I was at Cherry Rock Gardens last week and I was pleasantly pleased with the conversation I had with Laura one of the owners of Cherry Rock. She knows I’m involved with the Blue Dragon Academy Childcare Center in Garretson. The group was 23 after school kids. She said the BDA children were the best-behaved children they have had this fall from centers that have come for their pumpkin festivities. She shared that they were very well behaved and the children respected and listened to the adults that were in charge.
Yes, I was happy the BDA staff was in control of their children but I think it says great things about our community. I feel the behavior of these children is because of many people that have given of their time in the development of children. Many people in a community effect the behavior of children which includes: parents, grandparents, teachers, church leaders, child care providers, friends, coaches, activity leaders and the list goes on. We sometimes get weary of the hours we spend with children and wonder does it make a difference? It most certainly does!!!!! It takes a village to raise a child and I’m pleased with how our community takes the well-being of our children very seriously. Keep up the Good Work…We reap what we sow!!!!! -Kris Frerk
National Newspaper week was last week and I wanted to make a few remarks to you, my readers about the importance of your local newspaper. Mostly, I don’t have to sell you on that idea. Usually because, if you’re reading this, you’re an intelligent and educated voter.
If you didn’t know, this May I ended my term as President of the South Dakota Newspaper Association. I’m proud of many of the things I’ve done with SDNA, but one I want to mention here was a study our Association did on newspaper readership. This study completely debunked many of the lies that are commonly believed and spread about newspapers, especially people with a political agenda or run a 24-hour cable news outfit would like you to believe.
The first lie we debunked with this study is that nobody reads newspapers anymore, and that everybody gets their news on their smart phone or TV. This is complete bull-pucky.
In South Dakota, the majority of the citizens who live in our communities subscribe to or read their local paper every week. These readers are almost always registered voters. The average age is actually 40 years old, and they’re usually working taxpayers with families and kids in school. This is not to say that senior citizens or younger subscribers don’t reliably make up a solid block of readers, they do. Senior citizens are a solid block of voters catered to by every political party and competitive business and a local paper is a reliable way to advertise your product to them.
As for the younger crowd, many of those folks read their local paper on their smartphone, which we here at the Gazette totally make possible for them to do. In fact, we have households who get both a hard copy and the digital version for whatever technological device they happen to like.
America is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I believe that to my very core. Can you guess how it stays that way? Constant vigilance. Many people tell you that print is dead. The truth is that the people who want it to be so are usually actively trying to undermine it for their own gain. Those in power don’t want pesky questions about what taxpayer money they’re spending where and why. They want you distracted, looking at the latest shiny thing, rather than the shell game they’re playing. I watch the game, I watch the players, and the team I’m playing for is you, my readers and my community, whenever and however I can. Anybody who lives and works here is my friend and a person I will fight for.
That said, the fight isn’t always easy. Since taking over the Gazette 2015 I’ve seen slow but steady growth every year. Every year, except this year. This year, we’ve lost some subscribers. Some of it is literal attrition, subscribers who I’ve run obituaries on. (It’s about 20 so far, this year was rough). Each of these obits was a friend of the paper, and I read them with sadness, because they won’t stop by or call me on the phone ever again. But a lot of folks on that lost subscriber list are people who just didn’t bother to renew. Many surprised me as people I know and see about town.
These past few weeks as I’ve walked my rounds downtown I’ve had several people stop me, and say thank you. Most of it has been due to the great article my wife did with the Dreckmans about their little boy Carter. That one hit my heart hard, as I worked closely with Luke when I was on the Commercial Club Board, and I feel for him and his family. But the last several weeks, folks have stopped in, stopped me on the street or called to let me know how much they appreciate what we’ve done with the paper since taking it over and that has made me extremely happy and professionally satisfied.
However, I want to warn you all, it’s always under threat, and never more so than right now. Having just filed my annual report, this year’s subscription numbers make me more than a little nervous, and to really spoil the soup here, postal and printing costs have absolutely skyrocketed over this past year. Our bottom line has been affected and this means I have to raise subscription rates this coming fiscal year and also raise my counter sale prices too. My personal salary hasn’t increased at all since 2015 either. And I want to raise Carrie’s pay too, before I raise mine because she deserves it, especially having won several awards for her stories and coverage since she started full time here. I may have a lifetime of experience in this business, but she has a true passion and talent that I am honestly jealous of. When she had to take a week off work from getting the latest COVID variant, I realized how much work she’d managed to take from my shoulders and how much better the paper runs with her than without her. I don’t want to go back to the days of just one full time person on staff. So far, we’re keeping the wolves at bay, and everything paid on time, but this year especially, we’re feeling the pinch. I’m sure that I’m not alone in that.
So, if you’ve let your subscription lapse, maybe re-subscribe? And if you’re really savvy, you should do it before the year’s end, so you can do it cheaper. Maybe buy one for a friend or family member. The more subscribers and the steadier ad revenue we can garner, the healthier the paper will be, and the more likely I’ll be able to keep fighting for this community for the rest of my natural life. -G. Moritz, Editor
Minutes of the Minnehaha County Commissioners for Oct. 3, 2023
THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY COMMISSION CONVENED AT 9:00 AM on October 3, 2023, pursuant to adjournment on September 26, 2023. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT WERE: Bender, Bleyenberg, and Kippley. Commissioners Beninga and Karsky were absent. Also present were Kym Christiansen, Commission Recorder, and Eric Bogue, Chief Civil Deputy State's Attorney.
Chair Bender called the meeting to order.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to approve the agenda. 3 ayes.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to amend the agenda to remove the approval of the September 26, 2023 meeting minutes from the consent agenda to the regular agenda following Consider a Motion to Adopt a Resolution Restoring Tax Deed Property RDID-035737 to the Former Owner of Title. 3 ayes.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to approve the consent agenda. By roll call vote: 3 ayes. The consent agenda included the following items.
