Milbank City Council Proceedings

Published by admin on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 4:47pm

June 6, 2026

Call to Order – The City Council met in regular session on June 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Visitor Center, 1001 East Fourth Avenue, with Mayor Pro Tem Rogers presiding.

Roll Call – Present were Council members Roger Briggs, Ryan Gruba, Josh Karels, Mindy Rogers, Craig Weinberg, and John Weyh. Absent: No members were absent. Staff present included Cynthia Schumacher, Kim Carlson, Corey Hooth, Jeremy Breon, Darin Thiele, Boyd VanVooren, Kevin Schuelke, Carl Bostrom, Tom Kowski, and Ryan Hilbrands. Members of the public included Kyle Schwandt, Dillon Dwyer, Dusti Johnson, Jamie Henderson, and Kathy Ward.

Attorney Lisa Marso attended remotely by phone. Mayor Pro Tem Rogers administered the oath of office. Marso remained on the phone throughout the meeting.

Agenda – A motion was made and seconded to adopt the agenda and approve the consent agenda as amended, which included removing the notice and call for bids for excavation of a new rubble site hole. Motion carried 6-0.

Consent Agenda –

• Approve minutes from May 11 and May 26, 2026, meetings.

• Approve claims list.

Advanced Technologies Inc., shipping, $171.66; Agtegra, gas/install fuel tanks, $6,160.67; Al’s Body Shop, parts, $284.00; American Engineering Testing, testing, $561.75; Associated Supply Co., supplies, $318.23; AT&T, cell phone/WIFI, $792.25; Auto Value Parts Store, parts/supplies, $232.98; AutoMaxx CDJR Inc., parts, $36.85; Banner Associates, Inc., engineering, $38,537.54; Berens Market, supplies, $293.28; Berkner Excavating, system repairs, $20,591.66; Beynon, Jordan, refund, $37.70; Beyond Concrete, ground maintenance agreement, $24,770.83; Breon, Esther, cleaning service, $1,464.50; BSN Sports, mound, $1,749.99; Carquest, parts, $664.39; Chappell Central Inc., system maintenance, $3,000.81, City of Milbank, deposit refunds, $200.00; Dragt, Danielle

refund, $82.70; Electric Pump, repair lift station, $4,717.32; Equipment Blades Inc., curb guards, $1,414.63; Feld Fire, inspection, $1,743.00; Ferguson Water Works, meters/update project, $9,152.10; First Bank & Trust, fees/travel expense/supplies/parts, $6,099.79; Food-N-Fuel, gas, $719.08; Freemotion Fitness Inc., parts, $234.46; Frerichs, Brittnee, refund, $65.93; GCC Consolidated Ready Mix Inc., road base, $1,604.40; Grant County Auditor, county services, $1,000.00; Grant County Review, publications, $1,507.58; Grant Roberts Rural Water, water service, $67.20; Hawkins, Inc., chemicals, $17,164.38; Helms & Associates, engineering, $20,365.34; Hillyard, supplies, $502.68; Hirshfield’s, paint, $1,496.14; ITC, phone/internet, $2,010.39; Kane, Jessee, clothing allowance, $250.00; Krause Electric LLC, install lighting, $2,050.00; Lacal Equipment Inc., gutter broom, $2,378.10; Linde Gas & Equipment, air system maint., $66.50; M & T Fire & Safety, supplies, $99.20; Michael Todd & Co., supplies, $912.65; Midwest Mechanical Inc., inspection/repairs, $1,111.74; Milbank Winwater, parts, $511.47; MnN Cleaning Services, cleaning, $3,800.00; Money Movers, membership, $13.25; NAPA Auto Parts, parts, $1,859.66; Norm’s Auto & Truck Repair, service trucks, $2,261.03; Norm’s Greenhouse & Nursery LLC, trees, $900.00; NW Energy, natural gas, $1,788.78; O’Reilly Automotive Inc., parts, $379.82; Otter Tail Power, electric/relocate, $22,088.77; Pepsico Beverage Sales LLC, concession supplies, $790.00; Plunkett’s Pest Control Inc., pest control, $243.36; Runnings Supply, parts/supplies, $1,913.38; Schweer, Kendra, refund, $100.00; SD Assn or Rural Water Systems, annual dues, $915.00; SD Public Health Lab, testing, $1,852.00; Shade Valley Farms, FBO Agreement, $750.00; Share Corp, supplies, $188.06; SJK Designs, program expense, $179.50; South Dakota 811, one calls, $79.80; Star Laundry & Cleaners, laundry service, $785.71; Surplus Warehouse of Willmar Inc., electronic recycling, $5,340.00; The Ortonville Independent, signs, $197.50; Titan Machinery, parts, $263.40; Toni’s Craftopia, plaque, $130.00; Trapp Plumbing, installation, $2,787.10; Twin Valley Tire, tire/service, $865.50; US Postal Service, billing expense, $600.00; USA Bluebook, testing supplies, $7,051.91; USA Today Media Corp, publications, $84.80; Valley Office Products, supplies, $123.25; Valley Rental & Recycling LLC, recycling, agreement, $900.00; Welberg, Nancy, refund, $100.00; Whetstone Home Center, supplies/parts, $63.34; Whetstone Sanitation, garbage service/ portable cleaning, $1,989.00; Whetstone Valley Electric, electric/repairs, $5,164.45; Window Pros, window cleaning, $1,357.00; Xero, copier leases, $494.12.

