Carrie Moritz, Gazette

The off-road vehicle ban had been under discussion for several months, initially failing in a call for a vote in December and was presented in its final form at January's meeting. It passed without any further discussion on Monday evening, and ensures that off-road vehicles, such as ATVs and dirt bikes, are licensed to be on roadways and are only on those surfaces (unless on private property with permission or engaged in official maintenance duties). This will help in instances when complaints emerge that dirt bikes are destroying grass in Split Rock Park or private property, as occurred this past summer. Those who are found in violation of the ban could be fined up to $100.

Repealing twenty-four statutes on the city books was done without much discussion, either in the first reading at the January meeting or the second reading in the meeting on Monday. The ordinances repealed included a Bar Manager, Chimney Inspector, and Police Department, all items that had been set in the late 1800's or early 1900's. At last month's meeting, Mayor Bruce Brown commented that much of Ordinance 713 was "trying to get us up into the next century."

However, the repeal included the entirety of section 30.01, General Powers and Duties, which were the powers of the city council laid out in full and specific ways. Ordinance 713 then enacted "Duties and Powers of the Council," which stated, "The mayor and city council shall have the duties and powers as prescribed by the laws of the State of South Dakota, the ordinances of the City of Garretson, and any other motion or resolution made by the City Council." 

It also established the chain of command, and states that submission of items to the agenda must be by the mayor or by a minimum of two city councilors, and must be in writing to the city finance officer at least one week prior to the council meeting. This clarified an area that was also unclear last summer, when Councilor Brayden Beaner was attempting to introduce ordinances as an amendment to the agenda during the meeting.

It also repealed the Tree Board, which had been established in 2020 in response to the need for removing ash trees in public areas. The invasive emerald ash borer has been working its way into the area, and was discovered in Brandon and Baltic within the past two years. At this time, city personnel appear to be working on the issue.

The second reading passed unanimously without any further discussion or comment.

City development means annexation, city engineer

Later, Councilor Beaner introduced a resolution to keep city development at the front of the council's agenda, stating that he didn't want to see the high priority item put off. The resolution stated specifically that the city engineer would begin a residential housing and infrastructure study on the land south of Main Ave.

"I know we're going through the process right now of picking the city engineer," councilor Beaner said. "It's on the agenda to be discussed later in the meeting. But this is just something I don't want to get pushed off." He acknowledged the Capital Improvement Plan, but stated he wanted to see something concrete so the city could begin budgeting appropriately. Beaner pointed out that water grant funding applications will be due in August, and didn't want to see that deadline missed.

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