Bills to be Paid $1,006,421.86
3200 RUSSELL LLC Motels $405, A&B BUSINESS SOLUT Lease-Rental Agreement $292.47, A&B BUSINESS SOLUT Maintenance Contracts $102.08, ABBY SITZMAN Business Travel $56, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS Automotive/Small Equipment $30.8, AIRWAY SERVICE INC Automotive/Small Equipment $86.37, AIRWAY SERVICE INC Gas Oil & Diesel $307.76, ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ Business Travel $200, ALL ABOUT TRAVEL INC MacArthur SJC Grant $518.81, ALL NATIONS INTERPRE Interpreters $3506.4, ANDERSON, JENNIFER Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $4913.26, ANGEL, EDWARD P Attorney Fees $1770.38, AVERA MCKENNAN Hospitals $4980, AVERA MCKENNAN Professional Services $121.77, AVERA MCKENNAN Psych Evals $1400, AXIS FORENSIC TOXICO Lab Costs $468, BABINSKI PROPERTIES Welfare Rent $700, BACCHUS APARTMENTS Welfare Rent $500, BAUER BUILT INC Automotive/Small Equipment $166.38, BENTWOOD MANOR APTS Welfare Rent $500, BIERSCHBACH EQUIPMEN Bridge Repair & Maintenance $540, BILLION EMPIRE MOTOR Automotive/Small Equipment $180, BRAUN, MASON Investigators Expenses $317.22, BRENDE & MEADORS LLP Attorney Fees $5211.7, BULLIS, MATTHEW Investigators Expenses $40.8, BURNS, JASON Investigators Expenses $150.45, CANFIELD BUSINESS IN Furniture & Office Equipment $2314.28, CENTER FOR FAMILY ME Clinics - Auxiliary Services $18, CENTURY BUSINESS PRO Maintenance Contracts $352.03, CHAGOLLA, ALBERT Interpreters $418.26, CLAIR HATTERVIG Uniform Allowance $43.38, COMPUTER FORENSIC RE Professional Services $5070, CONTROL INSTALLATION HHS Maintenance $3316.33, CORE & MAIN LP Bldg/Yard Repair & Maintenance $1202.4, CORE & MAIN LP Road Material Inventory $4180, CORRECTIONAL MEDICAL Contract Services $356996.05, DAKOTA LAW FIRM PROF Child Defense Attorney $738.3, DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP Jail Repairs & Maintenance $225.33, DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP JDC Maintenance $63.13, DAKOTALAND AUTOGLASS Automotive/Small Equipment $790, DECASTRO LAW OFFICE Attorney Fees $875.5, DEE, CLOVIA A Court Reporters $195.5, DESIGN RESEARCH ENGI Professional Services $1711, DONEGAL Welfare Rent $1960, ELECTION SYSTEMS & S Software/Licensing $31368.1, FOX, DANIEL Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $498.64, G & R CONTROLS INC Outside Repair $150, GAIL FOERSTER Business Travel $200, GALT Welfare Rent $2700, GATES, LAURIE A Bd Exp Fees (Minnehaha) $112, GIRTON ADAMS Road Maint & Material $37.5, GOEBEL PRINTING INC Office Supplies $337.89, GRAINGER HHS Maintenance $13.77, GRAINGER Jail Repairs & Maintenance $18.27, GRAINGER Small Tools & Shop Supplies $41.31, GUZMAN, SANDRA V Interpreters $390, HARTFORD'S BEST PAIN Automotive/Small Equipment $5869.1, HERITAGE FUNERAL HOM Burials $3500, HIGHPOINTE LIMITED P Welfare Rent $2505, HUMBOLDT FIRE & AMBU Transportation $900, INNOVATIVE OFFICE SO Janitorial Chemical Supplies $6991.46, INNOVATIVE OFFICE SO JDC Custodial Supplies $18, INTERSTATE OFFICE PR Office Supplies $398.18, ISI LLC Interpreters $660, JACKS UNIFORMS AND E Uniform Allowance $103.94, JOHNSON, RICHARD L Attorney Fees $570.59, JOHNSON, RICHARD L Child Defense Attorney $2296.21, JOSH MARBACH Business Travel $200, JSIX Welfare Rent $1600, KAMRATH, LYNDEE Business Travel $212, KATTERHAGEN, MARK Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $85.5, KB SPRINKLERS Bldg/Yard Repair & Maintenance $85, KDR INVESTMENTS Welfare Rent $1188, KENNETH MIELKE Sign Deposits $50, KING, DUANE Business Travel $200, KNECHT, ANDREW J Attorney Fees $3212.8, KNECHT, ANDREW J Child Defense Attorney $1512.1, LACROIX LAW PLLC Attorney Fees $199.48, LAMB MOTOR COMPANY Automobiles $99138, LANGUAGE TESTING INT Recruitment $187, LARSON, VALERIE Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $85.5, LEWNO LAW OFFICE Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $388.26, LOCKWOOD & ZAHRBOCK Child Defense Attorney $2805.7, LOVING, PHILIP Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $3529.24, MAC'S HARDWARE Jail Repairs & Maintenance $19.82, MARAS, JACOB Business Travel $56, MARK RICHARDS Business Travel $200, MATTHEW SATTER Business Travel $200, MEDSTAR PARAMEDIC IN Transportation $2000, METRO COMMUNICATIONS Clinics - Auxiliary Services $530, MICHAEL GATLUAK Gas Oil & Diesel $50, MICROFILM IMAGING SY Contract Services $1343.9, MIDAMERICAN ENERGY C Natural Gas $1330.47, MIDCONTINENT COMMUNI Amounts Held For Others $140.39, MIDWESTERN MECHANICA Outside Repair $240.5, MORGAN COFFMAN Taxable Meal Allowances $14, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS I Communication Equipment $166728.52, MYERS & BILLION LLP Attorney Fees $7296.97, NAPA AUTO PARTS Automotive/Small Equipment $27.68, NORTHERN PLAINS APPR Education & Training $156, NYBERGS ACE HARDWARE Park & Recreation Material $5.08, OLD ORCHARD CAFE MacArthur SJC Grant $309.4, PALLUCK, ETHAN Taxable Meal Allowances $14, PENNINGTON COUNTY Extradition & Evidence $4519.34, PETTIGREW HEIGHTS LT Welfare Rent $500, PHOENIX SUPPLY LLC Child Care Uniforms $354.77, PIONEER ENTERPRISES Burials $4500, POMPS TIRE SERVICE I Truck Repairs & Maintenance $1692.32, PRAHM CONSTRUCTION I Contracted Construction $64441.6, QUALIFIED PRESORT SE Postage $219.54, R SAWVELL INC Welfare Rent $800, REEVES, MEGAN Court Reporters $63.7, RELIANCE TELEPHONE I Telephone $3.25, RESOLUTE LAW FIRM IN Attorney Fees $9204.9, RINGING SHIELD,NICHO Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $1072.5, RIVERVIEW PARK LTD Welfare Rent $228, ROBERTS, YVONNE Welfare Rent $500, RONNING COMMERCIAL Welfare Rent $575, ROY HERUM Education & Training $100, RYAN GEVENS Business Travel $200, SAFE HOME LTD PTNRSH Rent Subsidies $10999, SAMS CLUB - MEMBERSH Clinics - Auxiliary Services $45.44, SAMS CLUB - MEMBERSH Other Supplies $73.44, SAMS CLUB - MEMBERSH Professional Services $108.6, SAMS CLUB - MEMBERSH Supplemental Food $14.98, SD ASSOC OF COUNTY C Education & Training $40, SD HUMAN SERVICES CE Clinics - Auxiliary Services $42, SIOUX FALLS RUBBER S Office Supplies $59.45, SIOUX VALLEY ENERGY Welfare Utilities $113, SMITH STRAIN Business Travel $200, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Amts Held-Daily Scram $3719, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Amts Held-Remote Breath $784, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Bridge Repair & Maintenance $3922.7, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Education & Training $350, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Miscellaneous Expense $99, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Notary Exp $30, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Telephone $604.5, STRANGE FARRELL JOHN Child Defense Attorney $2539.94, SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE Child Care Food $638.11, SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE School Lunch Program $1473.45, SURF TAXI Transportation $32.4, TAFOLLA, MIRANDA RAE Court Reporters $205.8, TARKETT USA INC Repair/Renovations $2794.55, TERRONES, JARED Investigators Expenses $42.84, THOMPSON, PAIGE Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $600, THOMSON REUTERS - WE Legal Research $1002.78, TIM GUSTAFSON Business Travel $34, TINDALL, PLLC BRENNA Professional Services $900, TOMACELLI'S TOO Jury Fees $159.16, TRI-STATE NURSING Professional Services $2595.5, TRISTATE GARAGE DOOR Outside Repair $381.9, TSCHETTER & ADAMS LA Attorney Fees $10290.4, TWO WAY SOLUTIONS IN Communication Equipment Repair $4265.87, TYREL ELLSWORTH Sign Deposits $50, TZADIK SIOUX FALLS I Welfare Rent $2113, TZADIK SIOUX FALLS P Welfare Rent $3706.32, TZADIK TAYLORS PLACE Welfare Rent $310, US FOODS INC Other Supplies $75.03, US FOODS INC Professional Services $600.63, VER BEEK, KELSEY Child Defense Attorney $1679.09, WEIR, KATHLEEN M. Welfare Rent $1050, WHITTIER APARTMENTS Welfare Rent $483, XCEL ENERGY Electricity $89822.47, XCEL ENERGY Road Maint & Material $50.05, XCEL ENERGY INC Welfare Utilities $4484.13, YANKTON COUNTY Return Of Service $250, YMCA Welfare Rent $655.
Routine Personnel Actions
1. Irakoze Francine, Allison Oldenkamp, and Madison Ziebarth, variable hour Juvenile Correctional Workers for the Juvenile Detention Center, at $21.00/hour effective 9/28//2023.
2. Jordon Campbell, Christopher Southard, and Ryan Vanloh, Correctional Officers for the Jail, at $24.16/hour (14/1) effective 10/10/2023.
Promotions
1. Dequan Harvin, Correctional Officer to Corporal for the Jail, at $27.98/hour (17/1) effective 9/30/2023.
Step Increases
1. Shanya Burt, Paralegal for the State's Attorney's Office, at $29.41/hour (16/3) effective 9/7/2023.
2. Thomas Nelson, Senior Deputy State's Attorney for the State's Attorney's Office, at $4,581.60/biweekly (22/14) effective 9/14/2023.
Other Salary Changes
1. To begin Interpreter specialty pay for Nataliia Hudzii, Correctional Officer for the Jail, resulting in a rate of $24.66/hour effective 9/16/2023.
Special Personnel Actions
1. To change the effective date for Ashley Lopez's voluntary demotion at the Juvenile Detention Center from 8/19/2023 to 10/14/2023.
2. To approve a temporary pay adjustment for Kayla Liebl from $25.37/hour to $26.65/hour effective 10/14/2023 until the end of a temporary assignment as a supervisor at the Juvenile Detention Center.
To record significant employee anniversaries for October, 2023: 10 years-Francis Konechne; 20 years-Leanne Harries.
To record volunteers in County Departments for September, 2023. This list is on file at Human Resources.
MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY APPLICATION
Leah Anderson, Auditor, provided a briefing on the Medical Cannabis Dispensary Application Issuance Timeline. A notice will be posted on the county website, published in the official newspaper, and a press release announcing the application period and the application process. Minnehaha County will begin accepting applications on October 10, 2023, and the application deadline will be November 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The applicant can be found on the notices section of the Minnehaha County website or a copy can be obtained from the Auditor's Office during regular business hours. Applications can only be submitted in person at the Minnehaha County Auditor's Office located at 415 N Dakota Ave in Sioux Falls. The random selection of the license will be held on November 17, 2023, and the randomly selected application will be submitted for Commission approval on January 24, 2024. Public comment was received from T.J Cameron and Peter Dikun.
SD VOTER REGISTRATION AND RESIDENCY LAW CHANGES
Leah Anderson, Auditor, provided a briefing regarding changes to the South Dakota Voter Registration and Residency Laws. During the 2022 Legislative Session, SB 139 was passed and updated the Voter Registration Residency requirement from 24 hours to 30 days, which was effective on July 1, 2023. The Voter Registration form officially changed on August 7, 2023, and the Auditor's Office continues to see the old forms come to the office. Starting on October 3, the Auditor's Office will no longer accept prior voter registration forms and will require that the current form be used. The Auditor's Office also received voter registration forms that were pushed through by the Department of Public Safety Driver's License Division. A person can obtain a Driver's License if they have been in the state for 24 hours and the Department of Public Safety does not verify residency for voter registration. The Auditor's Office has been busy processing these registration requests that may not meet the residency requirements prescribed in South Dakota Codified Law. This requires extra staff time to send out the required notices to those individuals who wish to register to vote without meeting the South Dakota residency requirements.
PLANNING & ZONING NOTICES
Scott Anderson, Planning Director, gave the first reading and requested authorization for the Auditor to publish a Notice of Hearing to consider revision to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls related to Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental as a conditional special use in seven (7) zoning districts in the Joint City/County Zoning Ordinance and adds a definition for Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental to the Zoning Ordinance. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to authorize the Auditor to publish a notice of hearing on an amendment to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls to be held on October 24, 2023, at or after 5:00 p.m. at a joint meeting of the Minnehaha County Commission and Sioux Falls City Council. 3 ayes.
Kevin Hoekman, Planner, gave the first reading and requested authorization for the Auditor to publish a Notice of Hearing to consider revision to the 1990 Revised Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County related to a rezone of six lot subdivisions approximately 34.22 acres in size from A-1 Agriculture District to RR-Rural Residential District. The property is legally described as Prairie View Estates Addition in W1/2 NW 1/4 Section-T101N-R51W in Wall Lake Township and the subdivision is located approximately 3 miles west of Sioux Falls. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to authorize the Auditor to publish notice of hearing on an amendment to the 1990 Revised Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County to be held on October 24, 2023, at or after 9:00 a.m. at a meeting of the Minnehaha County Commission. 3 ayes.
