’ for equipment, materials or alternations of buildings or improvements thereon, contracted for by the Operator, or (5) losses sustained by any person as a result of the operation of Video Lottery within the ‘demised premises’…

          VICKIE opinion – By this indemnification statement’s insertion into the contract the City wants the Operator-alone to stand responsible for, “…all expenses, liabilities and claims of any kind …”  Even though the City is dictating all terms and conditions which affect most forms of liability.  The City formally approves all improvements, additions and alterations as well as the City dictates the Operator and his/her employees meet the ‘good character’ requirements of SDCL 35-2-6.2.  The City stands as Governance and Final decision maker with that said it is my opinion it(the City) is the Cheese who stands alone before the judge and jury of any legal actions.

          VICKIE opinion – The statement regarding, “…losses sustained by any person as a result of the operation of Video Lottery within the ‘demised premises’…”  In this context it appears the City wants the Operator to stand liable for any losses an incautious gambler may incur by and through Video Lottery from gambling with money he/she does not have to lose, losses he/she may incur due to a program glitch/incursion, to being assaulted for a winning ticket.  All of which the Operator has no hand in choices another person makes of their own free will, conditions beyond the Operator’s reasonable control and the actions of another actor’s choices.

          Vickie Larsen (0:04:03.77) presented an opinion on the Authorization of City of Alcester Credit Card with the limits per department as follows:  Finance Office – FO Jurrens $1000, Police Dept. – Chief Austin Schuller $1000, Street Dept.- Lonnie Johnson $1000, Water/Wastewater Dept. – Dale Pearson $1000, Finance Office – Assistant Abigail Moore $500, Police Dept. – Officer Grayson Cannon-Lass $500, and Library – Librarian Paige German $500.  It is to be noted here contrary to a past event, if the card holder exceeds his/her assigned limit on his/her City of Alcester Credit Card it is not permissible to place any overage charges on one of the other Alcester City Department Credit Cards.  This got my attention when I was leafing my way through duly appropriated FOIA records.  With that said, perhaps the next audit should be a Forensic Audit and records disappear as did the January text messages of the U.S. Secret Service.

          Councilwoman Darla Reppe and Councilwoman Linda Talbott (0:05:31.10) participated in sharing concerns of their Ward members during Public Input. Public Input has become a wonderful venue in which Alcester City Council members are able to share the concerns of their Ward residents with the council, the mayor and the rest of the city.  Having the Council members voice their concerns and those of their constituents allow the residents of Alcester hear their voices have been heard and not have to wonder when they call Mayor Haeder about an issue and hear a recorded voice tell them to leave a message at the tone where the mayor has the ability with the help of his APP. to erase, ignore or block any resident he chooses not to be on his call list.

          Additionally Mayor Haeder you DO NOT tell OUR city council representatives what to do, who to listen to and how to vote.  Mayor Haeder how dare you presume to voice a veiled criticism of Councilwoman Reppe and Councilwoman Talbott because they shared during Public Input when you asked (0:07:02.92) “…was that complaint considered public input…?”  Or  (0:07:15.13) when you asked, “…if somebody comes into the Finance Office to file a written complaint, is that considered public input?…”  I disagree with Counselor Nelson in his answer to Mayor Haeder. While I understand the semantics Mr. Nelson is alluding to, by simple definition public input is the opportunity for citizens to provide information, facts, data, figures, and opinions respecting an issue before a governing entity. A correction here and make no mistake this is not a veiled criticism Mayor Haeder, it is an in-your-face criticism! IT IS THE OFFICE OF THE CITY OF ALCESTER!  Which just happens to house the finance office, city files, site of city council meetings and on occasion fulfills the honor of voting precinct.  With that correction on the record, I would also voice a complaint relating to the so-called finance office.  If a resident actually goes to City Hall to lodge a complaint or request agenda placement, depending who they are they are advised by FOPAT/Mayor (at least in my case and as I understand it others have experienced the advice from FOPAT/Mayor) to do Public Input.  Where you may or may not be granted time to speak.  In fact in my case during one of my inputs, the Mayor repeated several times NEXT!

So Yeah Mayor the council is allowed to participate in Public Input, after all they are members of the Public and it is their duty to speak for their Constituents, too!

Agenda Item #6 – (0:08:03.33)   Legal Updates 505 Ofstad

          Update- City Attorney Sam Nelson gave an summary of actions on the 505 Ofstad Property.

          Quit Claim Deed Motion Parcel 01.03.01.1025  This is an adverse action to pass a real property from one person to another or one entity to another entity without a guarantee of ownership.  For example I could, if I wanted to live dangerously, issue a quit claim deed to the Albatross on Sixth street stating for a consideration I would give up all my interests in the building, outbuilding and real property at, I would not be liable for any defects in the title nor would I be liable for any damages for any defects.

          The council voted to accept the issuance of a Quit Claim Deed on the 505 Ofstad Property.  Once the City has the Quit Claim Deed, the intent is to sell the property to recover collection, demolition costs and legal costs of the property transfer.  Question was this the most recent form of the South Dakota Quit Claim Deed?

          Acceptance of Bid of demolition.  The council voted to award the demolition of 505 Ofstad to Bidder Scott Persing Excavation for $12000.00  time frame of 08/08/2022-08/12/2022.  Council voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #7  – (0:22:14.03) Legal Updates 307 Iowa

No Action taken, waiting for updates.  (0:22:19.13)  At this point we can hear FOPAT yapping and asking questions of City Attorney Nelson. 

FOPAT HAS NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED by Mayor Header and there has been no agenda item called, SO why the devil is she asking questions out-of-order, without any standing and acting like a councilmember?             

 Agenda Item #8 – (0:30:17.80)  Alcester Bar Bid Opening   6:30 P.M.  Mayor Haeder made a production of opening the bids for the lease of the property called the Alcester Bar.  Lease document can be found on the city website.

(0:31:17.07)  Augustine LaFramboise #1  $1520.00 per month initially rent to purchase but became rent for the time being.

(0:34:35.27)  Rick & Laura Walleen #2  $1405.00 per month rent

(0:38:56.70)  Melissa Koenan #3  $1413.00 per month rent

 Alcester Bar Lease was awarded to Augustine LaFramboise by unanimous vote.

 Agenda Item #9 – (1:01:38.50) Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.  Representatives from Alcester Quik Stop and Total Stop Grocery were present for the public hearing.  Off sale Liquor License awarded to Total Stop Grocery by unanimous vote.

 Agenda Item #10 – (1:10:56.10)  Police Dept – Chief Schuller Update

Executive Session  SDCL 1-25-2.1 (1:22:34.67)  Personnel

in session at 7:23 P.M.  out session at 7:55 P.M.

Hire:  Lisa Schenzel Part-time  $17.75 per hour.  vote unanimous

 Agenda Item #11 – (0:25:21.07)  Golf Course/Community Center Updates

Motion to Hire was inserted into the agenda item but no hire imminent. 

Agenda Item #12 –  (0:23:33.20) DANR Award Certificates  Mayor Haeder announces a DANR certification and award for water quality and etc.

Agenda Item #13 – (1:30:04.90)  Finance Office

(1:36:28.57)  Budget meeting set for 08/09/2022 at 6:00 P.M

(1:36:58.63)  Approve July Warrants Approved unanimously

(1:37:32.40)  City of Alcester Credit Card limit approval  Note:  FOPAT announced that Wanda will be done sometime in August and upon her leaving the City of Alcester Credit Card in her name will be destroyed.  Approved unanimously

(1:39:04.00)  Removal of Wanda Halverson from the city bank accounts and addition of Abigail Moore to the account along with Dan Haeder, Patricia Jurrens Lukas Driesen and Linda Talbott.  Approve unanimously.

(1:40:40.50)  Change of meeting date of September 5, 2022, to September 6, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. due to Labor Day Holiday.  Unanimous vote aye.

(1:42:09.87)  Incident at pool, behavioral issue.  Punitive measures were taken.  An official complaint was made.

 Agenda Item #14 – (0:26:18.40)  HRC Update  Announcement of HRC tenant moving out as of August 11,2022, and the open unit will be offered for sale.  Mayor gave report.

Agenda Item #15   Executive Session –  NOT NEEDED

Agenda Item #16  (1:47:51.83) Adjourn

Let your City Council Know!

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287     

Councilwoman Darla Reppe              605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot             605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples                    605-934-2096

Councilman Lukas Driesen              605-934-

Councilman Kyle VandenHull          605-934-

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

06/06/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“I just think we need more accountability and more transparency…”  

John Thune

H-m-m-m

“Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all…”         

Alexander the Great

          The  June 6, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

          Agenda item #3 – (01:20.43)  Approve the agenda.

          Agenda item #4 – (01:51.60)  Approve minutes of the May 2 and May 16th meetings

          Agenda Item #5 – (02:29.37)  Ward II Council Vacancies – The Council was introduced to Mr. Kyle Vanderhall resident of Ward II who appeared to be considered for one of the Ward II vacancies.  Mr. Vanderhall was not a registered voter within the city of Alcester, but was interviewed in Executive Session in by the Council and of course our pseudo-council member FOPAT.  (04:26.80)  listen to Mayor Header’s explain of Executive Session and secrecy to Mr. Vanderhall.  (07:47.27) Now folks the council went into Executive Session for SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel.

 SDCL 1-25-2.1  Executive or closed meetings–Purposes–Authorization–violation as misdemeanor

Executive or closed meetings may be held for the sole purposes of:

 (1)    Discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. The term, employee, does not include any independent contractor.” 

Note*  While the council is held to non-disclosure of all elements of the Executive Session discussions, all actions arising from decisions must be taken in open session.  It is my information the interviewee if free to disclose what information he/she shared with the council as he/she chooses.

