City Council - Regular Meeting

Call this meeting to order. Start with the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationy and justice for all. Next is invocation by Salvation Army. And they're not here. So roll call. Savers here. Goldhammer here. Doer. Mardo here. Bington here. Basky here. Charts Smith here.

Okay, we have a quorum. Approval of consent agenda items. Items appearing on the consent agenda may be removed by a city council member for discussion at the beginning of the formal agenda items. Would anyone like to remove anything?

Move to approve. Motion Mr. Goldhammer. Second by Mr. Bky. Further discussion. Would anyone [snorts] in the audience like to discuss this? Okay. Roll call. Doer. Murdoch. Hi. Bington. Hi. Bathsky. Hi. Smith. Hi. Savers. Hi. Goldhammer. Hi.

Motion carries. Public comment. If you need to address the mayor, members of city council on an item that was not on the agenda, excluding personnel items. Please come forward to the podium and state your name and your concern. Presentations are limited to three minutes. Items will be considered, but no action will be taken at this time. Would you like to address the council? Hello, I am Elizabeth with Mitchell Mains from Beyond City Council Mayor Hansen. I just want to let you all know that March is still happening with Wing of Palooa. 10 businesses, 18 flavors. I encourage the community to get out there and support their local restaurants and eeries. That's not it. Our undercover wing judges are going great. So, thank you to those in the community that are doing that for us. It is 50% judging and 50% people's choice. So, I encourage you to get out there and use that Everything Mitchell app and cast your votes. We did have the St. Patty's Day weekend extravaganza event this past weekend and it was a hit. So, if you missed it, I have a couple cups left and when you put liquid in them, they lit up all kinds of rainbow colors. So, it was really fun to see people's faces and we had seven participating bars downtown again, which is exciting for a second annual that everyone came back to the table to work together for an event downtown. Uh, that's not it. The end of this month, we will be having the dribble downtown madness. We'll be hiding a little duck that looks like a basketball. It's a national trend right now. We're hopping on the bandwagon. Have fun with that. Our retail stores will be hiding that in their workplaces. And if you find it, you get 10% off a purchase or whatever that business is offering. And with that being said, First Fridays is officially the less than 45 days away already. So May 1st, we'll be here before we know it and we'll be rocking out outside. Thank you all for your time.

Thank you,

Mayor Council Dave Sezma, director at the Corn Palace. Just wanted to say a public thank you to uh Dakota Wesleyan University, our city government, especially Sports and Events Authority for helping us put on the national tournament uh for the first and second round of the NIA Division One 3 women's uh tournament. So, I know they're heading to Sous City on I think Tuesday afternoon, but thanks for all the support and all the help and all the volunteers that helped make it a great weekend in Mitchell.

Thank you. like to give a shout out to Dave and his crew too for I mean the Corn Palace was jam-packed. It couldn't have been more full probably on on Friday night. Saturday was full but not quite as full. But they did a good job of getting everybody in and out and didn't hear any complaints. That was a good thing. Would anyone else like to address the council on an item that is not on the agenda?

Boyd rhymnets here for two reasons tonight. Number one, Michelle, um this is a public apology for uh what I said a week ago Thursday morning, I believe it was. Um I told the council that I had gotten a um sample petition from you. It was not a sample petition. It was a former ballot. That was my mistake. Um so, okay. Uh second thing is is uh as you guys know, uh I was the the person who submitted the petitions. I continue to get people contacting me on a daily basis concerning that issue and I hope this council um is also getting those sort of responses from people and um I look forward to the continuation of this. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the council? Okay. Hearing none, we'll move on. Board of adjustment. Entertain a motion for the city council to recess and sit as the board of adjustment. So moved by Mr. Goldhammer second by Mr. Bathky. All those in favor of the motion say I. Post same sign. Motion carries. Hearing an action on application for Steven and Trudy Morgan variance permit. Stephen and Trudy Morgan have applied for a variance permit for side corner yard setback of 17 1/2 ft versus 20 ft to remove an existing 10x10 screen and porch and replace it with a 14 by14 addition. It is located at 1421 Mitchell Boulevard. Legally described as shown on the agenda. Mr. Jennigus.

Mr. Mayor Council Planning Commission motion to recommend approval um pass unanimously. Notice they were sent out to neighbor signs posted published in the paper. There were seven letters returned in favor of this. Um applicant like you said would like to remove an existing 10 x10 and put on a 14 by14 in that location. Um discussion during it was it's far back out of sight triangle. The pine tree that would be just to the east of this is already going to be more into the view area for where this addition would be on. Um their current one is right at the 20 ft by extending that out 14 by 14 and go to the 17 1/2 ft versus the 20 ft. I can answer any questions that you have. Um I will also remind you since we are missing one person it hits uh six out of eight of the whole board. So it takes six votes and if an applicant would like to table until we have the full board we can do that as well. So answer any questions.

Motion by Mr. Sabers, second by Mr. Pardo by just a jiffy. Further discussion. Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? Okay. All those in favor of the motion say I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Hearing an action on application of David Baker variance permit. David Baker's applied for a variance permit for a front yard setback of 9.9 ft versus 25 ft to remove an existing deck and replace it with a threeseason porch addition. This is located at 400 West 14th Avenue legally described as shown on the agenda. Mr. Jennigus,

Mr. Mayor, councel, uh, planning commission motion to recommend approval. It uh motion failed with 144 against and two absent. Notices were sent out to neighbor signs posted published in the paper. There were zero responses from any of the neighbors. Um, Papin would like to tear off his existing deck um because he's putting in a new water and sewer line going in there. So, he's got to do some work there. So, with doing that, he'd like to put back on a a threeseasons porch in that location, which would extend a little bit further than what the existing deck is and then also have a roof over top of it. Um, he has an existing roof over his entryway um that's getting kind of dilapitated. So, that's where he thought if he just did the whole thing instead of just that portion. um applicants here if you have any questions for him or I can answer any questions you have for me as well.

