City Council discusses community foundation fund

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City Council discusses community foundation fund

By Shiloh Appel

On Monday, November 6, 2017, the Redfield City Council discussed the possibility of creating a community foundation fund. The idea, brought to Mayor Jayme Akin by Paula Jensen, is being used in multiple communities.

"It is not something we would budget for. My understanding is that we would do fundraisers," said Akin. The fund, which would be overseen by a committee,  would go towards community projects and events. According to Akin, the community foundation fund has been very successful in many small towns in South Dakota, one of which has reportedly raised a few million dollars through the fund.

"Depending on how big that pod grows, five percent can come out of it," said Akin.

Adam Hansen added that a community foundation fund in Redfield could help with such things as the construction of a new community swimming pool.

"An example of this is there was a lady in Webster that passed away last year. Webster has one of these foundation endowments, and when this lady passed away, she donated a good part of her trust. It was a fair chunk of change, and that goes into that fund," said Akin."That money stays there in the community."

Akin said that he would like to invite a woman from Pierre who is in charge of the community foundations.

"She said she would be more than happy to come here and discuss this in further detail with us," said Akin. "So, just waiting for you guys to give the okay."

The idea was an information and discussion item, so no action was taken.

Akin also informed the council on the November 8th arrival date of the new Redfield fire truck. The truck arrived and was tested by Spink County firemen on the evening of November 8th.

As for new business, City Attorney Bormann and Mayor Akin informed the council on actions taken to prevent the misuse of city property by a certain individual.

"We had a gentleman who misused Redfield city property. That would be in public buildings, the park, the Armory. My understanding is that he is no longer allowed on those premises anymore," said Akin. Bormann said that there is no law specifying whether or not the city can or can't ban someone from city property. However, he said that the decision was based on Fargo, North Dakota's regular practice of "letting people know when they have abused their privileges on city property." Those who have abused their privileges are no longer allowed on city property and are charged with trespassing by local law enforcement if found on city property.

The council also approved a change order and pay request for the Redfield curb and gutter project.

"The assessment will be assessed to the adjacent property owners," said Akin. "For those who cannot pay that rate, the city will be paying, but there will be a five percent interest rate."

The council then approved the Redfield Airport Cultural Resources Construction Monitoring Agreement.

"One of the rules and regulations is when we are doing dirt work, we have to have certain people on site to monitor what is going on.They are paid for being there to monitor. The bill to navigate is over $120,000 per calendar year. With that being said, I think we are going to go forward and have this project done. It is something we have to do," said Akin. "Keep in mind that the city is not responsible for that entire amount. If it did come to $120,000, the FAA would be responsible for $114,000, we would just have to pay $16,000."

The council also approved pay requests  for both the airport runway and dirt work on the airport runway.

The final item of new business was the possibility of adding a  "Tot Gym" at the Armory. The gym would be for children ages three to five and would be open on Saturdays from 10a.m. to 11:30a.m. starting December 2, 2017, and continuing every weekend through March.

"They want to bring in games and toys that are age-appropriate. This would all be volunteers," said Akin. It was moved and seconded to accept the Tot Gym and the motion carried.

After council member reports, the council meeting went into executive session before adjourning at 8:11p.m.