VEHICLE PURCHASE
Upon the request of Mike Mattson, Jail Warden, MOTION by Bleyenberg, seconded by Kippley, to authorize the purchase of a replacement jail transport vehicle in the amount of $41,499.00 from Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat. 3 ayes.
FIVE-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Steve Groen, Highway Superintendent, presented the Minnehaha County 2024-2028 Transportation Plan for Commission consideration. The purpose of the request is to comply with the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Bridge Improve Grant (BIG) Fund requirements and related Administrative Rules as well as the SDDOT's Five-Year County Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan Guide. The Highway Department staff hosted a public hearing at the Highway Department on October 3rd, 2023. Invitations were sent to all township officials and a notice was published in the Minnehaha County legal papers. In addition to the five-year transportation plan, the presented also included information on the Rural Access Infrastructure Funding. MOTION by Bleyenberg, seconded by Kippley, to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a certification form for the five-year transportation plan in accordance with BIG Fund Requirements. 3 ayes.
TAX DEED RESOLUTION
Kris Swanson, Treasurer, requested approval of a tax deed restoration resolution for Tax Certificate #17-0455, RDID-035737. On September 5th, 2022, the Board of Commissioners authorized the property be placed on the 2023 Tax Deed sale. Payment was received by the Minnehaha County Treasurer on September 20th, 2023, in the amount of $13,282.09, on behalf of the former owner of record. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to approve Resolution MC 23-29, Restoring Title of Tax Certificate #17-0455 to Former Owner of Record According to SDCL 10-25-41 and 10-25-42 and to authorize the County Treasurer to issue a Quit Claim Deed. By roll call vote: 3 ayes.
RESOLUTION MC23-29
WHEREAS, Minnehaha County obtained title to the following described real property pursuant to a
Treasurer’s Tax Deed recorded in the Office of the Minnehaha County on the 28th day of August, 2023, at 8:05 o’clock a.m., in Book 621 of Deeds, Page 145, such property identified as
Record ID #35737, located at 3001 E 18th St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and legally described as
set forth in the Treasurer’s Tax Deed; and
WHEREAS, Justin R Crooks is the prior record owner of the above described property; and
WHEREAS, SDCL Ch. 10-25 authorizes the restoration of title to said former record owner upon payment of not less than the total principal, interest and costs represented in the Treasurer’s Tax Deed and any other taxes and interest which are unpaid on the real property; and
WHEREAS, the former owner, Justin R Crooks, has paid $13,282.09 to the Minnehaha County Treasurer representing all the principal, interest and costs represented in the Treasurer’s Tax Deed; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to SDCL & 10-25-41 and 10-25-42, the Board of Commissioners is satisfied with the amount paid by the former owner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners, that the above-described real property be restored to Justin R Crooks, and that the Minnehaha County Treasurer is hereby authorized to issue a Quit Claim Deed transferring the county’s interest in the property back to Justin R. Crooks upon payment by him of the applicable recording fee.
Dated at Sioux Falls, South Dakota on the 28th day of September, 2023.
Approved by the Minnehaha County Commission:
Jean Bender
Commission Chair
ATTEST:
Kym Christiansen
Deputy Auditor
MEETING MINUTES
Chet Ellsworth, Rapid City, SD, discussed the minutes from September 26, 2023, regarding the placement of the invoice from Election Systems & Software, LLC on the agenda and the revision made to the Minnehaha County Rules of Procedure. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Bleyenberg, to approve the Commission Meeting Minutes for September 26, 2023 as written. 3 ayes.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Dennis Anderson, Valley Springs, SD, spoke in appreciation of the work done regarding the ordinance regulating pipelines.
COMMISSIONER LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Bleyenberg spoke about the recent Pre-trial services lunch and learn event.
Commissioner Kippley spoke about the Highway Department public meeting for the five-year plan.
Commissioner Bender spoke about the recent planning meetings for the Juvenile Justice Center.
MOTION by Bleyenberg, seconded by Kippley, to adjourn at 9:35 a.m. 3 ayes.
The Commission adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023.
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION:
Jean Bender
Chair
ATTEST:
Kym Christiansen
Commission Recorder
Published at the total approximate cost of $206.40 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1tc
Minutes of the City of Garretson for Oct. 2, 2023
City of Garretson
October 2nd, 2023
The City Council of the City of Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota met in regular session on Monday, October 2nd, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Garretson American Legion with Mayor Beaner presiding.
6:04 P.M. Mayor Beaner called the regular meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Greg Beaner – Mayor
Greg Franka – Ward I
William Hoskins – Absent
Dave Bonte – Ward II
Tom Godbey – Ward II
Jackie Rotert – Ward III - Absent
Bruce Brown -- Ward III
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Paetyn Dreckman, Jessica Fueston, Ryan Nussbaum, JR Hofer arrived at 6:10PM, Jordan Doane, Sonya Swanson, and Carrie Moritz arrived at 6:30PM.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL:
A. Agenda – 10-02-2023 Regular Meeting
B. Claims Approved Dated 10-02-2023
C. Minutes Regular Meeting 9-11-2023
Council member Franka made a motion to consent to the calendar agenda, Brown 2nd. 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Motion passed.
