ORDINANCE NO. 275, THIRD SERIESAN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY DURING THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATORTHE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE ORDAINS:PREAMBLE. Whereas, the office of City Administrator is an essential function of the City and the powers, duties, and responsibilities of said office are necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, morals, safety, and welfare; and it is therefore essential that the duties of said office be assigned to adequately provide for the administration of the City; it is hereby declared that an emergency exists within the meaning of City Charter Section 4.04, Subd. 3, and the following ordinance shall be an emergency ordinance effective as provided for therein.SECTION 1. Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this ordinance to provide for the proper administration of the City while a vacancy exists within the office of City Administrator and that until such time as a new City Administrator is hired and assumes the duties of office as provided for by Charter and City Code, notwithstanding the provision of City Charter Sec. 3.02 or other contrary provisions of the Charter or City Code, the provisions of this ordinance shall prevail and govern the administration of the City.SEC. 2. The general administration of the City shall be governed by consensus of a Management Committee consisting of the City Clerk as Chair and Recording Secretary, the Finance Director, the Public Utilities Supervisor, and the Public Works Supervisor. The Mayor and Acting Mayor may attend any formal meetings of the Committee which must be held once per week and prior to all regular Council meetings. Any matter within the duties, responsibilities, or authority of the City Administrator pursuant to law, Charter, City Code, or City policy, may be conducted, dispatched, or ordered when the same is agreed to unanimously by the Management Committee. The Committee shall perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the duties of Chief Administrative Office of the City. The Management Committee members shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused. Under the Management Committee, each Department Head shall have the same general authorities, duties, and responsibilities as is provided for in City Code and in the past management practices of the City.SEC. 3. The Council shall exercise full supervisory and employment powers over members of the Management Committee. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Mayor and Acting Mayor to report any improprieties to the City Council for consideration. SEC. 4. Notwithstanding the aforementioned delegation of duties, the following named officers shall have the respective duties, responsibilities, and authorities as herein noted. City Clerk. The City Clerk shall coordinate all requests and matters of the Management Committee; prepare, assemble, and distribute the Council agenda packet and related materials; issue licenses; function as City Clerk in all respects including, but not limited to Council minutes, ordinances and resolutions, document certification and attesting thereto, and execution of City contracts and agreements; approve travel requests, vacations and sick leaves, or other similar personnel requests which require approval of the City Administrator; and such other matters as are delegated by the Council or, within its authority, the Management Committee. Finance Director. The Finance Director shall prepare and submit budget amendments; advise the Council as to the financial condition of the City and enforcement of the budget; give approval of purchases and travel authorization for budgetary control purposes; and such other matters as are delegated by the Council or, within its authority, the Management Committee. All Department Heads shall negotiate and make such purchases as can be accomplished without competitive bidding and obtain estimates, quotations, sealed bids, or contracts in excess of said amounts subject to the approval of the Finance Director and for any purchases over $5,000, the approval of the Management Committee. Said Department Heads shall make such reports as may be requested by the Management Committee or City Council so as to keep said bodies fully informed as to the affairs of each department. SEC. 5. Council Authority. The Council may override any action of the Management Committee or City employees in exercising the duties, responsibilities, and authority assigned herein, provided the Committee or employee is first given an opportunity to explain the action and reasons for it. Until such override, the action shall be in full force and effect. SEC. 6. The Department Heads that typically report to the City Administrator will report for coordinating purposes, to the following individuals during the interim times between Management Committee meetings: Building/Zoning Official to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Econ. Development Director to Finance Director Barbara Berghorst Fire Chief to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Library Director to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Line Supervisor to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstPool Managers to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstCity Engineers to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstSafety and Risk Management – Finance Director Barbara BerghorstCommunity Relations – City Clerk Marianne PerkinsSec. 