Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

By Dan Bechtold
Editor

Winner City Council in a special meeting at noon on Monday approved a temporary emergency ordinance closing down places that attract large crowds due to the coronavirus.

The reason for the ordinance is to slow the spread of virus.

Going into effect today (April 1) all restaurants, coffee houses, bars, breweries, dance clubs, cafes are closed to on-site sale to patrons.

These businesses may continue to operate to provide take-out delivery, curbside service and drive thru service.

Also on April 1 all recreational facilities are closed including parks, pools, heath and fitness facilities, social clubs, fraternal clubs, event centers, meeting halls, music and entertainment venues.

This includes movie theaters and live production theaters.

Also closed will be pool halls, video game arcades, video lottery casino operations, bowling alleys.

The vote to approve this ordinance was 5-0 with councilman John Meyer not at the meeting.

Mayor Jody Brozik said this ordinance will expire on June 15 however the city council will re-evaluate this ordinance every two weeks to seek what changes need to be made if any.

At Monday’s meeting, Dr. Will Manke, a Winner dentist, advised everyone that they should be wearing a mask to help stop the spread of this disease.

As he talked to the council, Manke was wearing a mask. He presented four reason why it is important for the general public to wear a mask.

His dental office has donated 500 masks to the city of Winner.

Bob Kucera, owner of Kucera Electric, had questions about the ordinance. He asked where is the city’s liability when they tell a business they have to shut down.

Brozik citied state statutes giving the city the authority to shut down a business in an emergency.

Kucera explained in his business they are doing everything to be safe. All workers carry hand sanitizer in their trucks and are diligent in washing of their hands.

Brozik explained during this health crisis there will be measures that will hurt all of us. “We need to stand together,” he said.

In other business, the council offered full time employment to Adam Boss in the police department at $19 per hour with full benefits and six months probation.

Full time employment was offered to Katherine in the police department at $19 per hour with full benefits and six months probation.

Full time employment in the water department was offered to Matthew Schroeder at $17.12 per hour with full benefits and six months probation.

The council tabled indefinitely the purchase of a water slide for the city pool at a cost of $22,365. Some of the council felt this was not the right time to be purchasing another slide when it is not known if the pool will open this summer due to COVID-19.

Voting no on this motion was councilman Jeremy Clay with the rest voting yes. Meyer was not at the meeting.

Mosquito spray from Van Diest Supply Co. in the amount of $27,752.40 was approved.

City attorney Amanda Work explained the new federal law on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave due to COVID-19.

These provisions will apply from April 1 through Dec. 31.

The next regular meeting of the Winner City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday April 6.

By Dan Bechtold
Editor
As a proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tripp County Courthouse will close its doors to the public effective at 5 p.m. on March 24.

Also closed will be the Tripp County Library, Tripp County Highway Shop and Tripp County recycling center.

The decision was made at the county commissioners meeting on March 24.

All offices will remain staffed and will conduct business for the public via telephone, mail or e-mail until May 1 when the situation will be reassessed at that time.

All added fees for credit cards and postage will be waved at this time.

The east doors of the courthouse, that are handicapped accessible, will be open to the Tripp County court system only on regularly scheduled court days and on regular commissioner meeting days.

Office phone numbers and contact information will be posted on the front doors and on the Tripp County website HYPERLINK “http://www.trippcounty.us” http://www.trippcounty.us

To read more pick up this week’s edition at The Winner Advocate or call (605) 842-1481!

By Dan Bechtold
Editor
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus, the Winner City Council approved first reading of an ordinance to address a health crisis at a special meeting at noon on March 25.

Mayor Jody Brozik emphasized this ordinance is not shutting down the city but closing certain non essential areas until the virus passes.

The first reading passed by a vote of 5-1. Councilman John Meyer voted no.

The second reading and passage of the ordinance was held on March 30.

This is a temporary emergency ordinance to address the public health crisis. Under state law, the city has the authority to pass ordinances for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the city.

Brozik explained built into this ordinance are several re-evaluation points to see if the curve of the virus has flattened. Each two weeks the city will look to see how the virus is progressing and if some of the restrictions can be lifted or they need to be continued.

“We are doing our part to flatten the curve. We are all in this together. We want to get back to normalcy as quickly as possible,” he said.

The closure does not include healthcare facilities, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, food pantry, crisis shelters, churches.

Councilman Austin Klundt said the school has done their part by closing schools “now we need to do our part.”

Councilmember Val Sherman noted the city needs to be proactive so there is not any outbreak in Winner.

Councilman Jeremy Clay says this is not shutting down the city just limiting large gatherings.

Brozik said kudos to those businesses who have already taken steps to stop the spread of this virus.

Each person participating in any communal gathering that violates a size restriction established by the Winner City Council will be deemed in violation of this ordinance.

Prior to putting the ordinance on first reading, the council passed an emergency resolution declaring a public health emergency in Winner.

The resolution says that due to the potential for rapid community spread and transmission of the COVID-19 virus, immediate action is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Winner by enacting an emergency ordinance establishing mandatory closures or restrictions on the operation of certain businesses and places of public accommodation.

City attorney Amanda Work explained the resolution is patterned after Gov. Kristi Noem’s executive order declaring an emergency in the state.

The council set a special meeting for noon on March 30 for the second reading of Ord. 946.

In other business, a lengthy discussion was held on utility accounts, mainly ones that are delinquent.

In this time of uncertainly there was a discussion if there should be some consideration to persons who cannot pay their utility bill.

A discussion was held on the possibly to allow for a payment plan be set up so persons could pay their utility bill.

Persons who do not follow a payment play would have their services disconnected.

Finance officer Chandra Weidner explained the city office is diligent in collecting utility payments that are delinquent.

A lease agreement was approved for the Department of Human Services in room 119 of the city administration building. The state department plans to move in on April 1.