Welcome to Highmore

City Council Proceedings

May 5, 2008

The City Council of Highmore, South Dakota met in regular session Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the west wing of the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium. Members present: Mayor Day, Alderman Alger, Barbee, Reed, Semmler, Straight and Yeaton.

Others present: James Dean, Chad Crago, Ray Kusser, Jan Harkless, Jerrod Gutzmer, Mary Ann Morford, Julie Gutzmer, Laurie Sheffield, Shorty & Sue Zilverberg

Mayor Day established that a quorum was present, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Yeaton made a motion to adopt the proposed agenda, second by Straight.

The minutes of the previous meetings were approved on motion by Yeaton, second Alger, with all voting in favor.

The following claims were approved on motion by Alger, second by Straight, with the exception of a claim from Attorney Sovell concerning the HUD housing committee, which was tabled until the housing meeting May 14; with all voting in favor.

GENERAL FUND:

Mayor Day will retain her seat due to none filing for the position. Alderman Alger and Barbee will also retain their seat due to no one filing for Ward One or Three. Michael Cowan took the oath of office and was seated on the council for Ward Two, having won the election.

Motion by Alger, second by Semmler with all voting in favor that Todd Yeaton be elected council President.

Motion by Yeaton, second by Alger with all voting in favor to elect Semmler as Vice President.

The following committee assignments were made by the mayor for the 2008-2009 year: Airport (Barbee, Yeaton, and Alger), Auditorium (Cowan, Semmler, and Barbee), Public Safety (Yeaton, Semmler, and Straight), Public Works and Utilities (Alger, Straight, and Cowan), Recreation (Semmler, Alger and Cowan) and Government (Straight, Yeaton, and Barbee).

Quoin Financial Bank and Heartland State Bank were designated as official depositories for the city on motion by Semmler, second by Alger, with all voting in favor.

The Highmore Herald was designated as the official newspaper for the city on motion by Yeaton, second by Alger, with all voting in favor.

Motion by Yeaton, second by Semmler with all voting in favor to appoint Emily Sovell as the city attorney.

A building permit was reviewed from Doug Kroeplin for a 125'x300' barn/storage building to be built south of the former Highmore sale barn. Discussion was held on roof drainage issues, Chad Crago will talk to Kroeplin regarding this matter. Motion by Yeaton to approve, second by Semmler. All voting in favor.

Jerrod Gutzmer was present to inform the council the Knights of Columbus did not receive a grant to improve the shooting area, due to some environmental issues. Gutzmer reported the Knights of Columbus will complete the project themselves.

A spiking permit was approved for the Booster Club to hold a dance June 21 at the auditorium, motion by Semmler, second by Yeaton, with all voting in favor.

Discussion was held on items brought forth at the noon luncheon earlier in the day, including Economic Development and city wide clean up. Mary Ann Morford presented different procedures used in other communities for citywide clean up. The council determined although the community is encouraged to clean up, it was not possible to offer a free weekend at the rubble site. It was decided to try to find an organization that would be willing to assist people in cleaning up as a fundraiser, Tara Buchholz was instructed to contact different organizations looking for interest; the city would pay for advertising if an organization agrees to the project.

Shorty and Sue Zilverberg were present to discuss a sewer problem on April 25, which resulted in water flooding their basement due to the main sewer line being plugged. Zilverberg requested the city's insurance company send an adjuster to their home to inspect at the damage. The council agreed to contact the city's insurance agent.

Discussion was held on snow removal equipment for the airport, haying issues at the airport and rock piles at the airport.

Jan Harkless reported the sewer line has been examined by Manning Digging using a camera and that there was a trap under the garage floor of the auditorium. Harkless will get a firm price quote to remove the trap and fix the drainage problems. Discussion was also held on the kitchen drainage problems, Harkless suggested removing the center island in the kitchen and install a larger sewer line that would go towards the boiler room to an existing sewer line.

Discussion was held on new bleachers for the auditorium, the council stated the project would be reviewed in the budget process. It was also discussed the possibility of using funds from the third-penny sales tax.

Police Chief Kusser reported on the damaged properties in town and that he had discussed this matter with City Attorney Sovell and she informed him the city cannot legally go in and clean up the areas and charge the owners. The council would request Sovell to attend a meeting to discuss the matter further. Kusser also reported he purchased a new computer, a grill guard, and spotlight for the police vehicle. Motion by Yeaton, second by Cowan with all voting in favor to declare the old computer surplus and should be destroyed as soon as Kusser transfers all software to the new computer.

Council discussed the ordinance concerning grass clippings that are blown into the street. It was decided to publish an ad reminding residents about the damage grass clippings can cause to the storm sewer drain, and that fines will be assessed to those who do not abide by the ordinance.

Chad Crago reported that repairs will be made to the streets as soon as the city receives some asphalt. Crago also reported they will be hauling gravel to town to help with repairing streets. Plans are also being made to repair the broken curbs within the city. The council instructed Crago to get quotes on repairing the park shelter and if the quote is within the budget to go ahead with repairs.

Mayor Day informed the council the City had applied for a grant for the purchase of a smaller slide for the swimming pool as the present slide is rated for children over 48", and a sign will be placed on the slide stating children under 48" will not be allowed on the slide.

Council discussed ideas for using the north half of the city park, which is presently the ice pond area. The council is requesting comments or ideas from the public on how the area could be used more effectively.

City Finance Officer Buchholz reported the city's annual report should be completed by the end of the week or early next week. At that time, the council will meet in special session to review the annual report.

Motion by Yeaton to go into executive session at 8:55 p.m. for personnel matters. Second by Semmler with all voting in favor. The council reconvened to regular session at 8:59 p.m.

Motion by Semmler, second by Cowan to hire Ryan Sheffield as boy's baseball coach and as a base umpire, all voting in favor.

Council returned to executive session at 9:10 p.m, motion by Yeaton, second by Semmler, and reconvened to regular session at 9:35 p.m.

Council instructed the finance officer to continue with the collection process of past due utility bills.

The council meeting was adjourned.

Vikki Day, Mayor
Tara Buchholz, City Finance Officer