Dell Rapids City Council Archives - Page 10 of 20 - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Dell Rapids Will Have New Mayor

August 16, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The city of Dell Rapids will have a new mayor as Mayor Scott Fiegen submitted his resignation during the regular Dell Rapids City Council meeting held on Monday, August 15th. The resignation was accepted by the council and was effective immediately. Until a new mayor is found, Dell Rapids City Council President Mark Crisp will assume all the duties and responsibilities of the mayor. Fiegen’s resignation comes due to him moving outside of the city of Dell Rapids.

City Administrator Justin Weiland presented three options to the council on how to move forward with the open mayor seat.

Weiland said, “The first option is the board president could just continue in the role as acting mayor until the next municipal election in April (2017). That means the board president would assume both the duties of the mayor and president until the next election.”

“The second option we put together is the council could appoint a sitting city council member to fill the role. It should be stated that this council member would have to relinquish their existing seat to take over the full mayor’s roles and responsibilities. That appointment is only good until the next election in April. That would create an open seat in the that ward where the council would have to look at appointing a new council member to fill that open seat.”

“The third option is to appoint another resident of Dell Rapids. That appointment to mayor would only last until the next election in April.”

There was potential for a fourth option. The city could have taken petitions for mayoral candidates and held an election with that elected person holding the position until April. However state statute says the city would have to have an ordinance adopted that governs how the special election would be held prior to the vacancy occurring, and the city of Dell Rapids does not have such an ordinance in place.

City council member Tom Earley said, “I firmly believe that the city needs to have somebody in position of mayor to operate until April. I think we have capable people on this board who are well versed and well aware of what’s taking place in the city right now with various projects and some potential things down the road. This council has operated with a vacant seat in the past many times. I would think that hopefully at the first meeting in Sept that we are able to agree on who we want to appoint as mayor of the city of Dell Rapids. I think it’s a position that somebody needs to be in to give it the proper attention full time.”

City council member Mary Klockman motioned to table a decision until the September 6th meeting (in hopes a full council will be present), seconded by council member Mike Sterud. The motion carried. Council members Mike Geraets and Gary Haak were absent from the meeting.

Fiegen had been serving as Dell Rapids Mayor since 2009.

Rickeman Comfort Station Put on Hold

August 9, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council voted to not accept the bid for the Rickeman Field comfort station project during their regular meeting on Monday, August 1st. The lone bid received by the city came in at $98,767.60, not including additional utility work. The total project cost would have come around $108,000, which is about $38,000 over the budget set. The city budgeted $70,000 this year for the entire project.

While discussing the bid to the council, City Administrator Justin Weiland mentioned that just a few weeks ago there was an announcement made that the Land-Water Conservation Fund Grants, through the Game, Fish and Parks which only come out every two years, will be available next year. Weiland thought that the city could package the comfort station along with proposed campground expansion into an application for this grant next year.

The council voted to reject the bid. Weiland said that he would check into costs for engineering specs for the project for the possibility of applying for the Land-Water Conservation Grant.

City Council Asked to Make Parks Tobacco Free

July 11, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dominic Holmes, a recent graduate of Dell Rapids High School along with Kaitlynn Umphleet from Rural Sioux Empire Coalition for Youth made a request to the Dell Rapids City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 5th, to make the city parks tobacco free.

“We would like the city to adopt a tobacco free policy for all city parks. We believe this is a great cause because it promotes cleaner air, ensures safer parks for children and animals, and models positive behavior for youth,” Holmes stated in his opening remarks.

Holmes also stated that other policies of not allowing alcohol and needing to clean up after pets help promote a healthy environment designed for parks. He mentioned that having a tobacco free policy would also contribute to better community wellness.

Umphleet added that the Rural Sioux Empire Coalition for Youth has funding to provide tobacco free signage to Dell Rapids if the city council approves a tobacco free policy. Umphleet also provided the council with information on a policy that is implemented in Minnesota that Watertown and Sioux Falls have also mirrored for their policies. The council was also told by Umpleet that the University of Minnesota did a study in 2004 on the policy in place in Minnesota and found that 80% of park directors reported no change in park usage, 71% reported less smoking, and 58% reported cleaner parks.

The city council referred the request to the Policy and Procedures committee at this time to review the information provided to the council to make a determination on adoption.

