Milbank City Council Proceedings

Published by admin on Fri, 05/22/2026 - 4:47pm

May 11, 2026

Call to Order – The City Council met in regular session on May 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Visitor Center, 1001 East Fourth Avenue, with Mayor Raffety presiding.

Roll Call – Present were Council members Roger Briggs, Ryan Gruba, Josh Karels, Mindy Rogers, Craig Weinberg, and John Weyh. Mayor Raffety attended via Zoom. Absent: None. Staff present included Attorney Mark Reedstrom, Steve Pendergrass, Cynthia Schumacher, Kim Carlson, Corey Hooth, Jeremy Breon, Darin Thiele, and Boyd VanVooren. Members of the public included Kyle Schwandt, Jackson Schwandt, Traci Stein, Brian Sandvig, Dusti Johnson, Noel Cummins, Mike Mach, Ron Krause, Joe Weber, Stu Schreurs, Bob Frink, and Jamie Henderson.

Agenda – A motion was made and seconded to adopt the agenda and approve the consent agenda, with the deletion of the Planning & Zoning Commission appointment. Agenda adopted and consent agenda approved as amended. Moton carried 6-0.

Consent Agenda –

• Approve the April 13, 2026, council minutes.

• Approve the claims list.

Adobe, subscription, $176.76; Advanced Technologies Inc., shipping/ supplies, $125.64; Agtegra gas, $5,302.07; Amazon, parts/supplies, $2,172.55; American Engineering Testing, testing, $351.75; Arbornote, software, $2,790.00; AT&T, cell phone/ WIFI, $792.25; Banner Associates, Inc., engineering, $49,739.95; Beacon Athletics LLC, parts, $286.97; Berens Market, supplies, $5.78; Berkner Excavating, repairs/black dirt, $21,513.69; Breon, Esther, cleaning, $1,660.00; Card Pointe, card fees, $787.51; Carlson, Kim, registration fee, $86.77; Carquest, parts, $251.27; Chiropractor in Motion, CDL physicals, $100.00; City of Milbank, deposit refunds to account, $67.44; Cole Papers, supplies, $1,081.43; Corporate Technologies, IT managed services, $6,155.00; Dakota Granite Co, loader fee, $2,000.00; Dakota Mainstem, annual fee, $3,759.25; Dakota Oil, gas, $927.12; Dakota Storage Buildings, Pribyl concession - sheeting, $41,211.07; Dashiell, Adam, program refund, 80.78; Do Bike & Fitness, equipment repairs, $1,014.85; DO Supply, parts, $214.00; Dryject, aerate field, $6,745.00; Duininck, repairs, $2,101.75; Eastside Car Wash, truck wash usage, $271.72; EideBailly, 2024 audit, $8,898.75; Family Dollar, supplies, $19.12; Farmhouse Celebrations, rentals-Unity prom, $96.00; Ferguson Waterworks, meters/parts, $6,324.18; Flat Rate, transport fill, $11,750.00; Flexible Pipe Tools & Equipment, parts, $384.80; Food-N-Fuel, gas, $804.21; Grant County Auditor, county services, $1,000.00; Grant County Review, publications, $876.57; Grant Roberts Rural Water, water service, $67.20; Guardian Fleet Safety, install radio/equipment, $29,616.71; Hawkins, Inc., chemicals, $14,949.53; Helms & Associates, engineering, $12,989.74; Hillbrands, Ryan, travel expense, $310.00; Hillyard, service call-pool deck, $461.00; Hobby Lobby, program shirts, $22.48; Internet Networx, web listing, $194.00; ITC, phone/internet, $2,001.99; John Deere Financial, parts, $88.58; Kane, Jesse, travel expense, $42.00; Kramber, Brittney, supplies, 9.99; Larson Elevator Co., maintenance agreement, $295.14; Lewis Drug Stores, supplies, $12.98; Linde Gas & Equipment, air system maint., $67.12; M&T Fire & Safety Inc., parts, $9,572.11; Maguire Iron, Inc., clean & inspect tower, $2,800.00; Main Street Designs, banners, $1,557.98; Mielitz, Ethan, travel expense, $128.00; Milbank Ford & Mercury, vehicle repairs, $1,060.58; Milbank Glass LLC, repair lock, $161.29; Milbank Winwater, parts, $881.50; MnN Cleaning Services, cleaning, $3,800.00; NAPA Auto Parts, parts/supplies, $866.77; Newman Traffic Signs, street signs, $4,675.68; Nicholson, Joett, program refund, $80.78; Norm’s Auto & Truck Repair, equipment repairs, $893.54; NRA, training, $745.00; NW Energy, natural gas, $3,403.62; O’Reilly Automotive Inc., parts, $205.27; Otter Tail Power, electric, $27,800.06; Pepsico Beverage, concession supplies, $425.49; Petty Cash, shipping/supplies, $50.34; Pillatzki, Stephanie, program refund, $53.85; Pittney Bowes, postage lease, $186.54; Racarie, HR software, $109.99; Reedstrom, Mark, retainer, $1,000.00; Rockbot, subscription, $31.86; Roger’s Electric Motor, motor, $1,052.31; Runnings Supply, parts/supplies, $2,758.96; SD Airport Conference, conference registration fee, $100.00; SD DANR, exam fee, $61.50; SD Public Health Lab, testing, $1,592.00; SDML, registration fee, $40.00; Shade Valley Farms, FBO Agreement, $750.00; Share Corp, supplies, $1,573.10; Simonson, Michelle, deposit refund, $32.56; South Dakota 811, one calls, $18.90; SP Timbren, parts, $336.55; Star Laundry & Cleaners, laundry service, $555.10; Stoney Brook Inc., batteries, $92.45; The Bank, admin. Expense, $94.08; Twin Valley Tire, tire service/tires, $1,055.20; US Postal Service, billing expense, $600.00; USA Bluebook, testing supplies, $187.95; Valley Office Products, supplies, $214.38; Valley Rental & Recycling LLC, recycling agreement, $900.00; VanVooren, Boyd, supplies, $548.89; Veen, Dylan, travel expense, $446.86; Walker, Lynda, refund, $104.13; Weber, Donald, travel expense, $59.50; Whetstone Home Center, supplies/parts, $127.07; Whetstone Sanitation, garbage/portable service, $1,875.66; Whetstone Valley Electric, electric/repairs, $4,797.96; WM Corporate Services, garbage service, $450.98; Xerox, copier leases, $472.01; Zoom Video Communications, subscription, $81.66.