MONTHLY REPORT OF VOUCHERS PROCESSED FOR THE OCTOBER 2ND, 2023, REGULAR MEETING
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance $327.36
SD DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE NG/Parks Sales Tax $1,185.52
SD RETIREMENT SVCS SDRS $2,850.16
A-OX WELDING SUPPLY CO. Rental $21.45
JESSE JAMES COUNTRY STORE Fuel $1,510.31
DON'S AUTO Shop Equipment $179.95
A&B BUSINESS EQUIPMENT Printer/Copier Services $114.21
SIOUX FALLS HUMANE SOCIET Animal Control $280.87
MC&R POOLS, INC Pool Maintenance $417.80
PHEASANTLAND INDUSTRIES Street Signs $34.56
ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS Internet/Phones $595.00
FIRST BANK & TRUST Utility Collections $100.00
QUILL CORPORATION Park Supplies $150.12
CITY OF CROOKS NG Dekatherms $80.73
DELTA DENTAL Dental Insurance $1,202.76
SAYRE ASSOCIATES Dows Water Project $2,757.90
MINNEHAHA COMMUNITY WATER Bulk Water $11,450.88
LACEYS RENTALS Portable Restrooms $1,120.00
XCEL Streetlights $2,897.22
GARBAGE-N-MORE Waste Services $660.00
BRANDON ACE HARDWARE Equipment Repairs $135.96
MENARDS - EAST Streets/Parks Supplies $62.75
TITAN MACHINERY Grapple $11,400.00
GARRETSON GAZETTE Publishing $283.52
ALL AROUND WELDING Equipment repairs/Sewer repair $1,675.00
INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN GROUP 5th Street Bridge $5,632.05
INTELLIPRO SECURITY Security Cameras $634.89
PLUNKETTS PEST CONTROL Pest Control $59.09
DIRECT TECHNOLOGIES IT Services $2,958.94
HEALTH POOL OF SD HEALTH PRE-TAX $2,088.16
CLAYTON ENERGY August NG Commodity $1,038.52
SIOUX VALLEY ENERGY Rubble Site $56.13
EFTPS/IRS (FED/FICA TAXES FED/FICA TAX $2,951.93
SD DEPT OF HEALTH Water Testing $211.00
DEPT OF REVENUE Sales Tax $1,185.52
FORTE Utility ACH $98.09
DRECKMAN, PAETYN Tuition Reimbursement $666.50
SFC CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS 5th Street Bridge $52,421.41
METRO CONSTRUCTION Dows Water Project $40,829.47
KDLT Advertisements $240.00
KSFY Advertisements $925.00
BYO RECREATION, INC. Playground Eq. Park Board $5,116.00
PAYROLL CHECKS PAYROLL CHECKS ON 09/22/2023 $11,449.27
CLAIMS TOTAL $171,316.00
GENERAL FUND $38,704.01
THIRD PENNY SALES TAX FUND $1,165.00
SECOND SALES TAX FUND $58,053.46
WATER DEPT FUND $58,491.73
SEWER DEPT FUND $6,108.78
NATURAL GAS FUND $8,793.02
Public Comments: none
Committee Reports
• Natural Gas Reports - Swanson presented gas prices at $.98 per ccf. No discussion. Beaner advised changing utility meter reading date to the first or second of each month in order to allow sufficient time to receive accurate PGA from Clayton Energy. Dreckman advised council on capacity case results from Northern Natural Gas. Council discussed and decided to move forward with raising capacity by 175 units. Council member Godbey motioned to approve Natural Gas prices as presented, Franka 2nd. 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Motion passed.
• Finance – Dreckman presented balances for all city finances and she, Swanson, and Doane would be attending SDML Annual Conference in Rapid City this week.
• Streets/Maintenance – Nussbaum requested council allow the purchase of a cement saw as a replacement to current one that is broken. Franka motioned to allow the purchase with a second from Brown. 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Motion passed.
6:12 PM Hoksins arrived.
• Park – Swanson provided photos of native grasses and wildflowers being planted in city parks. Doane requested permission to donate broken picnic tables to FFA. Council advised ok to donate. Fueston advised campground will be closing November 1st with parks gates closing depending on weather.
• Minnehaha County Sheriff – City Council meeting date change was not made clear to the county sheriff’s department so there was no report available. Dreckman advised she would send out the report when it is received.
Ordinances & Resolutions
• Resolution 2023-15 Capital Outlay Transfer – Purchase of Grapple – Dreckman advised formally requesting permission to transfer $8,200.00 from the capital outlay fund to the general fund to cover purchase of grapple. Hoskins motioned to allow transfer with a second from Brown. 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION 2023-15
Capital Outlay Transfer Equipment Purchase
WHEREAS, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of the City of Garretson South Dakota that the following sum is to be transferred from the capital outlay fund to the general fund for purchase of a grapple.
$8,200.00 from Capital Outlay Fund transferred to General Fund.
Adopted this 2nd day of October 2023
Publication: 10-12-23
Effective Date:
Greg Beaner
City of Garretson Mayor
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
Published at the total approximate cost of $12.43 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1tc
• Resolution 2023-16 Capital Outlay Transfer – 5th Street Shop Completion – Dreckman advised formally requesting permission to transfer $30.750.00 from the capital outlay fund to the general fund for invoice for work done to 5th street shop. Brown motioned to allow the transfer with a second from Franka. 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION 2023-16
Capital Outlay Transfer General Building Improvements
WHEREAS, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of the City of Garretson South Dakota that the following sum is to be transferred from the capital outlay fund to the general fund for improvement to the 5th street shop.
$30,750.00 from Capital Outlay Fund transferred to General Fund.
Adopted this 2nd day of October 2023
-Greg Beaner
City of Garretson Mayor
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
Published at the total approximate cost of $11.01 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1tc
• Resolution 2023-17 Capital Outlay Accumulations 2024 – Dreckman presented changes to capital outlay for 2024. Recommended consolidating Bathhouse Improvements and Split Rock Park, Devils Gulch, and Jaycee’s Updates into Park Improvements and adding Utility Meter Update. Council discussion ensued and Godbey motioned to approve resolutions as written with a second from Franka. 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION 2023-17 CAPITAL OUTLAY ACCUMULATION 2024
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Garretson, South Dakota, under authority of SDCL 9-21-14.1, authorizing the accumulation of funds for capital outlay purposes for the year 2023, and
WHEREAS, as required by SDCL 9-21-14.2, the purpose and maximum amount of this accumulation must be clearly stated, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Garretson acknowledges that, according to SDCL 9-21-14.2, these accumulated amounts must be expended within 60 months from the date of resolution establishing said accumulation and any accumulated funds deemed no longer necessary shall revert to the general fund, and
WHEREAS, according to standard accounting principles as established by the SD Department of Legislative Audit by direction of SDCI, these amounts should instead be a part of the general fund as a restricted cash account.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Garretson, that a capital outlay accumulation of $5,000 for Street Equipment; $15,000.00 for Fleet; $50,000.00 for Pay Loader; $5,000.00 for Street Maintenance; $10,000. 00 for Park Improvements; $10,000.00 for Pool; $5,000.00 for General Building Improvements; $5,000 for Sidewalks; $12,000.00 for Utility Meter Upgrade; Total restricted cash for 2024 is estimated at $120,000.00 in the General Fund.
Total restricted cash account balance, including 2024 amounts therefore is estimated at $461,197.43. Total accumulations, including 2024 accumulations, for designated accounts are estimated as follows: Street Equipment $10,000.00; Fleet $20,000.00; Mower $13,538.00; Payloader Loader $150,000.00; Street Maintenance $76,847.04; Park Improvements $44,325.28; Pool $10,000.00; General Building Improvements $5,000.00; Sidewalks/Bike Trails $70,937.28; Utility Meter Upgrade $60,549.83; Sewer Fund $343,600.00; and Natural Gas Fund $63,600.00.