Motion by Mr. Smith. Second by Mr. Baskky. Further discussion. Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I. [clears throat] Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Reconvene the city council. Entertain a motion for the board of adjustment to adjurnn the city council to reconvene in regular session. So move by Mr. Goldhammer. Second by Mr. Bathky. All those in favor. The motion say I. Same sign. Motion carries. Action to approve special event permit application for Jordan Hansen Lit Seminar at the Pepsi Theater April 9th 2026. Missing.

Mayor and council. I'm filling in for Aaron Heap tonight. We have several new special event permit applications on the agenda. The first one is for the Pepsi Theater for April 9th, 2026. It's a parking lot closure. At this time, we didn't have any conflicting events and the applications included in the agenda. I didn't see if anyone was here from the theater if they want to speak. Back there. You want to come up or No. Sure. Yeah.

Good evening. Jesse St. Pepsi Cola Theater, uh, area community theater. Um, yeah, the, uh, we are simply asking for some parking lot closures for some events that we have coming up to help provide a VIP experience for those who are coming to our events, but also for our aged and ADA needed com uh, uh, uh, members. uh when we have shows, Tim could probably attest to this, that when we have our musicals and our our our uh plays that we have a vast volume of older folks that have a hard time getting around. So, what we want to do is to provide them with the closest parking that we can possibly provide them as a VIP uh and uh event experience. And I hope to do this for more of our events so we can uh lean into providing access especially for the the those who have mobility issues.

I I don't disagree that there are an aged population that goes to those shows, but I don't think they're any different from any of the people that would go to Corn Palace events or other uh like downtown type stuff. So, um, my question is, how would that how would you be monitoring this or how would we know who is supposed to be parked there or not there? Because when we close a parking lot, what time do we do that at? It says it'd be closed at [clears throat] um midnight until midnight the next night. So, it would start at midnight that day until 11:45 that night. So, it' be closed the entire day with cones.

Yes. And Aaron and I did talk about that about if we decide to close it at 2 o'clock before a 400 pm show, let's say, just as math or whatever, and somebody's been parked there from 6, how do I track that person down from 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:00 because they parked a trailer or a camper or those things? So, midnight seemed like the most reasonable time to prevent having to then track down or be crabby at people. Not that that's my intent um but simply that where we would have parking lot uh closure signs and then when it comes to the event we I would actually create a sleeve if I the signs that I'm thinking would be there with you know single pole with a flat you know parking lot closed that then I could slide a sign over the top of that's now event parking for act parking lot open at particular time um and if I have to have a parking lot attendant I'll have a parking lot attendant Okay. Any other questions?

How many parking spots are there? I don't even know. Uh, six over 60 and there's only three handicap spaces in that parking lot. So, that that's also the other piece of like there's only three technically available for 88 80 plus the two in front of your building. Correct. Yes, plus the two in front of the building. So, Jesse, I'm looking at number 11. And I'm jumping forward a little bit. Is that like for two or three weekends straight? Uh Friday, Saturday.

So for Into the Woods, that would be two weekends. Uh but we would close Friday night or excuse me, Friday morning at 12 and then Sunday uh after the show on Sunday would open then back up for the week and then we would close again the following weekend to provide that parking for the that event. When you do get to discussion on that item, there was some staff comments submitted on that one that it does conflict with some other events happening. Um, April 17th is MTC alumni cornhole tournament at the Corn Palace. April 19th is the MH MHS band concert and then April 25th would be MHS prom. Both are probably going to be high years.

Prom had to fall under one of those months. But again, the first one is just for the April 9th event um for the LIT seminar.

I'll make a motion to approve the first one. Motion. I'll second. Further discussion.

I'm I'm going to vote against and obviously nothing against the mayor. I hope is is a huge turnout for you, but I just don't know where we're going to start and stop with closures and [clears throat] and coming in. I in a oneb block radius, I counted uh 10 public parking lots that we've got uh proximity of of the at theater. Um so I I just don't know if we're just going to open this up to anyone that would want it. and understand as Tim Tim pointed out, we've got elderly coming to a lot of events and I I just hate to start this president. And so again, I I'm going to be leaning toward voting no

and they're not clarify for me. They're not asking for a waiver of the fee. They're just asking for the closure. Correct. Correct. [laughter]

separate this one from the other ones. All right. Okay. Anyone else? Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? Okay. All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Nay. Motion carries. Action approve special event permit application in the Woods Musical at Area Community Theater ACT on Friday, April 17th, Sunday, April 19th and Friday in April 24th, Sunday and April 26, 2026. Miss White again, again, similar request to the last application. Again, I'm filling in for Aaron Heave. You can see the parking lot closure request on the map. Um, again though, this is for four different dates for the Into the Woods musical. Six.

Okay, I can't read. Six different dates. Sorry. Thank you. [laughter] Um uh and then the only comments is that we do u send the applications around internally before uh they're scheduled on council agenda and there were three conflicting events during that time frame. I stated previously April 17th there's a cornhole tournament at the corn. April 19th is a Mitchell High School band concert. April 25th is the MHS prom. Mitchell High School prom. I believe that that's the only comments other than it's the same time for Oh, I guess he just did say that it would close on uh Friday through Sunday.

This one I do have a problem with being with the prom and all the other stuff they have. So, I'll be voting against this one. Would it be would it be possible to modify or change in the discussion of if I couldn't do Friday and Saturday to provide Sunday as that is our highest attended with the highest amount of uh senior citizens. I would uh Sundays tend to be pretty full houses for us with a lot of people with mobility issues. So, if I could get anything, it would hopefully be Sunday. That's a 2:00 in the afternoon until about 4:00 and that's when the show ends and then the parking lot would then be open probably by 5 at that point. Um, Whoops. Sorry. Is there conflicting events on the Sundays?

So, just to clarify, I think we're talking about April 26th. It would be the 19th and the 26th. And I know then the 26th was that one or was the 19th? 19th is the band concert and then the 26th there wouldn't be a conflict, right? Uh is that when the circus is starting, Dave? Is that my memory serving me correctly? Yeah, they'll be set up on Sunday starting for the circus. That'll kick off on Monday. On which day? The 26th.

