MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

The City Council of the City of Volga, SD, met for a regular meeting, Monday, January 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM, in the conference room of City Hall; Mayor Mary Bjerke presiding.  Members present: Keith Benson, Ken Fideler, Craig Howell, Marty Strasburg, Marcia Thompson, and Kelly VanderWal.  Also present: City Attorney Steven Britzman, City Administrator Steve Meyer, Finance Officer Nicole Rawden, Fire Chief Dave Jacobson, Jane Utecht from the Volga Tribune, Brent Brown, Electrical Superintendent, Scott Sebring, Brookings County Assistant Sheriff, and Jamie Seward of Real Clean.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Bjerke requested the agenda be amended to include a discussion and possible action on a statement of support on behalf of the Municipal League asking The 2010 Legislature to consider another local option penny of sales tax for South Dakota municipalities. Strasburg moved to approve amended agenda.  Benson seconded the motion. All in favor; motion carried.

Benson moved to approve the minutes of the December 7th, 2009, regular meeting. VanderWal seconded the motion. All in favor; motion carried.

Brookings County Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring updated the Council on law enforcement issues and presented a Brookings County Sheriff’s Office Community Service Survey to send to residents of Volga.

Howell moved to approve the following claims and ordered them paid.  Benson seconded the motion. All in favor; motion carried.

Claims

Strasburg made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-01 THE CITY OF VOLGA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGREES TO PROVIDE $1,292.78 OF SUPPORT TO THE FIRST DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR A 12 MONTH PERIOD, FROM OCTOBER 1, 2009 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2010, PAYABLE IN FEBRUARY 2010.  DATED THIS 4TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2010 CITY OF VOLGA BY: s/ Mary A. Bjerke, Mayor, City of Volga ATTEST: s/ Nicole A. Rawden, City Finance Officer.  Howell seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Benson made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-02 BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with SDCL 35-1-5.3, prior authorization for persons to consume or blend alcoholic beverages on January 11, 2010 to January 12, 2010 in the Volga Fire Hall, is hereby given. All such consumption or blending shall occur during the Volga Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fireman’s Appreciation Feed. Said property shall be considered for purposes of the Resolution to be the location of a special license and shall not constitute a public place as defined by Ordinance 145 of the City of Volga. Sale of alcohol beverages shall not be permitted at any time at the above described location. There shall be no consumption of any alcoholic beverage by any individual who is under twenty-one years of age. This permit shall commence at 4:00 PM on January 11, 2010 and shall conclude at 1:00 AM on January 12, 2010.  Dated this 4th day of January, 2010.  CITY OF VOLGA BY:  s/Mary A. Bjerke, Mayor, City of Volga ATTEST:  s/Nicole A. Rawden, City Finance Officer.  Thompson seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Benson made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-03.  Thompson seconded motion.  All in favor; motion carried.  A motion to amend Resolution 2010-03 follows below.

Howell made a motion to withdraw upgrade transformers from Resolution 2009-30.  Benson seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Council members agreed to request a joint meeting between representatives of Oakwood Township and the Volga Council.  Oslo Township board will receive a reminder of an $8,000 payment due Dec. 31, 2009.

Fideler made a motion to adopt a statement of support on behalf of the Municipal League asking The 2010 Legislature to consider another local option penny of sales tax for South Dakota municipalities.  Benson seconded the motion.  Discussion was held. On roll call:  Benson, Yes; Howell, No; Strasburg, No; Fideler, Yes; Thompson, No; and VanderWal, No.  Motion failed.  No action taken.

Fideler made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-04 A RESOLUTION REVISING THE WATER HEATER REBATE PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF VOLGA, SOUTH DAKOTA.  Resolution 2010-04 published separately on January 7, 2010.  Howell seconded the motion.  On roll call:  Benson, Yes; Howell, Yes; Strasburg, Yes; Fideler, Yes; Thompson, Yes; and VanderWal, Yes.  Motion carried.

Jamie Seward of Real Clean presented a proposed quote and information about his cleaning.  Council members reviewed cleaning quotes and tabled discussion until the February regular meeting.

Fideler made a motion to amend and approve Resolution 2010-03 as follows: BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with SDCL 35-1-5.3, prior authorization for persons to consume or blend alcoholic beverages on January 8, 2010, in the Volga Community Center, is hereby given. All such consumption or blending shall occur during the private party Lerdal. Said property shall be considered for purposes of the Resolution to be the location of a special license and shall not constitute a public place as defined by Ordinance 145 of the City of Volga. Sale of alcohol beverages shall not be permitted at any time at the above described location. There shall be no consumption of any alcoholic beverage by any individual who is under twenty-one years of age. This permit shall commence at 3:00 PM on January 8, 2010 and shall conclude at 11:59 PM on January 8, 2010.  Dated this 4th day of January, 2010.  CITY OF VOLGA BY:  s/Mary A. Bjerke, Mayor, City of Volga ATTEST:  s/Nicole A. Rawden, City Finance Officer.  Strasburg seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Strasburg made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-05 BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with SDCL 35-1-5.3, prior authorization for persons to consume or blend alcoholic beverages on January 9, 2010, in the Volga Community Center, is hereby given. All such consumption or blending shall occur during the private party Lerdal. Said property shall be considered for purposes of the Resolution to be the location of a special license and shall not constitute a public place as defined by Ordinance 145 of the City of Volga. Sale of alcohol beverages shall not be permitted at any time at the above described location. There shall be no consumption of any alcoholic beverage by any individual who is under twenty-one years of age. This permit shall commence at 12:00 AM on January 9, 2010 and shall conclude at 11:59 PM on January 9, 2010.  Dated this 4th day of January, 2010.  CITY OF VOLGA BY:  s/Mary A. Bjerke, Mayor, City of Volga ATTEST:  s/Nicole A. Rawden, City Finance Officer.  Thompson seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Committee Reports were given.  Fire Chief Jacobson reported that in 2009 the volunteer department responded to 75 calls.  VanderWal reported that the girls scouts will not be providing food concessions at the ball field this summer.  The Electrical rate study will  be completed by the February council meeting when rate increases will be discussed.

Fideler made a motion to move to executive session at 9:40 PM regarding personnel.  VanderWal seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Howell made a motion to move out of executive session at 9:58 PM.  VanderWal seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.

Strasburg made a motion to provide a 50-cent per hour pay increase to all full-time employees.  Fideler seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried. 

Strasburg made a motion to provide a 50-cent per hour pay increase to Becky Holter; Don Doescher will remain at an unchanged rate of $10.66 with a change in employee classification to Regular Part-time for up to a maximum of 24 hours/week.  Howell seconded the motion.  On roll call:  Benson, Yes; Howell, Yes; Strasburg, Yes; Fideler, No; Thompson, Yes; and VanderWal, Yes.  Motion carried.  City Administrator, Steve Meyer, $26.14/hr. Finance Officer, Nicole Rawden, $18.50/hr. Revenue/Billing Specialist, Becky Holter, $15.42/hr. Streets, Steve Nissen, $16.47/hr. Electrical Superintendent, Brent Brown, $28.22/hr. Apprentice Lineman, Adam Holen, $16.90/hr based on apprenticeship schedule of increases. Water & Sewer, Paul Santema, $12.59/hr. Parks/Streets Maintenance, Don Doescher, $10.66/hr.

Fideler made a motion to adjourn at 10:15 PM.  VanderWal seconded the motion.  All in favor; motion carried.  

s/ Mary A. Bjerke
Mayor, City of Volga

s/ Nicole A. Rawden
Finance Officer, City of Volga