Adopted this 2nd day of October 2023
-Greg Beaner
City of Garretson Mayor
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
Published at the total approximate cost of $26.98 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1tc
New Business:
• City Organizational Chart – Beaner presented chart to council as a formal document listing staff organization chart. Council discussion ensued. Bonte motioned to approve the agreement with a second from Hoskins. 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
• Pool Can Trailer – Fueston discussed moving can trailer to FFA to allow donations for the chapter. Council discussed. Brown motioned to allow for moving trailer to FFA and Franka seconded the motion. 4 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent. Motion passed.
• Natural Gas Signing Authority – Beaner recommended council to select a designated signer for all Clayton Energy communications as they are time sensitive. Recommendation being Council Appointed Natural Gas Representative and the elected Mayor as a secondary signer. Franka motioned to approve with a second from Brown. 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
• 2020-2021 Audit – Beaner presented audit findings and advised the council on former finance officer’s work. Stated council thought most issues from past audit were resolved but things got worse. Auditors do not foresee further issues/investigations. Current office staff has made changes to ensure no further issues and corrections have been made. Godbey motioned to approve 2020-2021 Audit with a second from Franka. 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
Old Business: nothing to report.
Other Items Brought Before Council: none
6:54 PM Brown motioned to move into executive session for contract discussion and Franka seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Motion passed.
7:27 PM Hoskins declared out of executive session.
7:28 PM Brown made a motion to adjourn. Franka 2nd. 5 ayes, 0 nays,1 absent. Motion passed.
Meeting Adjourned.
-Greg Beaner
City of Garretson Mayor
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
(Unapproved)
Published at the total approximate cost of $104.16 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1tc
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
TIMELINE AND PROCEDURES FOR MINNEHAHA COUNTY MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
LICENSE
Notice is hereby given that Minnehaha County will accept applications to operate a Medical Cannabis Dispensary pursuant to Minnehaha County Ordinance MC 60-21. Applications can only be submitted in person at the Minnehaha County Auditor’s Office, 415 N Dakota Avenue in Sioux Falls, SD.
Applications will be received at the Minnehaha County Auditor’s Office between the following dates from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays:
• Applications accepted beginning on October 10, 2023
• Application deadline will be November 13, 2023
A copy of the application form can be found on the Minnehaha County website @ MinnehahaCounty.gov, listed under the section titled Notices or a copy can be obtained from the Auditor’s Office.
All application must comply with the Minnehaha County Ordinance MC 60-21. A copy of this Ordinance can be found on the Minnehaha County website @ MinnehahaCounty.gov.
All applications must be accompanied with the following fees:
• A non-refundable $50.00 publishing fee payable to the Minnehaha County Treasurer.
• Separately, a non-refundable application fee of $5,000.00 payable by check or cashier-check to the Minnehaha County Treasurer.
• Separately an Initial License Fee for a Medical Cannabis Establishment License of $100,000.00. Payment of the License Fee must be made payable to the Minnehaha County Treasurer in the form of a Cashier Check. The License Fee is refundable to those applicants that are not awarded a medical cannabis license.
For additional information on the application process please contact the Minnehaha County Auditor’s Office at or 605-367-4220.
Dated at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this _____ day of ______________, 20_____.
Leah G. Anderson, County Auditor
Published at the total approximate cost of $33.05 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1t
Minutes of the Town of Sherman for Sept. 5, 2023
The Sherman Town Board met in regular session Tuesday September 5, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Members Present: Gerry Karpen, Darren Trower, Dawn Williams and Cheryl Swenson
Others Present: Lee Ellis
Karpen called the meeting to order.
Routine Business:
Approval of the agenda- Motion by Trower to approve the agenda, 2nd by Williams-all ayes, motion carried.
Minutes of the August 1, 2023 meeting were read—Trower made a motion to approve the minutes, 2nd by Williams—all Ayes, motion carried.
The Treasurer’s report was read—Trower made a motion to approve the Treasurers report as read, 2nd by Williams—all Ayes, motion carried
Claims Approved to be paid:
Minnehaha Community Water $50.00 water, Garretson Gazette $6.39 for variance meeting, $91.80 for Revenue & Expenditures, $25.88 for July minutes, Bounce Around Inflatables $126.59 for picnic, Gerry Karpen $31.98 for LED bulbs and extension cord, Palisades Propane $91.84 for propane, Xcel Energy $188.21 for street light, $26.30 for town hall lights, $25.76 for park lights, Heiman Inc $297.50 for fire extinguishers, Cheryl Swenson $42.69 pork loins and buns for picnic, Luke Bonte $160.00 for 4x mowing Tiger park, Blaine Trower $80.00 for 2x mowing Strom park, $120.00 for 3x mowing city lot.
Old Business:
1. Second reading of the annual appropriation ordinance—Motion by Trower to approve budget, 2nd by Williams—all ayes motion carried.
2. Kitchen sink and facet—Tabled
3. Park pad—Williams will order
New Business:
1. Set mill levy—Karpen will send in.
2. Snow removal—Lucas and Roger will be running snowplow, with Lee as a alternate. Rick and Mitch if needed with their payloaders.
3. Community yard sale—Yard sale will be Oct. 7th-8th from 10:00 to 3:00. People can set up in Strom Park if they want to. Williams will put on Garretson Living.
Trower made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Williams—all ayes. Next regular meeting will be October 3, 2023 @ 7:30pm.
-Cheryl Swenson Town Clerk
Published at the total approximate cost of $24.60 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1t
Minutes of the Town of Sherman for Oct. 4, 2023
The Sherman Town Board met in regular session Tuesday October 4, 2023 @ 7:30pm.
Members Present: Gerry Karpen, Darren Trower, Dawn Williams and Cheryl Swenson Others Present: Roger Andea
Karpen called the meeting to order.
Routine Business:
Approval of the agenda- Motion by Trower to approve the agenda with added park to old business, 2nd by Williams-all ayes, motion carried.
Minutes of the September 5, 2023 meeting were read—Trower made a motion to approve the minutes, 2nd by Williams—all Ayes, motion carried.
The Treasurer’s report was read—Trower made a motion to approve the Treasurers report as read, 2nd by Williams—all Ayes, motion carried.
Claims Approved to be paid:
Minnehaha Community Water $50.00 water, Dawn Williams $777.43 for playground mulch, Garretson Gazette $20.77 for August minutes, Excel Energy $287.27 for street lights, $27.72 for town hall lights, $30.15 for park lights.