          Agenda item #6 – (08:05.63)  Public Input

                    Vickie Larsen – (08:13.03)  Comments:

                   Alcester Bar Lease versus Sale   (08:26.26)          

                   Water bills                                   (09:05.00)        

                   Council working as janitors      (10:43.97)

                   Councilwoman Reppe  (11:45.40)  Comments:

                     Event center restaurant heat (fried wires?)       (12:00.53)

                     Parking Issues                                                   (14:00.00)

                     Cell phone abuse                                               (14:40.53)

                     Deeds to cemetery plots                                    (15:24.97)

                     P.O.S. System (point of sale)                            (15:29.10)

                     Alcohol on Golf Course BYOB                        (15:46.77) 

          This discussion gets interesting due to past behaviors.  Take special note of Mayor Haeder’s comments on stealing from the city: (17:59.93), “…you bring your own alcohol, you’re, you’re stealing from the city…”  So Mayor Haeder, where was your moral outrage October 26, 2019, mid-November 2019 during the BYOB birthday bash held at the Golf Course by FOPAT?  At that time you were a seated Alcester City Councilman, what was your definition of stealing or better yet embezzlement by a city employee?  At that point Sir you had access to Alcester Ordinance 4.0304 Operating Agreements, Alcester Ordinance 4.0308 Possession of Alcoholic Beverages, and 4.0313 Penalties, so you knew an employee stole/embezzled from the city of Alcester, unless you are a complete and utter dolt.  When you saw the Circuit Court filings –  State of South Dakota v. Patricia Rose Jurrens pursuant to SDCL 35-1-5.6 just how did YOU respond or did you even respond?  I saw no evidence the council took any action to suspend FOPAT from her duties without pay or to fire her sorry behind.  Were you really taken in with the, “…I didn’t know it was a violation, whine…”?  Come on Mayor Haeder,  Finance Officer Jurrens was in charge of the licensing procedures and knew full well the terms and conditions of alcohol licensure and she certainly had ready access to Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson for city legal advice.  As a seated Alcester City Councilman Mr. Haeder YOU had access to legal advice for the protection of the city of Alcester.

          Councilwoman Linda Talbot  (18:22.80) Comments

           Janitorial costs and job  $1700.00 per month to clean the Albatross.

           (23:08.17) Dress Code at the Albatross  (31:26.43) Really?  Simple-elegant described as tasteful richness of design or ornamentation the sumptuous elegance of the furnishings…plastic tables…run-of-the-mill banquet chairs, Logo T-shirts, shorts, Capri’s with money aprons speak to car-hop elegance in wait staff.  Yeah right.

          Agenda Item #7 – Legal Update  (35:02.13)  Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.3  6:54 p.m. to 7:32 p.m.  (37:46.43) Action taken upon exit from Executive Session to authorize settlement negotiations and settlement at the amount requested by legal counsel.  Unanimously approved  (38:43.30)  Action taken upon council exit from Executive Session authorizing city response to litigation initiated by FCS to quiet Title.

          Agenda Item # 8 – (39:40.03)  Police Department Chief Schuller

          Agenda Item #9 – (44:24.80)  Alcester Bar – Notice to Bidders        

          The council were left wondering, “now what do we do…”  Well Ladies and Gent of the council, SELL that rotting pile of wood and plumbing.  Get the city out of owning property.  SELL the building/ property and get it back on the tax rolls.  Common Sense move!  The building is still not completely fixed regarding the previous repair issues.  The city would be throwing good money after bad with all the force of a catapult and then pompously compete for the same saloon market.  (47:27.53)  Discussion followed what the council would do if they decided to sell the building.  Mayor Haeder remarked about an interest in leasing the Bar building.  Unclear whether the interest was to operate the property as a bar or not. 

          I would suggest to the interested party to make some sort of rent-to-purchase offer for one year.  Test the market of bar operation with payments and property maintenance expenses over the twelve month period.  Upon the termination of the lease, rent would be either applied to the agreed upon purchase price commensurate with the upfront appraisal prior to lease or the rent would be applied.  Upon rejection of exercise to purchase, the city would review the nature of and monetary expenditure amounts making the decision to follow through on the sale of the property and declare the bar surplus.

          (55:41.83)  The City needs to make the decision to SPEND or END OWNERSHIP of properties.  (57:43.50)  Issue TABLED

Let the City Council Know!

          Agenda Item #10 – Liquor Licenses  (57:53.20)  Two entities expressed interest through applications in obtaining the Off-Sale Liquor Licenses.  JKVB, LLC doing business as Alcester Quickstop and Alcester Groceries doing business as Total Stop Food Store.   (58:40.53)  Public hearing scheduled for July 18, 2022, at 7:00 P.M.

          Agenda Item #11 – Fairground/FCS Update (59:47.27)  No update

          Agenda Item #12 – Budget Blinds (1:00:15.53)  Authorization to purchase blinds for the community building at a cost of $2240.80 to be taken from the Golf Fund.  City derives NO city sales tax ’cause it is benefiting from city ownership.

          Agenda Item #13 – Resolution 2022-02 (1:02:26.93)  Resolution 2022-02 giving approval to certain sewer facility improvements;  giving approval to the issuance and sale of Revenue Bond to finance, directly or indirectly, the improvements to the facilities; approving the form of the Loan Agreement and Revenue Bond and pledging project revenues and collateral to secure the payment of the Revenue Bond; and creating special funds and accounts for the administration of funds for operation of the system and retirement of the Revenue Bond and providing for a segregated special charge for the payment of bonds.  It is important to note the implications of what I have italicized.

Council approved unanimously without discussion.

          Agenda Item #14 – Golf Course  (1:04:57.07)  Declare Wire Patio Furniture from the Golf Course as surplus, sell and donate proceeds to the Alcester Care and Rehab Center.   Council voted to unanimously declare the furniture as surplus and donate any proceeds from the sale to the Care Center.

          Motion to Hire Lincoln Burke as server at a rate of $7.00 per hour.  Vote was unanimous to hire.

          Agenda Item #15 – Finance Office (1:09:10.50) 

          (1:12:37.55)  Due to lack of quorum the council decided to cancel the June 20, 2022, regular meeting of the Alcester City Council.

          (1:13:57.23)   Apparently FOPAT has taken it upon herself as city expansion/developer suggesting two options in which the city of Alcester may expand its borders.  One I believe to be the property described as containing approximately 72 acres under the ownership of the Alcester Industrial Park Inc.  This option would create a problem for the City Owned Perpetual Care Cemetery, Pleasant Hill.  Perpetual care involves a fund created specifically to maintain cemetery grounds, mausoleums, crypts, and any other aspects of a cemetery and where a percentage of the sale price goes towards the perpetual fund.  Now folks the important thing here is to actually have perpetual available land to sell plots. If the land to the north of the cemetery is sold into residential development that leaves the corn field to the east as the sole perpetual source of burial plots. 

          The second option is the hayfield south of Anderson Street containing some 16-17 acres with a train track traversing the southern edge and with a water run-off from Lee Drive and a natural creek running in the East border.  Oh and lest we forget the topography of a hill and lowland, sans street and the accoutrements of civilized living such as sewer, water and electrical.

          Choices-Choices

          Agenda Item #16  –  HRC  (1:21:52.37)  No significant report

          Agenda Item #17  – Union County Fair  (1:23:25.77)  No report

          Agenda Item #18 – Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel     (1:25:02.57)

          Into Executive Session at 8:20 P.M.

          Out of Executive Session at 9:12 P.M.  Duration of 52 minutes of discussing personnel with FOPAT and City Attorney Sam in attendance with the council.  M-m-m!

          Agenda Item #19  Adjourn (1:25:47.00)  Meeting Adjourned at 9:13 P.M.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilwoman Darla Reppe              605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot             605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples           605-934-2096

Councilman Lukas Driesen              605-934

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

Union County Commissioners

Commissioner Milton Ustad            Milton.Ustad@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Rich Headid             Rich.Headid@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Tom Kimmel            Tom.Kimmel@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Michael Dailey         Mike.Dailey@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Kevin Joffer             Kevin.Joffer@unioncountysd.org

05/16/2022 A View From the Gallery

Education is not the learning of facts but the TRAINING of the mind to THINK

Albert Einstein

          The  May 16, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

          Agenda item #3 – Approve the agenda.

          Agenda item #4 – Ward II council seat vacancies – no takers.

          Agenda item #5 – Public Input

                   Vickie Larsen – I spoke to the Mayor Haeder resistance to Direct Deposit for his employees.  Instead he continues to shirk his duty as mayor to sign checks and cause delays in employees being paid.  Mayor, if you cannot fulfill your duties as mayor, step aside ‘butter-cup’ and let someone DO the job and not wait for FOPAT tell you what to do.  I ‘pontificated’ on the need to dump excess baggage of the Code Enforcement albatross.  Common sense tells us we have property nuisances, Property Maintenance Guides and statute define what constitutes a nuisance, and if we must put some legal muscle into fulfilling the property maintenance ordinances we most assuredly have an attorney who can handle the ins and outs of the legal process with Alcester City Attorney Sam.  Why do we need to spend $25.00 per hour to interpret common sense, a yea-sayer who writes up nuisances described to him by FOPAT and we have a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ (definition ‘ex’=unknown quantity and ‘spurt’ = drip under water pressure. So Mr. Fillingsness does come into Alcester charging $25.00 per hour after hour for the same nuisance (one could say a FO) which exerts her opinion (an unknown quantity of  FOPressure to do her take on the nuisance.)  H-m-m.

                   James Bolin (r) introduced himself as a returning senate candidate South Dakota District 16.

                   Richard Vasgaard (r) introduced himself as a returning candidate for representative South Dakota District 16.

                   Councilwoman Darla Reppe spoke to complains Mike Burke’s captive too-tall grass behind his fence.

                   Councilwoman Linda Talbott spoke to complaints of cats, rats and raccoons.

          Agenda Item #6 – Alcester Bar.  Theresa Deem lessee, presented her ninety (90) day notice of termination of her lease with the city for the bar building stating, “…she has had it…”  She presented the notice in person and in the form of a written statement dated May 16, 2022, and with the termination and vacation of the city property on August 15, 2022.  Mayor Haeder waxed poetic about Captains of Industry, yet it was his call to set the city up in competition to the Deems business at the Alcester Bar. 

          The council were left wondering, “now what do we do…”  Well Ladies and Gent of the council, SELL that rotting pile of wood and plumbing.  Get the city out of owning property.  SELL the building/ property and get it back on the tax rolls.  Common Sense move!  The building is still not completely fixed and the city would be throwing good money after bad with all the force of a catapult and then pompously compete for the same saloon market.

Let the City Council Know!

          Agenda Item #7 – Community Center Update  Clint Nyreen

          Agenda Item #8 – Golf Course Hire David Larsen as Clubhouse  Attendant and Greens keeper.  Now this could get entertaining.  Now that Mr. Larsen no longer carries the power of Councilman, how do you ‘spose he is going to tolerate orders from Landon and FOPAT.  Is it too late to put cameras in the clubhouse for instant replay?  Mr. Larsen was hired at $13.50 per hour.

          Agenda Item #9 – Legal Updates – Sam

          Agenda Item #10 – Executive Session to discuss issues under the guise of SDCL 1-25-2.1 (Personnel) and SDCL 1-25-2.3 (Legal consultation).  Session started at 6:39 p.m. and ended at 7:53 p.m.

