Milbank City Council Proceedings – August 14, 2023

August 14, 2023

Call to Order - The City Council met in regular session on August 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center, 1001 East Fourth Avenue, Mayor Raffety presiding.

Roll Call - Mayor Raffety. Councilmembers: Roger Briggs, Mike Hanson, Josh Karels (telephonically), Mindy Rogers, Craig Weinberg and John Weyh.  Absent: none.

Staff Present: Attorney Mark Reedstrom, Cynthia Schumacher, Corey Hooth, Kevin Schuelke, Cody Pohlen, Ron Krause, Darin Thiele, Dick Poppen, Donald Settje.

Public Present: Michael Maurer, Holli Seehafer, Nathan Watson, Mark Veen, Ashley Veen, Boyd VanVooren, Jan Scriver, Mark Fiechtner, Brenda Kowski, Tom Kowski, Isaac Hackbarth and Kathy Ward.

Public Comments – Mike Maurer, owner of Milbank Animal Rescue Services, explained he has been trapping, rehabilitating, providing medical care, and rehoming stray cats and dogs for the past five years.  However, the volume of stray dogs and cats have exceeded his capabilities and has come to the city to ask for monetary assistance. The number of feral and stray animals is increasing.  Maurer reported the price to obtain veterinarian care and to spay/neuter the animals can run from $120-$150 per animal.  He requested assistance from the city to help defray veterinarian costs to spay/neuter and vaccinate the strays.  No action was  taken.  The Mayor asked the council to review the materials provided by Mr. Maurer, gather additional information, and address the request at the September meeting.  

Minutes – A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the July 10, and August 10, 2023, meetings. Motion carried 6-0.

Consent Agenda – A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended.  Motion carried 6-0.  

1. Approve Arborist’s Licenses: Nick’s Tree Service

2. Approve advertising for snow removal.

3. Ratify hiring of Sonja Jensen, Unity front desk, $12.47/hr., affective 8/1/23.  James Batchelor, Lifeguard, $14.51., effective 7/26/23. Donavan Godfrey, Unity front desk, $12.47/hr. effective 7/24/23.  Charlie Peery, building attendant, $12.18/hr. effective 8/7/23. Jenna Dexter, Unity instructor, $11.49., effective 8/7/23.

4. Accept the resignation of Justin Isaacson, effective August 22, 2023.

5. Approve revised 7.11 FMLA Leave policy.

6. Approve the transfer of $2,500 grant funds from First Interstate Bank to the Chamber for the 4th of July Celebration.

Department Reports

Housing & Development – Two local realtors have agreed to review the surplus lots on Diggs Avenue and provide a market value.  

Park & Cemetery – Several trees were removed from the cemetery. New bleachers were erected and placed at the soccer fields. The fields were prepped for youth flag football.  Softball and baseball equipment was stored for the season.  

H.E.Mitchell Construction was the only one to submit a bid for the Legion Field Verticals Installation Project, in the amount of $1,048,080.00.  The project includes the backstop, chain link fence, Champion wall, Versacap fence cap, foul poles, bullpens, dugouts, batting cage barn and concrete paving.   H.E. Mitchell Construction also submitted a quote to complete all work as described except the batting cage barn, in the amount of $425,000.  Upon review a motion was made and seconded to approve the revised $425,000 quote without the batting cage barn. The project will be completed with 100% donated funds.  Work is scheduled to begin August 28, 2023.  Motion carried 6-0.

Personnel – Alternative HR, LLC completed the Compensation Analysis Report on Friday 11, 2023.  The Mayor requested each council member review and be ready to discuss it at the September meeting.

Unity Health & Fitness – Staff is preparing for the 2023 Summer CommUnity Celebration to be held August 26, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event includes a health fair, fun run, inflatables, big wheel races and much more. As the new school year begins, watch for updated fitness and pool hours.  There were 1,055 registrations for spring and summer programs. Fall youth programs include flag football, soccer, volleyball, agility and weights.