Dell Rapids Truck Route Ordinance Updated

June 12, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

During the last Dell Rapids City Council meeting on Monday, June 6th, the Dell Rapids City Council approved changes to the truck route. The amended truck route ordinance passed the second reading by a 7-0 vote.

The ordinance now states that a truck over eight tons or more must use the truck route, but may operate off the truck route when it becomes necessary to travel to another street for the purpose of loading or unloading, when instructed to do by any lawful order, authorized emergency vehicle, contractor when engaging in repair, maintenance or construction of city streets or city improvements, or when the operator of the truck obtains special temporary authority.

The truck route ordinance also states that garbage or recycling collector trucks with tandem rear axles or a single dually with pusher used to pick up items from customers located on a regular established route shall not exceed 20 tons total gross weight. Garbage or recycling collector trucks with less than tandem axles shall not exceed 10 tons total gross weight. Garbage or recycling collector trucks used to empty large dumpsters or roll-off containers are exempt from the city weight restrictions provided the trucks only deviate from the truck route(s) as is reasonably necessary.

Project Updates Discussed at Council Meeting

June 8, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

During the regular Dell Rapids City Council meeting held on Monday, June 6th, City Administator Justin Weiland provided the council with updates on various projects that are ongoing or upcoming for the city of Dell Rapids.

Progress is being made on the Quartzite Street project. The sewer had been installed and the water should be completed soon. Grading of the project after the water installation with the final grade and curb and gutter to follow.

The plans for the 10th Street project have been submitted to the department of transportation and DENR for approval. Once the plans are accepted, DGR will move forward with advertising the project for bids. This project is still on schedule for bidding in late June or early July.

The planned tiling and grading project for the drainage area south of 10th street along the east side of Highway 115 has made progress. DGR Engineers have performed a topographic survey and are currently finalizing the tiling and grading plan. The project will require that new permanent easements be signed by the property owners in that area that are affected by the project, and those signatures will need to be collected prior to starting the construction portion of the project.

City administration is also nearly finished finalizing quotes and plans to construct a new men/women comfort station with showers at Rickemen Field park. The city did budget $70,000 to complete this project in 2016. Currently the project is coming in on budget at this point in the planning as reported by Weiland. The work on the sewer extension and structure of the facility is tentatively planned to take place in July and August.

New City Council Called to Order

May 6, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The new Dell Rapids City Council was called to order for their first regular meeting on Monday, May 2nd. Prior to the new council taking over, Mayor Fiegen, City Administrator Justin Weiland and city council members presented outgoing Councilman Lee Burggraff with a certificate of appreciation for his time served on the city council.

The new council began at 8:11 p.m. Mark Crisp was voted as President. Tom Earley was voted as Vice President. Claire Baartman will continue to serve as Finance Officer, Dean Hammer will continue to be the City Attorney, and Max Merry and Josh Brown will be Deputy City Attorneys.

James Borchert, Mark Crisp, and Tom Earley were appointed to the Finance and Utilities Committee. Mike Sterud, Gary Haak and Mary Klockman were appointed to the Policy and Procedures Committee. Mike Geraets will serve as Minnehaha County Economic Development Association and Dell Rapids Economic Development Corp liaison. The Library Board Liaison was tabled.

Only One Ward Needs Election for Dell Rapids City Council in April

March 4, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

After all the submitted petitions for Dell Rapids City Council were reviewed after the petition deadline on Friday, February 26th, only one ward will require a vote to elect city council members. Gary Haak is running unopposed in Ward 1. Mark Crisp (3 year seat) and Tom Earley (2 year seat) are running unopposed in Ward 2. Mike Geraets is running unopposed in Ward 3. A vote will be held for Ward 4 between incumbent Lee Burggraff and James Borchert.

The city election will be held on Tuesday, April 12th at the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church in coordination with the Dell Rapids School Board election. The ballot will also include the referendum for the re-zoning of the property at 608 E. 6th Street.

Council Gives Direction on Snow Removal

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Snow removal was a hot topic during the last Dell Rapids City Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 16^th. Dell Rapids City Ordinance 783 says that property owners are to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall. If the property owner fails to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks within the 24 hours, the city will have the snow removed and charge the property owner the cost to remove the snow along with a $50 fine.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “Last time we talked about this, the consensus of the council was to enforce on a complaint basis.”