          One must assume this session dealt with the condemnation as well as the upcoming meetings with FCS, Jerry Miller, Union County Commissions dealing with the sale of properties to FCS.  One has to wonder what piddly amount FCS is going to offer for the land?

          Agenda Item #11 – Fairground discussion  Authorize Alcester Attorney Sam to appraise city property – not to exceed $7500.00.  Approved unanimously.

          Agenda Item #12 – Affordable Housing

          Agenda Item #13 – Wastewater Tanya

          Agenda Item #14 – Street Repair Vote to allow yet another rental of equipment to chew up the streets and make them flat again.  $1800.00 for one month rental approved unanimously.

          Agenda Item #15 – Plat map Joint Meeting of the City Council and the City Council acting as Planning and Zoning Committee to recommend and receive recommendation from the same four council members regarding the plat containing what is referred to as the four-plex on Lee Drive. ( Lots 8 thru 11, Block 8, Numsen Addition)  Motions were approved unanimously on this issue.

          Agenda Item #16 – Chairperson updates (busy work for the council members, like they have not had their duties increased already)

          Agenda Item #17 – Golf Course/Albatross  Addition of two greens-keepers above David Larsen, and the Addition of three clubhouse attendants.  Wages ranging from $11.00 per hour to $13.50 per hour.  Approved unanimously.

          Agenda Item #18 – Finance Office Updates

          Hire of Abigail Moore to the aide to the finance Officer.  So now we have Moore or FOPAT’less’ in the city offices.  Council Approved unanimously Moore at $14.50 per hour.

 Addition of a Library Board member at the termination of David Larsen. Councilmember Cyndi Peeples volunteered for the post and was accepted 3 ayes with one abstention declared by Councilwoman Peeples.

          Agenda Item #19  HRC Update

          Agenda Item #20  County Fair Update None

          Agenda Item # 21 – Executive Session  not needed

          Agenda Item #22 – Adjourn  Meeting adjourned 8:53 P.M.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilwoman Darla Reppe              605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot             605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples            605-934-2096

Councilman Lukas Driesen                 605-934

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

Union County Commissioners

Commissioner Milton Ustad            Milton.Ustad@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Rich Headid             Rich.Headid@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Tom Kimmel           Tom.Kimmel@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Michael Dailey           Mike.Dailey@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Kevin Joffer            Kevin.Joffer@unioncountysd.org

05/02/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

The only true free-thinker is he whose intellect is as much free from the future as from the past. He cares as little for what will be as for what has been; he cares only for what ought to be. And for my present purpose I specially insist on this abstract independence.

– Author: G.K. Chesterton

The  May 2, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilman David Larsen.  Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson absent.

Agenda Item #3 – (00:44.70) Approve agenda unanimous vote upon the removal of new council agenda item #10-plat map approval.

Agenda Item #4 – (02:07.27) Approve minutes of the 04/04/2022 and 04/18/2022 council meetings

Agenda Item #5 – (02:57.50)  Approve warrants.  What time period?

Agenda Item #6 – (03:33.13) Adjourn old council.

                              (07:06.93) David Larsen leaves at 6:07 p.m.

******************************************************************

New Council Agenda Item #1 – (08:12.03) New council called to order at 6:08 p.m.

New Council Agenda Item #2 – Oaths of Office

(09:46.50) Oath of Office administered to Councilwoman Darla Reppe-2 year term

(10:39.43) Oath of Office administered to Councilwoman Linda Talbott-3 year term

(11:44.43) Oath of Office administered to Councilman Lukas Driesen-3 year term

New Council Agenda Item #3 (12:54.53)  2022 Council Committee assignments.

New Council Agenda Item #4  (14:53.83) Ward II vacancies – 2 seats Awe no one wants a FOPAT on their back!

New Council Agenda Item #5 (15:36.07)  Election of Council President and Council Vice President.  So begins the DO-OVER goat rodeo of parliamentary procedures. (00:16:13.97)  Mayor Haeder announces, “…there will come a time…when I will not be here at 12:30 ANY Monday…ever…” 

IS THE MAYOR SAYING HE CANNOT/WILL NOT FULFILL HIS DUTIES AS MAYOR?

(00:17:40.80) Nomination of Lukas Driesen as President of the Alcester City Council and (00:18:51.17) nomination of Linda Talbott as Vice President of the Alcester City Council.  At (00:20:23.27) we need a DO-OVER ’cause according to FOPAT, Councilman Lukas and Councilwoman Linda respectively should have abstained from voting for themselves.  Where is Sam?  Did he not get the invitation?

New Council Agenda Item #6 – Bank Account Signers- (00:22:49.73)  Mayor Haeder calls, (00:23:07.63) “…motion to remove David Larsen from all city bank accounts at Premier Bank and add (a) and add (b)…in one fell swoop…but we can do it all…”  (00:23:34.50) FOPAT tells the Mayor,“… in your motion I would have uh indicate Wanda and myself (FOPAT) that way the bank…when they get the minutes…they know exactly who we all have on the account…”  (00:25:06.87)  Improper procedure—-DO OVER…AGAIN OH-OH another oopsy-doodle.  Where oh where has our Sammy gone.  Once again Mayor is grossly ignorant of procedure.  To abstain or not to abstain and now we have to negate the motion by letting it die from inaction.  Proper or improper parliamentary procedure to advise the council.

New Council Agenda Item #7 – Public Input  (00:29:59.90)

New Council Agenda Item #8  – Legal Updates (00:31:57.33)

New Council Agenda Item #9 – Police Update and Police Procedure Policy action.

New Council Agenda Item #10 – Deleted  will be dealt with at a later date.

New Council Agenda Item #11 – (00:56:26.40) Alcester Fairgrounds  Alcester Fairgrounds.  Alcester has no fair.  Union County has a Fair.  In the discussion of the Union County Fair,  (00:58:17.03) it was reported that CEO McDaniel suggested during the April 27, 2022, (closed to the public meeting) with select Union County Commissioners, select Alcester City Council members along with Fair Board members, “…get private donations, fund-raise to build new fairgrounds from citizens after the sale of the current fairground lands to FCS…”  Folks, I attempted to attend this meeting and was told I could not attend.  In addition reporter Gordon Richard was turned away at the door.  Commissioner Joffer indicated the commissioners wanted full transparency.  From the reports of discussion I heard during last evening’s council meeting, I see no transparency what-so-ever.  (00:58:17.03)  Mr. McDaniel  reportedly stated (00:59:21.17), “…FCS wants possession by the fall of 2023…” Is that true?  Mr. McDaniel reportedly went on to say (01:00:18.07), “…if we cannot make money and expand, we will go elsewhere…”  

FREE WILL OR BLACKMAIL?

It was reported in the discussion from our council members that Mr. McDaniel proceeded to give them the benefit of his grand expertise (01:00:50.03), “…you (presumably our council and commissioners) need to focus on a five (5) year plan…”

Additional reporting of the Wednesday, April 27, 2022, discussion, (1:01:52.43) it was reported either FCS or the Union County Commissioners demanded the city’s assurances the proceeds from the Alcester City Land assets were to be turned over to the Fair fund. 

(1:02:39.13)  Mayor Haeder’s remarks on the ownership of the land surrounding the former Alcester Steakhouse are in error.  The owner of the land around the former Alcester Steakhouse is the Alcester Industrial Park, Inc. a non-profit NOT THE CITY OF ALCESTER!

(1:03:29.63) Contrary to opinions from the mayor and FOPAT, “…wrong, the citizens of Alcester have a say and they deserve full and complete disclosure!  The City Council is obligated to inform the Alcester Residents of any attempted disposal of city assets!!!

(1:04:08.57)  FOPAT thinks (Heaven helps us), “…an agreement would have to be drawn up…if the city is willing to put 100% of the sale proceeds to be reinvested into the fair…but if the fair is no longer here…the investment will come back to the city…”  Talk about a scam.  What do you think Folks?  Are ya willing to lose your streets for pie-in-the-sky on a fair spin-the-wheel bet?

New Council Agenda Item #12 (1:15:40.00) Finance Office Updates

New Council Agenda Item #13  -HRC Update – (1:36:23.10)

New Council Agenda Item #14 – Fair Board (01:41:54.03) Discussion on the 2022 fair.  Listen to Mayor Haeder’s wild hair.  (01:41:54.03)  Mayor Haeder says, “…we could, we could make this the Clay County Fair in Iowa…in Union County…”  Mayor you have delusions of Grand Marnier!

New Council Agenda Item #15 – Executive session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel – Council votes to go into executive session to discuss personnel which I suspect is to discuss personnel at the community Albatross.  Executive Session began at 7:48P.M. and ended 8:17 P.M. approximately one-half hour later.

New Council Agenda Item #16 – Adjourn Meeting  8:17 p.m.

          Folks call your City Council members, Contact your County Commissioners, let them know.  Think about it when the county takes this land out of taxable status as it will for the fair, our school loses the tax income and our county loses tax income.  By the Union County Commissioner’s purchase the old Steakhouse,  they have removed a property valued at anywhere from $160,800.00 to $200,000.00 from the tax rolls and reduced funding for our school and county. 

Let your commissioners and city council know this must go to a public vote!

Let them know if FCS doesn’t like our terms, they are welcome to follow through on their threat

and while we are asking questions,

When is the city going to finish working on the streets?

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilwoman Darla Reppe              605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot             605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

Union County Commissioners

Commissioner Milton Ustad            Milton.Ustad@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Rich Headid             Rich.Headid@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Tom Kimmel           Tom.Kimmel@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Michael Dailey           Mike.Dailey@unioncountysd.org

Commissioner Kevin Joffer            Kevin.Joffer@unioncountysd.org

04/18/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

Once again folks, Let the council know what you think.

The  April 18, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilman David Larsen and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

Agenda Item #3 – (01:05.77) Approve agenda unanimous vote.

Agenda Item #4 – (01:37.23) Ward II vacancy – no one wants to have Pat on their back.

Agenda Item #5 – (01:51.47)  Sealed Bid Openings for the Metal Clad Building and the Rheem Air conditioner.  Regan Homandberg submitted a bid of $1200 for the building and was accepted.  No action on the Rheem Air Conditioner.  (06:50.47) FOPAT addresses the city attorney for advice on the Rheem air conditioner, isn’t that the Mayor’s job?

