Lifeguards-Interesting how the video states Finance Officer Jurrens advising Councilman David Larsen the minimum wage was $8.81 per hour and Councilman Larsen made the motion of minimum wage at $8.81 per hour for Abby Walth. Yet the minutes published in the May 17, 2018, issue of the official city newspaper, the Alcester Union-Hudsonite listed the minimum wage as $8.85 per hour. The council moved, seconded and voted unanimously on the amount of minimum wage as proclaimed by Alcester Finance Officer Pat Jurrens. The council relied on her ‘expertise’, Oops! Now the May 17, 2018, minutes need to be amended to reflect the actual action, then correct Finance Officer Jurrens gaff, and re-publish. The first publication cost taxpayers $112.48, so what is the additional cost to fix the error? People want to know what is going on.
Now this is one goat-rodeo where the goat got loose! I have a problem when the minutes do not reflect the action, presto-change-o the error magically corrects itself upon publication. Check out the video in the May 7, 2018, meeting (02:23:27). H-m-m video and audio trumps the published minutes and this time ya cain’t blame the publisher.
Still working on the minutes, please note below where the published minutes announced, “… Lance Johnson was not in attendance to take his Oath and the Vacant Ward I seat will be filled at the June meeting…” Yup that is what they say. Take a gander at the Agenda for May 21, 2018, Agenda Item #10 (a) Mayor Glas to appoint Linda Talbott to Ward I Vacancy. Now what do ya s’pose happened? Mayor Glas and FO Pat did not do the residents the courtesy of advising them about the Ward I Vacancy, Mayor Glas and FO Pat set up the oath for Ward I and cancelled it without explanation (?), Mayor Glas and FO Pat set up what appears to be a hand-picked appointment for Ward I in the June meeting of the Alcester City Council with the full knowledge they were going to have a special meeting in May for ‘police officer candidate’ interviews (May 7, 2018, Agenda Item #10(f)(2)) A-N-D then Mayor Glas and FO Pat include Agenda item #10 on the May 21, 2018, agenda successfully preventing any interested resident from Ward I from interviewing for the Ward I Vacancy no matter what powers of precognition ‘they’ profess to have. Mayor Glas and FO Pat must be cold, ’cause they sure appear to be a coverin’ up right nice! Half-Glas’d is still appears to be the modus operandi. So much for open meeting and keeping the public accurately informed.
One more thing concerning the minimum wage thingy. I once worked for a guy who whenever the minimum wage increased, new hires got minimum wage. However the faithful, loyal, long-term employees did not get the same increase, so in essence the experienced, higher seniority employees were making less than new hires! What do ya s’pose our city does?
At 6:00 p.m. Mayor Glas half-Glas’d the regular meeting of the Alcester City Council into session with Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom, Councilwoman Melissa Kay, Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilman Dan Haeder and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson present. Alcester City Councilman Lance Johnson was AWOL. I use the term half-Glas’d in place of the more colorful phrase half-a**’d describing the quality of performance of execution of duty.
Agenda item #3 Mayor Glas called for Agenda approval. Here is where it gets interesting ’cause listed on the agenda under new council agenda item #2 titled administer oaths of office which list: Linda Talbott, Ward I; Melissa Kay, Ward I; David Larsen, Ward II; Lance Johnson, Ward III; and Darla Reppe, Ward, III. When Mayor Glas called for agenda approval, Councilman Lance Johnson was AWOL and Linda Talbott was not present and from conversation in the hallway it appears Finance Officer Jurrens and Mayor Glas were aware these folks were not going to be present or had been put off with a whisper of-needing-a-notice-of-vacancy published. Interesting? You betch yer sweet bippy!
I saw the agenda item #2 entry and wondered at Ms. Talbott’s inclusion in the Oath of Office Administration because there was no notice of vacancy for Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom-Lyle’s Ward I seat. On Monday, May 7, 2018, I visited Alcester Union-Hudsonite publisher Shane Hill, asking him if the paper had published a notice of vacancy advertisement because I could not find any notice of vacancy in the paper. He checked his emails from Finance Officer Jurrens and found only the notice of vacancy received in January 2018 for publication January 18, 2018, and January 25, 2018, well in advance of the February 23, 2018, deadline for return of nomination petitions. That last-minute comment about notice-of-vacancy just prior to the start of council meeting makes my paranoid self wonder, had my seat belt even been clicked into place at the news office before Finance Officer Jurrens was given the heads up, she was found out! H-m-m
After I returned home from my visit with Publisher Hill, I remembered chit-chat immediately prior to the April 2, 2018, council meeting this was Councilwoman Sundstrom-Lyle’s last meeting and because Finance Officer Jurrens had announced in an earlier March meeting there would be no city election, I presumed Councilwoman Sundstrom-Lyle had resigned. That begged the questions
why no notice of vacancy and how was it Ms. Talbott’s name appeared on the agenda to be administered the oath of office?
I telephoned Mrs. Sundstrom-Lyle asking if she had resigned, she told me, “…no she had just run out her term of office…” So that left the only other legal option for Ms. Talbott’s name on the agenda for Oath of Office was Ms. Talbott presented a nomination petition. by deadline.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, I delivered in-person a FOIA to the City of Alcester requesting a copy of the nomination petition presented to Finance Officer Jurrens before the deadline of February 23, 2018. Just in case, I also presented a simple form statement which stated that Finance Officer Pat Jurrens could not provide the requested election petition because_____which was to be filled out by Finance Officer Jurrens including her signature and date. Upon my presentation of the FOIA, Finance Officer Jurrens told me Ms. Talbott had not presented a nominating petition so she (Finance Officer Jurrens) could not honor my FOIA. I presented her the denial of FOIA document and asked her to please fill it out, sign and date it. After Finance Officer Jurrens asked the question, “why would I (FO Jurrens) do that…?”, I replied it was a denial condition of the FOIA and at which point she complied.
So folks, another shining, troubling example of half-Glas’d, government! Ms. Talbott DID NOT fill out a nominating petition, Ms. Talbott DID NOT submit a nominating petition prior to the February 23, 2018, deadline, Ms. Talbott was NOTappointed by Mayor Glas IN OPEN city council meeting, Ms. Talbott was NOTratified by the Alcester City Council in OPEN city council meeting, so how in bloody Hades can she be administered an oath of office. This begs the question,
Did the Alcester City Council Know?
Did Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Jurrens deliberately keep this information from the Alcester City council?
Why would the council knowingly approve an agenda (if they read it in advance) they knew to be in error?
Why didn’t the council ask questions why Ms. Talbott was not present? (00:00:15)
The Agenda was approved unanimously, five ayes without question or discussion.
Agenda Item #5- Alcester Bar. The great stool discussion would be funny if it was not your and my tax dollars being wasted on Madam Woolworth. It appears the City of Alcester is subsidizing the Deems with tax dollars to the detriment and direct competition with other three Alcester City liquor sellers. (00:02:30)
The was a prolonged discussion of should we (taxpayers) pay for stools, shouldn’t we (taxpayers) pay for stools, what kinds of stools, should we buy two-part stools, should they swivel, should they not swivel and if we get stools that don’t swivel how are the bar belles going to stay on their stools. Seat-belts? The great stool debate, are ya kidding me? Oh I know, “Let’s buy elevated versions of ‘them speshal’ office chairs they got in the Alcester finance office!” Ya know one of ‘them’ chairs with them bouncy balls instead of ‘reglar’ seats, so’s to take pressure off the brain?” Why them ol’ bartenders could tell for ‘sartin’ they over-served a customer ’cause that ol’ bar beau or bar belle couldn’t stay on the stool. ‘Cause you know in the past Madam seemed ‘to think’ our police officers were Uber drivers and 911 was the Uber ‘quik’ call number!