That one wasn't on my list. I apologize. Okay, Jim looks like he wants to say something.

Just [laughter] trying to think about how I want to say it. I think the difficult thing for me is that uh if we limit this parking at all, we're asking the same demographic of people, citizens of Mitchell, to then have to walk farther to other events. Um, and that that was one of my initial uh thoughts with this as well. Um, I would rather see us look at trying to create some kind of valet system or valet in the front of your building and look at closing off the like just the parking that's right in front of that strip there. Um, and offering and working with you to try and figure out a solution that you could park them further away and then have some kind of system along that line.

Um, I realize that that's probably more manpower than what you're trying to commit to this, but

Right. Right. I think that that would be offer a solution that seems more fair and equitable to everyone involved um in in a long-term planning scenario. And Tim, I want to piggyback a little bit. One of my other thoughts that went through my head at one time was even like if it was a portion of this prime real estate parking for all the events we got going on as in some more towards the ACT building, you know, there's it looks like really quickly four spots on the back side and then those first few spots where there's a single car in the middle right now. You know, if it's I mean I don't know what number would be a good number, but something to benefit a few of them but I don't know if that gets us anywhere, you know, from like, hey, I want 15 spots. I just I have a hard time also with all the other events that we have going on in our community at that time and how we start singling out a certain certain portion of what we're going to try to do here and satisfy all the community and citizens at our events. So, I mean, I'm glad this has all happened. I I admire what you're doing over there and getting a lot of activity going on. Um, it's great for the community and it's great for the ACT. I just that it's not the only event that's going on sadly and I just can't see how we can single it out. So the your your question Marty or this the uh is to what if it was half the parking lot and instead of the full as an opportunity or an option?

That's one thing that's going through my mind a section of it towards the building so it's more of a I guess the VIP experience but then let everybody else have everything you know let them filter in with all the other events we got going on. Just something I was thinking of. I don't know if there's any type of support for that but well I would be open to consider that is what I'm trying to say. currently a storage unit on the four spots close to your building.

Yep. The four the four spaces there right behind our building now has a a shipping container for uh on-site additional storage for our our really heavy stuff that doesn't need to go up two flights of stairs with people that are older than me that could easily fall down them. So, I'm trying to prevent that. [laughter] I would definitely say on the prom days and the band days definitely not have a closure because those are big events. [clears throat] I think prom brings more people to the cornbells than any event all year long. So I think we need as much parking around there as we can get. Yeah, with my thought. I don't know if there's a good number. Once again, you know, your tenants over there, but I

you know, when we start drawing from the parking lot to half it, you know, is that even enough or is that more of a insult to injury kind of thing? Well, in my thought on the the logistics, it's easier to throw four parking lot closure signs than a barrier all the way across the parking lot, too. Correct. That which would be the the additional complication there. How do how do you know they're coming to your event if there's another event coming on? How if if we did approve it? How would you decipher who was going to your event? They just tell you I would I would to be honest, I'd just have to use people's they they would just self-service. You know, if the parking lot says closed for an event, they could certainly just drive by the sign and park in there.

I agree. I agree that I was thinking that you could so we kind of solve everybody's problem. Maybe it's just for the elderly for all events.

Well, in the I guess in the discussion of there's parking spaces for senior citizens at Coburns and Walmart and those things that if it was and that's I mean in the fair conversation that's my intent and my want is that while I want it to be easier for and fairly the older folks that have these mobility issues to just not have to go as far. We do have 10 parking lots, but they're also a lot further than you probably want to walk with a boot on your foot. Um, just in fairness of anybody that's had to have those mobility issues or you've been riding around with a scooter, it's really not fun how even a little bit of ways. So, imagine if you have diabetic feet or things like that. It's a block is a long ways. Um, especially for the membership that we have here at the theater. Um, so anyway, uh, the it'd be great if we could at least do the Sunday. I mean, I think that could be the two Sundays. I mean, I do get that the band event is going on, but also it's like, well, if they're members of the theater, they can park there and come to the band thing, too, because they're going to be split either way, right? They could park there or whatever. So there's not like I'm going to police it to saying you cannot park here, but at least those signs would maybe keep people uh honest and then we can have those spaces reserved for those that kind of need them a little bit more.

I approve the first one. I'll deny this one. So I'll make a motion to deny. Motion to deny. Second. Second by Mr. Smith. Tim looks like he wants to see something. Would there be a possibility for Could you pull the map back up on the south side of the parking lot for us to look at some kind of signage that would be for you know the reserve for uh a special need classification um where the right next to the handicap spots. We do also have [clears throat] spots in Yeah.

Yeah. That's uh that's a possibility. Um council would have to approve that. Um, as far as far as the uh enforcement side goes, I don't know if you'd be able to enforce technically who parks there unless it was a handicap parking sign or there was specific language um for who could or could not park there.

That all right. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Um, just state your name so people at home.

Dave seats at the Corn Palace. Um, my only concern with this is it, you know, now are the Corn Palace and ACT going to start trying to beat it everybody to the punch and saying, "I want to close off all the parking lot." Um, you know, that parking lot at city hall uh that is not requested to closure. Now, should I turn around and ask to close that next meeting so that I've got spaces for people in the same demographic we're trying to serve at the theater that night. And I I just don't want it to turn into plus that I think ends up being more expensive for at least my renters. I mean, they'll have to come in then to secure parking lots and and make more fees happen. Uh so those are just some thoughts as you're mulling your decision over. That would be where if they're all just open and and it is first come, first serve. If we're m if we've got events, we won't always have events on top of each other, but I guess that's that's my question. Little exercise doesn't hurt anybody. [clears throat] Okay. Any further? Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? Okay. So, the motion is tonight. So, voting yes means deny just so everyone knows. Okay. All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries, but it fails. That makes sense. You guys got it figured out on that one, right? Sure.

