Herreid hires new maint. man

Zoning board approves local varience request


Herreid Economic Development Corporation President Kevin Wientjes, right, and Campbell County Economic Devel- opment Coordinator Andrew Van Kuren, left, visit with the Herreid City Council about potential uses for the former senior citizens center.

The Herreid City Council hired a new city maintenance man, received an update on the proposed city pool project and visited with HEDC representatives about a variety of projects at their regular monthly meeting June 13.

Following an executive session for personnel, the council moved to hire Brett Van Vugt as the new maintenance man for the community. His first full day on the job will be June 27, but he will be shadowing current maintenance man Ryan Goehring as his schedule allows.

Goehring had recently submitted his resignation as maintenance man, but told the council he wanted to work with Van Vugt to make the transition as smooth as possible. It was also noted Darion Barker had been hired as part-time help for the maintenance department and he has been doing a good job in the part-time position.

Bids on the revised city pool project were opened June 9 by the pool committee. The bids were more in line with what the Herreid Pool Improvement Committee had estimated for a cost, but not all of the bidders had met the specific requirements in the bid document.

The council moved to reject all bids June 13. The project will be re-advertised and the new bid opening will be held June 27 and reviewed at a special meeting being heldJune 27.

Several members of the Herreid Economic Development Corporation met with the council to discuss a couple of items. HEDC President Kevin Wientjes said they had been approached by an individual who would like to start a business, and he added the former senior citizens building on Main Street would be a good location for the business.

Wientjes asked if the building could be transferred to HEDC. They would then rent the building to the individual interested in opening the business.

While excited about the opportunity for a new business in the community, the council noted they had been approached by an individual several months ago about the possibility of purchasing the building. At that time, and because of uncertainty about how to proceed, the council decided not to sell the building.

The council agreed to visit with City Attorney Mark Kroontje for guidance on the various options for use of the building.

The HEDC representatives also discussed the possibility of adopting a vacant commercial building ordinance for the community as a means of encouraging owners to either upgrade or sell their vacant properties. They also had a sample ordinance the community of Centerville had

adopted as a means of dealing with vacant commercial properties.

“We aren’t expecting an immediate answer (on an ordinance),” Wientjes said, “but we just wanted to give you some information for possible consideration at a future meeting.”

Finally, Wientjes said the state of South Dakota has money available to help fund local economic development revolving loan funds, but the website directed HEDC to contact the Northeast Council of Government for more information.

“We are just asking for your endorsement to contact NECOG,” he stated.

The council agreed to the request, noting all of these efforts benefit the community.

Prior to their regular meeting, the Herreid City Council met as a Zoning Board of Adjustment to discuss a request from Steve Deibert for a variance from the city’s zoning ordinances.

Deibert wants to tear down a house at 106 4th Ave and move a different house onto the lot. However the house is slightly wider than the zoning ordinances would allow.

Following discussion the board moved to approve the zoning variance request.

In other business, the council:

• Postponed the public hearing on the special assessment for property owners in the area where streets were paved last year. Some specific pieces of information related to the assessment are still being gathered. The public hearing was rescheduled for a special meeting on June 27.

• Held a public hearing on an application by Fresh Start Market for an off-sale liquor license package. The council moved to approve the application for the license.

• Heard a complaint about truckers using jake brakes, especially in the middle of the night. Council President Adrienne Dupper said she understands the concern, but said it’s hard for law enforcement to catch the truckers at the specific time the violation is occurring.

• Discussed a concern with truck traffic on some of the newly paved streets, especially if the trucks are loaded. Council noted there are various businesses along US Hwy 83 allowiong truckers to park their vehicles rather than parking them on side streets in the community.

• Reviewed the SD DOT Master put together for the community, including various suggestions for improvements, etc. No specific actions were taken, but council members agreed to review the plan in more detail, including specific actions that could be taken, at their special meeting on June 27.

• Heard the fire department is still waiting on SD DOT approval before proceeding with an addition to the fire hall.

• Heard the code enforcement officer has sent out letters to individuals/property owners with notices of items to be addressed. Progress on the various properties will be reviewed at the council’s July 5 meeting.

• Agreed to increase the amount allowed for men’s swim trunks/apparel to $75 and for

women’s swim suits/apparel to $100. The reimbursement to pool employees for training and/or recertification will be paid after they put in 100 hours at the city pool. If the 100 hour minimum is not met in one year the cumulative amount carries over to the next year.

• Moved to accept the resignations of finance officer Chessie Dodds and maintenance man Ryan Goehring. Both had submitted their resignation letters to the council prior to the May 2 council meeting, but no official action was taken on the resignations at that time.

• Heard the elected officials workshop will be held July 13 in Pierre. Dupper said she had attended the meeting in a prior year and a lot of good information was presented. Council members and city personnel were encouraged to attend if possible.

• Approved building permits for Chester Sayler (remove old Polaris shop and erect new 50’ x 80’ building on the lot), Brady Vander Vorst (erect 42’ x 32’ garage and 16’ x 12’ storage shed), Herreid School (32’ x 50’ addition to the industrial arts building) and Lance Vander Vorst (12’ x 24’ storage shed).

• Set a special council meeting for 7 p.m. June 27. The next regular council meeting will be 7:30 p.m. July 5.

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