Not once has the council asked for the financials of the Deems on what they had spent on bar upkeep unlike their stiff, rooster legged reaction to Agenda Item #7 in the new council session (00:17:30). Ya sure don’t see the council getting testy about Madam coming to them on a regular basis with her hand out, hollerin’, ‘hey buddy can ya spare a dime?’ an’ ladies and gents, Madam sure doesn’t mean ten cents!
Agenda Item #6-Planning and Zoning Hearing. The gallery had questions on parking on the grass, no longer a light industrial class, and once again the great semantic corrugated debate. (00:24:30) Mayor Glas arguing the metal roof on house were not corrugate and that galvanized was a kind of metal. I pointed out corrugation was process much like extrusion which shapes the steel, copper or aluminum sheets into stronger and ascetically attractive roofing. I also explained to Mayor Glas that galvanization was a secondary process to metal. (00:26:12) Changes to wording were discussed and handed off to the planning committee to correct the wording. One word here, the council seemed inclined to half-glas’d the issue with the wording on a case-by-case basis. Translation: ifwe like you, if you’re our good ‘bud’, or if your nose is placed between our posteriors and the big, inflated, bouncy ball of my office chair, I will find in your favor.
Agenda Item #2-Oath of Office The Oath of Office was administered to Councilwoman Melissa Kay, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, and Councilman David Larsen.
Agenda Item #5-Public Input
Derek Lykken asked, “… how people were expected to know when the city council met and how they could find out about city business…” Council responses to Mr. Lykken’s questions were via the internet (?), the front door of the auditorium, and the city offices.
Mike Kezar asked the question, “in the event of the mayor’s (non-voting member) absence and the president of the council (voting member of the council) took the meeting over, did the president of the council retain his vote while he was presiding in the absence of the mayor and what would happen in the event of a tie. Council members just looked at each other in confusion. It had been practiced, in the council president’s position as mayor pro tem in the mayor’s absence, he would not have a vote with the exception of a tie. Per Roberts Rules, “…The chair cannot, however, vote twice, first to make a tie and then give the casting vote…”
I distributed documents as to procedure for the ‘special assessment’ aka the curb tax with which we were served. According the South Dakota Municipal League’s, Guide to Special Assessments the city must include certain information to the property owners.
In my opinion Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Jurrens office half- Glas’d the municipal checkbook and budget by failing to observe the restriction on the second penny sales tax which protected the property tax paying residents of Alcester from municipal pick-pockets.
Agenda Item #7 – Alcester Fire Department request. This agenda item dealt with the Alcester Volunteer Fire Department’s request for additional funding support to the fire department for five of the department’s volunteers to go to Fire School. The question was raised how much do we give the Fire Department, where do they spend their money, do we have financial statements from the Fire Department. We need financial statements from the Fire Department. It seemed to me the council was under the delusion the Fire Department could exist nicely on the stipend the city was providing to them. Finance Officer Pat Jurrens again played the seventh council member by injecting her opinion that she had suggested several fund-raising options to Chief Kast and expressed her irritation at his response to her suggestions. (00:15:56)
Agenda Item #8(c)-Slide (pool) discussion. It is to be noted here the free slide being offered by Beresford is a mobile (on wheels) contraption and the pool for safety reasons needs to be roped off at the point of drop in order to protect swimmers in the water from the body dropping off the slide. What I see is one more toy the city is going have to store because it was not appropriate for our pool size and design. The other question is WHY did Beresford permanently remove this slide from their pool?
Agenda Item #10 (b)(f) – Police Department. Two things under this agenda item, first in spite of Mayor Glas’ penchant of Executive session/personnel the council proceeded to discuss in open session Officer Nelson’s Resignation, Certification Reimbursement, how much he should pay, how long he had to pay it back and possible garnishment of his wages (01:30:47) including reference to a former officer Tim Peete. BIG NO-NO.
Secondly the discussion of police officer interviews. A young candidate was present to schedule an interview because she was going to be out of the state at the time of interviews. Chief Doty’s plan was to interview prospective officer candidates and submit his pared-down choices for council interview. Unfortunately Police Chief Doty was called away prior to the meeting which ultimately became Mayor Glas, Finance Officer Jurrens and certain council members opening for aggressive micro-management of the police department. The group was busy making arrangements to interview all 8 or so candidates and then let Chief Doty know what their choice was. (01:46:26)
Agenda Item #10 (f)(2)-Set date for Special Police Meeting.
Meeting was set for May 21, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #12 (a)1-6 – Renovating the auditorium. Finance Officer Jurrens wants to put in new carpeting, new tile, stalls and flooring in the men’s room downstairs. There was talk of ADA compliant changes, yo how are those folks ADA gonna get down those steps? Duh?
Agenda Item #12 (b) – Lifeguards. A discussion took place about the hiring of Ms. Abby Walth as lifeguard. Councilman David Larsen moved to hire Ms. Walth at minimum wage, at which point Councilman Larsen asked FO Pat Jurrens the minimum wage amount per hour, FO Jurrens replied, “$8.81/hour” AMAZING The South Dakota minimum wage of $8.85/hour took effect on January 1, 2018. Another half-Glas’d job of disseminating important inFOrmation Councilwoman Darla Reppe seconded the motion, NO DISCUSSION and the council voted unanimous to hire Abby Walth at $8.81/per hour. Now the council is going to have a ‘DO-OVER!’ so Abby will be paid the proper wage. (02:23:27) So how many other minimum wage city employees have been short-paid since January 1, 2018?
Agenda Item #12(f)-Executive session. PERSONNEL 1-25-2.1 Go figure!
Well of course! Executive session began at 8:33 p.m. and ended at 9:08 p.m.
Agenda Item #12(h) – Set July meeting date.
Date for the regular Alcester Council meeting was changed from July 2, 2018, to July 10, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #17 Executive Session-PersonnelAGAIN!
Evidently the council was not done bashing personnel. The past four to five years council have gone into Executive council more times in two months that previous councils went into Executive session in four years barring a lawsuit session. Check the minutes see for yourselves how many executive sessions and how many times it was for PERSONNEL!
Council went into closed session for ‘personnel’ at 9:22 p.m. and back in open session at 9:35 p.m.
Immediately after opening the session and before the gallery could get back into the room, Mayor Glas appointed Councilwoman Melissa Kay to the Public Safety Committee. I did not hear the entire appointment because I was just approaching and entering the room and only caught part of the action. Since it did not appear on the agenda, I legitimately questioned the ‘appointment’ and received some short, terse, and snarky replies that it was for a committee appointment. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, YOU did not do the patiently waiting gallery the courtesy of allowing them back into the room and seated before you resumed business, effectively maintaining closed meeting because the public was not yet present in the room!
Motion to Adjourn
MEETING WAS ADJOURNED APPROXIMATELY 9:40 P.M.
Note: Certain council actions just after the council comes back into session from closed session are not always captured on camera. Upon the executive session declared, I remove my camera from its tripod taking it with me into the hallway. Upon the executive session declared back in open session, I return and re-attach the camera back to the tripod. A process which sometimes takes moments of council time that is not recorded.