The front lobby remodel is underway. New handicap accessible doors and a new front desk were installed, and flooring and paint will be completed this month.  

Police – A Workforce Scholarship Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Lake Area Technical College was presented. The scholarship would be available for students enrolled in the second year of the Law Enforcement program at LATC. The City would provide tuition, fees, books and uniforms. And upon graduation the student would receive an offer of employment. Fees would be reimbursed should the student leave the program or fail to meet minimum standards as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding.  

A motion was made and seconded to approve Lake Area Technical College Workforce Scholarship Memorandum of Understanding not to exceed $9,718, the application of Braeden Johnson for the Workforce Scholarship, and employment offer as a non-certified, part-time officer, effective 8/15/23, $20.35.  Motion carried 6-0.

Streets – Mark Veen requested permission to install angle parking on the 300-block of Fifth Street in front of his property known as 307 South 5th Street. The council discussion included angle parking to provide for longer vehicles and no cost to the city.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the request.  Motion carried 6-0.

Airport – A motion was made and seconded to approve the one-year extended crop land lease, Michael and Jason Mielitz, $205.85/acre, 105 acres. Motion carried 6-0.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Pre-Applications for the Design & Reconstruction Runway 13 End Turnaround Reconstruction (Concrete) w/Geotechnical Exploration and Aquatic Resource Survey. Federal=$855,000, State=$47,500, City=$47,500. Motion carried 6-0.

Grant County Development – Mayor Raffety reported First District is preparing applications to assist with a $3.3 million expansion to Industrial Park. If received, an EPA grant and Local Infrastructure Improvement Program (LIIP) grant would cover $3.14 million of the project.

Chamber of Commerce – A Farley Fest recap detailed over 40 vendors participated, and 991 tickets were scanned for the concert.

Water – A motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution 8-14-23 – Approve certain drinking water facility improvements and the issuance and sale of a revenue bond to finance.  (Resolution published separately.)  Motion carried 6-0.

Discussion ensued regarding the operation of the splash pad during community water restrictions.

Resolution 8-14-23A was removed from the agenda.

Rubble Site – No report.

Fire – Don Weber was added to the roster. Truck inspections and equipment updates are upcoming.

Wastewater – Staff continues with routine maintenance.

  Planning & Zoning – The Board of Adjustments approved a variance requested by Tony Gertsema for an accessory structure exceeding allowable size and located within three-feet of the side-yard lot line. The property is known as 110 East Park Avenue.

Upon the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion was made and seconded to approve the Janmark, LLC Hunt Second Addition Phase 1 preliminary plan, identified as Blocks 1-10 of Janmark First Addition to the City of Milbank.  All city engineering requirements must be met. Jan Scriver and Mark Fiechtner addressed questions. Motion carried 6-0. 

  Councilman Weinberg reminded the need to construct Fair Street and Northridge Avenue and the impact that will have on future city funds.

July Permits

Building: John Denholm-1110 S 2nd St-deck. Tim & Teresa Flannery-1514 Elmwood Ave-accessory structure. Poririo Perez-409 W 8th Ave-residential addition. David Schamber-811 S 4th St-accessory structure. 

Demolition: Valley Queen-102 S Dakota St-commercial building. Five Star Enterprises, LLP -703 E Milbank Ave-house/garage.

Moving: none. 

Fence: none.

Roofing: Marge Wellnitz-605 E Milbank Ave-asphalt. 

Special Event Permits: none.

Finance – A motion was made and seconded to approve the June and July treasurer’s report.     Motion carried 6-0.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the bills list, $651,241.73. Motion carried 6-0.

