White, South Dakota

White City Council Minutes

August 1, 2016

The regular meeting of the White City Council was called to order on Monday, August 1^st, 2016 in the McKnight Community Center at 7:00pm by Mayor Terry Wright. Roll Call was taken: present –Chris Wilts, Wayne Kelm, Martha Brandt and Deborah Hopfinger.

With no additions or deletions to the agenda, motion was made by Hopfinger, seconded by Kelm to approve the agenda; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

The meeting minutes were read from the July 11^th regular meeting. Motion was made by Hopfinger, seconded by Wilts to approve the minutes as read; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

The following bills were presented for approval:

Motion was made by Kelm, seconded by Wilts to approve payment of all bills; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

At 7:05pm, the Council discussed updates with the White Care Center (now known as The Centre). The Surplus Sale will take place August 2^nd from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Mayor Wright stated that all the of the items have been sorted through and there will be signs on the doors of the rooms where items are not for sale. Wilts asked about adding more days for the sale, but Council decided to wait until after the sale to see what items are left. Anything that is left in the building will be tossed when the Investment Company comes in for the remodel project. Haber asked the for help from anyone who could attend.

The Council welcomed Randy Hanson via conference call. He stated that the paperwork is underway with Heartland Power for financing the project and renter programs. He is still very optimistic about the project going forward. He suggested referencing a similar project in Langford, SD called the Front Porch. Hanson also stated that the purchase agreement states that the contract needs to be signed by the end of September and he is confident that this date will not need to be pushed back.

The Council proceeded to discuss some McKnight Hall improvements. Hopfinger apologized for not getting bids out to contractors for installation of the glass board and the new side door. Haber presented the bid from Midwest Glass for a new entry door on the east side of the building for $2,812.00. The Council asked if she would get a different bid without the installation and a comparison for a 40” door. Wilts Concrete submitted a bid for a 1/2 inch thick concrete pad on the west side of the building for $2,677.06. Motion was made by Hopfinger, seconded by Kelm to approve of this bid; roll call vote taken as follows: Hopfinger – Yes; Kelm – Yes; Wilts – Abstain; Brandt – Yes; with a vote of 3-1, motion carried.

The Council asked DeYoung if he had repaired the leaky roof above the stage in the McKnight Hall. He stated he had, but over Pioneer Days there were reports of water on the stage and in the women’s restroom. DeYoung will see if he can repair better. Wilts also asked about allowing her to help with cleaning the hall once Tim Cariveau is back in school. Mayor Wright stated that as long as it is getting clean, that is all that matters. Other seasonal part-time employees will also be helping at the discretion of Wilts.

Other hall improvement discussion included:

• Painting the varnished plywood walls
• Adding a chair rail in the big hall to eliminate walls being scuffed
• Getting 4 new window air conditioners for the big hall as the currents ones were purchased in 1978
• Adding a maintenance schedule for replacing the a/c filters
• Waxing the floors on August 26^th and removing chairs and tables in the hall
• Shingling the roof of the building in 2017
• Getting rid of the black mold on the north wall of the big hall

The Council proceeded to discuss updates to the Policies and Procedures Handbook. There were several changes that Wilts noted. Some of the Council felt like they needed more time to look over everything. Haber will keep a running list of the changes each month until all necessary changes have been made and then an approval will be needed.

The fireworks ordinance was revisited with a handful of changes being made including hours of allowance, penalties, permits required and fines associated with not following the ordinance. The ordinance will be rewritten and submitted at the next month’s meeting for approval. The Council would also like to revisit the parking tickets ordinance increasing the fine to $50 per violation.

Haber presented the Council with a copy of the contract entered into with Cook’s Wastepaper and Recycling stating that the contract may increase the rate in the event that their landfill costs increase. Last month, the city was told that a 2% increase will be assessed for all garbage pickups effective July 1^st. Motion was made by Wilts, seconded by Hopfinger to accept this rate increase without increasing resident garbage charges; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

                Dan DeYoung, City Maintenance Superintendent, stated that he will be working on alleys, culverts, the lagoon and tree trimming this month.  

                Melanie Haber, Finance Officer, updated the Council on the training progress with temp, Mary Raine. Haber stated that she is working with a representative with Banyon Data Systems to find a time to meet up and discuss the potential software upgrades for the Finance Office. Hopfinger asked for the approval to order 4 Farmer’s Market signs at the cost of $144.00 plus tax total. Motion was made by Wilts, seconded by Brandt, to approve the purchase with reimbursement to Hopfinger; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried. Haber asked if the Council will be interested in adding Wi-Fi to the McKnight Hall for renters to use. Wilts asked to get prices for next month. Melanie stated she will also be gone on August 8^th and 9^th as well as August 18^th and 19^th on vacation.

                Upcoming Meetings/Dates/Agenda Items included:

• August 2, 2016 – White Care Center Surplus Sale; 4-7pm
• August 9-11, 2016 – DeYoung to attend classes in Watertown
• August 30 – Sept 1 – DeYoung to attend classes in Sioux Falls
• September 5, 2016 - Next Regular City Council meeting, McKnight Hall, 7pm

Old Business included:

• Adding an online calendar for council and employee use. Kelm will set up a Google account for everyone to use.

Public comments – Paul Ekern asked the council about the air conditioners for sale in the care center. Wright stated that they are all small window a/c from resident’s rooms.

Correspondence – The South Dakota Municipal League’s annual conference is to be held Oct 4-7 in Rapid City this year. If anyone is interested in attending they are to let Melanie or Mary know by Sept 15.   

Nuisances – A total of 14 nuisance letters were sent out on July 28^th. Wilts will follow-up with compliances.

                The Council reviewed a total of 28 delinquent utility accounts. Motion was made by Wilts, seconded by Kelm to shut all services off if past due balance is not paid by 18^th of August; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

The Council was presented with the financial statements for the month. Motion was made by Wilts, seconded by Hopfinger to approve of the Financial Statements; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried.

With no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Hopfinger, seconded by Brandt to adjourn; roll call vote taken with all present voting aye; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:42 pm.

Terry Wright, Mayor

Melanie Haber, Finance Officer