“Never pick a fight with someone who has bull-dogged determination, a video camera and a blog with followers”
(Inspired by the quote (“Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel” Sometimes attributed to Mark Twain, sometimes called Greener’s law but has been attributed to Congressman Charles Brownson, Indiana (R) ca 1964)
Oh Mikey you so do whine.
You cry ‘n’ whine, ’cause you can’t read a speed sign.
Hey Mikey!
Hey Mikey you do whine,
‘Cause you can’t handle that which you must mind.
Hey Mikey!
Hey Mikey cruisin’ like you own the town,
You think you’ve got the right, I think you got it wrong,
Curfew’s is sounding the final tone,
Hey Mikey time to go home!
Oh Mikey, what pity you don’t understand,
commas aren’t to be sprinkled like salt from a facebook can.
Oh Mikey it’s so plain,
Your lack of respect for younger students is such a shame!
Hey Mikey you came uninvited to my driveway convention.
But when I asked your name, YOUrefused to mention.
Hey Mikey you do cry and whine,
‘Cause you can’t handle home truths at any time.
Yeah Mikey
Hey Mikey you really do whine,
About being forced to drive the numbers on the sign.
Oh Mikey can’t you understand?
If you kill a child you, you’ll have blood on your hands.
Hey Mikey you’ll do time, just ’cause you think you don’t have to obey the sign!
People try to live within their income so they can afford to pay taxes to a government that can’t live within its income.”
(Robert Half)
As the property-owning folks of Alcester city have recently found, Mayor Tom Glas and his minion FO Pat Jurrens have found a way to rob the poor to give to the incompetently managed Alcester city budget!
January 2006, a restricted second penny sales tax went into effect:
This second penny sales tax was restricted to be, “…earmarked, set aside, and restricted to the funding of Capital Improvements within and for the City of Alcester, Union County, South Dakota.
Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Pat Jurrens ignored this ordinance so they could take moneys from the restricted second penny sales tax for equipment.
Now they have redirected the second penny sales tax to fund equipment purchases;
created a special assessment at a rate of $1.00 per frontage foot
failed to specify in detail the need and scope of the project for which the funds are needed (proposed resolution of necessity) Proposed Resolution of Necessity
Since it appears the finance officer failed to follow the musts in this document, it is my belief the resolution for special assessment is void!
Contact the Alcester City Mayor Tom Glass 934-2188, Contact Alcester Finance Officer Pat Jurrens at 934-2851 or your Ward representative and give them your opinion of their special assessment!
“In levying taxes and in shearing sheep it is well to stop when you get down to the skin”
“Never pick a fight with someone who has bull-dogged determination, a video camera and a blog with followers”
Inspired by the quote (“Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel” Sometimes attributed to Mark Twain, sometimes called Greener’s law but has been attributed to Congressman Charles Brownson, Indiana (R) ca 1964)
In answer to your question Major Rubber Ducky and boys:
2014 Revised Municipal Ordinances of the City of Alcester, South Dakota
Title 5-Offenses
Chapter 5.01-Offenses Against Public Welfare
sub sect. 5.0103,
(B) Makes unreasonable noise;
(C) Operates amplified sound equipment at an unreasonable high volume.
and
Chapter 5.04 – Minors
5.0401-Imposed. It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen years to be on or present upon any streets, avenue, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds or place of amusements or entertainment, or places of business or vacant lots in the City before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. or any days of the week, unless minor is accompanied by his parent, guardian or other adult person having the care or custody of such minor.
5.0402-Parents and Guardians not to Permit Violations. It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the legal care or custody of any minor under seventeen years of age to allow or permit such minor, while in such legal care, custody or control, to go or be in or upon any of the places and during the hours set forth in Section 5.0401.
There was a convention in my driveway Friday afternoon, and just everybody was there! There was the driver of a white extended cab truck, the driver of a Suburban and the driver of a red pick-up all eager to share a piece of their mind with little ol’ me with two of them making hysterical utterances to the effect, “…we are tired of you and your camera…just move away…leave…we have had it with you…b****” In explanation, they were perturbed I had taken pictures of their vehicles. This photo shoot was the result of a pattern of student driving behaviors exhibited on Lincoln Drive lately. As I explained at length to these young men, the purpose of the photos was for exclusion purposes.
⇑
I thanked them for the information they shared as to the identity of the culprit. At which point Major Jock Ego rolled up in his “black sedan” and let me tell you he was no friendly stranger. Inserting himself into the discussion by walking onto my property without invitation, running his mouth the whole distance from the street to where we were talking.
Major Jock Ego attempted to school me on what I could and could not do with the my photos and videos, dispensing his quasi legal opinions like condoms in a 1950’s gas station bathroom on prom night. I told him his opinion was not relevant to the incident of the day and at that point in time he was not a party to the action. Young Major Jock Ego continued to insert himself into the situation which had nothing to do with him, by relieving his constipated cerebral colon with an expletive laden, diarrheal diatribe. He closed with the threat he and his friends were going to continue their “pattern of behavior” (my term not his) and my neighbors would be angry with me for exposing them to Major Jock Ego’s “thuggery” (again my term). When I had no reaction, young Major Jock Ego finished up with a nanner-nanner type response of, “I’m telling my Dad on you!” I told him be my guest! The convention moved to another location off my property.
About 30-40 minutes later, here come da convoy with the Major Rubber Ducky in the lead with his red pick-up, camper shell in the box and sporting ‘speschal’ fire department plates on the bumper. These ol’ boys rolled down my street and parked at the curb. Major Rubber Duck bailed out of the cab with Flo Nightin’gown poppin’ out the passenger door like a Genie out-of-a-gin-bottle, running her mouth like a trollop on the dock-of-the-bay and Major Jock Ego trippin’ over himself a-tryin’ to keep up behind mommy’s skirts! They were joined by Larry, Curly, Mo and Mikey. Mikey is what I would characterize as a ‘Cartoon Cling-on” to the group with his gun-metal grey Sheep and dark ‘shades’.
After 15 minutes of opening remarks by Major Rubber Ducky and his convoy, I came to the conclusion that a little blue-ing might help ease Major Rubber Ducky’s high blood pressure and keep the street clean of the male bovine fecal run-off emanating from Mama Gutterlip. I called 911.
Poor Police Chief Doty hung his head when he came upon Major Rubber Ducky, his driveway dilettantes and me. Chief Doty spoke to Major Rubber Ducky, the dilettantes, Major Jock Ego and Flo Nightin’gown in the street behind the bushes. I walked down my yard and into the street behind the grey hemi sheep to get the license number, boy howdy did that upset lil Mikey. Once I had the plate number, I headed back to my driveway where I stood waiting to speak to Chief Doty.
Chief Doty came for my account of the afternoon’s activities and after hearing my account he headed back to talk to Major Rubber Ducky. Major Rubber Ducky wanted to speak with Chief Doty and myself to work something out which worked right up until Major Rubber Ducky opened his mouth and said, “…If you shut down your blog, I (Major Rubber Ducky) will ‘talk’ to the boys.”
So Major Rubber Ducky are you the leader of the pack, have you sir Rubber Ducky been encouraging these boys in their bad behavior?
My answer to shutting down my blog was an emphatic ‘No”. A few more exchanges between Major Rubber Ducky, Chief Doty and myself which were interrupted by the strident cacophony of Flo Nightin’gown and Major Jock Ego with all the regularity of a metronome set to 6/8 time.
