The first order of business at the October 3 regular meeting of the Paullina City Council was to approve a detour through Paullina, via Maple Street due to bridgework west of town. The original agreement with Department of Transportation (DOT) send traffic south from on Highway 143 to Highway 3 before turning east to get to Highway L48. DOT officials corrected the error.
Bridgework west of Paullina over Mud Creek is scheduled to begin March 1, 2023 until November 30, 2023. Highway 10 will be closed 1.9 miles west of Paullina during that time. The official detour will use Maple Street (L48 north and south of Paullina) through Paullina to Highway B62. The distance is 3.3 miles. B62 is the next east/west hard surface road south of Paullina. The detour travels 6.0 miles west to Highway 143 and turns north to Highway 10.
Kelly Top reported there are 3 unfinished electric projects underway. He also reported that DGR Engineering is beginning the engineering work for the switchgear. He noted that the timeframe, and other procedural requirements is part of the work of DGR.
Changes to the employee handbook to change payday and use Direct Deposit were approved. Existing employees are not required to participate. New employees will only be paid by direct deposit.
Transfer of authority and responsibility of Zoning Administrator duties was transferred from Jay Jones and Jean Unrau to City Clerk Scott Wise. Wise, as Clerk also had the duties of Custodian of Records come to him from Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse.
Council officially accepted the resignation of Treasurer Johnene Altman. Prior to any motion or vote, discussion of what to do was opened by Lexy Murphy. Carol Honkomp and Jean Unrau motioned and seconded accepting when it was said the alternative was not to accept the resignation. Murphy continued with what to do going forward asking, “Do we have anyone in mind? And also asking, “How would we be getting the Treasurer’s report now?” By City Ordinance, a treasurer’s report is required to be submitted to council monthly.
The ordinance of the city makes the responsibility to appoint a treasurer a council duty.
Carol Honkomp explained how Primghar produces a treasurer’s report without a treasurer, not having the same ordinance.
Honkomp explained that in Primghar it is the Clerk and Mayor who work together to provide a verified report. She went on to comment that they need to “get the last couple month going.” Murphy asked Janice Thompson (currently filling clerk accounting duties during Wise’s training) if she knows how to do the treasurers report. Thompson replied in the affirmative. Honkomp added that Thompson has been doing them and helping with all of them. Murphy tried to understand the procedure used with Altman prior to her resignation. Honkomp outlined that Thompson had May and June come out. Thompson said she had July done. Honkomp was reminded by Mari Radtke, present in the meeting, that Honkomp had stated in an interview that the June report was still out of balance. Radtke asked Thompson if the June report was balanced, getting an affirmative reply.
Discussion of how to recruit a qualified treasurer was held with no decisions made. Because of the ordinance council must appoint an individual to balance the checking account and fund balances, a check on the clerk’s work.
UPDATES SINCE OCTOBER 17 MEETING: The employment of Deputy City Clerk Whitney Engelke had been terminated, but not reported during the meeting. A complete house-cleaning of the financial employees is now complete since this administration was seated.
Police Officer Trenton Morgan submitted his 30-day resignation. Paullina Police Department is part of a 28E agreement with the City of Sutherland Police Department. Sutherland Police Officer Adam McQueen will be attending the academy in January for 16 weeks.