April 20, 2009

The Groton City Council met on the above date at 7pm at City Hall for their regular second monthly meeting with the following members present: Hendrickson, Brotherton, Hamilton, Nyberg, Heitmann, Anderson, and Mayor Olson presiding.

The minutes were approved as read on a motion by Nyberg and seconded by Brotherton. All members present voted aye.

The Merchant Lineman Certification program restrictions were reviewed. Moved by Hamilton and seconded by Anderson to allow apprentice linemen to take as many tests per year as the course allows. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Heitmann and seconded by Nyberg to send 2 from the finance office to the Human Relations and Finance Officer's school in Pierre on June 9-12, 2009. All members present voted aye.

A letter from the FAA was read. It confirmed that the Groton Airport must continue to operate or use all sale proceeds for aviation uses.

At 7:07pm Pat Nehls came before the Council to discuss admission prices at the baseball complex. Moved by Hamilton and seconded by Heitmann to change daily attendance prices to be $2 for PeeWee, Midget, and Girls Softball games and to leave Legion, Teener, and Jr. Teeners games at $4. Season tickets will remain $50 per year and the Senior Citizen pass will be free. All members present voted aye.

Limiting routes for the garbage trucks to Main St, 6th St, Hwy 37, and Railroad Ave. for Apr 28 and May 4 due to street conditions will continue on a motion by Brotherton and seconded by Anderson. All members present voted aye.

Clean up week was postponed to May 8-18, 2009 on a motion by Nyberg and seconded by Heitmann. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Heitmann and seconded by Nyberg to approve the following resolution honoring Silver Star Families. All members present voted aye.

Silver Star Banner Day Resolution

WHEREAS, the City of Groton, South Dakota has always honored the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed Forces and

WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America was formed to make sure we remember the blood sacrifice of our wounded and ill by designing and manufacturing a Silver Star Banner and Flag and

WHEREAS, to date The Silver Star Families of America has freely given thousands of Silver Star Banners to the wounded and their families, and

WHEREAS, the members of The Silver Star Families of America have worked tirelessly to provide the wounded of this City and Country with Silver Star Banners, Flags and care packages, and

WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America's sole mission is that every time someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that people remember the sacrificed for this City, State and Nation and

WHEREAS, the people and Mayor of Groton, South Dakota, wish that the sacrifice of so many in our Armed Forces never be forgotten

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLIVED that the Groton City Council hereby proclaims May 1st is declared to be ?SILVER STAR BANNER DAY?, a permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the City of Groton, South Dakota in appreciation of The Silver Star Families of America and to honor their commitment to our wounded Armed Forces members.

Surveys for household income will have to be done by the finance office to determine CDBG eligibility. Moved by Hamilton and seconded by Anderson to authorize the application for a CDBG grant for water and sewer improvements and encourage citizen participation in hearings and surveys. All members present voted aye.
Mayor Olson announced that Groton Transit is applying for 100% grant funding for another van and a building for garage space.
Rubble site hours will remain 3-7pm Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat and 1-5pm on Sun and it will open Tuesday, April 21, with substitute personnel.
Plans for opening N 2nd St between E 4th Ave and E 5th Ave to accommodate the new school addition were reviewed. Mayor Olson will continue negotiations.
At 7:35pm Council adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters on a motion by Brotherton and seconded by Hendrickson. All members present voted aye. Council reconvened into regular session at 8:01pm.
Moved by Anderson and seconded by Hendrickson to hire Allen McKiver as mosquito spraying officer for $12 per hour. All members present voted aye.
Meeting adjourned.

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Roy L. Olson, Mayor Anita Lowary, Finance Officer