Major Rubber Ducky asked what I would do, “…if he parked a vehicle in the street in front of my house… if he parked several vehicles in the street in front of my house?…” I told Major Rubber Ducky, “it is a public street!” Then Major Jock Ego came strolling up to us and made the statement in front of Chief Doty, “If you (me) do not take down your blog… you (me) can expect more…” meaning a continuation of the pattern of behavior “some” high school boys had recently been dealing out on Lincoln Drive.
I want to emphasize it is only a handful of students behaving in this manner. I would caution these students. If you exhibit this behavior on school time, you could be thrown off the team and/or expelled. If you are on your own time, you could be charged depending on what you do with a misdemeanor, a serious misdemeanor or as much as a felony. And contrary to your comment Major Jock Ego, Police Chief Chris Doty and Officer Dylan Nelson should be referred to as such and not as Chris and Dylan. You Major Jock Ego are NOT their familiar! Also your confidence in your statement that Chris and Dylan won’t do anything to you if you break the law, is foolhardy!
I would like to go back and touch on a couple of subjects introduced by comment in the April 2, 2018, regular city council meeting.
First, regarding the establishment of an official city website I wrote,
“…Madam Finance Officer it fell to you (then Councilwoman Jurrens) who voted on the website to act upon the ratification of that council vote and later when you were appointed as Alcester Finance Officer it became your duty to work at or cause to be implemented the establishment the official city website as voted by the representatives of the people of Alcester! …”
According to a source present during the discussions of that website, it was very much a priority to establish an official city website. So contrary to Finance Officer Jurrens answer and comment to Councilwoman Melissa Kay during the April 2, 2018, meeting (00:20:28, April 2, 2018, video), “…lack of…I was a councilwoman…later took the (Finance Officer) job…was learning the job…was not on the priority list for 2015…” The website issue was brought to the council’s attention in the February 3, 2014, meeting under Agenda Item #6-city employees. According to my notes, a pricing quote was presented to the city in the amount of $1375.00 first year. This fee included a one-time set-up domain with a $450.00 annual fee with links for Alcester Golf Course, School, Chamber, etc. An additional fee for photo slide shows and design change $595 minimum charge. It was decided to make this question an agenda item for the next meeting, March 3, 2014.
So counting the February 3, 2014, discussion one meeting, the March 3, 2014, agenda item as a second meeting in which an official city website was discussed and in which meeting there was a motion to move forward with the website and approved unanimously.
I fail to see how two meetings worth of discussion and action by the city council could possibly drop off the Priority List!
Touching briefly on Pat Jurrens movement from Councilwoman to Finance Officer goes like this since her appointment in or around 2010-2011, Councilwoman Pat Jurrens was routinely critical of how the finance office was operating (mirroring her attitude toward and her treatment of the former Alcester City legal representative Chuck Haugland), never mind Councilwoman Jurrens had no experience, expertise or even training in the job of finance officer. In the May 2014 meeting Mayor Rick Johnson provisionally appointed Mike Kezar to Finance Officer until September 1, 2014, at an annual salary of $38K +/-. The Alcester official paper advertised the vacancy of Alcester Finance Officer. In the June 2, 2014, regular meeting Mayor Johnson called Agenda Item #25 executive session to review the finance officer applications, the door of the council room door barely snicked shut when Mayor Johnson promptly called the council out of executive session offering Councilwoman Pat Jurrens the position of Finance Officer at a training salary of$40K. Mayor Johnson added insult to injury by instructing Finance Officer Kezar at his salary of $38K to instruct and train neophyte Jurrens whose ‘training salary’ was $40K.
Now folks an official website allows people who are interested in Alcester to see what we have, how our city is run, what our ordinances are and are we a city in which they might want to visit, live or invest. An official website is a promotional tool for the city of Alcester. An official city website promotes the city like the Chamber of Commerce should. Oh that is correct the 2017 President of the Chamber of Commerce is, Pat Jurrens. Folks the purpose of the chamber is to promote the city, it’s retail, it’s industries and its people. SO Pat Jurrens, the 2017 Alcester Area Chamber President AND the Alcester City Finance Officer DOES NOT CONSIDERan official Alcester city website a priority? Mayor Glas DOES NOT CONSIDERan official Alcester City website a priority?
Second, the discussion on corrugate metal roofs. Now in the April 2, 2018, regular meeting Mayor Glas reveling in his ‘expertise’ undertook the task of educating me on the definition of corrugated metal. (00:41:58). I repeat Mayor Glas, the definition of corrugated metal quite simply put is, metal sheeting which has been extruded (if you will) with a texture of ridges and grooves which provide strength to the metal sheet. Copper, aluminum and stainless steel are the most commonly available corrugated metals and Mayor Glas, these corrugated metals are recognized as an excellent form of residential roofing.
Mayor Glas, I did some traveling today and lookee, lookee what I found. I found some corrugated metal roofs! Ya know the one at 308 Iowa which looks across the street at two other corrugated roofs. Are ya telling these folks, your neighbors if something happens to their roof they cannot replace their corrugated metal roof? Another question concerning the corrugated metal roofing, what is the rule-of-thumb on covering old shingled roofs with corrugated metal roofing?
LET YOUR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE KNOW YOUR OPINION!
Once again Mayor Glas failed to open the meeting properly (00:00:15), he just announced it’s time, let’s say the pledge and so the April 2, 2018, regular meeting of the Alcester City Council began with the presence of Mayor Glas, Councilman David Larsen, Councilman Lance Johnson, Councilman Dan Haeder, Councilwoman Melissa Kay, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom-Lyle, Councilwoman Darla Reppe, City Attorney Tom Frieberg and his colleague Sam Nelson of Beresford.
The council unanimously and with no discussion approved the agenda and minutes of the March 5th regular city council meeting and the March 19th Special/ Equalization meeting with no changes or corrections.
Agenda Item #5-Alcester Bar/Theresa Deem After a far too short respite Madam Woolworth has returned with her hand out to the Alcester taxpayers wallet. It seems her stools are over-stapled, ‘tipsy’ and because, “…a lot of heavier people are sitting on them…” (00:01:50) she is afraid her stools cannot handle the ‘loads’ placed upon them and Madam, “don’t want nobody gettin’ hurt…”. Madam wants new stools at what she speculates to be $100-$150 a ‘plop’.
The council discussed Madam’s conundrum and none of the current council members had an idea of past council practices as it related to Madam Woolworth. In the past lease agreements, Deem Enterprises, LLC, managing member Theresa Deem affixed her signature to the Lease and Operating Agreement acknowledging her responsibilities as lessee under
Title XI REPAIRS – Page 5, “Operator (Theresa Deem) shall maintain the building premises and any improvements, additions or alterations thereto in a good, safe and substantially similar condition existing at the commencement of this Lease and Operating Agreement…Operator shall also, at her own cost and expense, put, and maintain in thorough repair and in good, safe, and substantial order and condition…Operator shall be responsible for all repairs of equipment…”
So when Madam, ‘re-tires’ from the bar, she can take her stools and ‘sit on them’ and save the city money spent hauling them away. The city needs to sell the bar building, get that Central Business property back on the tax rolls and stop the hemorrhage of cash spent to ‘float’ Madam’s booze boat. I believe Madam’s monthly lease went up to $1300 last operating agreement so she pays the $1300 then holds her right hand out for $1200-$3000 for ‘stools’. Where is our records custodian? Finance Officer Jurrens is the custodian of city records and she didn’t know to look at the Lease and Operating Agreement for the obligations and restrictions of the parties to the Lease? By-the-way have the Lease terms and Conditions named Title XIX, Title XXV and Title XXVI been complied with by the Deems and been verified by the city for 2018?
