Milbank City Council Proceedings – March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023

Call to Order –  The City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center, 1001E 4th Ave. Mayor Raffety presiding. 

Roll Call – Mayor Raffety. Councilmembers: Roger Briggs, Mike Hanson, Josh Karels, Mindy Rogers, Craig Weinberg, John Weyh. Absent: none.

Staff Present: Attorney Mark Reedstrom, Darin Thiele, Dick Poppen, Scott Meyer, Donald Settje, Dan Keyes, Cynthia Schumacher, John Forman.

Public Present: Holli Seehafer, Jan Scriver, Joel Adler, Greg Maag, Pat Carey, Alex Kahnke, Cory Henneberg, Lance Johnson, Randy Twistol, Mark Veen, Ashley Veen, MaryLynne Fields.

Public Comments - Mark Veen, Bent Arrow Archery thanked the Council for approving the archery tournament and special malt beverage license. The event was well attended. One thousand dollars was raised by the cancer walk team.

Resolution 3-13-23 – A motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution 3-13-23, Creation of an Ambulance District. The ambulance has requested $112,680, which would be $0.089 per $1,000 evaluation.

That amount would be matching Roberts County contribution from their southern ambulance district. Motion carried 6-0.

RESOLUTION  3-13-23

MILBANK, A POLICICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

WHEREAS Grant County, A Political Subdivision of the State of South Dakota, has expressed intent to create an Ambulance District within the boundaries of Grant County, South Dakota,

WHEREAS Milbank wishes to be included into this Ambulance District for the benefit of its residents.

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Milbank, Grant County, South Dakota authorizes inclusion of all the area within its corporate limits, as recorded in the Grant County Register of Deeds Office, in the Ambulance District being created within the boundaries of Grant County, South Dakota, subject to and under the terms prescribed by law in South Dakota Codified Laws 34-11A.

It is further resolved this resolution is effective twenty (20) days after its publication as authorized under SDCL 9-19-13.

Dated this 13th day of March 2023.

MILBANK, SOUTH DAKOTA

A political subdivision

of the State of South Dakota

Pat Raffety

Mayor,

ATTEST:

Cynthia Schumacher,

Finance Officer

Minutes – A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 13 and February 27, 2023, meetings. Motion carried 6-0.

Consent Agenda - A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 6-0.

1. Ratify hiring of Ashton Loken, part-time lifeguard, $14.51/hr effective 3-5-23; Merik Junker, seasonal baseball instructor, $11.49/hr, effective 5-1-23; Ethan Adolph, part-time building attendant, $12.18/hr, effective 3-6-23; Gil Parent, part-time fitness instructor, $13.69/hr, effective 3-14-23; McKenzie Mertens, part-time fitness instructor, $13.69/hr, effective 1-30-23.

2. Accept the resignation of Cindy Bogenrief, Unity building attendant, effective 3/12/23.

3. Authorize advertising for street materials.

4. Accept the resignation of Alex Nelson, effective 3/17/23. Authorize advertising for street department worker.

Department Reports

Water- Public Hearing -A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed water improvements, financing, and source of repayment. Pat Carey with Banner Associates was present and explained the project to include the replacement of the well pumps, construction of a new high service pumps, chemical storage, chlorine feed, UV disinfection, and updating the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) computer system.

Greg Maag, First District Association of Local Governments explained the process and proposed funding application to the State Water Plan for a loan and/or grants not exceeding $12,500,000, 30 years, 3.25% interest. Proposed repayment is a combination of an increase to both the usage and base rates. Rate options and scenarios were presented and reviewed.

A quote was presented by Thein Well to inspect and test the well pumps. A motion was made and seconded to approve the quote present by Thein Well for inspection and testing for $35,500.

Motion carried 6-0.

Streets - Attorney Reedstrom reported Transource Truck & Equipment has committed to picking up the sweeper for a complete and thorough inspection and address all issues. The warranty will also be extended for an additional two years.

Rubble Site - MaryLynne Fields asked if the council would consider banning the use of plastic bags by businesses in town. Mayor Raffety replied he did not feel he had the authority to do that.

Lake Farley - The backstop poles for the baseball field were delivered.

Park & Cemetery - Routine maintenance continues.

Unity Health & Fitness - The agility programs and indoor youth soccer programs have wrapped up. Swimming lessons are being offered on Saturday mornings. Spring/Summer program registration is open.

Fire - Councilman Weyh reported snow was cleared around several hydrants. A Homeland Security Grant application was submitted for radios to comply with the state radio upgrade. Fire officers will attend a state exercise training in Milbank on March 20, 2023. The Northeast District Fire School will be held March 25th in Aberdeen.

Airport - Fuel system issues continue. The AWOS is not working properly, crews are scheduled to repair.

Finance - A motion was made and seconded to approve the January and February treasurer's report. Motion carried 6-0.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the bills list, $408,121.84. Motion carried 6-0.

February salaries: Mayor/Council $1,600; Finance $22,839; Police $35,328 Fire $2,143; Street $18,073; Rubble Site $1,134; Recreation $30,925; Park $12,753; Water $8,637; Wastewater $18,440.

Housing & Development - City of Milbank and Grant County Development Corporation Agreement - A motion was made and seconded to approve the agreement. Attorney Reedstrom explained the document is intended to formalize how the funds will be transferred from the City's Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) to the GCDC's dedicated account and therefrom distributed to eligible developers through the GCDC's housing development incentive program. Councilman Hanson requested amendments to change the distribution and reporting to quarterly. Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the amended agreement. Motion carried 6-0.

Planning & Zoning - A motion was made and seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 846, changes to Chapter 16. Motion carried by roll call vote 6-0.

The Preliminary Plat of Blocks 1-10 of Janmark First Addition was reviewed. The addition consists of 10 blocks, approximately 100 buildable lots. The development is broken down into three phases. A motion was made and seconded to approve the preliminary plat of JanMark First Addition. Motion carried 6-0.

Councilman Craig Weinberg will serve on the Consolidated Board of Equalization, April 11, 2023.

February Building Permits: Beren's Market-1612 Morningside Drive-commercial building. Al's Body Shop - 202 N Dakota St - accessory structure. Carl Karrasch & Vikki Nelson - 212 N 1st St-accessory structure. Joseph Meyer - 1004 E 10th Ave - deck addition.

GCDC & Chamber - A motion was made and seconded to approve the Chamber's Cinco De Mayo Event Permit, May 6, 2023, Lake Farley Park, 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. The event will include vendors, music, food, inflatables, and games. Motion carried 6-0. A public hearing will be held April 10, 2023, for a special event malt beverage and SD wine license for the event.

Personnel - No report.

Wastewater - The department has repaired valves in the digester and ordered a Rotorq valve for the final clarifier. Higher flows are required to control the sludge solids. Passed the toxicity test at 100%.

Police - No report.

Executive Session - A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session pursuant to 1-25-2(1). Motion carried 6-0. Mayor Raffety called the council out of executive session.

Adjourn - Next Regular meeting meet is April 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0.

/s/ Pat Raffety, Mayor

ATTEST

/s/ Cynthia Schumacher, 

Finance Officer

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