Agenda Item #6 – Public Input – none

Agenda Item #7 – (08:04.63) Affordable Housing – FOPAT (08:13.17) says, “…ok I talked with Harley at SECOG…” regarding the fee for the feasibility study.  Indicating a grant agreement could be entered into with a matching amount to what the city would be paying.  By the way  Madam FO Ms. Harley Ferguson of SECOG is a profession colleague, not a “Ladies Night Out” familiar!  (10:06.33)  Councilman David Larsen queries, “…How long will this take?…” with regard to the feasibility study.  Folks I took a class in which we had to do a feasibility study, factors considered were economics, technical, legal and scheduling for the success of the project depending upon the cost and return on investment and a plan B for unanticipated factors of implementation.

          Similar to what should have happened with the Alcester Community Center, but does not appear to have happened.  Things which should have been explored such as details of the project, product, service and business plan.  What is the local market, what is the broader market, what is the marketing strategy in detail?  What are the staffing needs, scheduling and timeline for completion and launch.  Financials, how much money budgeted and how much real money involved.  (11:20.50) Motion was made and passed for the grant application with (12:14.60) Motion to approve Resolution 2022-01 for matching funds and ending with (12:46.83) approval of study fee match.

Agenda Item #8 – (12:55.23) Legal Updates   (13:56.67) South Dakota Statutes covering the nuisance cause of action.  In other words the legal justification for condemning property which I believe is covered in SDCL Chapter 21-10, more specifically 21-10-3, 21-10-4, 21-10-5, 21-10-6 and so on. 

          Interesting point here as I was researching the Nuisance Statutes was 21-10-25.4 dealing with water pollution or land overflow not affected by protected status such as the repeated flooding of a private residence as a result of poor engineering and 21-10-26 Logging slash definition which semantically could be applied to wood arising out of tree trimming.  Kind of like what the Mayor has in his back yard, logging debris consisting of tree tops, limbs, cull logs and other separate vegetation which would house rats, mice and other vermin. 

          (15:42.10)  Councilman David Larsen asked about city reimbursement if (the city) had to pay for clean up, legal costs and liabilities.  City Attorney Sam replied (15:56.33) upon the court determination of nuisance the city could appropriate the property and sell to recoup demo costs, taxes, liens and or any interests accrued.  Now folks think about it, you are looking at a vacant lot with no house on it or just a dilapidated garage would you purchase a lot valued at $5243 with no house or just a garage but with say $20,000.00 demolition cost, back taxes and legal fees of goodness only know how much.  Oh and don’t forget the building permit to put something back on the property.  So for the sake of argument and rounding, the city would be asking you to subsidize their choice to spend somewhere between $25,000.00 to $30,000.00 for an appraised lot worth only $5243.00 or less?  So in answer to Councilman David Larsen’s question will the city be reimbursed for their clean up costs, their legal costs and oh yes let’s not forget the loss of tax revenue for unknown number of years, Nope, no way, not worth it! 

Agenda Item #9 – Wastewater Facility Upgrade  (0:18:33.80)  FOPAT makes the statement, “…UH my personal recommendation would be is…I would…looking at doing this in a relatively quick time…”  As FOPAT states this is her personal recommendation, not a financially based recommendation but her Personal recommendation.  I do not know about you folks but I place absolutely no value in her personal recommendation.  I do, however, wonder why that map (0:20:48.87) she handed out to the city council, “…to refresh their minds…” does not appear on the city website and contrary to giving the public access to all materials (excepting those dealing with executive session material) dispensed to the council.  How can we ask intelligent questions on something we are being kept in the dark about?  (0:21:21.50)  Oxymoron when asked why can’t the water be laid with the sewer.    FOPAT says, “…you can’t use sewer money for a water line…”  So tell us how are sewer bills figured?  Aren’t those figures derived or based upon water usage?  (0:26:40.33) Councilwoman Darla Reppe asks, “…so we don’t have all the money, does this mean our water bills will go up again…?”  Short answer, Yes your water bills will go up again.  Folks call Mayor Haeder at 605-934-2287, 605-770-7929 or ask FOPAT at 605-934-2517.  Apparently they have all the answers along with a death grip on our pocket books. 

Agenda Item #11 – Police Department (0:36:23.17)  Truck decal upgrade.  Present decal is cracking and shedding.  Question of truck wiring and corrective measures. 

Agenda Item #12 – Library – summer hire. 

Agenda Item #13 – Committee Chair Updates – (0:48:37.00)  Chair reported no report but FOPAT reported she had a complaint about a wastewater back up (0:48:55.10), Mayor Haeder promotes Tide Pods.  Note white powder pods probably should not be used because they pack-up and cause blockages of the sewer system.

Agenda Item #14 – Golf Course and Community Center. (0:55:26.43)  Hire of an outside worker.  (0:57:24.93)  14B Councilman David Larsen comments of meetings with Employee Mike Croy regarding request for raise due to increased responsibilities in job description.  (0:59:08.13) Councilwoman Linda Talbott wants to talk about the raise issue in Executive Session 1-25-2.1 Personnel under Agenda Item #16.  Council discusses this for a minute or two and agrees to push the executive session discussion into Agenda Item #16.

Agenda Item #15 – Finance Office – (1:00:21.57)  Assistant Finance Officer position was offered and the person wanted some time to think it over.  No action taken.

Custodian Hire, LeAnn Haisch at $11.00 per hour.

Agenda Item 15D  Motion to pay Quam, Berglin & Post for the audit.    (01:03:39.00) Audit cost spread:  $4250.00 out of general fund, $2125.00 out of Water Fund and $2125.00 out of Sewer Fund for a total $8500.00?  (01:04:30.40)  Councilwoman Linda Talbott asked the question, “…how much has that gone up…?”  FOPAT answered, ” …over the last three years, $500.00 year…”  Then the question was asked, WHY?  (01:04:55.20)  FOPAT answers, “…I haven’t asked…”  Really?  (01:05:20.97)  Council before you take a step as suggested by FOPAT and City Attorney Sam, revisit the past.  The council did change auditors for a cheaper auditor.  Yeah well safe to say, “you git what you pay fer” (01:05:43.20)  Let’s take a trip back in time, FOPAT.  Remember back on November 7, 2016?  Let me refresh your memory FOPAT, that was the meeting where you stiffed Mr. Berglin $500.00 ’cause you couldn’t figure out Quick Books, a program you former employer sold.

I was there while FOPAT made Dwight Berglin cool his heels beyond his schedule time, until Mayor Glas finally called Audit Review.  OMG Finance Officer Pat had to slide close to Mayor Glas so she could page through the Mayor’s copy of the review to get him on the correct page.  It would have been hysterically funny watching Mayor Glas lick his finger, press down and carefully rolling the page over with an utterly vacant look on his face, as if he hadn’t been the sitting Mayor.  Again the lack of segregation of duties was an immediate concern of the audit.  As Mr. Berglin left the meeting, the question was asked, “…do we need to approve this (meaning the audit review)…?”  finance Officer Pat Jurrens replied, “NO”.  Then finance Officer Jurrens went on to discuss the bill for the Audit cost of $9500.00 .  She related  because of ‘anomalies’  in the QuickBooks Program, our accountant told her there would be an extra charge of $500.00 due to the extra work Accountant Berglin had to perform.  Finance Officer Jurrens claimed she was not advised of the QuickBooks foible.  Really this is supposed to be in her scope of duties and alleged expertise!  So the City of Alcester, to our shame, allowed the accounting audit bill to be short paid by $500.00 ’cause FOPAT couldn’t  figure the QuickBooks program out and Mr. Berglin accepted $500.00 less for his extra work.

Folks it appears FOPAT is hell-bent on a re-run of history.  Please note in the video where she pushes to have the accountant appear to ‘explain’ the increase in fee. (01:06:17.70) The extra fee was because Mr. Berglin had to school you in accounting FOPAT.  So FOPAT do you not get and expect an annual COLI (Cost Of Living Increase)?  So why piss and moan about paying the $500.00 increase of cost of doing business?  Perhaps if you managed the city’s accounts better, our accountant would not have to spend so much time at the card game called Memory and what you call the city accounts.

Agenda Item #16 – Executive Session – (01:09:49.80) 

SDCL 1-25-2.3 Legal –  (3) Consulting with legal counsel or review communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters.

Now folks to the best of my knowledge the SRTS flooding litigation has not been resolved, so it stands to reason this is the communication about proposed or pending litigation. 

 Okay  but what about the SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel issue regarding raise in wages discussion that Councilwoman Talbott wanted moved to this agenda item?  H-m-m?  According to statute similar to initiative constraints – one subject per executive session to be legal i.e. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment Z, Single-Subject Rule for Constitutional Amendments (2018) Time will tell.

Council went into Executive Session for SDCL 125-2.3 Legal at 7:10 P.M. and lasted until 8:18 P.M. 

          City Hall lost power at or around 8:15 P.M.  At 8:18 P.M. Mayor Haeder called the council back into public meeting.  Power was still out.  I kept my camera running without room light for audio recording purposes.  (01:11:57.17)  Mayor Haeder addressed the wage raise for employee Mike Croy.  Since the council did not come out of the Executive Session for SDCL 1-25-2.3 and then failed to go back into Executive Session of SDCL -25-2.1 Personnel, because Mayor Haeder and the council felt free to discuss the raise in wages for Mr. Croy in open session it is obvious discussion of this employee/personnel issue took place under the SDCL 1-25-2.3 Executive Session violating the single subject rule for Executive Sessions.  Mayor Haeder and the council stand in violation of open meeting law.

So just when and how long did  (01:13:08.97) Mayor Haeder and the council discuss the appropriateness if wage increase and the value of this employee?  They agreed to revisit this issue (0:59:08.13) in Executive Session but Executive Session 1-25-2.1 Personnel was never entered into.  Sam?  So the motion was made, seconded and approve to give Mike Croy a wage increase to $15.50 per hour.

Agenda Item #17 Adjournment.  Council adjourned at 8:21 P.M.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

04/04/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

THE MOST COMMON WAY PEOPLE GIVE UP THEIR POWER IS BY THINKING THEY DON’T HAVE ANY.

Alice Walker

American author

          The  April 4, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilman David Larsen and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

          Agenda Item #2 –  Pledge of Allegiance

          Agenda Item #3 – Approve Agenda – (01:15.60) The council approved the agenda as presented.  Approved unanimously.  Too bad the council was not advised of the delay the speaker scheduled for Agenda Item #5 Banner Engineering prior to their vote.

          Agenda Item #4 – Approve the Minutes of March 7, 2022, and March 21, 2022.  (01:45.03)  Council approved the minutes of March 7, 2022, and March 21, 2022, unanimously.  (02:34.13) FOPAT belatedly advised the council of the Banner Engineering representative delay.