Old Business:
1. Kitchen sink and facet—Trower reported he may have a base and counter top, will just need to get sink.
2. Park—Dawn got the mulch 75 cubic feet and put it down, will need more.
New Business:
1. Set date for special hearing-Mike’s alcoholic beverage license—meeting will be Nov. 7 at 7:45 pm.
2. Need some maintenance done to overhead shop door—Trower will pick up a door seal for the bottom and get some lube.
3. Sherman now has a Facebook page up and running, it is called Community of Sherman.
Trower made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Williams—all ayes. Next regular meeting will be November 7, 2023 @ 7:30pm.
-Cheryl Swenson Town Clerk
Published at the total approximate cost of $21.09 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1t
NOTICE OF AUDIT OF THE FISCAL AFFAIRS OF GARRETSON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 49-4
Notice is hereby given that the records and books of account of Garretson School District No. 49-4 of Minnehaha County, South Dakota have been audited by ELO Prof., LLC for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. A detailed report thereon is available for public inspection, during normal business hours, at the business office of the School District, and also available at the Department of Legislative Audit in Pierre, South Dakota or on the Department of Legislative Audit website at https://legislativeaudit.sd.gov/reports/reports.aspx
The following findings and recommendations provide a brief description of a significant deficiency and a material weakness in internal control that are described in more detail in the audit report.
Finding: A significant deficiency in internal controls was noted due to a lack of proper segregation of duties.
Recommendation: We recommend that the School District officials be cognizant of this lack of segregation of duties.
Finding: A material weakness in compliance resulted from budgeted expenditures exceeded the total means of finance and available fund balance in capital outlay fund.
Recommendation: We recommend that the budgets be monitored closely and supplements be implemented if necessary.
-ELO Prof LLC
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $37.70 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1t
NOTICE OF HEARING
Notice is hereby given that on October 24, 2023 at or after 9:00 a.m. the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the following amendments to Ordinance MC16-90 the 1990 Revised Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County. Such hearing will be part of the regularly scheduled meeting to be held in the Commission Room of the County Administration Building, 415 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.
REZONE from the A-1 Agricultural District to the RR Rural Residential District, the Prairie View Estates Addition in the W½ NW¼ Section 36 T101N-R51W, Minnehaha County, SD.
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Published at the total approximate cost of $13.49 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
10-12-23-1t
NOTICE OF HEARING
Notice is hereby given that on October 24, 2023 at or after 5:00 p.m. the Minnehaha County Board of County Commissioners will conduct a joint public hearing with the City of Sioux Falls to consider the following amendments to MC30-02, the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and City of Sioux Falls. Such hearing will be part of the regularly scheduled meeting to be held in Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street, Sioux Falls, SD.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS related to the following:
1) Amending Section 3.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
2) Amending Section 4.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
3) Amending Section 5.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
4) Amending Section 6.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
5) Amending Section 7.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
6) Amending Section 8.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
7) Amending Section 13.04 adding Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
8) Amending Section 15 adding 15.18 Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental
9) Adding a definition (733A) Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental to Article 24.02.
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Dated: October 3, 2023
Published at the total approximate cost of $23.08 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com.
Garretson is celebrating the start of the harvest season in a big way, with a Harvest Festival this weekend. Plus, the Garretson School District had to declare an emergency to replace a boiler ASAP; corn husking provided a fun time; and the final home game of the season provided a big win for Blue Dragon Football; plus more!
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Garretson is celebrating the start of the harvest season in a big way, with a Harvest Festival this weekend. Plus, the Garretson School District had to declare an emergency to replace a boiler ASAP; corn husking provided a fun time; and the final home game of the season provided a big win for Blue Dragon Football; plus more!
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The Garretson Gazette sends a weekly email letting you know when this week's issue is available, along with a run-down of each week's articles. Please ensure you enter our email address () into your "safe emails" list and subscribe to our email newsletter using the form below. Thanks!
The association representing the state’s newspapers and other news media outlets has changed its name to the South Dakota NewsMedia Association (SDNA), effective Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. For the past 35 years, the association was known as the South Dakota Newspaper Association.
“The change in the name of our association reflects the changes occurring in the news media industry today as well as our organization’s strategic desire to adapt and move forward,” said SDNA President Kristi Hine, who also is publisher of the True Dakotan newspaper at Wessington Springs.
The name change coincides with the association’s recent decision to expand its membership ranks to include not only newspapers but other types of news media organizations that have started the past few years including certain digital-only news outlets.
The new name also reflects trends occurring among community newspapers.
“The printed newspaper remains the bread-and-butter product in our communities, but newspapers large and small today are delivering news, information and advertising on many different media platforms,” Hine said. “It’s about meeting the expectations and news consumption habits of our readers and customers.”
Hine pointed out that the most recent statewide survey commissioned by SDNA showed that 83% of all South Dakota adults read local newspapers every month, whether it’s in print or online. “The local newspaper remains essential to keeping the community informed, engaged and connected,” she said.
“While the name is changed, our association remains committed to our core mission of serving and supporting the newspapers and news organizations that serve their communities with quality journalism and relevant news and information.”
Prior to becoming the South Dakota Newspaper Association in 1988, the organization was known as the South Dakota Press Association for most of its 141-year history. The change to South Dakota NewsMedia Association was approved this fall in a vote by members of the organization.
More information about the South Dakota NewsMedia Association can be found at www.sdna.com.
It’s not a magic school bus, but it is a pretty cool modern marvel. Last Friday, Sept. 29th, the Garretson School District received a delivery of three new, fully electric-powered and operated school buses as part of the Federal Clean School Bus Program, funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
School Board President and radio show host Shannon Nordstrom has a look under the hood of one of the Garretson School District’s new E-buses.
The Garretson School Board approved the purchase last winter after researching their feasibility in cold South Dakota climates and receiving a bid from LION Electric, an e-bus maker that operates a fleet in Vancouver, Canada.
Not only was the Gazette staff on hand, but local news outlets including KELO and Dakota News Now sent reporters and cameras to the event.
The TV folks interviewed both Superintendent Guy Johnson and School Board President Shannon Nordstrom, but also talked to bus drivers Tim Nelson and Tom Godbey.
“The potential savings for the district just for fuel costs is simply worth trying,” said Supt. Johnson.
“Everybody knows what I do for a living,” said Nordstrom, who owns Nordstrom Automotive. “I was skeptical, I admit it. But the more I learned the more I saw that this was an opportunity that we simply couldn’t ignore and I’m eager to see what these buses can do and what they can do for our kids.”
It was school Business Manager Jacob Schweitzer who first brought this idea to the school board.
“It’s my job to look for things that benefit the district financially, and these grants were available for any school district to apply for as long as they filled out the paperwork,” he said. “So, I put together a proposal for the board, and well, they seemed to like the idea of getting brand new buses at no cost to the district. Been about a yearlong process, but it is really nice to see it come to fruition.”