$324,524.47

• Approve the treasurer’s report.

• Accept the 2025 annual financial report and forward it to the SD Department of Legislative Audit.

• Special Event Permit-It Only Takes a Spark Cancer Walk, Lake Farley Park, June 13-14, 2025. Food vendors, games, an auction, inflatables, and fireworks. Request to waive park fees.

• Special Event Permit-Wedding, Lake Farley Park Spillway, August 14, 2026 (Aug 13- setup & Aug 14-teardown).

• Approve park and recreation seasonal staff, effective 5/12/26: Keaton Johnson - $14.50/hr. Connor Bender -$14.50. Seth VanHoorn - $14.50. Kye Scoular - $14.42. Kennedi Sayler -$14.85. Addisyn Krause - $14.85/hr. Jeter Scoular - $14.85. Max Scoular - $14.85. Jaxson Wiese - $14.85. Ryan Conrad - $17.92. Brady Femling -$15.30. Bree Townsend - $12.55. Brooke Hendricks - $12.55. Zayda Townsend - $12.55. Ella Koplin - $12.55. Kalli Grong - $12.55. Kendra Grong - $12.55. Brittany Bray - $12.55. Jackie Hendricks - $12.55. Bailee Hendricks - $12.55.

• Approve the hire of Tate Pew as Unity front desk, $13.19/hr, effective 5/12/26.

• Valley Queen Cheese storm sewer agreement.

• Authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Engagement with EideBailly, LLC for 2025 audit services.

• Acknowledge receipt of the Board of Water and Natural Resources’ approval of a $15,500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant of up to $2,000,000 for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project. Authorize the Mayor to execute all necessary documents.

• Accept the 2025 Year in Review Annual Report.

• Special Event Permit-Flynn Park, Farmers Market 3-6 PM every Tuesday between 6/2 and 9/29/26.

Presentations & Open Forum – No one present addressed the Council.

Action Items –

• Stu Schreurs and several members of American Legion Post 9 addressed the council regarding the Legion field use policy. Schreurs said the current policy appears to prohibit admission charges for regular-season games and requires the city to receive 50 percent of gate fees from certain other games. He stated that these requirements would significantly affect the program’s ability to raise funds and asked the council to allow admission charges for regular-season games and to reconsider the city’s share of gate revenue.

Council members discussed declining participation in youth baseball, the city’s investment in the ball field, and the need for new strategies to strengthen the program. Members emphasized that youth baseball remains valuable to the community, but said long-term success will require greater collaboration, stronger promotion, and a clearer plan to improve attendance and participation.

After discussion about gate-fee arrangements and program funding, the council approved allowing the Legion program to retain gate revenue for the 2026 season without paying a percentage to the city. The motion passed 4–2, and the mayor encouraged continued work on a broader plan to support the future of local baseball.

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 866, Signs and Outdoor Advertising – Amend Chapter 17.25 of the City Code, Signs and Outdoor Advertising, to update standards, definitions, and permitting requirements for signs, including electronic message centers across zoning districts. Motion carried by roll call vote, 6-0.

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 867, Supplemental Budget $175,000 for Park Capital from the Milbank Ball Diamond Association and Heart of Milbank. Motion carried by roll call vote 6-0.