Okay. Action approve special event permit application for Thursday night, the live at the Pepsi Theater, Thursday, April 30th, 2026. Miss Mayor and Council, um, another first time special event permit application. Again, I'm filling in for Aaron Heb. This is another parking lot closure following the similar timelines. Um the date is for April 30th and there was no noted conflicting events at that time for the April 30th date. Okay. Thank you and entertain a motion for this one.

I'll move to approve. Motion by Mr. Goldhammer to approve. [clears throat] Second, Minister. Further discussion. Dave, when does the service end? Uh, I don't have it right in front of me. It ends on Thursday and recital practice Friday and recital on Saturday. Thursday. Yes. Yes. I should have clarified. There's no conflicting dates noted on the staff report. So, there is a conflicting event.

What What time does the circus get out of there? They'll be sorry. They'll be they'll be out the the morning before that. So, we don't the what we have as a conflict over there is is um the the big year-end dance recital from um uh Julie's group. The circus will be out and parking lot will be cleaned on Thursday morning and that's a practice Dave, right? Correct. Okay. Any want talk about this one? Okay. We have a motion for approval. All those in favor of the motion say I.

I. I. We got two there. Let's do a roll call actually and then we can Bington. Hi. Bathsky. Hi. Smith. Nay. Sabers. Hi. Goldammer. Hi. Doer. Nay. Mardle. Nay. Four to three. So it passes. Okay. Motion carries. Action. Approved special event permit application for Great Faces Rally by Christian Motorcyclist Association Bike Show on Friday, July 17th.

I picked the wrong day to fill in. Um, so we have another new first time special event permit application. This one is for Friday, July 17th. This one will be on South Main north of Here, I'll pull up the And I know that the event applicant is here might want to talk about their event, but the closure is requested for this parking lot. The closure time frame would start at 3:00 a.m. Um, and it's for the Christian Motorcyclist Association.

We Can you state your name for everyone at home? I belong to CMA is my home base. I am the president of the CMA group. party knows me.

Yeah, you know me. Um, I've been here in CMA over 20 years. U, what we're using the parking lot for is we're going to have a bike show. So, we're going to park motorcycles in there. We request that the public bring their motorcycles, help us promote it. Cars are allowed in there if we say, "Okay, this person can park in there." It's not 100% closed, but there would be an area where we set up our booth for voting for the different things. We'll start setting up at 4 or 4:30. Uh we'll have an ice cream social open to the public so the mayor can come down and get a little ice cream.

I do like ice cream. like me. [laughter] We're I am talking to the police department to have them bring their cruisers through to have a blessing of the officers and their cruisers there that afternoon for the police department, the state patrol. The city people want to bring their vehicles down and get them blessed. We're here to serve the public and help make a better world. And all we're asking is that we'll be allowed basically to have this in that. It's yes, you ask, we're closing, but yes, it's just open for a special event. And we'll have people in there. And yes, it's a crossroad bar. And yes, we're all Christians and we're not going to be over there drinking. [laughter] I Marty used to kick me. I had fun with Marty. I've known him for years.

But CMA, we have uh with clocks, we try to work with them. We try to work with the motorcycle. We try to work with the city council. We ask for information to be displayed about the city of Mitchell. anything that you have going on that you'd like put out to the through the CMA, we'd be more than willing to do it. I live up in Fedora. I'm doctor all the time down here. I just lost the end of my fingers. Had a match. But we try to help people and we try to help the city. We don't want to cause any problems. We just want to do it within the legality of how the city of Mitchell requests for special events, special deals. You know, we don't want to just go take it over.

Okay. Sounds all right. Sounds easy. Thank you. Motion approved. Second by Mr. Saber. Second, Mr. Goldhammer. Further discussion. Would anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Second to approve request for from Craig Ryan for a 15-minute parking sign 8 a.m. to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday at the southwest corner of Fifth in Maine. Mr. Shrader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, Council, uh Craig Ryan is located in the building of the southwest corner of Fifth and Maine. The owner has requested a second 15-minute parking sign from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, south of the existing 15-minute parking sign, which is on the west side of Maine, adjacent to Fifth. Um, the mayor has requested two additional 15-minute parking spaces to be located to the south of those and that's as shown on the uh figure on the screen. I can answer any questions you may have.

I'll start with this. Yeah. So, I went down and visited and I had a tough time finding a parking spot and that's how we were talking. I was like, let me ask for two extras because it it is tough to find parking on that. So, that's the explanation for the two additional but one does make sense. So, I'll open it up to questions. Did uh any other businesses have a concern or were they notified? Uh the way this process is um the city does not notify the other businesses. Um I don't know if there were conversations had with the other uh main street businesses um or what their feelings are on it.

Well, I'd be interested to find out what if they have concerns or thoughts on it.

Okay. Well, there's one barber shop at the salon right there and that both take more than 15 minutes and parking is um minimal there. Um, they can't park in the space to the west. That's private. And we got a new business going in the old Penny's building. I believe right now, Joe, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but we we reserve the closest one to the curb on each block or the end of the street. end of the block, not just the curb. Sorry.

Check that out. When I drove down today, the end of each block there is a 15 minute 15 minute. And our streetscapes took away four on fifth and four parking spots on fourth. the applicant and far between.

Hi, I'm Craig Stankkey, the owner of Craig Ryan's. And the reason I'm asking for this additional 15 20 minute parking spaces because some of the items we do sell are large items. And when there's no parking available, it makes it harder for customers a to want to buy the product, b and then getting it to their car. And we have so many people that are just parking on Main Street, leaving their car there for hours and it's never changing over within, you know, several hours. Which two, like if people can't find a parking spot down Main Street, they're less likely to patronize the local businesses on Main Street.

Does John Admalt know that you're doing this? I mean, for his other tenants? No, I've talked to other tenants in the building and everyone seems okay with it. How often does it happen where you have two sales at the same time that you have need to load their vehicles?

