Milbank City Council Proceedings
Milbank City Council Proceedings
February 9, 2026
Call to Order – The City Council met in regular session on February 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Visitor Center, 1001 East Fourth Avenue, with Mayor Raffety presiding.
Roll Call – Present were Mayor Raffety and Councilmembers Roger Briggs, Ryan Gruba, Josh Karels, Mindy Rogers, and Craig Weinberg. John Weyh was absent. Staff present included Attorney Mark Reedstrom, Steve Pendergrass, Cynthia Schumacher, Corey Hooth, Jeremy Breon, and Boyd VanVooren. Members of the public present included Traci Stein, Jason Sackreiter, Dillon Dwyer, Mike Hanson, and Ryan Kohl.
Agenda – Mayor Raffety requested that the first reading of Ordinance 864 pertaining to snowmobiles be removed from the agenda. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the agenda as amended and approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
Consent Agenda
1. Approve minutes from the January 12, 2026, meeting.
2. Approve the claims list.
Accoustics Associates, repairs, $3,840.00; Adobe, subscription, $176.76; Advanced Technologies Inc., shipping, $64.03; Agtegra, gas, $7,076.98; Alex Air Apparatus, compressor testing, $869.23; All Flags, supplies, $266.69; Amazon, supplies/parts, $1,410.85; American Engineering, testing, $798.75; American Sign & Signal Corp, traffic signal, $424.77; ASE, testing fee, $101.95; AT&T, cell phone/WIFI, $751.85; AutoMaxx, refund overpayment, $6,806.08; Avera Occupational Medicine, testing, $109.80; Banner Associates, Inc., engineering, $30,105.98; Basin Construction & Drain, Lake Farley storm shelter, $29,735.00; Berkner Excavating & Drain, main repairs, $3,321.92; Bituminous Paving Inc., asphalt paving, $28,592.20; Breon, Esther, cleaning service, $1,761.00; BSN Sports Inc., court barriers, $614.00; Card Pointe, card fees, $621.67; Carlson, Kim, notary fee, $137.95; Carquest, parts/supplies, $1,114.54; City of Milbank, deposit to account, $100.00; CivicPlus LLC, website, $6,772.00; Cole Papers, supplies, $1,067.16; Corporate Technologies, IT managed services, $7,310.00; Creative Product Sourcing, Inc., DARE supplies, $500.00; Dillons Lawn & Landscaping, Legion Field seeding, $1,415.50; Doheny’s Commercial, parts, $4,421.24; Dollar General, supplies, $70.73; Eastside Car Wash, truck wash usage, parts, $205.05; Electric Pump, repair lift station, $3,119.92; Emblem Enterprises, Inc., uniforms, $309.99; Family Dollar Stores, supplies, $68.23; Fastenal Co., parts, $65.06; FedEx, shipping, $24.95;
Ferguson Water Works, Neptune support/ 3" meter, $6,321.90; First Bank & Trust, fees, $70.28; Flat Rate, concrete crushing, $85,331.50; Food-N-Fuel, gas, $123.75; Galls, Inc., uniforms, $651.37; Grabow, Ann, refund, $35.36; Grant County Auditor, county services, $1,000.00; Grant County Review, publications/subscription, $524.74; Grant Roberts Rural Water, water service, $62.00; Haarstick, Chris, marketing, $250.00; Hasslen Construction, water project, $190,707.76; Hawkins, Inc., chemicals, $7,025.37; Helms & Associates, engineering, $4,083.36; Hooth, Corey, deductible/travel expense, $2,620.81; Hydra Fitness Exchange, supplies, $121.37; ICSC, registration fees, $2,100.00; Inland Truck Parts & Service, parts, $775.63; ITC, phone/internet, $1,982.50; John Deere, parts/repairs, $455.30; Larson Elevator, maintenance, $295.14; Lesnar, Kiefer, travel expense, $14.00; Lewis Drug Stores, supplies, $17.98; Linde Gas & Equipment, air system maint., $67.12; Locators & Supplies, parts, $1,155.55; Loutsch, Jeff, clothing allowance, $114.58; Metropolitan Compounds Inc., supplies, $524.25; Midwestern Mechanical Inc., repairs, $831.80; Milbank