City of Big Stone City Council Proceedings
City of Big Stone City Council Proceedings
May 4, 2026
5:30 p.m.
The Big Stone City council met in regular session on Monday, May 4, 2026, meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Roll Call: Roscoe, Hughes, A.Goergen, B. Goergen. Absent: Stoddard and Redfield. Others present: Kelsey Stock, Nancy Lee, Megan Kaye, Redgey Rademacher, Bryan Austin, Kathy Rabe, Gevin Rabe, Dewane Stoddard, Sue Christenson, Greg Cantine, Sue Cantine, and Dan Schroeder.
The Pledge of Allegiance and the South Dakota State Pledge were recited.
Motion to approve the minutes from April 7, 2026 regular meeting was made by Hughes with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Motion to approve the claims was made by Roscoe with B. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Roscoe, Hughes, B. Goergen. Nayes: None. Absent: Redfield and Stoddard. Motion Carried.
AFLAC $554.35(2), BIG STONE AREA HARDWARE $23.01, BRYAN AUSTIN $218.40 (REIMBURSEMENT), CITY OF SIOUX FALLS $26.37, CINTAS CORPORATION $226.59, CITY OF BIG STONE CITY $4,007.69, COCA-COLA BOTTLING $263.00, DARCY ROSCOE $11.17 (REIMBURSEMENT), DOLL DISTRIBUTING LLC $7,085.95, DSC COMMUNICATIONS $2,477.79, ELECTRO WATCHMAN INC $195.00, FLUEGEL ANDERSON MCLAUGHLIN $859.66, GRANT COUNTY AUDITOR $7,500.00, HARRYS FROZEN FOODS $768.75, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE $8,288.69, JOHNSON BROTHERS FAMOUS BRANDS $3,418.50, JIM DANDY SNACK FOOD CO $99.00, MISSOURI BASIN MPA/ S-1 $75.00, MISSOURI RIVER ENERGY SERVICE $17,014.68, MISSOURI BASIN MPA-TSA $5,737.55, MAC DADDY’S DRIVE IN $577.86, MIDCO BUSINESS $1,429.02, ORTONVILLE INDEPENDENT $204.00, POS PHASE 3 $148.68, PRINCIPAL LIFE $267.44, PORTER DISTRIBUTING CO $2,398.90, RONGLIEN EXCAVATING INC $8,247.16, STREET GRAPHEX $85.00, SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE $25.00, SD AFFILIATES $150.00, SD DEPT OF LABOR® $215.07, SOUTH DAKOTA 811 $4.48, ULINE $1,901.02, VERIZON WIRELESS $155.43, MARY HILLMAN $100.00, NAPA AUTO PARTS $859.60, PEPSI COLA $284.55, GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER $12,732.80, HEALTH POOL SD $12,114.60, PAYROLL THRU 4/26/26 $5,564.83, $7,141.59, PAYROLL 4/13/26 $5,495.41, $7,337.68, WASTE MANAGEMENT $5,250.96, REPUBLIC BEVERAGE COMPANY $1,403.02, SOUTHERN GLAZERS $270.70, SOUTH DAKOTA RETIREMENT SYSTEM $3,820.78, WINWATER $808.20, NORTHWESTERN ENERGY $95.96, SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF RURAL WATER $410.00, GRANT COUNTY REVIEW $94.39
Councilmember Hughes discussed the pet ordinances and the complaints that are being received along with abandoned and junk motor vehicles. Hughes made a motion to pass Ordinance 2026-03 with Roscoe seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-03
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Big Stone City, South Dakota, that the Ordinances of the City of Big Stone City, be amended by creating provisions for Abandoned and Junked Motor Vehicles.
An Ordinance creating provisions for Abandoned and Junked Motor Vehicles
Be It Ordained by the City Council of the City of Big Stone City that the Ordinances of the City of Big Stone City are amended by adding new Chapter 91as follows:
91.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter the following words, terms and phrases shall have the meanings herein ascribed:
A. ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle which is left unattended on any public street or alley, in any public parking lot, or in any other public place for more than 24 consecutive hours.
B. JUNK MOTOR VEHICLES. Any motor vehicle which does not have lawfully affixed thereto unexpired license plates or which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperable or discarded, or any motor vehicle with one or more broken window(s) or windshield(s) if the broken glass poses a potential threat to the public’s health, safety, or welfare.
C. MOTOR VEHICLE. Any self-propelled vehicle including, but not limited to automobiles, motorcycles, motor scooters, trucks, tractors, go-carts, golf carts and campers.
91.020 Nuisance declared.
The presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, junk or partially dismantled motor vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property, is declared a public nuisance pursuant to SDCL § 9-29-13. This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle enclosed within a building on private property or to any motor vehicle held in connection with a business enterprise, properly operated in the appropriate zoning district, or to any motor vehicle in operable condition specifically adapted or designed for operation on drag strips or raceways and covered with an appropriate cover to screen it from view, which vehicle remains on private property.
91.030 Storing, parking or leaving on public property – Prohibited.
No person shall park, store, leave or permit the parking, storing or leaving of any abandoned or junk motor vehicle of any kind, whether attended or not, upon any public property in the city.
91.040 Storing, parking or leaving on public property – Removal.
Whenever a city officer finds an abandoned motor vehicle or junk motor vehicle on public property, he or she shall place written notice on the vehicle that it will be removed to a garage or place of safety unless the owner removes the vehicle from public property within 24 hours of the giving of the notice. After the expiration of the 24-hour period, the vehicle may be removed by the removal agency to a garage or place of safety. Nothing in this section precludes the City from immediately removing a motor vehicle which causes an obstruction or hazard to traffic.