It was still early for the scheduled Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Seal Coat Bid Opening and Mr. Jones representing Alcester Townhouse Apartments was not yet present so the Mayor Glas called Public Input.
Agenda Item #9-Public Input was called. I responded. Prior to the meeting I provided the council members with a re-presentation of documents I presented to them in Public Input on June 5, 2017, and to which they failed to respond. Highlighted on the document was the establishment of an official city website on March 3, 2014, which included the members who made the motion, the members who voted aye which included the Alcester Councilwoman Pat Jurrens and Rick Johnson was Mayor.
This time there was a discussion but the discussion was a little troubling. Councilwoman Darla Reppe asked the question, “…are we required to have an official website?”(00:19:33) Finance Officer Pat Jurrens responded (00:20:33), “…as long as (minutes) are published in paper”
(SDCL 1-25-1.1 “…Also, if the public body has its own website, the notice must be posted on the public body’s website upon dissemination of the notice…The notice must be delivered in person, by mail, by email, or by telephone to all local news media who have asked to be notified…” and SDCL 1-27-1.17 “requires that draft minutes of public meetings must be made available to the public at the principal place of business for the public body within ten business days after the meeting (or made available on the website for the public body within five business days…”))
Councilwoman Reppe since you were not present at the March 3, 2014, council meeting when that council decision was made and along with your lack of gallery presence at subsequent Alcester City Council meetings until the evening of your interview and appointment as Ward III representative which could have bolstered your insight into how our municipalities operate, I understand your global ignorance of council procedures and how our municipality operates. Yeah Councilwoman Reppe and Finance Officer Jurrens, we are required because a previous council approved the official Alcester website and provided for taxpayer moneys to be used! Madam Finance Officer it fell to you (then Councilwoman Jurrens) who voted on the website to act upon the ratification of that council vote and later when you were appointed as Alcester Finance Officer it became your duty to work at or cause to be implemented the establishment the official city website as voted by the representatives of the people of Alcester! What were those definitions again, mal-feasance, mis-feasance and non-feasance as it relates to councilwoman oath/duty and finance officer job performance? Mayor Glas you have thrice been apprised of the website situation and you failed to enact the website directive. You have the duty to carry out that council vote once you were made aware of the website vote, failure to implement and proof of vote! Are you aware Mayor Glas of those definitions of mal-feasance, mis-feasance and non-feasance as they apply to your failure to act? On March 3, 2014, Alcester Councilwoman Kama Johnson moved to establish an official city website, Alcester Councilman Mike Burke made the second to the motion and Councilman David Larsen, Councilman Steve Johannsen, Councilman Mark Dykstra and Councilwoman Pat Jurrens voted unanimously to establish an official city website! Period! Councilman Dan Haeder responded, “…verify with legal if we have to have a website…vote not relevant to a past council…requirements…?” (00:21:04) So with all due respect Councilman Haeder if we drag our feet long enough, prior decisions of the council are automatically repealed by sitting council declaration? Is that what you are saying? So what is the time frame, a month, several months, a year? How long before we can ignore votes of the current council? I know ‘we the people’ can already refer, initiate or just move to compel compliance but how long must we wait to come up to an acceptable or widely practiced standard, a website?
Another part of my documentation to the city council was a formal complaint made on June 1, 2017, regarding the roll-off container with flammable materials located at 102 E Second Street violating Fire Code 2803.2, 2808.1, 2808.5, 2809.1, 5904.2, 5904.2.1, Alcester Municipal Code 3.0102E and 6.0212. I have had no response from Code Enforcement Officer Fillingsness or the city of Alcester. I have heard from other sources Finance Office has been saying, “…the city sidewalk in front of the bank doesn’t have the same restrictions as the residential sidewalks…” BALONEY! I have also heard reports of comments to the effect that, “…well if they make an effort to clean it up… it is discretionary…” BALONEY! Violations are violations, Period! It makes no difference whether it is the Alcester Tire and Service place (2015-CDBG Loan $15,000.00-Teri Metcalf) or the assistant finance officer’s son-in-law who is operating light industrial in the central business zone. Nepotistic discretion or Chamber discretion hold weight? Too many years of, “…it’s on our radar…” allowed a older gentleman by the name of Andrew to perpetrate a municipal nightmare. Well gents, your radar ain’t pingin’ right! Maybe, just maybe, that pingin’ on your radar is a UFO or UCO. Ya know one of them there Un-responsive Finance Officer or Un-responsive Code Officer zippin’ around the grid.
During Public Input I also addressed the Planning and Zoning revision noting the district map had an error on it, as well as and I addressed pages 23 and 32 which dealt with the construction materials. These pages prohibited corrugated metal, “…corrugated metal is not a permitted roofing material…”. NOTE: Both the 01/29/2018 nor the 04/02/2018 draft of the Planning and Zoning Revisions fail to define corrugated metal. Mayor Glas reveling in his ‘expertise’ undertook the task of educating me on the definition of corrugated metal. (00:41:58) Mayor Glas the definition of corrugated metal quite simply put is, metal sheeting which has been extruded (if you will) with a texture of ridges and grooves which provide strength to the metal sheet. Copper, aluminum and stainless steel are the most commonly available corrugated metals and Mayor Glas, these corrugated metals are recognized as an excellent form of residential roofing (corrugatedmetalroofing.net) so endeth the lesson Mayor Glas. Several Alcester residential homes have corrugated metal roofs, drive down Lincoln Drive some time Mayor. By-the-way check out the pot holes in the street while you are at it! In addition I told the council the Planning and Zoning revision failed to recognise and/or deal with global solar roofs and panels. It is easier to fix omissions in an ordinance update before the printing than after the printing and ratification.
Agenda Item #8-Alcester Townhouse Apartments-Dennis Jones At the conclusion of public input, Mr. Dennis Jones had arrived and his agenda item was moved up in the line-up. Mr. Jones was present to address a Property Maintenance Complaint on the property located at 101 SD Hwy 11. The property violates Property Maintenance Code and has done so for quite some time. Mr. Jones had voiced his concerns in the past with no action taken and he was concerned because he had seen a posting that the business was going to start taking used oil and batteries. So if the business is going to be put up for sale (per a 01-09-2018 Facebook posting) when will the property be cleaned up? The CDBG Loan balance due $10,377.05 to Teri Metcalf appears to be the same as Alcester Tire and Service?
Agenda Item #7-Open seal coat bids. The city received three bids for seal coat select streets in Alcester. Bid criteria was 20,000 square yards of CRS-2P to be put in place between June 15, 2018, and September 1, 2018.
Councilman Lance Johnson moved to accept the bid from Road Guys at $1.75/square yard of CRS-2P based upon 20,000 square yard purchase. Second by Julia Sundstrom-Lyle and a unanimous vote x 6 aye ratification.
Agenda Item #6-Planning Commission Public Hearing Upon the arrival of Mr. Patrick Andrews SECOG representative, the Planning Commission Public Hearing commenced. Discussions involving the telecommunication towers addition to the Planning and Zoning document, semantics discussion of appropriate use and conditional use definitions.
