by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
The March 14, 2022 meeting of the Garretson City Council had several regular pieces of business along with the requests presented by the Garretson Pool Board, Fire Department, and Sioux Metro Growth Alliance (see full story in the March 17 issue of the Gazette). The Council also fielded a request from Combine owner LeRoy Austin to close Main and 3rd over Jesse James Days, a request for land in order to apply for grants for a dog park, and had a discussion on the branch pile.
Street Dance at Jesse James Days
Combine owner LeRoy Austin presented, stating that he and Gulch Bar & Grill owner Tracey Jellis will be hosting a street dance over Jesse James Days. They were requesting a closure of 3rd and Main along with part of the street to the south on Saturday evening, June 18.
"We want to do it right," he said, noting that the two businesses also plan to sell beer. He pointed out the intention was to only close half the block and the intersection, but if they were to need to increase that size, he'd be open to it.
Council member Bill Hoskins asked if a security plan was in place, and Austin replied that he had not yet contacted the Sheriff's office to develop one, but had plans to issue wrist bracelets based upon ages 18-20 and 21+. He also asked if there were other ordinances or laws that needed to be followed in order to put on this event, and said that he was hoping it could also act as a fundraiser for other businesses and groups such as the fire department.
The council stated that they would be ok with the event and the street closure, as long as the proper event insurance and licenses are obtained. The main concern was whether the owners had taken the possible popularity of the event into account, and if half a block was enough. With those concerns in the open, the council voted to allow the closure so the event can go ahead.
Land sought for dog park
Next up was Leslie Black, a newer resident in Garretson. She was hoping to write grants for a dog park in Garretson, a need that has been explored before but hasn't been pursued further.
She stated that a portion of land is required to be set aside by the city before any grants can be applied for, and was requesting the council grant her a parcel so she can move ahead. She and another dog park developer had explored a few areas of the JC Complex, starting with the corner of Dows and Center. This area is a popular request for that activity, but it is also under consideration for other projects, such as an expansion of the fire department facility.
Black did point out that a water source is a requirement, as is fencing. A source of electricity is encouraged. She also stated that a central location is ideal.
"You can build it as simple or as extravagant as you want," said Black. She said there were several grants available, not just for building but also for improvements and maintenance. She said she also had access to plans from other communities such as Beresford, and those would include materials lists.
Council member Greg Franka questioned Black about sizing, and she responded that Beresford has one dog park that is 50'x100'.
Mayor Greg Beaner responded that yes, a dog park is a desired commodity in town, and that it has been explored before. However, he said, he would prefer a recommendation come from the Park Board as to what the city should do. Hoskins concurred, and council member Jodi Gloe stated she can ensure Black meets with the board prior to the next meeting.
Mayor Greg Beaner then spoke to the board about the 5th Street bridge, which is now out for bids. The construction, which the city had hoped would occur as early as 2020, had been delayed several times due to state approval not being granted for the project plans until this past January. Because the delay is on the part of the state, they are willing to grant a one-year extension on the grant funding, which had initially required the project be completed by the end of 2022. It is hoped that the extension will allow the city to receive better bids for construction. The extension required a vote by the council to allow it.
"It's kind of a no-brainer," Beaner said about voting for the extension.
A new contract for Split Rock Park Campground was then presented by Mayor Beaner, who stated the city's lawyer had drawn it up. The contract set a rate for a park manager salary, and was set up more like a campground host rather than a lease. The mayor stated that even with these changes, Bruce Rekstad was still interested in being the manager.
Councilor and Park Board advisor Jodi Gloe pointed out that she was viewing it more like a city employee position than a contract, because it had job responsibilities and a set salary. She was concerned about having employee coverage of the campground during May, September, and October. She wanted the position to be classified as a salaried position with the city instead of a contract.
Beaner responded that Rekstad found May coverage fairly easy during the week, as the number of campers is lower at that time.
Gloe stated that September and October are also under that coverage, and wondered if perhaps the salary should be lowered so it could be split May-August for coverage by one person and September-October by another.
Councilor Dave Bonte recommended the Park Board make the decision on whether to split it, using the total amount budgeted for May through October. Gloe responded they can do that, and the motion was passed unanimously.
City employee Jessica Fueston then presented a fine that had been levied from the IRS for late payroll tax payments. She stated that during the fall of 2021, several payments had been late to the IRS and one had not been paid at all.
Mayor Beaner asked if all the late bills had been caught up on, and Fueston and City Finance Officer Paetyn Dreckman responded in the affirmative. The office has recently moved to a weekly invoicing system instead of monthly, and Mayor Beaner asked if that was going well. Dreckman said it was helping with ensuring all bills were paid on time.
Fueston later clarified to the Gazette that the late payments were not the fault of anyone currently employed with the city.
Branch pile changes
City maintenance supervisor Ryan Nussbaum spoke to the council, stating that the state wants the city to acquire a permit to compost instead of burning leaves and grasses with the branch pile. He was unsure as to why this was the case, and stated the only other course of action is to acquire a dumpster to be placed on city property where leaves and grasses can be placed.
When asked which he'd prefer, the compost permit or the dumpster, Nussbaum responded that he would prefer the dumpster. There would be a cost of approximately $500 to remove it 1-2 times per month.
Councilor Gloe asked if having a fine set if garbage or items other than grasses and leaves are left. The council also discussed potentially needing a camera system and fence.
When asked if composting was possible, Nussbaum pointed out that the permit would place other restrictions on the branch pile area, and it wasn't just the amount of time city employees would have to dedicate towards taking care of it.
The council agreed to change to the dumpster, and requested an ordinance be drafted for a fine to be levied if items other than grasses and leaves were dumped.
Nussbaum and Maintenance Supervisor Jordan Doane also suggested having the current pile leveled, and the council agreed.
Election to be held April 12
The council then set the time for the equalization meeting, which was held this past Tuesday, and the city election date.
Fueston updated the council on election petition results, which had seen Greg Beaner apply unopposed for a two-year term as mayor, Greg Franka unopposed for Ward 1, Dave Bonte unopposed for Ward 2, Bruce Brown unopposed for a one-year term in Ward 3, and two petitions filed for a two-year term in Ward 3 by Karen Stainbrook and Jacki Rotert.
The two, two-year term petitions mean an election will be held on April 12 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Legion for Ward 3 residents only.
A final piece of business was a first reading of Ordinance 679, which was requesting a re-zoning from commercial to industrial for Nachurs Alpine Solutions. They are intending to build a micro-nutrient plant to the north of their current facility, in a building that will have a construction cost upwards of $1 million and employ 2-3 more people.
Mayor Beaner, who was frustrated that a representative from the company was not in attendance to answer questions, said in the presentation that there would not be a smell or noise associated with this production, and that it would add approximately 2-3 trucks per week to the area.
Resident Bruce Brown was concerned about more truck traffic due to this new build, stating that during certain times, he cannot leave his property via Railroad Avenue due to trucks being backed up off Nachurs' property. Beaner responded that it should not add much, if any, more traffic at all.
Since this was a first reading, the council did not take any action, and Beaner stated that he will work to ensure there is a representative at the next meeting to answer questions.
The next regular meeting of the city council will be held on Monday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion.