91.050 Presence on private property–Prohibited.
No person owning, in charge of, or in control of any real property within the city, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee or otherwise, shall allow any abandoned or junk motor vehicle of any kind to remain on the property longer than 14 days.
91.060 Presence on private property–Notice to remove.
Whenever it comes to the attention of the Police Department, City Office, Code Enforcement, or Building Services that any person has an abandoned or junk motor vehicle on his or her property, a notice in writing shall be served by first class mail to the record owner of the property and such other of the persons referenced in § 91.050 as can be ascertained, ordering the removal of such motor vehicle in the time specified in this chapter. The notice shall be deemed complete on the postmarked date for mailing to the last known address of the record owner. The notice shall contain the request for removal within 14 days after the postmarking of such notice, and the notice shall state that failure to comply with the notice to remove shall be a violation of this chapter.
91.065 Appeals.
Any person aggrieved by an order issued pursuant to §§ 91.050 through 91.080 may appeal such order to the City Council by submitting a written appeal within 10 calendar days of the date that the initial notice was mailed. Such written appeal must be submitted to the City Office. The appeal shall be heard at the next scheduled Council meeting.
Within 7 calendar days from the date the appeal is heard, the City Council, or his or her designee, will make a written determination regarding the appeal.
91.070 Racing or antique vehicles.
No owner or occupant of private property shall have an uncovered motor vehicle in operable condition specifically adapted or designed for operation on drag strips or raceways or an uncovered motor vehicle retained on private property for antique collection purposes, all as defined by § 91.020.
91.080 Removal by city–Notice to owner.
A. Towing by removal agency. The Police Department, City Office, or Code Enforcement, may abate the nuisance by causing the motor vehicle to be towed from the property by a removal agency. The Police Department, City Office, or Code Enforcement, shall then notify, by first class mail, the registered owner, and if encumbered, the lienholder, of the removal, storage and present location of any motor vehicle removed under the provisions of this chapter and that the vehicle can be recovered by payment of costs incident to its removal and storage.
B. Disposal. Additionally, the Police Department, City Office, or Code Enforcement, may abate the nuisance by removing the junk motor vehicle or parts thereof and disposing of them.
C. Cost. The city may defray the cost of abating the public nuisance, including administrative costs, by taxing the cost thereof by special assessment against the real property on which the nuisance occurred by taxing the cost thereof by special assessment against the real property on which the nuisance occurred. Administrative costs shall be set by resolution and are applicable to any public nuisance that is abated by the city or its designee.
91.090 Violation–Penalty.
In addition to the abatement remedies provided in this chapter, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the general penalty provision as set forth in § 10.99 of the code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BIG STONE CITY:
/s/ Steve Brown, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Nancy Lee, Finance Officer
Sheriff report for April 2026: Hours worked 92. Call for service 46. Activity report included Citizen assist, welfare check, traffic complaints, traffic stops, suspicious activity investigation, animal complaints, burglar alarm, civil issues, medical call and 911 hangups.
Roscoe made a motion to approve the building permit for TJ & Andria Rabe with B. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve the building permit for Greg & Sue Cantine with the understanding Cantine’s will be responsible for the expenses of the vacate, variance and attorney fees with B. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Roscoe, Hughes and B. Goergen. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve the building permit for Raymond Hamann with B. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve the building permit for Cealy and Andy Eckberg with B. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to accept the farm ground bid from Chris Rabe at $150/per acre with a five-year lease A. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, Roscoe, A. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: None. Absent: Redfield and Stoddard. Motion Carried.
Roscoe made a motion to make a donation of $1,000 to the Bookends for their spring cleanup around town with Hughes seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, Hughes, A. Goergen and Roscoe. Nayes: None. Absent: Stoddard and Redfield. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve Big Bang Fireworks Special Fireworks License with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve Big Bang Fireworks Retail Fireworks License with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Roscoe made a motion to approve Buzz’s Place License RB-2285 for Retail On-Off Sale Malt Beverage and SD Farm Wine with Hughes seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to accept the 2025 Annual report with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion for Nancy Lee and Megan Kaye to attend the budget training on June 24, 2026 in Sioux Falls with B. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Roscoe, B. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: None. Absent: Redfield and Stoddard. Motion Carried.
Bryan Austin, Electrical Superintendent discussed with council the City underground improvement locations and costs for each. After reviewing and discussing the priorities of each location Roscoe made a motion to move forward with the following locations 407 Sisseton Ave, 202 2nd Ave, 103 High ST, 104 2nd Ave, 856 Walnut ST, 304 Mitchell Ave, 305 Mitchell Ave and 306 Mitchell Ave with A. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, Hughes, A. Goergen and Roscoe. Nayes: None. Absent: Stoddard and Redfield. Motion Carried.
Goose Isle Properties discussion was held regarding the city utilities. No action taken.
Being no further business Hughes called to go into executive session at 6:28 p.m. Roscoe seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to come out of executive session at 6:40 p.m. with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve Janelle Kelly $14.50 per hour with B. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Roscoe, B. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: None. Absent: Stoddard and Redfield. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to approve Megan Kaye $18.63 per hour with A. Goergen. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, Hughes, A. Goergen and Roscoe. Nayes: None. Absent: Stoddard and Redfield. Motion Carried.
Being no further business to discuss Hughes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. with B. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
/s/ Steve Brown, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Nancy Lee, Finance Officer