Alderman Mike Sterud made a comment about the ordinance. “It shouldn’t take a neighbor to complain about snow and ice in order to use the sidewalk. There are people that need to use the sidewalk, and there are people that want to use the sidewalk. I see kids, people with pets walking on the roads…As a homeowner I would feel guilty calling to complain about my neighbor. It should be there to use. The other side of that, no one wants to feel like they are being policed by the city….I’d say for the majority of the community, most people clear their sidewalks. It’s just a few that ignore it, and it’s not being enforced.”

Members of the community also spoke about the council’s decision to enforce the ordinance on a complaint basis. Jeremy Merry said, “This is one of my pet peeves. I’ve got several neighbors in my area that will not do it.” He also mentioned, “I’ve got elderly people in my neighborhood that can’t go out for walk because they won’t remove the snow.”

Teri Fiegen mentioned, “I don’t understand how you can pick and choose which ordinances you want to enforce and which ones you don’t want to enforce.”

After much discussion between the council and members of the audience on hand speaking on the issue, Sterud made a motion to enforce the snow removal ordinance, which was seconded by Alderman Mike Geraets. The motion passed unanimously.

Fiegen then asked, “How will this be enforced?”

“The Code Enforcement Officer will be going around the community and addressing all the sidewalks that haven’t been,” replied Weiland.

New Stop Signs to be Placed in Dell Rapids

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Three new stop signs will be placed in Dell Rapids. The city council made the decision to approve the placement of three new stop signs during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16th.

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Mike Walker made recommendations to the council about two of the stop signs during a meeting held on February 1st. His recommendation was to place stop signs at the intersection of 9th St and State Ave at the northwest corner of Dell Rapids St Mary High School.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “The one thing that I think, rather than the public works department just going out and throwing up a stop sign in a location, is to have it documented by the city and have the council approve the installation of stop signs.”

Weiland stated to the council that stop signs would be placed on State Ave, keeping 9th St a through street. Weiland also mentioned that the city has been approached by several indivduals in the past few years about placing a stop sign on Powderhorn Rd at the intersection of 10th St.

“I think it’s a point that it does warrant it with the addition of Shopko, Ace Hardware, and the grocery store….it’s a logical place to put a stop sign.”

Alderwoman Mary Klockman made the motion which was seconded by Alderman Mike Sterud. The motion passed unanimously.

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office Makes Request to Dell Rapids City Council

February 9, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Mike Walker made several requests to the Dell Rapids City Council on Monday, February 1st, during the council’s regular meeting. The requests made were to make the school zones safer in town.

Deputy Walker presented the council with four requests. The first request was for stop signs to be placed on State Ave at the intersection of 9th St.

“I feel like at 9th and State Ave, that’s the front door of St Mary High School, and there’s no traffic control there. Kids are walking across that intersection without anyone stopping. Also you have a lot of young drivers there who don’t know the right-of-way law that we know. I see a lot of confusion at that intersection, and with it being in front of the school, I would sure like to see something changed there to make it more safe.”

Another concern for Deputy Walker was placing No U-Turn signs on 13th St. from Garfield Ave to the football field, and along Garfield Ave from 13th St to 15th St along with having the city’s U-Turn ordinance clarified.

Walker said, “13th between Garfield all the way to the football field, I’d like to see that street and Garfield from 13th to 15th have no U Turns. In the mornings people are making U Turns on those streets. Kids are seeing parking spots on the other side, and they just whip right around. Even parents dropping off their kids are making U Turns right in front of the school during school traffic. I’d like to make it a no U-Turn law in that area.”

Current city ordinance about U Turns says:
Sec. 20-180. Limitations on turning around.
The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any one-way street, or upon any bridge or viaduct, or on any street in a business or commercial area, or at any intersection controlled by traffic-control signals, and shall not upon any other street so turn a vehicle except at an intersection and unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.

Deputy Walker also asked the council about placing a “No Parking from Here to Corner” sign on 13th and Harrison and also to have yellow paint put on the curb in front of the fire hydrant on Garfield Ave near Dell Rapids High School.

No action was taken by the council for the placing of the stop sign and the U-Turn ordinance because such changes can only be made when they are official agenda items.

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