Councilman Dan Haeder moved to approve the first reading of the April 2, 2018, revision of the Alcester Planning and Zoning Regulations, with the second to his motion coming from Councilman David Larsen. No further discussion followed and vote was called with a unanimous X 6 Aye vote, affirming and ratifying the First Reading of the April 2, 2018, Alcester Planning and Zoning Regulation Revision.
Councilman Lance Johnson moved to set the Second reading of the April 2, 2018, Alcester Planning and Zoning Regulation Revision on the May 7, 2018, regular meeting agenda of the Alcester City Council (I presume under old business) with the second to Councilman Johnson’s motion from Councilwoman Darla Reppe, with no further discussion the vote was called with a unanimous X 6 Aye vote.
Agenda Item #10-City Employee Updates-Street Department-Pool Lonnie Johnson of the Alcester street department gave an update on asphalt repairs and requested a concrete pad be poured near the city shop to control water flow down grade away from the building. Concrete slab would be .5 X 16 X 30 with rebar reinforcement requiring 9.778 cubic yards of concrete. Bid from Larsen Construction was $2203.20. Councilman Lance Johnson moved to approve the project and the Larson Construction Bid of $2203.20 with a second to his motion coming from Councilwoman Darla Reppe and with no further discussion the vote was called with the council voting unanimously X 6 Aye.
Swimming pool issue was called with input from Councilwoman Melissa Kay and Councilman Dan Haeder on the opinion poll. Since the criteria of the original opinion poll changed with the advent of the notification from Beresford on the possibility of Alcester acquiring their projected surplus pool slide making the opinion poll irrelevant and redundant the council addressed the purchase of a diving board. Councilwoman Melissa Kay moved to purchase the diving board as presented by MCR at the quoted cost, the second came from Councilman David Larsen and with no further discussion the vote was called with the council voting unanimous X 6 Aye to approve the purchase of the diving board.
The slide issue was put off in order to gather more information about the slide. Unfortunately when I searched for Seawave model by Aqua Thrill, I found the domain name was lapsed and Seawave was now listed under Lincoln Aquatics and the Seawave model is a portable slide. In addition the criteria for slide installation and operation was sketchy. Particularly the operational and safety aspects. I found the suggested rules listed below, some are common sense but others will not allow certain children on the apparatus.
WATER SLIDE RULES:
Make sure the slide is mounted per the manufacture recommended specs for the slide and the pool size.
Children younger than six years old and shorter than three feet tall should not use pool slides.
Don’t push or scuffle on the latter or stairs of the slide. Only one person on the ladder at a time.
Wait your turn. Do not try to slide until you see the child before your has cleared the slide land area or left the pool.
Don’t slide holding objects that can get caught on the slide and cause injury.
Only One person at a time should be on the slide.
Slide down feet first only.
Never apply oils or lotions to the slide.
Never throw anything at anyone on a pool slide.
SPECIAL NOTES AND RULES:
The splash down area in the swimming pool must be clearly separated from the general recreational pool with buoy lines if the pool is not a dedicated slide land pool. Additional methods of egress may be required if the pool is separated with a buoy line.
A lifeguard shall be on duty at the slide whenever it is in use. Where possible one (1) attendant shall be stationed at the top of the tower, and one lifeguard at the splashdown area.
Agenda Item #11-City Employee Updates Water/Wastewater- No report. Finance Officer Pat Jurrens announced that assistant finance officer Wanda Halverson was updating sewer rates.
Agenda Item 12-City Employee Updates-Police Chief Police Chief Doty gave a statistics update, mentioning a break-in at the bar. No update on a parking issue. Police Chief Doty did ask for an executive session regarding police personnel issues. Councilman Lance Johnson moved to go into executive session to discuss police department personnel issues, the second came from Councilwoman Melissa Kay and with no discussion the vote was called with the council vote X 6 unanimously Aye. The Council went into executive session at 7:22 p.m. At 7:35 p.m. the council was declared out of executive session. Upon which Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom-Lyle moved to send Police Chief Chris Doty to Police Chief Convention with the second coming from Councilwoman Melissa Kay, with no public discussion the vote was called with the council voting X 6 unanimously Aye to approve the motion.
Skipping down the agenda to Agenda Item 15- Fair Board Update– City Councilwoman Darla Reppe and secondary Alcester City Council Fair Board representative was absent from the March 19, 2018, Alcester City Council meeting which was the Equalization meeting. Councilwoman Reppe announced (01:34:12) in the April 2, 2018, regular meeting of the Alcester City Council she failed to represent her constituents in Ward III with her presence in the March 19, 2018, meeting because she felt it was more important to debunk rumors about the Union County Fair and was instead addressing the Lions Club on behalf of the Fair Board. WOW!
Councilman Lance Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting, second from Councilwoman Darla Reppe and with no discussion the question was called with a unanimous X 6 Aye vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Over the years living next to the elementary school in Alcester, it has been pleasant and no big issues with one exception. After school, the high school athletes travel the equivalent of 4 city blocks from the high school to the elementary school where the jocks and jills dress for practice and commence jogging back the way they came running, in some cases, a circuit of the town to warm up. All but one of those city blocks between the high school and the elementary school is school zone, 15 mph and is duly marked with 15 mph school zone signs wreathed in little bright lights.
In my experience, when the 3:00 p.m. dismissal bell rings at the high school, a handful of students take on the persona of drivers at Daytona after the call, “Gentlemen start your engines!” Four blocks away I can on a calm day, hear the roar of engines emanating from the high school parking lot and as I look out my window I can see cars pop up over the hill by the pool.
In the past a handful of student drivers have come screaming over sixth street eastbound, down Lincoln Drive and into the parking area by the locker rooms at the elementary school building. NOTE: most of this action is taking place while the elementary school is dismissing students into the bus loading area adjacent to the locker rooms. In addition, homeward bound elementary students are walking up the same Lincoln Drive these handful of self entitled jocks and jills are racing down.
When the lighted 15 mph signs went up and with obvious police presence, the jocks and jills did and do adhere to the 15 mph school zone speed limit. No police presence? All bets are off.
Over the 27 years I have lived on Lincoln Drive, I have witnessed this phenomena, filing formal complaints when the situation warranted it and appearing in court. The local officer cannot patrol everywhere at once. I am done with silence, so parroting a song lyric, “the witch is on the prowl”, I have a video camera which is ‘best evidence’ to dangerous behaviors.
On March 22, 2018, I witnessed a micro four-wheeler pop four wheelies from sixth street and down Lincoln Drive around 3:15 p.m. I did not have my camera set up, but after practice and on Master Micro Four Wheeler’s return trip up Lincoln Driver my camera was in place and the resulting video was sent to the police department.
On March 23, 2018, I witnessed a green DIY truck and red dodge racing down Lincoln Drive but alas my video card was processing. I immediately drove down to the school parking lot to confirm the vehicle license of the two offending culprits. As I walked toward the public entrance of the school I asked some passing students who owned the green truck, they said they didn’t know. However their memory must have miraculously improved when they passed through the locker room door, ’cause a couple moments later out rolls young JM, (Major Jock Ego for short) and demands to know why I was taking pictures of his truck. I told him I hadn’t taken pictures of his truck but I did record his truck license number. I asked him if he knew that the speed limit was 15 mph? Major Jock Ego answered,
“I have to drive faster to keep my truck running…”
Yup, honest onion that is what he said! Major Ego in the words of Mr. Sedaka,
“…it could’ve been me, But it was you, who went and bit off a little bit more than he could chew…”
So Major Jock Ego enjoy the video, apparently your truck WILL stay running at 15 mph. See those little white waypoints in the ground, they are 22 feet apart and if your little ol’ truck passes those way points in 1 second? You sir, are traveling at 15 mph. Oh by-the-way Major Ego, thank you for the suggestion of taking a picture of your truck, that was one fine idea!