$245,595.36

• Resolution 6-8-26: Water Rates (correction).

• Appoint Kim Carlson to the Milbank Housing Board.

• Approve special event permits: Milbank Area Hospital Avera Race for Hope, June 20, 2026. Dakota Granite Community Event-Lake Farley Park, July 25, 2026. Milbank Chamber of Commerce-Lake Farley Park, July 7, 2026.

• Approve the hire of Jim Beyer, Utility Clerk, $21.90, effective 6/9/26.

Presentations & Open Forum – No public comments were offered during this time.

Action Items –

The notice and call for bids were removed from the agenda because preliminary quotes were below the bid threshold: Bates Construction Co. $80,001; Ronglien Excavating, Inc.-$42,600; J&J Earthworks Inc.-$38,320.48. A motion was made and seconded to accept the quote from J&J Earthworks Inc. Motion carried 6-0.

Discussion Items –

Mayor Pro Tem Rogers emphasized the goal of keeping the public informed and maintaining transparency regarding the process to address the mayoral vacancy. At the July council meeting, Kyle Schwandt will be seated as the new Ward 2 council member, succeeding Craig Weinberg. After the new council is seated, a new President and Vice-President will be elected. Attorney Marso will provide legal guidance regarding a special election or mayoral appointment.

Rogers expressed appreciation for outgoing Mayor Raffety’s leadership, which has provided the council with stability during the transition.

Employee Acknowledgments –

Kim Carlson was recognized for outstanding help in assisting a family in locating a gravesite at the city cemetery, including diligent research and communication.

Councilman Briggs commended the staff for maintaining the parks. He participated in the Whetstone Snowmobile Show, where he received several favorable comments about the park facilities.

Department Monthly Reports –

Fire – Kevin Schuelke reported that weather spotter teams are prepared for the summer, Code Red and emergency notification outreach will continue. All community shelters, including the new one at Lake Farley, are operational.

Police – Chief Hooth reported that the department collaborated with the fire and sheriff’s departments to host a bike rodeo for area youth. Significant vehicle repairs are needed for one squad; these repairs are being coordinated with Jesse Morton and the street shop to minimize costs.

Water – Lead and copper water samples are being collected to remain in compliance with new requirements. Two water main breaks were repaired. A record high water usage was recorded – 5.8 million gallons in one week. Breon expressed satisfaction with how the system handled the increased demand.

Wastewater – Theile reported routine operations, including the resolution of recent FL station alarm repairs. Jesse Kane successfully passed a certification test.

Park – VanVooren thanked those who helped with park cleanup in preparation for Memorial Day. The pool is operating at full summer capacity with swim team practices, lessons, and open swim. Recreation programs are in full swing.

Adjourn –

The next regular meeting will be held on July 13, 2026. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 6:27 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

Mindy Rogers,

Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST

Cynthia Schumacher,

Finance Officer