Um, I'd say it probably happens couple a couple times a week. You know, it's not only that, but too, like I said, even when it's cold, like Jordan was down last week, it was cold. Like even he's like Craig, I wouldn't want to walk, you know, two blocks to get to your store and haul, you know, a lamp all the way back to my car or a vase or a couch. Yeah. Yeah. The story is So he invited me down and I I was like, I'll just walk and then I was like, man, it's like it's like zero degrees. So I drove two blocks. I know that's embarrassing, right? And then I was like, man, I didn't. And so I circled the block a few times and waited for one of the spots to open up until someone did open up. And we, you know, when he says large items, I don't know if you've seen these items, but they are large items. I mean, they're like vases that are like should be in a hotel room, you know, like in front of so that I'm like, okay, when you go when you go and look at it, you're like, okay, yeah, I wouldn't want to carry a 17 foot tall vase, you know, down the road. It's not that big, but you know what I'm saying.

Again, I'm flexible on the two extra spots, but and I am, too. I'm very flexible. I think just one is probably all that would really be as one or two. There already is a a light there that you could attach the sign to. So, it's not like you'd have to put it any additional sign poles or things like that. I'll move to approve a single additional spot. Motion for a single additional spot. Which one would it be? It'd be the closest one probably next to the green just so they'd stay close to each other, wouldn't you think? Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that way it's easier for people to get in and out cuz to try and watch people parallel park on street is kind of a nightmare.

Did you motion, right? Nobody second yet. No, not yet.

I I'll second for additional discussion, but um my concern I haven't obviously been sitting here for quite some time. I know we've been in these circumstances before and it might have been uniqueness of not necessarily 15-minute parking just other other avenues of some type of spot being reserved or held back and I know in the past we've been pretty adamant about denying those just because of the fact of what kind of monster can we create. I really feel that your specific business may have the justification of needing the spot but it does not stop anybody else wanting to come to us. um on every other business on this parking lot or this downtown main street asking, "Hey, I want a 15-minute spot because my customers can buzz in quick and grab something." So, and I I'm not saying I know every business on Main Street. I'm really worried about

feel like that every business out when there's available parking. That's the thing. There's not everyone wants Some people just want to stop in, run, and get their item and go. They're not there to, you know, spend 45 to two hours in a store. They just want to run in, get their item, and go. So, are you based in saying you want every spot on Main Street being in 15 minutes? No, I'm just asking for a few spots to be for 15 minutes. And my point is I don't for those people that just want to run in, get their stuff, and go. And I don't disagree with that. I think it's a valid point. I'm just concerned how many other businesses are going to want to do that. And then Main Street is a 50-minute parking lot. I just, you know, that's where I'm at from the past.

[clears throat] Okay. Further discussion. Would anyone else in the audience like to discuss this? Second. Yeah. Marty second it. Yeah. Let's do a roll call on this one. Barington. No. Bath key. No. Chart. Smith. Nay. Sabers. Nay. Goldhammer. May Doer. No. Mardle. No. Motion fails.

Action approve request Mitchell Main Street and Beyond install American themed Main Street banners. Mr. Nelson. Oh, who? Okay. It's not Mr. Nelson, I guess. Okay. He's He's a little nervous over there. Yeah. Sorry. I'm Elizabeth with Mitchell Mains from Beyond. I am working with the parks and rec department on this. Um is this attachment in the agenda?

Okay. Um I brought extras just in case you didn't have a paper copy. So with Main Street, we're looking to put banners up to celebrate the patriotic theme. Um that screenshot right there that you're seeing on the screens, that would actually be replaced with an American flag across the top. So it wouldn't say 250th anniversary and it would obviously say Mitchell hometown hero for the sake of knowing what's happening and the rank and the solders's name and unit would be underneath it. So we're looking at doing banners from deadsteads which is down on 9inth all the way to the depot. So that's 94 flight poles going up on Main Street. I am working with the local National Guard to make this possible because the 665 is the only thing I didn't have written down correctly before I walked in is actively deployed. I am working with their um individual that's responsible for taking the pictures before they left to have their faces get on these banners. I'm also working with the VFW, the VA, and um their rec recruiter right here in our community to make sure we are getting the correct pictures for the banners. I know there's others in our community that are going to want to do this. This first initial wave is going to be to target the National Guard individuals that are deployed and on active duty here in Mitchell. With that being said, the project is not a small project by any means. Putting up 94 banners is no small task. There would be collaboration with the city of Mitchell with parks and wreck to potentially put these up. the fundraising part of this. That's where Mitchell means from beyond would come into play and we would we would fund the project with partners of the community and find the grants and the dollars to make this project happen. There's a lot of words on this piece of paper, so if you have questions, I'd be happy to help you answer any of them.

So, the only cost to the city is the cost to putting them up. Correct. the manpower to put them up from Nebsteads on ninth down to the depot on ninth. Right. Nebads is ninth. Correct. Yes. No, they're further down than that. I think they're on 12.

12. Sorry. Yes, it is. It's going to run all the way from the Nebsteads and Timothy Drake. There is where the green light uh light poles on Main Street start and they run all the way down to the depot. I did count them and they run there plus potentially doing the four that cut into the Corn Palace Plaza so that it is a good transition when people are visiting in this area. There's potential to grow that program in different waves, but to start somewhere and get this up and off the ground. the hardware itself would stay and we can reuse those for the next wave of banners that would go up in the next two to three years. I hope to get two years of life out of these. I would look to donate these potentially to that

uh soldier member family that have the banner made or donate it back to the National Guard here so that they can use it out in their armory or in their footprint out there. And then we put banners downtown that represent our community also. I'll move to approve. Motion by Mr. Mardle, second by Mr. Bington. Further discussion. Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Thank you. Action award bid for Fifth Avenue reconstruction project 2024-0 to Mr. Shrader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, Council, uh, bids were opened on February 25th in city hall council chambers at 1:30. Seven bids were received with the low bid being from Halmy, Inc. for $2,29,458.28. Uh, the bid tabulation is attached. For more information, um, Chansy Shrek, a professional engineer with Bros Engineering, has reviewed the bids to ensure they are complete and correct. The project is being tren funded through a state revolving fund loan package. Uh the project is approximately 40% under budget. Staff recommends awarding the project to Hallmate, Inc. and the bid shall be contingent on BNR approval. I can answer any questions you have.