          Skip to Agenda Item #7 –  Ward II Council vacancy.  No one wants a Pat on their back. (03:07.73)

          Agenda Item #8 – Public Input (03:35.40)  First up was Reporter Gordon Richard (03:47.20) who made remarks concerning the Union County Fair issue indicating he had spoken with Commission Joffer regarding the FCS contact with the Union County Commissioners.

          Second to speak during public input (04:18.33) was Councilman Lukas Driesen who also spoke to the topic of the Union County Fair issue.

          Councilwoman Darla Reppe (05:22.57) followed with her input relating to constituent contacts concerning the Union County Fair issue.  During Councilwoman Reppe’s input Mayor Haeder inject his opinion (09:55.30) “…You (indicating the Alcester City Council members) are the people that actually have to make that decision…”.  Mayor Haeder went on to comment (10:33.20), “…there is more drama in this town than they do in Sioux Falls…”)

          Councilman Lukas Driesen went on to comment (0:11:16.80) on a constituent’s observation the street sweeper should see the streets more often.  Please note here folks FOPATS’s response.

          I, Vickie Larsen was the last to speak to public input (0:11:56.27)  I spoke to the inexcusable failure to have a map for the zoning issue on the website so the public could see where the devil Section 28 was located.  I also spoke to Mayor Haeder’s comment regarding any sale or removal of the Union County Fair from Alcester.  Those two issues lie within the purview of the Union County Commissioners and the voters of Union County.

          Agenda Item #5 – Wastewater Facility Plant- Tanya Miller (0:14:08.43)  During discussion of this agenda item Councilman David Larsen states his concern over the cost of our waste water facility. (0:28:39.23)  Mayor Haeder comments (0:31:23.27) “…We don’t, we don’t have a choice, we need sewer….”  Mayor Haeder continues in his remarks (0:34:23.63), “…People need sewers, people need roads, people need water…”  So Mayor, did the people “need” community center, could they have lived without it?  H-m-m?

          Agenda Item #6 – 6:30 p.m. Community Center Employees  

          Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel  started at 6:30 P.M.  Three groups of employees appeared before the council in executive session with the council, FOPat and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.  The first group of six was in the session for about one (1) hour, the second group of three was in about 1/2 hour and the third group of two was in the executive session for about 1/2 hour.  Yes folks the executive session lasted for two (2) hours and five minutes.  The council was declared out of executive session at 8:41 P.M.

          The council then voted on three new hires.

          Agenda Item #9 – Police Dept.   Chief Austin Schuller gave updates and statistical reporting.

          Agenda Item #10 – Legal Updates – City Attorney Sam Nelson   Mr. Nelson  reported the condemnation would be handled in the April 18, 2022, meeting.  Mr. Nelson discussed HB 1033, Make an appropriation for the provision of housing infrastructure loans and grants; HB 62, which dealt with an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects and to declare an emergency; and HB 1076, which would permit certain municipalities to elect aldermen at large.

          Agenda Item #11 – Union County Fair Ground- Mayor Haeder was wound up over scuttlebutt dealing with the Union County Fair and Fair grounds.  (01:53:24.80)  Mayor Haeder says, “…do I need to say that again for the camera?…or for anybody?…” 

          (0:53.51.07) Mayor Haeder says, “…obviously the fairgrounds would be re-located and they would be re-located in Alcester…good lord willing…we would do our best to make sure they were put right here in the city of Alcester…they’ve been here 90 plus years…why would they move?…”   Mayor Haeder you make assumptions on the location of the Union County Fairgrounds, it is up to the Union County Commissioners and the Union County voters to determine the location of the Union County Fair if the fairgrounds were to be sold.  Why would the fairgrounds move?  To be equally accessible to all portions of Union County, obviously! 

          (0:54:21.30) Mayor Haeder says, “we are putting together a committee and the committee is going to be composed of some, some aldermen.  It’s also going to be composed of some commissioners and some fair board people…(Darla Reppe, Lukas Driesen, David Larsen or Linda Talbott)”

          (0:56:43.63)  Mayor Haeder on the question of quorum wanders into the realm of the ignorant quorum says, “…It depends on how we do it…it, it is publicized that there is a quorum present but…no business is actually (here he mumbles something)…you’re not making any motions…you’re not (indecipherable mumbling)…you should be able to talk about an issue…we can have the three of us together…”  Mayor Haeder you would be violating the law, you would be violating open, transparent ‘government’.  You expect us to take you at your word?  Guess again.

          (0:57:11.90)  At this point Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson says, “…I, I would caution you …in a quorum…”  Mayor Haeder’s body language suggests he did not take that caution well.

           Agenda Item # 12 – 2022 Multi Community Chip Seal Project.  The Brosz bid was received and determined to be excessive.  FOPat says she and Lonnie felt the final bid was too high?  At this point the Council needed to determine whether to accept or reject the Brosz bid.  The motion was made to reject the Brosz bid and a unanimously vote to reject saved us a boat load of money.

          Agenda Item #13 – Plat map change for Plat of Tract 4, Railway Addition, an Additional in the NE1/4 of Section 28, T95N, R49W, 5th P.M., City of Alcester, Union County, South Dakota.  Three motions needed to be made and Mayor Haeder managed to stumble his way through the process, saved from a redo by the ability of the council to read the motion accurately.  (1:07:07.87)  Mayor Haeder finally remembers he is to entertain a motion and vote to enter into a joint city council and Planning and Zoning Board meeting.  WOW

          (1:11:42.20)  Railroad right-of-way established in and under 2017 South Dakota Codified Laws, Title 49-Public Utilities and Carriers, Chapter 16A -Intra state Railroad Regulation, §49-16A-77 Powers-Width of right-of-way-Additional land for proper construction-Compensation for lands taken.  “49-16A-77 Powers…Each railroad authorized to construct, operate, or maintain a road within this state, may lay out a road not exceeding one hundred feet in width, and construct it…”

          (1:13:48.13)  Mayor Haeder, you need a motion to recommend approval of the Plat of tract and authorize David Larsen to sign as chair of the P&Z Board.

          (1:14:03.00)  Mayor Haeder, you need a motion to approve the P&Z Board recommendation and approve signers.

          Thankfully those making the motions, faithfully repeated the printed motion listed on the agenda presumably provided by Sam Nelson, city attorney.

          (1:16:59.70)  Butting in on Mayor Haeder, FOPat calls for Agenda Item #14 – Swimming Pool.  WOW!   Gees Louise, then (01:20:25.53) Mayor Haeder appears to ask FOPat’s permission to call for approval of FOPat’s suggestion for pool wages as presented. 

          Agenda Item #15 – Finance Office Updates

          Agenda Item #16 – Executive Session for Personnel  – not needed.  Gee whiz after that marathon 2 hour plus executive session, surprise, surprise they did not have anything more to personnel to talk about.

          Agenda Item #17 – Adjourn – Meeting was adjourned at 9:33 P.M.

Once again folks, Let the council know what you think.  Let them know how you appreciate the Mayor’s opinion of you and your city.  Let the Mayor know.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

03/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“An apple a day is good enough to keep anyone away, if it is thrown hard enough.”

Stephen Colbert

 “Ever since I learned Uncle Isaac was beaned by a falling apple, I have  practiced batting and I aspire to a .375 batting average!”

Vickie A. Newton

          The  March 21, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples and Councilman Lukas Driesen.  Absent was Councilman David Larsen and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.

          Agenda Item #3 – Approval of the Agenda  The council approved the agenda unchanged unanimously.

          Agenda Item #4 – Board of Equalization Meeting

          At (01:38.70) Mayor Haeder fails to announce the Alcester City Council meeting in recess for the local Board of Equalization.  At 6:01 PM Mayor Haeder announces the Board of Equalization in session (01:48.23) but fails (02:03.03) to do a formal roll call of council members who make up the local Board of Equalization and fails to determine a quorum is present:

SDCL 10-11-15. Clerk of local equalization board–Minutes–Form of action–Adjournment in absence of quorum.

The township clerk or municipal finance officer shall act as clerk of the equalization board and keep an accurate record of all changes made in the valuation and of all other proceedings. The minutes shall contain the following information: name of property owner appealing assessment, legal description of property being appealed, change to land or structure value by local board of equalization and reason for such change. All actions shall be taken in the form of a motion, second and vote. If no quorum is present, the clerk of such board may adjourn from day to day, and publicly announce the time to which the meeting is adjourned.

SDCL 10-11-16.1. Appeals–Notice of decision by local board of equalization.

A local board of equalization shall hear individual valuation, classification, and assessment questions of property owners or taxpayers who have appealed to the local board of equalization, and may make adjustments and corrections in the assessment roll. The board shall notify each appellant of the decision affecting the appellant’s property in writing seven days after the adjournment of the local board of equalization.

          Doyle Fickbohm’s objection to the assessed value of the property at 208 Union, parcel number 01.04.02.1015 in the city of Alcester.  Said property was valued by the county at $64,054.00 uncertified.  After discussion, attempts at crafting a motion properly and Mayor Haeder’s refusal to restate the motion (14:47.10).  The council unanimously voted to deny (15:02.83) Mr. Fickbohm’s objection to the county assessment of Parcel number 01.04.02.1015.

          Rob Huber of Sunnyside Rentals, LLC, Lennox, SD (15:13.33) objection to the assessed value of the property at 202 East Sixth Street, parcel number 01.01.24.1025 in the city of Alcester.  Said property was valued by the county at $200,102.00 uncertified.  (15:38.07) Mayor Haeder speaks in rounded numbers rather than actual figures.  During discussion phase of this object Mayor Haeder (16:56.27) states, “…we are just making our opinions known…you (the council) are making your opinions known.”  Notice Mayor Haeder’s repeated use of the “Royal ‘We'” when he speaks then attempts to absolve himself of any potential blame!”  Also note (17:14.73) Mayor Haeder devolves into irrelevance-counting the number of doors to assess valuation.  (19:04.90) I asked for clarification of the county assessed value $200,102.00. (20:14.97) Mayor Haeder AGAIN refuses to restate the motion for the record.  (20:57.80) Council votes unanimously to deny Mr. Huber’s objection to the county assessment of $200,102.00) for 202 East Sixth Street, parcel ID 01.01.24.1025.

          Upon no further objections to assessment of properties and before adjourning the local Board of Equalization Mayor Haeder (21:59.20) Once AGAIN Mayor Header Sky Dives down the Rabbit Hole of irrelevance without benefit of an inflated parachute of common sense!