Ford-Mercury, oil, $26.67; Milbank High School Education Fund, campaign, $75.00; Milbank Winwater, parts, $2,668.42; Mitch Reed Speaks, day of development, $1,600.00; Mitchell One, tools, $2,028.00; MnN Cleaning Services, cleaning, $3,800.00; Money Movers, NIHCA membership fees, $12.50; NAPA Auto Parts, parts, $783.58; NW Energy, natural gas, $5,825.22; O’Reilly Automotive Inc., parts, $142.93; Oslund, Fred, install cabinets, $2,151.90; Otter Tail Power, electric/relocate, $30,522.18; Pendergrass, Steve, travel expense, $384.00; Peterson, Connie, sew patches, $8.00; Petty Cash, shipping/supplies, $38.91; Pitney Bowes, postage lease, $186.54; Prairie Lakes Wellness Center, recertification, $318.60; Purchase Power, postage, $2,000.00; Reedstrom, Mark, retainer, $1,000.00; Roger’s Electric Motor, parts, $321.72; Ron’s Saw Sales, parts, $90.88; Runnings Supply, parts/supplies, $1,338.08; Safeguard Business Systems, Inc., supplies, $1,736.51; SD DANR, registration fees, $99.60; SD Public Assurance Alliance, insurance, $184,419.41; SD Public Health Lab, testing, $720.00; SDML, membership fees, $735.00; SESAC, music license, $434.00; Shade Valley Farms, FBO Agreement, $750.00; South Dakota 811, one calls, $23.10; Speedway, holiday event, $2,343.92; Star Laundry & Cleaners, laundry service, $487.50; Stoney Brook Ent. Inc., sensors, $1,401.44; Street Graphex Inc., supplies, $216.99; Teamlab, supplies, $209.75; The Ortonville Independent, marketing ads, $350.00; Trapp Plumbing, repairs, $343.23; US Postal Service, billing expense, $600.00; USA Bluebook, testing supplies, $333.09; USA Today Media Corp, DANR publication, $58.10; Valley Office Products, supplies, $187.09; Valley Rental & Recycling LLC, recycling agreement, $650.00; Vanvooren, Boyd, supplies, $42.47; Whetstone Home Center, supplies/parts, $679.19; Whetstone Sanitation, garbage service/portable cleaning, $710.80; Whetstone Valley Electric, electric/repairs, $17,286.29; Wiese Electric, bulbs, $387.76; WM Corporate Services, garbage service, $657.39; Xerox, copier leases, $474.31; Zem’s Inc., washing machine, $699.00; Zoom Video Communications, subscription, $18.04.
$723,792.36
3. Approve the Treasurer’s Report.
4. Authorize advertising for seasonal staff.
5. Authorize advertising for street materials.
6. Approve public notice for assessments.
7. Approve hire for Unity fitness: Laurie Folk, $14.65. Janitor/maintenance: Mel Rewitzer, $15.93.
8. Approve hire of Angel Chen, water/wastewater technician, $22.30, effective 2/10/26.
9. Salary additions: Randy Folk – $13.53. Marlin Fenner – $13.53. Ashlynn Batchelor – $15.79.
Presentations & Open Forum:
Superintendent Justin Downes, on behalf of the Milbank School District, sent an email expressing sincere gratitude to Chief Hooth, School Resource Officer Jake Folk, and the Milbank Police Department for their outstanding leadership, professionalism, and swift response during a recent school lockdown. The message underscored the strong partnership between the school and law enforcement, highlighting the community’s deep appreciation for the officers’ steadfast commitment to student safety. Additional recognition was extended to the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office, Tribal Officers, Game, Fish and Parks, Highway Patrol, and DCI for their collaborative support throughout the incident, reflecting the unified effort to protect students and staff.
Action Items:
1. A motion was made and seconded to approve the engineering agreement with Banner Associates, Inc. for Bell Avenue Phase 1 reconstruction from Drake Avenue to Eastman Street. Design fee and billable expenses not to exceed $199,250.00. Motion carried 5-0.