Thank you. [clears throat] To approve second Minister Sabers Joel, this was the company we worked with last year. Is that correct? Correct. In 204, I believe they were awarded two or three separate projects and we've had good luck with them. Okay. Anyone the audience like to discuss this? Okay. All those in favor of the motion say I I post same sign. Motion carries. Section award bid for water distribution building project 2026-01. Mr. Shrader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, councel, uh, bids were opened on March 4th in city hall council chambers at 1:30. Seven bids were received. Um the bids were broken down uh by the base bid which was a pre-engineered metal building and site work. Alternate one was addition of a liner panel for the pre-engineered metal building which would protect the insulation on the inside. Alternate two was an ad to the base bid for a cost increase for a pre-cast building. Then there was also a unit price for for sidewalk per square foot. Um the low bid was by Visions Construction Group. Um so the uh the way that that broke down with the base bid and the alternates um the pre-engineered metal building with the um siding was $2,48,400. The base bit and alternate 2 for the pre-cast option was 2,4487,000. Um Kevin Gingser is the principal architect for Cella Design Inc. uh who did the plans and specs. They recommend awarding the base bid and alternate 2 for 2,487,000 with Visions Construction Group. He has reviewed the bid and determined it is to be responsive and compliant with the project requirements. Reasons for moving forward with the pre-cast option includes enhanced thermal mass, reduce long-term maintenance, improve building envelope performance, superior dability and longevity. For those reasons, staff does recommend awarding the project to Vision's construction group for the base bid of 1,968,000 and alternate 2 519,000 for a total cost of 2,487,000. Um, and with that also the unit price for sidewalk. Um later on in the uh agenda, you're going to see where we are approving um services for SPN and Geotech for on-site testing services. Um

which puts project contingency. Um we're short 181,000, but we have had some savings on some other projects this year that uh should cover that shortfall. Um I can answer any question you have. Joe, are these guys out of St. Paul's? Correct. Yes. And Joe, I assume this was in the budget or this a additional thing after the fact.

So the budget was $2.5 million for the product and we were not anticipating. So we're able to do the upgrade at almost the exact price. will be $187,000 more out of the water fund, but you'll get the length of life that comes with the the concrete building versus the pre-engineered metal. Okay. Thank you.

They have the ability to pay for the difference out of the water fund. I should have stated too. looking for a motion. I think Joe wants I'll move to approve with a recommendation alter number two for the pre-cast wall system. Okay. Second motion. Second by Mr. Bington. Further discussion. Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Extra award bid for public safety replace rooftop units projects 226-16. Mr. Trader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, councel, uh, bids were opened on March 10th in city hall council chambers at 130. Five bids were received. Um, the way the bid broke down is there was a base bid which was to replace the rooftop units. Alternate one was to add baseboards and thermostats to be replaced uh, through a few rooms. Alternate two added return air duct work and baseboards to rooms 108 and 109. Uh B4 Seth was the low bid. Um base bid was 238,000. Alternate one 3740 and alternate 2 was 3,660. Um Bob Iverson, professional engineer with Robi Quinnel and Everson Consulting Engineers, recommends awarding the project to the low bidder 84 Seth for the base bid and both add alternates. Um staff also recommends awarding the project to Aiden Forsth. Um staff is requesting an additional $19,000 from the 2026 supplemental appropriation process um to cover the project cost with contingency. With that, I can answer any questions you have.

Thank you. I would just like to add that so the item number alternate two we really added to improve the heating and cooling in the training room which we were having issues with and we knew by making this alternate we could address those issues as well and those came up after the budget had been approved. That's where the 109 comes in. Yeah. For the alternates that we're adding in.

That sounds like a lot to me. the original the original budget that was budgeted was just to replace the rooftop units. Um so once they got into the design um we found that there was cost savings for um increasing the uh the size of the unit. Uh it would included better insulation um and it added better um efficiency for the building as well as the alternates are also adding um efficiencies throughout the building where we'll see a cost savings with energy and electricity and the units are a better unit than what was originally uh specified.

How old are those units? All it I want to I don't want to say number because I won't be sure but for some reason the 20 years is in my head. When was the building built? Is it the original equipment? No, it's been replaced since then. [clears throat] Original building was probably 1950. Was it Were those done with a remodel in the 90s? Very well could have been. Mayor Council, she's saying, "Well, that's correct. When the building was remodeled, that's when those units were put on." Perfect. Joe, there's no way to get these off the roof because I just experienced anytime they're on the roof, it's a huge expense.

Yeah, there'll be they'll need a crane to get them off and the new ones on. No, no, I'm saying the whole system off the roofstead [clears throat] on the roof. He wants you to move the roof out off the roof for maintenance in the future. Yes. Was it looked at or is it just not feasible? But don't worry, I don't think there's any space on that building. I mean, you redoing the HVAC. I'm not sure what that would look like. So, I'm sure the returns and everything that's uh plumbed in there for the HVAC is for where the current units are at. It's an old building.

Okay. Any other questions? Looking for a motion. Nobody's motioned anything yet. Motion to approve. What do you want to approve with the alternate? Correct. With a first recommendation. First staff recommendation. Second. Look, Mr. Smith. Further discussion. Would anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. action award bid for trap and remove minnows from the wastewater treatment lagoon contract project 2026-34. Mr. Trader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, Council, bids were open on March 11th at 10:00 a.m. in city hall. One bid was received from Skinner Bait and Farm LLC for $2,123 per year for the three-year lease. Staff does recommend awarding the bid to Skinner Baiton Farm. Um, yep. Like I said, this is a three-year lease that will commence on April 1st, 2026. I can answer any questions you have. Move to approve. Motion by Mr. McCle. Second by Mr. Goldhammer. Further discussion. Would [clears throat] anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I.