          Agenda Item #5 – Council Vacancy Ward II  No one wants a PAT on their back.  No action.

          Agenda Item #6 – Public Input

          Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples (24:07.43) brought up a concern of a resident about moles in the cemetery and what can be done about them.  Again Mayor Haeder descended into what I would term a grossly, ill-advised diatribe of rant (24:55.50), “…I (Mayor Haeder) have the right to shoot one (a pellet gun) on my property…” (26:32.17)  Mayor Haeder says, “…I can use a pellet gun…rabbits, ground squirrels, whatever…I can kill anything that doesn’t require a license to hunt…”  Question asked of  Mayor Haeder, Poison?  Mayor Haeder responds, “…could..it’d probably be met with a little more resistance because of people that have cats…”  Then there is the morceau de bétise which happens at (27:42.23) when Mayor Haeder in answer to Councilwoman Talbott’s comment about cats.  Where Mayor Haeder states, “…you (Councilwoman Talbott) have the right to do that…” (28:28.03)  So let me get this straight Mayor Haeder, if one does not like cats or birds you can shoot a pellet gun at them.  You are giving your permission Mayor Haeder?  So according to your common sense Mayor Haeder, if you do not like something and ya don’t need a license to hunt it, you can shoot a pellet gun at them.  Is this what you are giving permission to do, Mayor Haeder?

          Richard Akland (28:42.40)   Pickleball update

          Vickie Larsen (32:29.27)

                                (32:45.63) Water Bill assistance result of water bill hikes

                                (33:09.37)  Shooting inside the city limits.  Warning Mayor

                                (38:28.90)  I questioned whether FOPat and Wanda are being paid for their volunteer work?  Notice the quick response from Mayor Haeder.  Makes one wonder, do we have Oxymorons-Paid Volunteers?

          Agenda Item #7 – Affordable Housing Update – Gordon Richard  (39:14.27) Mayor Haeder talks about city paying for infrastructure on acquisition of the alfalfa land south of Beck Drive.  Thing is the property directly south of Beck Drive is Anderson Drive?  I am sure the folks on the west side of Alcester are comforted that they are once again pushed back in the waiting line for update of infrastructure while they are paying the curb tax, the rise in tax assessment and tax levies.

          Agenda Item #8 – Legal Updates  No Sam, No Sign and No action.

          Agenda Item #9 – Committee Department Chair Updates 

          Street                    NO report

          Cemetery              NO report

          Water                    NO report

          Wastewater           advised the Engineering plan is at 90% complete

          Library                  NO report other than Saturday reading group

          Golf Course          Thank you to Gary McKellips for T-Box signs and the updated Pond Biffy.  (46:04.20)  Mayor Haeder wandered down memory lane of irrelevancy with his account of the McCook Biffy.  How the men didn’t care but the women did.  WOW talk about being BIFFY AWARE!

          Agenda Item #10 – Golf Course/Community Center -Hiring- Why isn’t the guy who is actually working with them hiring them?

          Agenda Item #11 – Finance Office- Updates

          Agenda Item #12 – Old Standby – Executive Session SDCL 1-25-2 *.*      WOW  Wonder of Wonders no need.  Amazing!

          Agenda Item #13 – Adjourn  6:56 PM

FOLKS CALL THE MAYOR, TELL HIM WHAT YOUR OPINION IS.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

03/11/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“Things will only improve when the people – all of us – say to authorities, ‘I will hold you responsible.’ We should all be showing up at city council meetings, lighting up every community with activism and mobilization”.

Erin Brockovich

          I would like to address a couple of portions of the recent council meeting in more depth.

          First I would like to address the point where, I asked the question who approved the verbiage of the advertisement in the local paper for a vacancy in the city finance officer.  Listen to the non-answer I received from Mayor Haeder. (02:56.50), “…I don’t know if anybody had an opportunity to look at it ( the advertisement for a finance office employee)  Well folks if the mayor did not write this fairy story, the council did not write this fairy story and the city attorney certainly did not write this fair story, who did?  My guess is that FOPat appropriated the form and the verbiage.  So, let’s take a gander and see what the goose wrote.  First let’s compare the Finance Officer Description and FOPat’s opinion of her job description:

DUTIES OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICER

SDML

  • KEEP REGULAR BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
  • SUPERVISE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
  • KEEP A RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
  • DRAW AND COUNTERSIGN ALL WARRANTS
  • KEEP THE CORPORATE SEAL
  • COUNTERSIGN ALL CONTRACTS
  • AUDIT AND ADJUST ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD
  • KEEP A BOOK IN WHICH ALL CONTRACTS SHALL BE ENTERED
  • CERTIFY ANNUAL TAX LEVY TO COUNTY AUDITOR
  • MAINTAIN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RECORD
  • FILE BONDS OF ALL EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIAL OF CITY EXCEPT AUDITOR’S BOND
  • PREPARE, PUBLISH AND FILE ANNUAL REPORT
  • MAINTAIN BOND RECORD
  • PREPARE BUDGET BEFORE SEPT 1 OF EACH YEAR AND SUBMIT TO COUNCIL
  • MAINTAIN A FILE OF ANNUAL INVENTORIES
  • RECEIVE MONIES OF CITY AND MAINTAIN CASH RECEIPTS JOURNAL
  • ISSUE PRENUMBERED RECEIPTS IN DULICATE GIVING THE ORIGINAL TO THE PAYER AND THE DUPLICATE TO THE AUDITOR
  • INVEST SURPLUS CASH BALANCES OF CITY
  • MAINTAIN A WARRANT REGISTER LISTING ALL WARRENTS ISSUED BY FUNDS
  • COMPARE CASH BALANCES MONTHLY WITH AUDITOR
  • REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL GIVING A FULL AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ALL RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES SINCE THE LAST REPORT
  • MAINTAIN A REGISTER OF ALL WARRANTS NOT PAID FOR WANT OF FUNDS
  • FILE AUDITOR’S BOND.

DEFINITION OF DUTIES OF A CITY MANAGER

  • MANAGING THE CITY BUDGET
  • OVERSEEING CITY PERSONNEL
  • ADDRESSING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA REGARDING CITY COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
  • MEETING WITH VARIOUS HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ISSUES
  • MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING BUDGETS, PERSONNEL NEEDS AND PROJECTS COST
  • ENSURING COMPLETION OF REPORTS AND STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS
  • OVERSEEING IMPORTANT SERVICES SUCH AS TRASH PICK-UP AND RECYCLING PROGRAMS
  • ENSURING WATER SUPPLIES ARE SAFE
  • WORKING ON IMPORTANT EXONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
  • RESPONDING TO AND RESOLVING DIFFICULT OR DELICAT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OF CITIZENS

PAT JURRENS DEFINITION OF DUTIES

  • RECOMMENDS NEW POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES TO THE COUNCIL, TRAINS AND EVALUATES PERFORMANCE AND DISCIPLINES PERSONNEL USING THE EMPLOYEE STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
  • SERVE AS LIASON BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO WATER, SEWER, STREET AND OFFICE DEPARTMENTS, OFFERING RESOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND EVALUATING THE PROGRESS OF GOALS. 
  • BRIEF COUNCIL MEMBERS ON PENDING AGENDA ITEMS AND OTHER CITY ISSUES PROVIDING ADMINISTRAIVE SUPPORT TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL AS NEEDED
  • PROVIDE ANALYSIS NEEDED TO ASSIST THE COUNCIL TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
  • PERFORM FINANCIAL AND MANAGERIAL ANALYSIS FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL RELATING TO CITY OPERATIONS, GRANTS AND PROGRAMS FOR CONSIDERATION
  • PREPARE THE BUDGET BEFORE SEPT 1 AND SUBMIT TO THE COUNCIL, PREPARE, PUBLISH AND FILE THE ANNUAL REPORT BY MARCH 1
  • COUNTERSIGN ALL CONTRACTS
  • SUPPLY MONTHLY, QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR FOR REVIEW
  • MAINTAIN ANNUAL INVENTORIES AND A LIST OF ALL FIXED ASSETS OWNED BY THE CITY
  • ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS-MAKING PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS SEVERAL  TIMES DURING CONSTRUCTION
  • ISSUE ALL OTHER LICENSES AND PERMITS AS ALLOWED BY THE ORDINANCES
  • ACT AS CUSTODIAN OF BOOKS OF RECORD, ORDINANCES, MEETING MINUTES AND OTHER OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL, THE CORPORATE SEAL AND OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
  • CREATE, MAINTAIN AND IMPLEMENT A POLICY & PROCEDUREAL MANUAL FOR CITY OPERATIONS
  • FILL OUT MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THE SEWER PLANT, RETIREMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND WITHHOLDING AND SALES TAX REPORTS
  • WORK WITH THE ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER ON THE WATER BILLING, DELINQUENT BILLS, ADDRESS UPDATES AND OTHE INNER OFFICE DUTIES
  • LISTEN TO THE REQUESTS AND CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AND RELATE TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.
  • MAINTAIN THE CHECKBOOK BALANCE, PREPARE MATERIALS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AND SCHEDULING GYM EVENTS.
  • ATTEND ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND OTHER MEETINGS AS REQUIRED
  • CONFER WITH THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON FISCAL MATTERS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  • ANY OTHER DUTIES ASSIGNED BY THE COUNCIL.

Now let’s look at the advertisement placed for the ‘Deputy (?)  Finance Office Job’

City of Alcester

Deputy Finance Officer (Utilities Finance Office Employee) Job Opening

Reports to:  City Council and Mayor

Reports to Finance Office supervisor.

Job Summary:  Assist the Finance Officer in Customer Relations and accounting operations;  Bill city patrons for city utilities; Run payroll for city employees.

  • Bills city utilities, run employee payroll.

Performance Responsibilities:  Read and bill water meters on a timely basis to generate operating revenue for the city; remind fellow employees of scheduled happenings, make timely deposits from the funds from the Golf course, pool and Utility payments;  Assist staff with the day-to-day operations of the Golf course, community center, pool and utilities.

