By Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – While Emergency Management Director Jason Gearman told Minnehaha County Commissioners on Tuesday, May 12, that things were “slowing down” for him in regard to the COVID-19 situation, he expects the next seven to 10 days will be critical in determining if things will stay slow or “heat up,” as businesses start to re-open in the county.
He warned that any “opening” has to be gradual, so as not to “wreck what we have already done” in dealing with the pandemic.
He did say that county offices were also starting to re-open to the public, but that the Minnehaha County Administration Building would stay closed until Tuesday, May 26, if all goes well.
Capt. Mike Walsh of the Minnehaha Sheriff's Department received recognition for his 25 years of service to the county's law enforcement efforts during the May 12 commission meeting. Walsh, who said he usually doesn't like to speak, wanted to make a point of thanking the people he has worked with who influenced his career over the past 25 years. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
On Wednesday, May 6, during a special meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to amend their emergency resolution and increase limits for restaurants and bars, allowing them to operate at half their capacity, as long as a six-foot distance between parties could be observed.
Also, during the regular commission meeting, Chris Lilla and Monte Watembach, the Minnehaha County Equalization and Information Technologies Directors, respectively, talked to commissioners about the work of their departments.
Commissioner Jeff Barth, who was present via Zoom videoconferencing, expressed his thanks for the work from IT during a time when the county could not hold meetings without their help.
Along with Barth, Commissioner Gerald Beninga and Highway Superintendent DJ Buthe were also in “attendance” through the video link.
Buthe gave an update on the Maple/Park Street corridor being planned between Sioux Falls and Brandon.
He said that the initial design phase was just being competed, and they were starting to move to the final design phase.
He also asked for and received commission approval to apply for a federal grant on the project.
Buthe explained that the grant would cover most of the costs, but to apply, local government entities had to put up some type of matching funds.
The entire project is budgeted at just over $1.2 million, and Minnehaha County and the cities of Sioux Falls and Brandon would be responsible for 20% of the final costs.
With the way the three groups have divided expenditures on the road, the total for each would be approximately $142,000 for the county, $56,400 for Sioux Falls, and $46,500 for Brandon. The grant would cover the remaining amount.
Since having to constantly refer to the project as the cumbersome “Maple/Park Street corridor,” Commissioner Dean Karsky jokingly suggested renaming it as “Buthe Boulevard.”
Mo’ money…
Although much of the time commissioners discuss how to spend money, at the meeting, they were informed they would be receiving $951,669.90 as an insurance settlement for the December 2018 fire to the Community Correctional Center.
The money was for the building destroyed (minus a $25,000 deductible), as well as the loss and interruption of business at the facility.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to transfer that money to the county building fund.
The next regular commission meeting will be next Tuesday, May 26, at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota Ave. in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is usually encouraged, although for people wanting to attend, currently, the only way into the building is at the entrance on the west side of the building, and the number of people allowed into the main commission chamber at any one time is limited.