A&J Screening, program shirts, 980.00; Adler Feed & Seed, softener, 45.54; Adolph, Teresa, supplies, 33.11; Advanced Technologies Inc., supplies, 29.99; Al's Body Shop, supplies, vehicle repairs, 1,030.00; Alternative HR, LLC, compensation project, 581.25; Amazon, supplies, equipment, parts, 174.73; American Engineering Testing, testing, 809.15; AOO Industrial Solutions, ground storage reservoir project, 132,773.99; Associated Supply Co., supplies, parts, 1,448.40; AT&T Mobile, cell phone, 511.53; Auto Value Parts Store, parts, supplies, 368.01; Balloontatic, Unity summer celebration , 404.00; Ban-Koe Systems, replace fire alarm system, 11,459.54; Banner Associates Inc., engineering, 30,295.50; BEC Integrated Solutions, duress stations, 1,605.50; Berens Market, supplies, 104.82; Berkner Excavating & Gravel, system repairs, black dirt, 3,517.01; BIB, background checks, 14.42; Big State Industrial Supply, supplies, 119.88; Bituminous Paving Inc., asphalt paving, 75,192.40; Bostrom, Carl, travel expense, 102.00; Canva, renewal, 119.99; Card Pointe, card fees, 450.97; CHS, gas, grease, 1,331.70; City of Milbank, deposits to final bill, 190.98; Climate Systems, system repairs, 2,538.74; Cole Papers Inc., supplies, 2,074.05; Corporate Technologies Inc., computer, equipment, services,  IT support, 4,497.40;  DANR, annual permits, 1,450.00; Dewey's Lawn Care, supplies, repairs, 489.98; East Side Car Wash, truck wash usage, 3.36; Edmar Corp Bissell Commercial, replacement cord, 47.11; Electric Pump Inc., parts, 15,026.50; Emergency Apparatus Maintenance, truck repairs, 1,286.38; FACe - Propay, transaction fees, 12.17; First Tee, program agreement, 272.00; Folk, Jake, travel expense, 86.42; Food-N-Fuel, gas, 71.00; Fraasch, Wade, CPR training, 350.00; Freemotion Fitness, equipment  parts, 128.00; GCC Consolidated Ready Mix, street repairs, 467.00; Google, YouTube subscription, 12.73; Grant County Auditor, county services, 1,000.00; Grant County Development Corp, housing agreement, 179,778.00; Grant County Review, publications, 1,268.57; Gray Construction, lobby remodel, 24,750.00; Hach Company, testing supplies, 316.98; Hawkins, Inc., chemicals, 5,885.27; Heiman Fire Equipment, boots, gloves, visors, 250.81; Hilbrands, Ryan, clothing allowance, 26.60; Hillyard, building supplies, 530.36; ITC, phone, internet, 1,618.51; John Deere Financial, repairs, parts, 1,779.68; Kelly Kutters LLC, mowing contract, 16,784.78; Koepke, Miranda, refund, 75.00; Kurtz, Tracy, CPR training, 350.00; Larson Elevator, elevator maintenance, 89.34; Les Mills, virtual bundle training, 598.00; Lewis Drug Stores, supplies, 18.97; Linde Gas & Equipment Inc., air system, 50.11; Menards, shelving unit, 181.95; Metropolitan Compounds, floor coating, 741.75; Midwest Petroleum Equipment, router, 766.75; Midwest Power Sports, equipment repairs, 518.63;