I. Same sign. Motion carries. Action approve. Action to approve amendment number one to agreement A2025-06 design engineering for Northman Street 23rd to Keer with SPN and Associates projects 2025-01. Joe Shrader public works director SPN Associates is requesting an amendment to their agreement for the Northman Street 23rd Demper utility improvement project. This amendment includes added survey and design to the north of the original agreement boundary. Um the original agreement was 245,000. Amendment number one is 15,000 for a new contract amount of 260,000. Staff recommends approving the amendment to SPN and can answer any questions you have.

Thank you.

Mr. Smith second by Mr. Goldhammer by a second. Anyone in the audience like to discuss this? Okay. All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Section approve agreement A2026-22 safety action plan and safe streets and roads for all grant application with HDR engineering inc. Mr. Trader. Yep. Mr. Mayor Councel HDR Engineering has provided a scope and fee to complete a safety action plan or a SAP and a safe streets and roads for all or an SS4A grant application. The safety action plan will build upon our Mitchell area transportation plan which will allow the city to apply for an SS4A grant. The purpose of the SAP is to prevent serious injuries on all public roads to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. The grant would focus on pedestrian access connections as identified in the SAP. The SAP will include public participation much like the master transportation plan so the community community can voice their concerns of problematic areas. The city of T was awarded a grant of $2,611,200 in 2025 which HDR Engineering provided services. The proposed work will be provided on an hourly basis not to exceed fee of 78,560. Staff does recommend approval of the proposed proposed agreement with HDR Engineering for the services described and I can answer any questions you have.

Thank you. Looking for a motion move to approve Mr. Goldhammer Mr. Bington. Further discussion the audience like to discuss this? [clears throat] All those in favor of the motion say I. I post same sign. Motion carries. Section approve agreement A 20226-23 payment survey proposal with IMS project 2026-35. Mr. Trader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, councel infrastructure management services or IMS completed a pavement survey for the city during our master transportation plan. They provided the results of our of the survey in Excel format and staff has been using this information to prioritize street maintenance and replacement in conjunction with utility replacement projects. The previous survey was completed in 2022. Our average pavement condition index at that time was a 62.4, which put us on the high end of fair and the low end of good. Completing the survey again will allow us to review trends and rate our maintenance program and also provide current data to plan for future projects. IMS is also completing work in Spearfish this spring, which allows us to save on costs. Staff recommends city council approval of the attached agreement with IMS for an estimated amount of $40,674.60. And I can answer any questions you have.

Thank you. Joe, what's the normal timeline that this would be done in? They should have all the streets drove uh within a week or two and then we should have results back this fall. No, sorry. I meant like the last one was done in 2022. How often is that gap or how how soon are we moving it up?

Depending how this turns out, I feel like we should be able to stretch it out to five to eight years depending what this shows. If we showed that our streets haven't um deteriorated that much or shows that our streets that we have chip sealed have um pushed us up in our rating, then I feel like we could push this off a few more years than what we are now. Feel like this will open our eyes to see how our programs are going and what's going to be needed in the future for a future plan. Move to approve. Motion by Mr. Goldhammer. Second. Second by Mr. Micardo. Further discussion. What do you want in the second to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I

I post same sign. Motion carries. Section approve agreement A2026-24 Mitchell drainage study with HDR. Mr. Shrader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor Council, HDR Engineering has been asked to complete a facility plan for the storm sewer encompassing approximately 800 acres um in general area between Sandborn and Foster and from the high school to Dryrun Creek. The plan will include storm water modeling for the 5year and 100red-year storm events. The report will identify storm water improvements to alleviate floodprone areas. Um the attached agreement is is provided for additional information. The proposed work will be provided on an hourly basis not to exceed fee of $129,953. Staff does recommend approval of the proposed agreement with HDR Engineering. And I can answer any questions you may have.

Joe, if this gets approved, is it stuff that's affordable to do without a grant? These projects tend to be expensive for the fact that typically you're increasing pipe sizes um to convey the water further. Um when you're doing them, you're also typically replacing your water and your sewer. Um so the projects can get fairly expensive.

Are there grant grants available for this? Um like for instance, we did get a grant um for our um south or east central drainage basin which would have been the the clockwork area. Um so they're out there and having these reports um allows us to be ready to apply for those if they are available. This is basically the last area of the community that we haven't studied. So, it will allow us to complete that master planning for the entire community and prioritize which areas to go to first. That's what I was just going to say. Complete our master drainage plan, [clears throat] a very exciting plan.

Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Goldhammer. Further discussion? Would anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Action approve agreement A2026-25 water building staking and testing with SPN and Associates project 226-01. Mr. Shrader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor, councel, the proposed agreement with SPN will provide construction, staking, and testing phase professional services for the water distribution building at the groundwater storage tank site south of town. Um SPN was included on the design team with Cella. Um on the utility side, um staff does recommend city council approval of the attached agreement from SPN and Associates at an hourly rate not to exceed fee of 33,000. Um how this is different from Geoteex agreement that's coming up after this is SPN will be responsible for staking and testing or staking for the building and then testing for any underground utilities that are put in. Geotech will be responsible for anything under the building and associated with the building. So with that I can answer any questions you have.

Move to approve by Mr. Micard. Second. Second by Mr. Goldhammer. Further discussion. What do the items like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. section to approve agreement A226-26 water distribution construction phase services with Geotech Engineering and testing project 2026-1 Mr. Shaver.

Yep, Mr. Mayor, Council. So, like I said, Geotech will be providing uh testing services for under the building and within the building such as weld testing. Um staff does recommend city council approval of the attached agreement with Geotech Engineering Testing Services and an hourly rate not to exceed 18,000. And I'll answer any questions you have. Thank you. Move to approve. Motion by Mr. Goldhammer, second by Mr. Bington. Further discussion. Would anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I.

I. Same sign. Motion carries. Section approve agreement A2026-27 East 5th Avenue reconstruction phase services with Rose Engineering Project 2020 4-02. Mr. Trader.