  • It is the function of the Finance Officer to make deposits from the various enterprise funds not the Utilities meter reader.  It is the function of the managers of the golf course, community center, pool and utilities to be assisting their staff not the meter reader employee.  So if the advertised Performance Responsibilities are for the Utilities Employee, what the blazes is FOPAT doing to justify her title?  h-m-m?  Where is the over-sight of Wanna-Be FOPat?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Read  approx. 220 meters of the 440 meters in town/Send out 440 water bills per month. Utilities Employee  duty!
  2. Receive, deposit and Record all monies paid to the City (pool, water, golf course, and etc.)  Finance Officer duty not meter reader Utilities employee duty!
  3. Record all entries in the water billing program. Utilities employee duty!
  4. Cover shifts at the pool when needed.  Utilities employee with WSI certification!
  5. Send out delinquent notices monthly, send out  billing notices to residents and send out various licensing notices.  Utilities employee duty!
  6. Get mail.  Utilities employee duty!
  7. Write/type Vouchers and memos.  Finance officer duty not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  8. Calculate payroll, print out checks, do Bi-weekly and monthly reports.  Finance officer duty not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  9. Assist Finance Officer with checkbook balancing, Assist with city council meeting preparation, city council minutes and scheduling events.  Finance officer duties not meter reading Utility employee duty!
  10.  Order all pool Concessions and price.  Finance officer duties not meter reading Utility employee duty!  Community center and golf course items are under the direction of the managers of those managers not the Finance officer!

WHY ARE WE PAYING ANOTHER ADMINISTRATIVE TYPE WAGE FOR TWO EMPLOYEES TO DO THE FINANCE OFFICERS JOB? 

WHY DID THE FINANCE OFFICE FAIL TO SHOW THIS FARCICAL RECITATION OF JOB DUTIES TO THE FINANCE OFFICE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL, A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR EACH AND EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE AD WAS CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON AND PRIOR TO THE SUBMISSION FOR AD PLACEMENT?

          Second  I would like to address a comment made by Councilman David Larsen.  To make a correction of a mis-remembered event attributed to a ‘past mayor’! 

          This would be the air-conditioner discussion broached by Councilman David Larsen.  Agenda Item #11 – Golf Course Surplus Property  (i.e. ice machine)  The ice machine under discussion was not purchased by a former mayor at the time of Councilman Larsen’s addition to the Alcester City Council in or around 2010-2012 as suggested by Councilman David Larsen.

          The history of the ice machine for the golf course occurred as follows:

Councilman David Larsen made a veiled reference in the recent council meeting regarding concerning a former mayor, an ice machine and surplus efforts. (0:56:29.87) 

          Peter Larsen was seated on the Alcester City Council as a councilman for Ward III with Mayor William Koenig as mayor in 2010.  At that time the Council received 2 bids on the Alcester Bar in July 2010.  Bidders were David Duncan and Steve Larsgaard.  David and Jesse Duncan were awarded the bid for the Alcester Bar.

          February 2011 meeting Mayor Wm. Koenig and council members Curt Anderson, Larry Anderson, Peter Larsen, Ron Manning, Steve Johannsen and Wayne Van Gelder received the Ninety (90) day vacation notice from the Duncans regarding the Liquor Store Lease effective February 1, 2011.  Council placed advertisements for the lease of the Alcester City Liquor Store.  April 2011 meeting, Mayor Koenig and council receive one (1) bid for the lease of the Alcester Liquor Store from Bryce Sullivan for $1250.00 per month for a three year term to commence May 1, 2011.  Motion, Second and vote was taken with AYE votes from Councilmen R. Manning, S. Johannsen, C. Anderson, L. Anderson and W. VanGelder with a No coming from Councilman Peter Larsen.  Motion carried 5-1 in favor of accepting the lease bid from Bryce Sullivan.  May 2011  Council authorized Mayor Koenig and Finance Officer Mike Kezar to sign the Alcester Liquor Store Lease.   Last 1/2 May 2011 meeting seated the new city council and mayor.  Mayor Peter Larsen, and council members R. Manning, S. Johannsen, W. VanGelder,  L. Anderson and Curt Anderson.  Within 10 days of the May 2nd Council meeting, Mayor Peter Larsen observed unauthorized building changes and equipment additions which included an ice machine to the Alcester Bar contrary to lease contract.  Mayor Larsen walked to the City Attorney’s office and a Cease and Desist Order was drafted and served upon Bryce Sullivan.  At some point the Sullivans disappeared in the dark of night abandoning equipment and bills, the bar was shuttered with the Sullivans failing to pay the construction workers.  Lawsuits commenced against the Sullivans and the city of Alcester.

          During this same time period, the ownership/acquisition of the golf course was in discussions with the City of Alcester.  Once the golf course became a city asset, arrangements were made to move forward with activating golf course operations.  Again this time the golf course staff were routinely purchasing large quantities of bagged ice.  Mayor Larsen visited with the Golf course director about the ice machine needs and upon information out of that discussion, Mayor Larsen brought the idea of an under counter ice machine to the council.  The council authorized Mayor Larsen to purchase the under counter ice machine model to provide a more economical supply of ice.  The idea being during off hours of demand, the build-up of  ice would be bagged and placed in the freezer for future demand.  Since this under counter ice machine was acquired late in the golf season it only saw a month or two of service.

          January 2012  Mayor Larsen, city council members C. Anderson, L. Anderson, S. Johannsen, R. Manning, W. VanGelder and M. Dykstra added the Alcester Liquor Store to the agenda.  No record of discussion or action regarding the agenda addition of the Liquor Store.  February 2012 City Attorney Chuck Haugland gave an update on the status of the lawsuit.  At some point in this time period in anticipation of the upcoming golf course season the Liquor Store ice machine which was larger was moved to the golf course.  Additionally South Eastern Electric Cooperative became aware of the under counter ice machine no longer used at the golf course offered to purchase to un-used ice machine for what the ice machine originally cost the city.  June 2012 Motion was made to seat Patricia Jurrens to fill the Alcester Ward II vacancy.  This appointment passed, Patricia Jurrens became the Alcester Ward II Council person and as such council member dealt with all the issues arising out of the equipment, lawsuit and CBDG issues regarding the Sullivan lawsuit.

          What I do not know because I have not researched the minutes after that June 2012 meeting leading up to this point in time is whether yet another ice machine for the golf course was purchased after David Larsen became a Councilman and what ice machine decisions he made.

          So as in the words of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot:

                    “…And I would like to have a good, productive relationship with members of the City Council, but I’m not going to allow them to undermine what the people’s choice was and what the people want, which is change…”

Lori Lightfoot

But I was not allowed that opportunity because I did not and would not allow the undermining of the people’s choice, what the people wanted and because I did not follow the rest of the flock!

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

02/21/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

“True Leaders should always practice the three R’s:  Respect for self, Respect for others, Responsibility for all their actions.”

-Anonymous-

          The February 21, 2022, city council meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance with council members responding Councilwoman Darle Reppe, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilwoman Linda Talbott and Councilman David Larsen.  Absent was Alcester city attorney Sam Nelson.

          A note here, I was not present for this meeting.  I had a videographer make the video record of the meeting for me.  Processing took a bit longer than usual. Thank you Aaron.

          There are a few agenda items I would like to address. 

          Agenda Item #5 – public input was received by Rich Akland resident of Alcester (0:01:52.77).  Mr. Akland thanked Councilman Larsen for his efforts on the community center and golf course.  Although no mention was made concerning the wall cracks.  H-m-m and so it starts.  Mr. Akland also commented on Wanda, the face of city hall and how accommodating her demeanor was with the residents of Alcester.  Lastly Mr. Akland suggested a pickle ball court in the old school gym would be nice.  Councilman David Larsen (0:06:42.40) took time to thank Alcester Union-Hudsonite news reporter Gordon Richards for his coverage and summaries of the minutes of the city council meetings. 

          Agenda Item #6 – Banner Engineering Tanya Miller was not available for a project update.

          Agenda Item #7 – Community Center Updates were presented by (07:47.20) Clint Nyreen and (0:22:37.77) Landon Nygard in their respective positions.

          Agenda Item #8 – HUD Contact  This agenda item was introduced by Mr. Gordon Richards who is a local board member.  A meeting was to be set up to meet with a couple of council members and Mr. Roger Jacob, HUD representative via Zoom.

          Agenda Item #9 – Multi-community Chip Seal Project and Bid Project.  Folks, according to the discussion in the January 17, 2022, the Brosz representative dissing local providers of chip seal (0:07:47.) and (0:11:17.0) and in which Mayor Haeder opined (0:50:31.03) “…cannot trust local…” and Mayor Haeder opined about the contract which carried a questionable line item (0:54:28.97) regarding to Engineering fees not to exceed $10,200.00?  The council had trouble following the document titled, “City of Alcester Chip Sealing of 2022” what they were going to be shelling hefty amounts of money for Brosz to hold our hands and for us to “trust” them.  Listen to the individual voice vote.  Give ’em a chance says Councilman David Larsen,  give ’em (Brosz) a chance with $42,500.00 when we did not get a current bid from the local ‘guys’  What happened with get a quote, and I DO NOT MEAN LAST YEARS QUOTE?  Are we really going to compare “apples to a**soles”.  The council voted to give ’em a chance!  WOW

          Agenda Item #10 – Chief Austin Schuller gave an update and approval for part-time officers.

          Agenda Item #11 – Sam Nelson (No Show or was his invitation lost in the mail?)  Well maybe next meeting?

          Agenda Item #12 – Chairperson updates- Nothing of any consequence.

          Agenda Item #13  TSR quote for repair of plumbing with a side trip to discuss the bar door.

          Agenda Item #14 – Community Center Purchases:  A traveling bar @ $2069.00 plus freight and room dividers @ $3274 plus freight.  Listen closely to the discussion on the traveling bar, especially the comment on having the bar outside for football games.  That is awfully close to school property with liquor and the possibility of traveling liquor onto school property.  Maybe we can get the police chief to park by the convenient gate checking ID’s, Breathalizers and liquor sales violations.  H-m-m?  Room dividers, imagine your pay function on one side of the ‘room-divider’ and discovering the low brow, bourbon brawlers on the other side of the ‘room-divider’ and being charged regular rate?  Yeah  Council approved the expenditures.  So what is happening with the wall cracks in the Albatross?

          Agenda Item #15 – Finance Office Update.

          Agenda Item #16 – Executive session – if needed  This is almost a sure-thing bet.  SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel.  Folks this is abuse and violation of Executive Session, ’cause there is never any action taken out of this session.  If it is not serious enough to take action, it can be talked about in open session.

          Agenda Item #17 – Adjournment  at 8:39 PM

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517

02/07/2022 A Voice From the Gallery

The First Two Rules of Leadership: Don’t be Stupid, Don’t be a Jerk

David Cottrell

          The meeting was called to order with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Dan Haeder with Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen and Councilwoman Darla Reppe.  City Attorney Sam Nelson absent.