Though board president Nordstrom was perhaps a bit of a doubting Thomas, he and Russ Evans on their weekly radio show “Under the Hood” have been talking about electric vehicles for some time both on air and in their syndicated weekly letters column.
“There’s some real torque there,” he said, talking about the bus. “Tesla changed the market in real way and now all the big companies are putting more and more E-vehicles on the road, many of them with great performance specs. It’s not perfect, storing power is always the constant problem, but they’re getting better.”
The district opted not to order the buses until an auxiliary 25-gallon diesel heater option was available, which will help ensure the batteries do not freeze or get overly cold during the winter. This will help range, which is currently rated at approximately 125 miles. Supt. Johnson pointed out the school's longest regular route is only 45 miles.
Unloading the buses was truly a community effort. While the cameras were rolling, there was an issue of getting two of the buses safely rolled off the flatbed trailers and onto the road. Judd Sopoci of Garbage N More appeared on the scene and provided portable ramps to get one bus unloaded. The second bus, which was on a higher trailer, was unloaded across the highway thanks to Kibble Equipment.
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His football games had a nearly perfect winning streak for 30 years. His record boasts of a State Championship runner-up, a 24-game streak in nine-man football, and 23 games won in a row in 11-man football. And now, he can add member of the 54th class of the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame to that record.
Former Garretson High School teacher and football coach Clarence Kooistra remains humble, however.
"I give all credit to the teams- it's all about them, and the community," Kooistra said. "I owe it to all those people."
Kooistra was the Garretson High School football coach for 30 years, leading 300 games from the 1970's to the 1990's before retiring from coaching in 1997 and teaching in 1998.
After serving for four years in the Marines during the Vietnam war and obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree at Sioux Falls College (now University of Sioux Falls), Kooistra began teaching in Coleridge, NE. It wasn't long before he moved back to the area and started teaching in Garretson.
He taught high school social studies, geography, and government before moving into the guidance counselor position. During his 34 years of teaching, he impacted many lives and guided many kids through their teenage years.
In an interview with the Gazette, Kooistra spoke of the impact of community involvement. He mentioned pep rallies, which were held every Friday for K-12. Oftentimes, the whole community would be involved. He remembered doing one rally while standing on a beat-up car on Main.
"It was all for the kids," he said, pointing out how much the students got involved in the pep rallies, doing skits and having the band play. He wished the school could still hold the pep rallies that often, but realized it probably wasn't feasible anymore, because there are more games and sports than there used to be.
Participation was the name of the game for Kooistra. He noted that he expected his athletes to attend practices without fail and expected them to be good leaders. Once, his team got in trouble with an initiation, and "it was bad," he said. "But I was tough with the kids so we didn't usually have too much issue with that."
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The Garretson Red Hatters met in September at the Sports Cabin for a noon meal. Then we did the Art Trail in Garretson. How interesting! If you want to see this bench in our photo, go to the cabin in the Devil's Gulch park. This bench was made from the Jasper quarry rock. See how many "moons" you can find. If you are 55 or older, and would like to join in some fun, give one of us a call. We generally meet on the second Monday of the month. -submitted by Ginny Solheim
Garretson’s best readers recognized!
Two weeks ago, the Garretson School District recognized its summer readers by gifting them a $10 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble Bookstores.
"The goal was to read 500 pages [over the summer months], but most kids read over a thousand pages," said Title I and Reading Recovery teacher Kim Macziewski, known to the students as Mrs. Mac.
Participants were asked to record their pages read on a form and return it to the school within the first week back from summer vacation. Nine students took up the challenge of returning the form. Many informed Mrs. Mac that they did read over the summer but few showed proof.
Those given gift cards included first graders Ava Ramsbey and Colbie Dagel, third graders Coyer Buchholz, Cope Dagel and Alison Qualm, and fifth graders Hailey Anderson, Avonlea Radford, Lucy Petrick, and Caylix Buchholz.
3rd Grade receives dictionaries from Auxiliary
"The Henry J. Fix Auxiliary Unit 23 presented dictionaries to 34 3rd graders! Shown is Rhonda Kirton showing the dictionaries and the students excited! Even though ipads are wonderful, it is nice to have an actual dictionary book in hand to look up things for class and to learn new vocabulary words."
Splitrock Bowling:
The Splitrock Ladies bowled on September 26th, 2023, with the following results:
High Team Game & Series - Steve's Electric - 889 & 2534.
High Individual Games - Jill Reindl - 203 which was 75 pins over her average & Brenda Jones - 184 which was 56 pins over her average.
The Garretson High School Band competition season has gotten off to a solid start, with the team taking first place last Thursday, September 28 in Arlington.
The Garretson Band took home third place in the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne on Saturday. Pictured with the flag are Stella Frewaldt and Connor Waltman, first row with flutes are Audra Genzler, Whisper Apple, Rylee Farrell. //photo Kelsey Buchholz
Their first three of five competitions were all held last week, where the band competed with Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black."
"It has a great rock feel," said Band Director Nick Sittig. "The band does a great job [at] maintaining that rock energy."
Hitting one competition per day, the band took up the challenge on September 28, 29, and 30 in Arlington, Beresford, and Luverne.
Prior to the competitions, Sittig hoped to do well, and that was borne out as the band took first in Arlington as they competed against four bands in their class, Great Plains Lutheran, Flandreau, Sioux Valley and Webster.
In Beresford on Friday, they took home 2nd place, only 0.9 points away from the first-place winner of Dell Rapids.
Pictured (L to R) are Martin Welch, Noah Schotzko, Casen Smith; second row percussion: Lucas Schotzko. //Kelsey Buchholz
"Scotland, Baltic and Parker were the other bands in our class for that day," said Sittig.
Their hardest competition of the season was held on Saturday as the players headed for Luverne and the Tri-State Band Festival. There, they competed in the parade category, and had seven other schools competing in their class.
Brooklyn Trudeau kept a straight face during her color guard performance while the band played “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones. //Kelsey Buchholz
"In Luverne we got 3rd place," said Sittig. Competing bands included Murray County (MN), Sioux Falls Lutheran, Tracey Area (MN), Adrian-Ellsworth (MN), Baltic, Boyden-Hull (IA), and George Little Rock (IA).
"The fact we got 3rd out of this many bands is great," Sittig added.
This week Friday, they will head to Chester, and next week Friday, October 13, will be their final competition in Volga.
Moving into formation to the beat while playing. Trombone: Colton Buchholz, Clarinet: Caiden Maack, Baritone Sax: Tyler Erickson, Trumpet: Dan Hoskins. //Kelsey Buchholz