On Monday, March 19, 2018, Mayor Glas waited until Councilman Lance Johnson wandered back into the council room, jumped up and announced the pledge. Really again? Alcester City Council members present and quorum; Councilman Dan Haeder, Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Melissa Kay, and Councilman Lance Johnson. Absent Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom-Lyle and city attorney representative. Action taken during any meeting that is not properly opened or has not been properly noticed could, if challenged, be declared null and void. It could even result in personal liability for members of the governing body involved, depending upon the action taken. It appears Mayor Glas does need cue cards!
Agenda Item #3 was called and with no corrections Councilman David Larsen moved to approve the agenda as presented with the second coming from Councilman Lance Johnson, no discussion and unanimous vote times 4 approved the agenda.
Agenda Item #4 has no appointments for review of valuations within the city limits of Alcester had been received or documented. It was noted Beresford would be going through a full evaluation in 2019, but it was unknown when Alcester would be going through a city-wide re-assessment. It was also noted the assessment logs were not in a logical order, making it difficult to locate certain properties. In addition it was noted certain properties with tax exempt status or there was a question of tax exempt status.
Agenda Item #5 Public Input. I asked the council if they were familiar with Beacon-Schneider which could provide property information by rolling over the city map. In addition, to the questions of tax exempt status can be obtained by review the entity name via the South Dakota Secretary of State website.
Agenda Item #6 Executive session Again another executive session for personnel. This is ONLY to discuss SPECIFIC employees, not whether the finance office needs another $10K spending money for yoga ball chairs. Executive session began at 6:07 p.m. and lasted until 6:27 p.m. Really 20 minutes to discuss what batteries to use in the Police department tasers?
NOTE: I must apologise here, a technical glitch (me not properly activating a button, ya’ll would think I would know how to push buttons by now). Immediately after entering the council room, placing the camera back onto the tripod and hitting the record button, I was engaged in entering the 6:27 p.m. time back in session and didn’t realise the camera was not activated. The council was called back into session, I just didn’t get the last two minutes of the meeting on video.
Agenda Item #7 was called with updates the Landfill would be Open Monday April 2, 2018, and Spring clean-u[ would commence on April 13, 2018 and run through April 29, 2018.
Agenda Item #8 Adjournment was called with a motion to adjourn coming from Alcester City Councilman Lance Johnson and the second from Alcester Councilwoman Melissa Kay, no discussion and a unanimous times 4 vote of aye. Alcester Equalization meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS APRIL 2, 2018, AT 6:00 p.m.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video with audio is priceless and it makes it tough to call me a liar-Vickie Larsen
On Monday, March 5, 2018, Mayor Tom Glas announced it was 6:00 p.m. let’s open the meeting. (video 00: 00:11). Really again? Alcester City Council members present; Councilman Dan Haeder, Councilman David Larsen, Councilwoman Julia Sundstrom-Lyle, Councilman Lance Johnson, Councilwoman Darla Reppe and Councilwoman Melissa Kay. Absent city attorney representative. Action taken during any meeting that is not open or has not been properly noticed could, if challenged, be declared null and void. It could even result in personal liability for members of the governing body involved, depending upon the action taken. (CONDUCTING THE PUBLIC’S BUSINESS IN PUBLIC, A guide to South Dakota’s Open Meetings Law (Revised Fall 2015),Prepared by representatives of the: S.D. Attorney General’s Office S.D. Municipal League Associated School Boards of S.D. S.D. Association of County Commissioners S.D. Association of County Officials S.D. Newspaper Association S.D. Broadcasters Association S.D. Association of Towns and Townships, Published by: South Dakota Newspaper Association 1125 32nd Ave. Brookings, SD 57006)
John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?”
Mayor Glas, here is an abbreviated script of calling a meeting to order, “Good evening! It’s 6:00 p.m. and I’d like to call the March 5, 2018, regular meeting of the Alcester City Council meeting to order.” You could have cue cards made and have someone hold up the appropriate card, whenever you need prompting.
Agenda Item #3-Approve the agenda– Mayor Glas upon calling for approval of agenda announced the meeting agenda once again needed to be amended by adding item (d) bid for chip sealing to Agenda Item #8. Once an agenda has been posted no changes can be made unless they are emergencies. Folks, chip sealing was already discussed in the February 5, 2018, regular meeting under City Employee updates under street updates referencing a collaboration with the city of Beresford. The February 5 agenda regular meeting agenda change of a one-time burn at the golf course was not an emergency nor was the chip sealing issue an emergency on the March 5 agenda regular meeting change. Agenda’s must be posted no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
SDCL 1-25-1.1.”Notice of meetings of public bodies other than the state and its boards, commissions, and departments–Violation as misdemeanor. All public bodies, except the state and each state board, commission, or department as provided in § 1-25-1.3, shall provide public notice, with proposed agenda, that is visible, readable, and accessible for at least an entire, continuous twenty-four hours immediately preceding any meeting, by posting a copy of the notice, visible to the public, at the principal office of the public body holding the meeting…”
Agenda Item #4-Approve minutes – Mayor Glas called the question to approve minutes, Councilwoman Darla Reppe moved to accept the minutes (as provided to the council by Finance Officer Pat Jurrens) Councilman David Larsen called for correction to the minutes. Councilman Larsen pointed out the regular city council meeting was held on Monday, February 5, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. not Sunday, February 4, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. In addition he pointed out the Masthead date on the city’s official paper, The Alcester Union-Hudsonite was inaccurate. The Masthead date showed the date of Thursday, February 18, 2018. February 18 was a Sunday not a Thursday. Please note here that Finance Officer Pat Jurrens failed to inform the council she did not have the correct date of the regular meeting, thereby allowing the council to approve an error. The council approved the corrected minutes of February 5, 2018.
Agenda Item #5-Public Input– I(Vickie Larsen) answered the call for public input. I pointed out the council had approved the Alcester Union-Hudsonite newspaper as the official city newspaper and published legal documents and notices with time sensitive dates. Any Masthead date errors such as the February 18, 2018, could have consequences regarding the time period to refer ordinances, resolutions and etc. For example the flowery prosy Extract of Minutes of Meeting of the City Common Council of City of Alcester, dear sweet Aunt Polly. In what archaic book of forms did the finance office find that one? This creative alliterative prose wasn’t drawn up by the former city attorney and I checked with the office of the new city attorney and they said they didn’t write this piece of ye olde prose (my words not theirs), so I must assume the finance office put on their round conical lawyer hat and ‘writ’ their own resolution. Now this resolution from the date of publication, February 18, 2018, we the people have 20 days to refer this assault on our collective wallets. Oh but February 18, 2018, was on a Sunday. I recommended the council confer with their legal counsel. After some discussion the council decided to contact the publisher of The Alcester Union-Hudsonite for a correction in the next issue of the newspaper which in my opinion could have the effect of adding another seven days on to the already three day late publish date. In other words, it could have the effect of adding another ten days in which to refer Ye olde sales tax revenue bond. I also recommended the Finance Officer indicate the whether the minutes were council approved or unapproved minutes. It is important for the citizens of Alcester to understand current practice has been to publish the unapproved minutes with any corrections MAYBE coming the month later publication of minutes and again in unapproved publication form!