Yep. Mr. Mayor Council, the proposed agreement provides construction phase services uh by Bros Engineering for the East Fifth AB reconstruction project. Project includes water mane, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, concrete curb gutter, and asphalt servicing improvements. Rose Engineering will provide full construction phase services including construction staking, administration, observation, and testing services. Staff recommends city council approval of the attached agreement with Bros Engineering for construction phase services and an amount not to exceed $334,680. Um the project is approximately 40% under budget with these fate with these services included and I can answer any questions you may have.

Thank you. Move to approve motion by Mr. Goldhammer. Second second by Mr. Bington. Further discussion. Would anyone in the audience like to discuss this? All those in favor of the motion say I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Motion in to enter into executive session according to SDCL 12523 consulting with legal council and SDCL 1919 502 lower client communications. Mr. Goldhammer second. Thank you. Mr. Mardle. All those in favor of the motion say I. I post same sign. Motion carries. We're going to have a quick session and then we will be back after that to conclude the

Audio is back. All right. Last is discussion on housing in the city of Mitchell, South Dakota. And I think we'll open up to Jeremy Jensen to start. Welcome back. Well, thank you, Jordan. Uh, mayor and councel, u, thank you for having me back. Jeremy Jensen, business owner here in Mitchell. And um I just want to speak to some some concerns um on some of the housing in Mitchell. Um concerns and and points of discussion. Um I don't want to speak to any project. I'm just offering some points of discussion that we would like to be considered. Um, you know, I come to this I speak with a 25-y year background in building and I've I've been uh, you know, building a company in Mitchell. I do approximately 50 new homes a year across South Dakota. So, I I feel I have a a pretty good background um, to speak to some of these uh, topics. Um, in my bubble, home ownership and building and progression, it is based on a a three- tier system I've always had in my mind. You start with your entry- level home, you progress to your second home, and maybe you've been there a while, and eventually you uh sell, and then you reby something um you know, for later in life, whatever it might be, retirement. But it's all based on buying and selling. That that first step is all based off of somebody coming out of a wrench, maybe that first time home, whatever it is. They are able to buy that home when that initial player in place one sells, upgrades, and and maybe goes into, you know, level two, which is maybe their first new home or whatever it may be. So, it's all based on progression.

the builders, the developers all rely on that too, that progression in housing with the amount of subsidized housing that has been uh projected lately. I think it's just some concerns that we should talk about and that should be brought to the table. If you are in step one right now and you are looking to sell your home and move up into a second home or maybe it's something that a local builder is getting ready to build that second home, what if you didn't have a buyer for that stage and we have a fork in the road that are taking people down away from that system. So, you know, let's take that into consideration. If you live in Mitchell right now and you have a home and you want to build, you want to do something different, maybe there's another home on the market that you'd like to upgrade and buy from your first home and that buyer is not there because he is dropping down to either a subsidized type of home because why would you buy that 40 or 50 year old home that maybe has had some remodeling done that's justifiably maybe that house is worth $280 or $300,000. and now you have an option for a brand new house that is $50 $60,000 less than that. That is all, you know, you're going to take that new home. I think that's a concern that we should look at in the fact of we are not doing two to three or we're not projecting two or three smaller homes. We right now have on the table potentially developments that could do 50 to 80 of these homes in a short period of time. Right now in Mitchell and the last time I looked, which was last week, there is 80 available homes on the market right

now. And that average selling price is $235,000. The homes are out there that are at an affordable rate. That is just what is listed. Additionally, there are homes out there that are, you know, being remodeled that are getting ready to come on the market and homes that are for sale in Mitchell that are not necessarily listed on the public market. You know, I counted off my hand there was 20 last week. So, right now potentially we have 100 homes for sale in Mitchell right now. I do not see how that contributes to any housing issues in our community. I think another point that we have to look at is what could potentially happen to the home values in our town. If we have brand new homes that are coming on the market for 250, 260, 280,000 and again those existing homes are sitting out there in the in the sellable market at 300,000. You know, that's going to bring down the comparable values on homes because anybody that knows who has bought a home before, how are homes priced? It doesn't matter on what it costs to build that home, it it is all based off comparative values and appraisals. So, let's look at this two ways. Now, if you are a homeowner in Mitchell and you have an existing home and you need to sell that home for $300,000 and you're looking at your competition is potentially 80 upcoming homes at substantially less than that, your valuation is going to be lower. Or what if you were a homeowner that did some remodeling on your house and you

want to refinance and when you go to the bank to do your appraisal and they look at the comparable sales and they find that these values have come down because we're not building new homes for $300 to $350,000 anymore. We have subsidized costs and it's not one or two. It's potentially 80 maybe over the next three to four years. and when you go to the bank to refinance and that value of your home isn't there, you're not going to get a loan on it. Or what if you have a loan on your home that's up for renewal and your bank goes to you and has to do a reappraisal and they find out that now you're shorting 30 40 $50,000 in valuation because we have done so many subsidized homes in Mitchell that it has brought down our selling point um in town and you're going to have to either come up with a check to bring your home loan back into valuation or your home is going to get repossessed. I think we have to look at some of the rental market as well. If you're a tenant or if you're a a a land owner and you have rental homes and you have a valuation on that home and you have a five-year balloon or whatever it might be and your loan comes up for renewal and they go through the appraisal process and it brings that value down and you've got to stroke a check for $40,000 to keep that house to renew your loan. What do you think is going to happen to rents? That is all going to go up because that is additional cost that had to be put in because the values are coming down. I think by throwing this many new subsidized homes onto the market, we it should really be a concern of the valuations of everybody in town and that goes across all homeowners

across the board. So, it's a few concerns that I have with some of the policy decisions that are made and I I think there are enough of my peers and constituents, you know, in the building and construction industry that also share the same concerns I have. And I think it should all be taken into consideration when we're looking at some of these new development projects that are subsidizing entry- level homes. Any questions? Thank you. Thank you.

And would anyone else like to discuss this from the audience? Any council members? [snorts] I thought there was going to be more discussion than this. [clears throat] Okay, with nothing else, then we'll adjourn.