2. A motion was made and seconded to approve change order #1 to the Lake Farley Storm Shelter project. The change order is for the use of FEMA-rated louvers, adding $21,428.61. Administrator Pendergrass explained that the specifications required hurricane louvers rather than tornado louvers. The change has been approved by the funding agency. Motion carried 5-0.
3. A motion was made and seconded to approve change order #8 to the Milbank Water Supply Improvements, an additional $4,232.00 for added costs for electrical bonding needed at these project facilities to meet updated requirements. Motion carried 5-0.
4. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Valley Rental & Recycling agreement. The agreement is $10,800 annually for three years ending February 28, 2029. This is a $2,400 annual increase from the current agreement. Motion carried 5-0.
5. A motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution 2-9-26, City participation in the Bridge Inspection Program.
Resolution 2-9-26
BRIDGE REINSPECTION
PROGRAM RESOLUTION
FOR USE WITH SDDOT RETAINER CONTRACTS
WHEREAS, 23 CFR 650, Subpart C, requires initial inspection of all bridges and reinspection at intervals not to exceed two years, with the exception of reinforced concrete box culverts that meet specific criteria. These culverts are reinspected at intervals not to exceed four years.
THEREFORE, the City of Milbank, SD, is desirous of participating in the Bridge Inspection Program using Bridge Replacement funds.
The City requests SDDOT to hire Banner Associates, Inc. for the inspection work. SDDOT will secure Federal approvals, make payments to the Consulting Engineer for inspection services rendered, and bill the City for 20% of the cost. The City will be responsible for the required 20% matching funds.
Dated this 9th day of February 2026, at Milbank, South Dakota.
Pat Raffety, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cynthia Schumacher,
Finance Officer
6. Resolution 2-9-26A, regarding updates to the addition or removal of traffic signs, was discussed. A motion was made and seconded to table the resolution until March, to allow for further review. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Resolution 2-9-26B, regarding updates to the annual fees schedule, was reviewed. Several items on the list were discussed. Additional time for review was requested. A motion was made and seconded to table the action until the March meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Boyd VanVoorn announced that Unity Health and Fitness is excited to celebrate 30 years of serving the community. To mark this milestone, they are hosting an Adult Prom, open to all community members aged 21 and over. Guests can enjoy a festive evening with music, dancing, and refreshments, including alcoholic beverages. The event will be held at Unity Health and Fitness, 904 E 4th Ave, Milbank, SD, on March 28th, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. A motion was made and unanimously passed to approve the alcohol license for the specified event.
9. Councilman Ryan Gruba was appointed to serve on the Board of Equalization on April 14, 2026.
10. The council reviewed the status of remaining bond funds from previously allocated projects. Staff was directed to assess completed bond-funded items and balances, and to prepare proposed reallocation options, including the possibility of a Unity expansion. A special council meeting was scheduled for March 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. to discuss these matters with the park board.
11. Department Reports:
Police – Officers are actively engaged in community outreach and ongoing training. Congratulations to Officer Lesnar and his wife on the birth of their baby boy.
Fire – Three warning sirens are currently inoperable and are scheduled for repair.
Water – Ongoing issues with the main line into town has necessitated replacing or repairing the air relief valves.
Park/Unity – The ice rink is closed for the season. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the pickleball tournament on February 20-21.
January Permits: Roofing - Matthew Waldner - 801 S 2nd St. Sign: Ottertail Power Co. - 404 S 2nd St. Moving: Galen Zemlicka - 409 S 3rd St.
January Salaries: Mayor/Council- $ 3,000. Finance-$23,207. Police-$44,839. Fire-$1,862. Streets-$20,612. Rubble Site-$888. Recreation-$6,684. Pool-$679. Fitness-$5,043. Unity-$11,110. Park-$12,042. Water-$11,080. Sewer-$20,695.
Adjournment – A special meeting with the park board is on March 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. The next regular meeting is March 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0.
Pat Raffety, Mayor
ATTEST
Cynthia Schumacher,
Finance Officer