Agenda Item #6 Road Safety Improvement Project DOT 929-08/2015 Joint Powers PH0020 (187) PCN-06JK – this involved sign replacements as translated by Finance Officer Pat Jurrens. The council was provided a copy of the contract required for participation in this project for replacing street signs. Alcester Finance Officer Pat Jurrens prefaced her explanation (video 00:08:35) with reference to the Alcester City Council of Four years ago took the line that they were unwilling to cover the liability of sign replacement if for some reason the signs were destroyed. H-m-m so who was on that council? Let’s see Mayor Rick Johnson, Mark Dykstra, Mike Burke, Kama Johnson, David Larsen and of course COUNCILWOMAN PAT JURRENS!
The story goes like this, “In the May 5, 2014, regular meeting of the Alcester City council…MAYOR RICK JOHNSON announced he signed up for ‘free street signs and wanted council permission to sign an agreement ASAP. Councilman Larsen and Councilman Dykstra asked to see the agreement since MAYOR RICK JOHNSON failed to share advance information with the council. Upon reading the city would be liable for the cost of materials and engineering if it didn’t maintain the signs and records. The council said NO! Given his responses to questions, it became clear MAYOR RICK JOHNSON failed to ‘read’ the agreement he was so anxious to sign because apparently he missed the payback clause and the cost of payback! WOW…”*
Imagine Finance Office Pat Jurrens ‘FORGOT’ all about her starring role as Alcester Councilwoman during that discussion. Imagine that! WATCH OUT FOR THE FO BUS BOYS! Mayor Glas and FO Pat want those street signs up to code and BY Golly Gummed Up catastrophe it NEEDS to be done! Now folks the council voted to approve this time but the scary thing is Councilman Lance Johnson voted to do the visual sign replacement with the second coming from Councilwoman Melissa Kay, discussion happened and the good folks realised they needed to amend the motion to allow Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Pat Jurrens to sign the document (presumably) WITHOUT presenting the final document to the council for approval. Watch video of this (video 00:23:51) Anyone have a problem with this scenario? We really want to trust a pair that have trouble getting the agenda right not once but at least twice. Or get the date of the regular city council meeting correct BEFORE putting it out for publication?
*Vickie A. Larsen, a View from the Gallery, published May 15, 2014, The Alcester Union-Hudsonite newspaper.
Agenda Item #7 Planning and Zoning– Set meeting for public hearing for the next council meeting on April 2, 2018, 6:15 p.m.
Agenda Item #8-Street Department – (c) parking on 4th street and feuding neighbors. Yup folks it is true. Finance Officer Pat brought up an incident where two parties were creating a bottleneck on a narrow street and FO Pat thought the city might need to another parking ordinance limiting parking on one side of the street only. ONE INCIDENT and she was questioning a need for an ordinance? Ya Kiddin’ me. Leave it to the police department!
Agenda Item #10-Police Department – Alcester Police Chief Chris Doty gave an update on department activities in the past month specifically referencing a mutual aid call to Beresford on the ‘trunk jumper’ in Beresford on Thursday, February 22, 2018. There was NO agenda item involving an Executive session for the Police Department. At the conclusion of Chief Doty’s updates, council members briefly talked among themselves with Councilman Lance Johnson asking, “… about that Thursday conversation with Chief Doty and whether it was common knowledge”, (video 01:02:25)Chief Doty replied, “no”. At which Councilman Dan Haeder moved to go into Executive session for personnel, the second came from Councilman Lance Johnson, council approved and Mayor Glas declared the council in Executive session and Pat Jurrens remained in the Executive session with the council. At this point Pat Jurrens has no privileged standing, therefore she should not be included in the Executive session unless she is the focus of allegations. Since Pat Jurrens is not a member of the Police Department she is not entitled to be a part of the discussion. If notes are required, the president of the council is called upon to take any session notes, not the city bookkeeper!
I QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL.
Alcester Councilman Lance Johnson asked about some information Chief Chris Doty shared with him on Thursday night. Councilman Lance Johnson asked the question, “IS THIS COMMON KNOWLEDGE?” If Councilman Lance Johnson is asking this question, it means a specific named employee of the city was not the focus of the Executive session! A Violation of Executive session!SDCL 1-25-2 allows a public body to close a meeting for the following purposes: 1) to discuss personnel issues pertaining to officers or employees;… Any official action based on discussions in executive session must, however, be made at an open meeting.”
Agenda Item 12 (h) Employee Updates-Finance Office – Executive session Now folks this generic Executive session operates as a JUST-IN-CASE-WE NEED-IT-EXECUTIVE-SESSION because as I explained above if it is not included on the agenda, it cannot happen! (i.e. the police department executive session).
Mayor Glas called Executive session agenda item, asking if anyone needed an Executive session. (video 01:36:28 ) Councilwoman Melissa Kay raised her hand and commented, ” I would like to discuss some things in the employee manual (waving what appeared to be the employee manual) and police manual…” Councilwoman Melissa Kay moved to go into Executive session to discussion personnel issues, second came from Councilman Dan Haeder. Vote Aye times 6. The council entered into Executive session at 7:56 p.m. and exited the session at 8:26 p.m.
I AGAIN QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL.
A Violation of Executive session!SDCL 1-25-2 allows a public body to close a meeting for the following purposes: 1) to discuss personnel issues pertaining to officers or employees; Specific employees or officers! First, any Employee Manual employee violation and any Police Manual violations cannot be dealt within ONE Executive session. VIOLATION It is not an appropriate discussion if employees should be allowed to take their PTO for illness to take care of children under school age when the spouse is sick. Or even when employees can or cannot take PTO, Leave or Comp time—NOT Executive session material. Second, the Police Manual in and of itself is not Executive session material valid. What cannot be discussed in open session is specific investigations or events.
Agenda Item #14-HRC UPDATE-Mayor Glas is upset ’cause the HRC committee said the little Beck Drive lot sign on SD Hwy 46 was ineffective and needed to be moved. I told the Mayor and council this some time ago. The rule of thumb in Highway advertising is the traveling speed on the highway, the number of seconds a person has to view the sign at that speed, eye or above eye level and complexity of the sign. One must KISS it for highway advertising. Keep the design simple, 3-5 second readability and eye level or above. The Beck drive sign on Highway 46 is down in the ditch, complex design and the lettering is so small one has to stand on the highway for full readability. Mayor Glas had already purchased the signs, they were a sittin’ in the basement for a year and by golly they needed to be put up and he finally got the job done. Five signs at (just guessing here) $150-$200 a pop and totally worthless for outside city limits advertising. Salute Mayor Glas! Check out ( video 01:39:54)
Agenda Item #15-Alcester Community Building-Real Estate Purchase Agreement. Agreement needs changes regarding dates, liability and etc. The council authorised Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Pat Jurrens to sign the final draft. I feel the council should review the final draft of any agreement before Mayor Glas and Finance Officer Jurrens sign it, we have had too many revisions and amendments because the Mayor and city bookkeeper cannot accurately proof read legal documents as to dates and contexts. These signatures could bind the city inextricably to conditions Alcester city residents/taxpayers cannot afford.
Agenda Item #18 Adjourn Meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Board of Equalization appeal deadline: March 15, 2018
Board of Equalization meeting: March 19, 2018 6:00 p.m.
Regular Alcester City Council Meeting April 2, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Public Hearing: April 2, 2018 6:15 p.m.
A Voice from the Gallery 