Midwestern Mechanical, Inc., fire sprinkler inspections, 525.00; Mike's Stump Grinding, stump grinding, 420.00; Milbank Area Community Tennis, program agreement, 1,700.00; Milbank Ball Diamond Association, program agreement, 3,430.00; Milbank Fellowship of Christian Athletes, program agreement, 2,915.00; Milbank Ford-Mercury, vehicle repairs, 16.67; Milbank Glass LLC, rent, window repairs, 2,420.19; Milbank Glass LLC, install ADA doors, 10,262.80; Milbank Refrigeration, AC repairs, 95.00; Milbank Winwater Co., parts, 381.56; MnB Cleaning Services LLC, cleaning service, 4,800.00; Money Movers, NIHCA membership fee, 11.50; NAPA Auto Parts, parts, supplies, 960.53; National Pen Co., supplies, 117.82; Nelson, Raquel, deposit refund, 42.79; Nutritional Coaching Institute, training, certification, 1,650.00; NW Energy, natural gas, 180.21; Otter Tail Power Co., electric , 24,648.94; P&H Construction, level headstones, 5,183.60; Petty Cash, postage, copy fees, 34.75; Poppen, Dick, clothing allowance, 100.00; Precision Irrigation & Lawncare, repair irrigation system, 6,800.00; Pro Image Partners, sign, 17.50; Purchase Power, postage, 3,000.00; Racarie, HR application support, 105.00; Reedstrom, Mark retainer fee, 1,000.00; Reimche Airspray LLC, FBO Contract, 1,500.00; Roger's Electric Motor, tools, 490.05; Runnings Supply Inc., supplies, parts, 2,038.41; Sanstead Excavating LLC, install drain line and fountains, 7,576.25; Schumacher, Cynthia, insurance deductible, 2,000.00; SD Dept of Revenue, sales tax, 2,488.67; SD Public Health Lab, testing, 1,201.00; SDML, workshop, 100.00; SDWWA, registration fee, 260.00; Seton, reflective cones, 1,082.82; Share Corp, supplies, 1,372.24; Sime Repair, tractor repair, 1,883.16; Site One Landscape Supply LLC, chemicals, parts, 4,238.03; South Dakota 811, one calls, 137.55; Star Laundry & Cleaners, laundry service, 380.78; Stoney Brook Ent. Inc., calibration, 264.34; Syn-Tech Systems, service agreement, 3,500.00; The Valley Shopper, help wanted ad, 95.67; Transource, battery, 190.95; Twin Valley Tire,

tires, tire service, 1,135.92; UPI Petroleum, gas, 3,262.43; US Bank, admin fees, 600.00; US Postal Service, postage, 440.00; Valley Dairy Supply, thread handle, 40.00; Valley Office Products, supplies, 139.90; Valley Rental & Recycling, recycling agreement, 650.00; Vanorny Tree Service, tree removal, 950.00; West Central Communications, program radios, repairs, 3,525.50; Western Consolidated Coop, chemicals, 258.29; Whetstone Creek Golf Course, program agreement, 360.00; Whetstone Home Center, supplies, parts, 86.55; Whetstone Sanitation, garbage service, 943.84; Whetstone Valley Electric, electric, repairs, 5,647.80; Wiese Electric, replace camper pedestal, 186.22; Winter, Courtney, deposit refund, 66.23; WM Corporate Services, Inc., garbage service, 336.77; Xerox Corp., copier lease, 993.31; Zoom Video Communications, Zoom video subscription, 112.88.

651,241.73

Ordinance 849 – 2023 Supplemental Budget Ordinance.  Significant changes were made to Ordinance 849 after the first reading. Therefore, another first reading is required. A motion was made to approve the second reading of ordinance 849. Motion failed for lack of second. A motion was made and seconded to approve the revised supplemental budget Ordinance 849A. Motion carried by roll call vote, 6-0.  

No action was taken on the arts council financial request.  

July salaries: Mayor/Council $1,600; Finance $19,362; Police $33,442; Fire $1,751; Street $8,147; Rubble Site $870; Recreation $29,642; Park $21,461; Water $10,241; Wastewater $14,316.

Property Standards – 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.

A motion was made and seconded to increase the part-time certified police officer pay to $30.00 per hour. Motion carried 6-0.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the job description for Street and Fleet Maintenance Lead. Motion carried 6-0. 

A motion was made and seconded to set the maximum starting rate of pay at $30.00 for the Street and Fleet Maintenance Lead. Motion carried 6-0.

Adjourn – The next regular meeting is September 11, 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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