7. Pursuant to City Code, Sec. 2.05, Subd. 2, the following individuals shall be deemed to be the "Acting City Administrator" for purposes of ex-officio membership on the various boards and commissions: Airport Board – Public Works Supervisor Ken VosBoard of Appeals & Adjustments – Building/Zoning Official Dan Delgehausen Board of Building Appeals – Building/Zoning Official Dan Delgehausen Cable TV Advisory Board – City Clerk Marianne PerkinsEconomic Development Authority – Finance Director Barbara Berghorst Library Board – Library Director Glenda Bremer Pool Commission – Pool Supervisor Samantha Honerman Planning Commission – Building/Zoning Official Dan DelgehausenIn addition, the City Clerk shall provide such clerical and general staff support as may reasonably be needed for the duties of each board and commission.SEC. 8. In recognition of the additional time, duties, and responsibilities designated herein and during the effective period of this ordinance, the City Clerk shall receive additional compensation equal to 20 percent of base pay, the Finance Director 20 percent of base pay, Public Utilities supervisor 10 percent of base pay, and Public Works Supervisor 10 percent of base pay, retroactive to May 28, 2005. Management Committee meeting attendance by the Mayor and Acting Mayor shall be deemed to be an authorized special function for purposes of per diem payments.SEC. 9. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall provide for its publication at the earliest possible time. This ordinance shall expire and its provisions shall be of no further effect upon the City Council’s appointment and the assuming of the duties of office and taking of the Oath of Office by the City Administrator; provided, however, that no action, taken under the provisions of this ordinance and during its effective period, shall be void but shall continue until the same is properly amended according to law, charter, City Code, or administrative rule.Andrew G. Steensma, MayorATTEST: Marianne Perkins, City Clerk(6-16)

MAY 26, 2005MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 7:30 p.m.The following members were present; Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz and Bill Stegemann. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Mary Jacobson, Becky Runnoe, Jane Cote, Tim Christensen, Darren Olson, Jan Olson, Stacy Mente, Gayle Stegemann, Becky Gonnerman, Sheryl Staeffler, Melissa Fick, Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald, and Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Superintendent Schaefer gave announcements including there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve the agenda with addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Tim Christensen, Darren Olson, and Jan Olson reviewed the science curriculum with the School Board. Superintendent Schaefer distributed copies of the kindergarten question responses. Business Manager Marlene Mann explained how the district arrived at the cost of $150 for the Kinder Plus program. When comparing it to the Discovery Time preschool program, Discovery Time costs $2.83 per hour and Kinder Plus will cost $2.30 per hour. It was also noted that the $150 per child will cover items such as staff salaries and benefits, supplies, and pro-rated buildings and grounds costs. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve the minutes of the May 9 and May 12, 2005, School Board meetings. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to pay the District bills as presented in the amount of $944,341.94. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Kopp, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of April 30, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the Blue Cross/Blue Shield proposed percentage increases. The insurance committee will be meeting to make final selection on which package the School District will use. Motion by Baartman, second by Herman, to table action on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance until the next meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the summer curriculum work schedule as presented: Family/Consumer Science - $200.00; Physical Education - $480.00; Health - $80.00; and Language Arts - $240.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to approve a summer contract with Dale Nelson in the amount of $5,398.00 for four weeks of Band. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve a summer contract with Dennis Moritz in the amount of $4,466.00 for four weeks of Agriculture. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve Special Education summer school services: Lucinda Rofshus – Elem Spec Ed – 64 hours - $2,021.00; Summer Speech for 64 hours; Deb Vander Kooi – Summer School nurse – 7 hours - $190.00; Shelley Krueger – EC:SE Summer Program – 85 hours - $1,672.00; Paula Lammert – MS/HS Special Education – 32 hours - $630.00; and management assistants that will be paid from the timecards at their usual hourly rate. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Herman, to approve the Science Education Curriculum Guide for General Instruction as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to continue to offer student accident insurance through Student Assurance Services, Inc. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer informed the School Board they need to take action informing the voters of the School District of their intent to have a levy referendum election this fall on November 8. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to inform District voters of the intent to hold a levy referendum election on November 8. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to accept the retirement of Shirley Harrison, Kindergarten teacher, effective June, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Baartman, to accept the resignation of Tim Homan as MS Social Studies teacher and Head Wrestling coach effective June 2, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve a medical leave of absence for Emily Matthiesen, MS Mathematics teacher, for the 2005-2006 school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the resignation of Phyllis Schaefer, Kindergarten teacher, effective June 2, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: May 26, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(6-16)