          Once again FOPAT planted her backside into the seat normally occupied by City Attorney Sam Nelson and once again she interjected her opinion as though she was a council member emboldened by the fact Mayor Haeder allows her to continue to speak without being asked a direct question about bookkeeping.

Agenda Item #3 – Approve Agenda after error was noted by Vickie Larsen (02:17.80)  Mayor Haeder continues on with approval of the Agenda without formally correcting the error. (02:47.83)

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #4 – Approve minutes of January 10th and 17th, 2022 meetings

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #5  – Public Input

          #1 I (Vickie Larsen) asked when I was going to receive my FOIA/Sunshine request.  “Dead” silence and then FOPAT whispers, “I haven’t had a chance to get…” (04:06.27)  Folks this is Par FOPAT as far as my Sunshine requests go, she delays as long as she dares.  So yeah, I used sarcasm to get my point across.  Then the great rush to defend PO FOPAT, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, “…No need to be sarcastic…” and then there is ol’ Mayor Got-FOPAT ‘s-back, “…you’ll get it as soon as possible…” (0:04:26.27)  I continued with my list addressing the Brosz  ‘Pot-O-gold’ offertory.  Any time you add a third party to the billing mix, the price goes up.  So what if they can buy in bulk, that $3000.00 up-front-join-the-buying-club fee will eat up any savings.  Folks we already have the ability to initiate a joint powers agreement with other towns to help off-set costs city projects. While I still had the floor, Mayor Haeder interrupted me prating, “…Next, Next, Next…” (0:04:35.40 through 0:04:37.90)   I went on to my next point, a statement of HRC Financial Condition and where Mayor Haeder babbled about, “…they (HRC) had a meeting, well it really wasn’t a meeting…”  So Mayor Haeder, was it or was it not a meeting.  I asked for the HRC financials, We the People have a right to know! (0:05:31.27)  I went on to my last item which concerned technology in the council room.  I asked if there was an Echo device or Alexa device in the room.  Folks get a load of the maturity of Mayor Haeder who immediately starts hollerin’ for Alexa (0:05:54.17)  And I was called for sarcasm?  Oh that is right, I was called on sarcasm not childishness.  By the way Mayor Haeder, the “wake” word doesn’t have to be “Alexa”, maybe “Dalie” or some other concoction from the list of covert names accessible by FOPAT.  I got no answer.  So Heads-Up folks when you walk into the city offices or any office with a tech-ware, beware you may be recorded.  Check it out for yourselves

(https://www.the-ambient.com/how-to/change-alexa-name-voice-wake-word-647).   

The device normally referred to as Alexa is always listening and recording.  Most of us use the ‘wake’ word Alexa but that ‘wake’ word can be changed.  So when Mayor Haeder was doin’ all his grand standing hootin’ and hollerin’ at Alexa, she was listenin’ and recording.

So how-bout-it FOPAT, a FOIA for what Alexa has been listenin’ to and recording for the past few days?

          #2  Further Input by Councilwoman Linda Talbot.  Councilwoman Talbott remarked about questions she received about water bills and paying them as well as other issues.

Agenda Item #6 – Police Department – Chief Schuller Updates

Chief Schuller went over the stats with the council.  Councilman David Larsen seem concerned about non-hazardous moving violations resulting in fines or the distinction between non-hazardous violations and the hazardous violations and subsequent fines.  At this point these statistics are not being featured on the website.  They should be public so we, the people can see what our officers are facing each workday and not being played down and interpreted by FOPAT.

Folks let the council know, we need police coverage

Agenda Item #7 – Brosz Engineering – Multi-Community Chip Seal Project

Discussion on the wonderful, wonderful deal the city was going to get if they suckered into Brosz Buying club. (this is sarcasm)  I was there for the presentation and I found certain allegations made in the pitch disturbing.  Question posed, “how do you know you are getting what you are paying for?” Answer we can supervise the project—for a price.  Engineering fees.  Folks we are already mired in an Engineering fee fiasco, so what do you call an engineering feat which causes a run-off flood situation, costs the city an extra $20,000.00 with a lawsuit down the road.  WOW  Mayor Haeder loves the engineers and they must be trusted.  Well let’s see a few engineers who were trusted:  Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (USSR, 1986), Titanic (UK, 1912), Pennsylvanian Johnstown Flood (USA, 1889), Surfside condominium building collapse (2021), Space Shuttle Challenger disaster (1986), Hindenburg Disaster (May 6, 1937), Deepwater Horizon (April 20, 2010), Tacoma Bridge Disaster (July 1, 1940) and Cleveland Gas Explosion (1940) to name a few of the more spectacular events.  Let’s talk about the Fog Seal (0:16:38.03) cosmetic and no need to sweep.  So Fog Seal is the Mary Kay cosmetic make-over for streets and YAY our Street Sweeping machine never has to leave the garage.  Mayor Haeder prates on, (0:18:12.57) close by!  Closer is better.  So Mayor Haeder why are you promoting a Minnesota contracting applicator instead of a local contracting applicator.  Of course then we have the unsurpassed input of the city bookkeeper (0:25:15.43) and there ya have it, the bookkeeper thinks it is a better product!  The bookkeeper whose hands-on-expertise with road construction is what?  I’ll that to your fertile imaginations.  Mayor Haeder goes on to say, (0:25:26.47) OIL, that sticks in his mind.  Well at least something sticks in his mind.  Per Mayor Haeder, Brosz knows all about it.  Mayor Haeder further blathers (0:25:47.60) speculating the Road Guys might cheat us, oh but not the Brosz Aztec guys ’cause having an engineer (0:25:57.87) involved will protect us.   Yo’ Mayor Haeder tell that to the victims of the depot flooding.  Tell that to the surviving passengers of the Titanic, the Hindenburg, or the survivors of the Surfside Condominium Building Collapse.  I am sure they would be impressed by the perspicacity of you and your minion FOPAT.  (0:27:47.93)  Our community already has had joint powers agreement programs in place to facilitate group buying.  (0:28:05.17) Folks listen to Mayor Haeder as he takes a giant step back and lays the decision for or against solely on the shoulders of the city council.  Evidently he has forgotten that little ol’ power of veto he holds in his ‘lily-white’ hands.  (0:28:28.87)  Now listen as FOPAT comments she doesn’t know about the expertise and competency of  the Road Guys. Yeah madam bookkeeper, you don’t know about expertise nor competency and ya’ll sure don’t know any more about the expertise or competency of Aztec or Brosz other than hear-say from a biased entity. (0:29:57.57) Nice try Mayor Haeder, the State specifies materials used in road bids.  And sir, we do not have any more assurance that Aztec/Brosz will adhere to the standards than the Road Guys.

Left at getting a quote from the local guys, the question was tabled until more information was available.  Folks it is our money, why do we need to pay $3000.00 extra fee.  We can be cheated just as fast by the new guys on the block as we can by local guys. 

Just remember you never whizz upstream from where you get yer drinkin’ water, local businesses know this.

Agenda Item #8 – Horizon Health Foundation- Pars for Patients

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #9 – Water Pipe Locator Purchase Approval – $6250.00

A handy dandy water pipe locator all for the bargain basement price of $6250.00 which will be taken out of the water fund ($3125.00) and the sewer fund ($3125.00)  WOW  Too bad they cannot use it to locate lost graves in the cemetery, which would prevent selling the same grave plot twice.

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #10 – Promissory Note between City of Alcester and Gary McKellips, Interim Donation Shortfall $200,000.00 Community Center Fund-Five year payback (semi annual payments)

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #11 – Finance Office Updates Pat Jurrens

          a.  Warrants

Approved Unanimously

          c.  Reminders and Updates

Agenda Item #12 – HRC Update

I asked for a Statement of Financial Condition, don’t have one.  H-m-m   I have long commented on the lack of foresight and handling of the property within the HRC and building permit.  The city lives on the allowance (property taxes) our residents give us.  By the manner of building permitting we are fast losing income which is our city budget’s allowance.  No more garage only properties, we lose property tax income on those. (0:54:15.23)  Mayor Haeder just discovered our limited tax liability.  WOW  Ya just figurin’ that one out Mayor?  Ya haven’t been concerned about running competition to our local businesses where our local businesses have to pay property tax and the city can own buildings and not pay one red cent in property tax.  Mayor singled out the HRC and used it as an example where there is no property tax because the HRC an arm of the city does not pay property tax.  I told you a long time ago, didn’t ya have yer ears on Mayor?  Now you’re hot and bothered about lose of taxes on HRC properties.  So Mayor Haeder, what about the city owned Albatross encircling the necks of Alcester City Residents.  Our taxes are going to pay for a gamble by our mayor and his council who are totally ignorant of any kind of business plan for the Albatross.  Not a good money plan in my book.  But Mayor Haeder is tickled silly ’cause we now have lots sold and just one house to one lot.  (0:55:15.23)

Agenda Item #13 – Executive Session Personnel  (SDCL 1-25-2.1) Council went into Executive Session to allegedly discuss personnel.  Folks this is a serious matter, yet ya should have heard the laughin’, caterwauling and loud carrying-ons comin’ out of the council room.  Why all that noise kept Wanda and me awake in the hallway for that whole hour (60 minutes) of executive session. 

Approved Unanimously

In Executive Session at 7:02 p.m. and out of Executive Session at 7:57 p.m.

Agenda Item #14 – Vacancy Advertisement

We have a vacancy in the Finance Office and nope not that one, it’s Wanda’s position that is vacant.  We have a vacancy for a custodian and we are looking for a part time cook.  Now we really do not need a deputy Finance Officer, FOPAT does not need a side-kick.  However we do need is a third police officer.  So let’s dump the position of deputy finance officer and add a third police officer to the police department where we really need the help and assistance.  Ask the city council what the stats are, how is our police department handling the influx of calls.  I do not mean the call there is, “a wild pussy loose on Hayden Drive, I mean the 21st century version of a door-to-door peddler selling his/her druggy version of Watkins home-style cures and syrups.”

          Motion was made to advertise these vacancies.

Approved Unanimously

Agenda Item #15 – Community Center Staff Hire

Council voted to hire Carina Lusk effective immediately.

Agenda Item #16 – Adjourn at 8:02 p.m.

Contact City Council

Mayor Dan Haeder                             605-934-2287      605-770-7929

Councilman David Larsen                  605-934-2434

Councilwoman Darla Reppe               605-934-2602

Councilwoman Linda Talbot              605-254-3074

Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples

Councilman Lukas Driesen

Patricia Jurrens                                  605-934-2517