Today I want to release my scientific findings on the "earthworm question." You may recall, I found three earthworms in my mailbox and questioned their capacity to crawl up the wood post and continue upside down on a smooth metal surface, around a sharp corner and into the box. After weeks of painstaking research, I came to the irrefutable conclusion the neighbor kids put the worms in the mailbox. I basically conducted one experiment. As I was digging in the garden one day, I unearthed a giant earthworm. Because of his substantial size, I assumed he was strong, aggressive and advanced in his thinking. I placed his body halfway on top of a four-foot wood railing. The other half of his body hung down over the side. I watched to see if Mr. Worm could heft himself up on top of the railing. It didn’t go well for him. He fell off into the grass and a few minutes later a robin snatched him up for a tasty snack. I felt kind of bad about that, but in the scheme of the universe, it’s not a national disaster. So that’s where we are on the earthworm situation. If anyone has scientific data to refute my findings, I would be willing to consider it. We have some fabulous new titles by your favorite authors on the shelf this week. "McKettrick’s Choice" by Linda Lael Miller. When news came that there was trouble back in Texas, Holt McKettrick left his mail-order bride at the altar and he never looked back. John Cavanagh, the buffalo soldier who raised Holt, is being forced off his land and his friend, Gabe, is about to be hanged. Riding hard, Holt reaches San Antonio just as Lorelei Fellows torches her wedding dress. Lorelei refuses to marry a sleazy lawyer and takes refuge on the tiny dilapidated ranch left to her by her mother. Intrigue, danger, and greed are up against integrity, kindness, and love in this engrossing western romance. "The Twelfth Card" by Jeffrey Deaver is a two-day cat-and-mouse chase through the streets of uptown Manhattan as detective Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs try to outguess Thompson Boyd — a nondescript, innocuous man, but one whose past has turned him into a killing machine. Boyd is after Geneva Settle, a high school girl from Harlem, and it's up to Lincoln and Amelia to figure out why. The motive may have to do with a term paper that Geneva is writing about her ancestor, Charles Singleton, a former slave. A teacher and farmer in New York State, Charles was active in the early civil rights movement but was arrested for theft and disgraced. Lincoln and Amelia work frantically to figure out where the hired gun will strike and stop him, all the while trying to determine what actually happened on that hot July night in 1868 when Charles Singleton was arrested. "One Shot" by Lee Child. Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says, "You got the wrong guy." Then he says, "Get Jack Reacher for me" ... and the slam-dunk case explodes. Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best.

Fire Destroys Luverne BusinessThe following appeared in the Rock County Star-Herald on March 25, 1954. This fire was a $100,000 fire.Fire Destroys Luverne BusinessCause Said to Be Overloaded Power CircuitFire which destroyed a Main Street business structure housing five Luverne business establishments early Friday morning originated in a fuse box in the basement of the Rainbow Café. This was the decision of Ben F. Cords, Mankato, deputy state fire marshal, who conducted the investigation here Saturday together with Fire Chief Bill Busse and other members of the Luverne fire department. In reporting on his investigation, the deputy fire marshal stated that the "cause of the fire resulted from overloading of the electrical circuits of the existing system in the Rainbow Café."The building which was destroyed was owned by Carl Omodt, Luverne.Five Businesses AffectedHoused in it were three eating places, the Club Café, owned by C.D. White, the Rainbow Café, owned by H.J. Kadinger, and the Grill Café owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters and Maxine Peters. All were total losses, with the exception of some equipment that may be salvaged, losses to Pat’s Plumbing, owned by Orville Barclay, and Luverne Sheet Metal, were almost total. A brick wall, separating Pat’s Plumbing from United Cleaners which is also in the same building, prevented the fire from spreading there. However, water in the basement of the cleaning plant damaged electric motors there, and odor from the smoke necessitated having all the clothing in the plant deodorized. Mrs. Burton Knowlton, owner, found it necessary to suspend operations for several days as a result. Orville Barclay said yesterday that he and Orvin Birkeland have leased the former A & P location and Pat’s Plumbing and Luverne Sheet Metal would be open for business there in the near future. Owners of the three cafes have announced no definite plans as yet. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Gathering information is a big part of my job at the newspaper, but it’s seldom an eye-opening experience.Collecting quotes and recording statistical information can be a mundane process that is more time-consuming than it is stimulating. And, being a person who feels a day is wasted if I don’t learn something new, I often have to look for different outlets to challenge myself mentally.This past Monday, however, wasn’t one of those days.I learned something new about the sport of track and field, and it stemmed from Tyler Bush’s victory in the 800-meter run at the state track meet.As an outsider looking in at the sport, I always thought track was a sport that was dominated by athletes who are blessed with the greatest physical tools.That’s not necessarily the case all of the time.In Bush’s conquest at the National Sports Center on Saturday, he actually won the race with his mind, with the help of his running ability.Bush entered the finals with a preset strategy. He wanted to gain a lead early in the race, even if it meant starting the endurance test at a faster pace than he usually would run.In order to get his lead, Bush was prepared to cover the first 200 meters of the event in 26 seconds, which is pretty quick for a race that requires an athlete to run three times that distance before the event is complete.When Bush found out that he wasn’t being challenged for the lead at the beginning of the race, he mentally adapted to the situation. Instead of expending any more energy to gain his lead, he slowed his pace and led the pack after completing the first 200 meters in 28 seconds.With the other runners bunching up behind him as the race progressed, Bush was able to run relaxed, while the other entries jockeyed for position behind the leader.East Central’s Jack Carlson did make a run at Bush in the final 250 meters of the race and took the lead for a short time. Carlson, however, used up most of his remaining energy in the process of catching and passing the leader.Bush had some gas left in his tank. Beginning his final push with 70 meters left, he drew even with Carlson with 50 meters remaining and ran away from the challenger at race’s end.In the end, it was a triumph for the athlete with the stronger mind."In essence, Tyler turned it into a 400-meter race instead of an 800-meter race with his strategy," said H-BC-E-E track coach Tom Goehle."It takes a lot of discipline to run the race the way Tyler did, and he really deserved to win it. He knew what kind of race he wanted to run, and he was disciplined enough to do it."I tip my hat to Tyler Bush.By his winning a state championship because of preset strategy, I learned there’s a lot more to being successful in track and field than being a fast runner.

‘Live for the moment. You never know if there’s not going to be a tomorrow’It was an ordinary weekend for the Ehde family last weekend.We slept in on Saturday, ate cheesy eggs for brunch and Carson napped to the distant sound of a lawnmower engine criss-crossing the lawn.We did ordinary chores.Jonathan picked up sticks in the yard and hauled out the garbage. A few loads of laundry were washed and dried. Kitchen counters were cleaned and dirtied several times throughout the weekend.We enjoyed ordinary pleasures.Grandpa and Grandma Kroontje joined us for Sunday dinner after church, and a bike trip to the park resulted in a swimming outing with friends who were camping there.So why are all these ordinary details making the newspaper?Because for people with fragile health, participating in these ordinary activities would be extraordinary events.In the past week I found my thoughts drifting to the Mayo Clinic where Mike Van Der Brink and his family have spent a grueling week following surgery. (See the related front-page story.)Van Der Brink is honorary chairman of this weekend’s Relay for Life, and his responsibilities are relatively simple. He’s to provide a brief speech for Relay participants, and he’s to lead the Survivor Lap that kicks off the overnight trek around the city park.But at this point, it’s unclear if he’s up to the ride home from Rochester.With Mike’s health precariously balanced between post-surgery and recovery, the Van Der Brinks are no doubt longing for a return to an ordinary life of ordinary activities.I feel somewhat guilty knowing life stands still for them while the rest of us proceed with our daily routines. Once their routine gets back on track, it goes without saying that they won’t overlook life’s little pleasures. "It opens your eyes," said Mike’s wife, Kris, about dealing with cancer. "You live for the moment. … You never know if there’s not going to be tomorrow."Rock County’s Relay for Life starts with a community supper Friday night. The $4 meal is just one of many last-minute fund-raising opportunities to support cancer research.And you don’t have to have cancer to show up.You don’t even have to know anybody with cancer to participate.This is the fifth year of Relay for Life in Luverne, and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t been part of it to see what it’s all about.Not just because it’s a worthy cause, but because it’s a worthwhile life lesson.It’s a powerful experience to bring together so many people who have endured so much … whether it be surviving cancer or surviving the pain of losing someone to cancer.They’re inspiring, they’re motivating and, if nothing, else, they’re solid reminders to count our blessings.

Down — To the petition effort to recall Luverne Council member Maynard Lafrenz. If for every council vote we disagree with, we have a petition circulating to get someone out of office, it will be impossible to continue business without an ongoing cycle of recalls.Down — On the same subject again, a down to David Hauge and people who claim the Star Herald was intimidating petition signers by planning to publish their names. If people are embarrassed to be publicly affiliated with the process, then they should question the merits of the process itself. If they aren’t proud to sign their name to something and be known for it — then they shouldn’t sign it.Up — To the Luverne Public Works crew who helped the City Park bounce back and look great even after a muddy Buffalo Days. We are sure it will look even better by the time they have it ready for Relay for Life.Down — To Section 3AA athletic planners who schedule a baseball tournament in Granite Falls for Pipestone and Luverne. The towns are only 30 miles from each other but both teams will have to travel 100 miles one way to play ball. What a waste.Up — To Relay for Life teams and volunteers who have been busy raising money for the good cause of the American Cancer Society. See the story for details on this weekend’s events.Up — To Relay for Life volunteer Nancy Kaczrowski, who is stepping down this year after five years of working on the event. Her energy and enthusiasm for this and other local causes are priceless. The world could certainly use more Nancy Kaczrowskis.The Star Herald welcomes submissions from readers for Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down editorials. The Rock County Star Herald Editorial Board is comprised of Roger Tollefson, Rick Peterson, Lori Ehde and Sara Quam.

Even the most loved and cherished fairy tales don’t live happily ever after. Researchers at the U.K.’s University of Derby note that fairy-tale princesses in particular are poor role models for young girls today. Cinderella, for example, is "down-trodden and miserable until she is rescued by a prince, suggesting that she is incapable of rescuing herself." Furthermore, stories such as "Beauty and the Beast" may suggest that love can "magically transform" an abusive man. Young girls consequently believe "if their love is strong enough they can change their partner’s behavior," stated one researcher. Excuse me, but isn’t that one of the reasons we marry — so that we might change our partners? The task is much more difficult with someone we might be casually dating. Before we subscribe to the poor-role-model theory from the University of Derby perhaps we should re-examine the valuable lessons taught to today’s young women by yesterday’s fairy tales. "Hansel and Gretel," for example, is more than a cautionary tale about children lost in a woods and a witch with unusual culinary aspirations. Consider this valuable lesson. Have you ever thought there’s nothing in the cupboards for dinner at the end of a busy day? Don’t worry, especially if you live in a Victorian-style house with ornate, gingerbread trim. The fairy tale teaches young girls that if they are ever in a similar situation as homemakers, they will only have to think positive thoughts and heat up a cauldron. Something (or someone) will eventually show up at the front door, and we’re not talking about a pizza delivery. The story about Hansel and Gretel also gives new meaning to the expression, "I’d like to have you for dinner." "The Princess and the Pea" is a reminder that you don’t have to sleep on vegetables to find out that some mattresses can give you a royal pain. Also, if you must sleep on a vegetable to prove your worth to prospective in-laws, peas should be your vegetable of choice. Peas are much better than prickly artichokes. Incidentally, if you still believe that a tiny pea could cause the most restless night’s sleep, you have never checked into one of those inexpensive chain motels where the mattresses are lumpy, the towels are threadbare and the TV is bolted to the top of a dresser. "Cinderella" teaches us that life can be cruel. When you finally find a pair of high heels that fit perfectly, you will immediately misplace one of them. "Little Red Riding Hood" offers us many lessons about life. The most important is that you should expect to draw unwanted attention when you wear bright colors in public. Secondly, there are worse things than becoming your grandmother as you grow older. That, of course, is running into a wolf who has just devoured her. Last but not least, be kind to woodsmen because you never know when one might have to save your life. Now that we think about it, what is it that woodsmen actually do and when did we last see one? Given that question, whenever we walk through a deep, dark woods it might be wise to avoid both wolves with hungry looks in their eyes and any stranger who might just be walking by and swinging an axe.

The Star Herald should be commended for the editorial in last week’s edition by pointing out the fact that Minnesota is a leader in ethanol.We’re a leader in the building of ethanol plants by offering 20 cents per gallon payments up to 15 million gallons per year for 10 years. Also, our Legislature created markets for this product by mandating that every gallon of regular gas sold in our state contains a 10 percent blend of the product. A new law was just passed to increase the blend to 20 percent by 2013. Not only will that mean cleaner air but also less dependence on foreign oil and increase the value of our agriculture products, more jobs, and increased income in our rural communities. It’s hard for me to understand why other agriculture states like South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois don’t follow the Minnesota example and pass a similar mandate in their states since they have many plants also. It’s time, I believe, for them to stand up to big oil like Minnesota did several years ago. Until we get a new energy bill passed in the nation’s Congress to do this, we need them to step forward like Minnesota did years go and create a stronger market for this locally produced product. It will benefit everyone in the Midwest if they do. Lowell BinfordLuverne