• Administrator Pendergrass explained that the Clean Up Milbank dates are May 30 – June 6, 2026. Saturday. June 6 will coincide with the National Guard’s pickup day. However, the National Guard will only pick up yard waste, so rubble must be taken to the Rubble Site. Household garbage is not accepted at the rubble site. A motion was made and seconded to schedule Clean Up days as May 30-June 6, 2026, waiving fees at the Rubble Site for Milbank residents presenting a utility statement. This does not include commercial contractors. Motion carried 6-0.

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the Retail (On-Off) Malt Beverage & SD Wine renewal applications: Triple C Bar, 220 East Second Avenue, Lot 18, Block 6, Original Townsite of Milbank. Comes Investments Inc., Pizza Hut, 1201 East Milbank Avenue, Lot 3, Eslinger’s Addition, City of Milbank. The Pump 2.0 LLC, 205 South Main Street, Lots 15 and 16, Block 6, Original Townsite of Milbank. DCDS LLC, Top Hat Lanes, 314 West Fourth Avenue, Lots 3-6, Block 4, West End Addition to the City of Milbank. Berens Market, LLC, 1612 Morningside Drive, Lots 5 & 6, Block 1, Berens Commercial Addition to the City of Milbank. 15 Hotel Group Inc., Grandstay Hotel & Suites, 1005 S Dakota St, Lot 1 of Grandstay Addition to the City of Milbank. Motion carried 6-0.

• A motion was made and seconded to accept the bid for the Seventeenth Avenue Project submitted by J&J Earthworks, Inc. in the amount of $593,219.41. The engineers’ estimate for the project was $876,000.00. Additional bids received included LL & Sons Excavating Inc.- $772,364.84. Basin Construction & Drain Tile$823,837.30. Land Pride Construction, LLC-$1,231,812.00. Motion carried 6-0.

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract with Maguire Iron, Inc. for water tank (Big Blue) exterior coating improvements and protective overcoat application, not to exceed $98,975 from bond funds. Motion carried 6-0.

• CAPS Overview: Administrator Pendergrass explained that the Governor has signed Senate Bill 1245, which allows municipalities to implement an additional sales tax of up to 1 percent to fund capital improvement projects for a period of up to five years. Following this period, a two-year waiting period is required before reapplying. Implementation requires approval by at least 60 percent of voters at a regularly scheduled election.

The program also requires the establishment of a Capital Improvement Board (CIB), consisting of five members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council, with one member serving on the Council. Funds generated through this tax are limited to clearly specified project uses, and any surplus funds may not be applied to unrelated projects. Additionally, funds cannot be expended until the full project funding goal has been reached.

Potential projects discussed included daycare facilities, community trail expansion, completion of Lake Farley improvements, and other quality-of-life initiatives. Emphasis was placed on clearly defining project scope, estimated costs, and timelines. Community engagement and transparency were identified as critical components for building public trust and achieving voter approval.

A motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution No. 5-11-26, establishing the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) for the CAPS program. Motion carried 6-0.

RESOLUTION NO. 5-11-26

CITY OF MILBANK, SOUTH DAKOTA

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD (CIB) FOR THE PURPOSE OF

IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE PROJECTS (CAPS)

PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Legislature has authorized municipalities to implement a Community Accessible Projects (CAPS) program to fund voter-approved capital improvements through a temporary sales tax; and

WHEREAS, the CAPS implementation process requires the formation of a Capital Improvement Board (CIB) to review, evaluate, and approve proposed projects and the associated ordinance prior to submission to the voters; and

WHEREAS, the City of Milbank desires to establish a Capital Improvement Board to provide oversight, transparency, and community input into the identification and development of eligible capital projects; and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interest of the City to establish said board in a timely manner to support the development and potential placement of a CAPS measure before the voters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Milbank, South Dakota, that:

Section 1. Establishment

There is hereby established a Capital Improvement Board (CIB) for the City of Milbank for the purpose of supporting and implementing the Community Accessible Projects (CAPS) program.

Section 2. Composition

The Capital Improvement Board shall consist of five (5) members, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council, as follows:

• One (1) member of the governing body; and

• Four (4) residents of the municipality who are not members of the governing body.

Section 3. Terms of Office

• Members shall serve three (3) year terms.

• Initial appointments may be staggered to ensure continuity.

• Terms shall commence on January 1 or July 1, whichever occurs first following appointment.

Section 4. Duties and Responsibilities

The Capital Improvement Board shall:

1. Identify and evaluate potential CAPS-eligible capital projects;

2. Review project eligibility in accordance with state law;

3. Assist in developing project scope, prioritization, and estimated costs;

4. Review the proposed CAPS ordinance adopted by the City Council;

5. Approve or reject the ordinance as required prior to submission to the voters; and

6. Provide recommendations and promote transparency in the CAPS process.

Section 5. Organization

• The Board shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair from among its members.

• The Board shall establish a regular meeting schedule as necessary to fulfill its duties.

• Meetings shall comply with South Dakota Open Meetings Laws.

Section 6. Staff Support

City staff shall provide administrative and technical support to the Board, including coordination with legal counsel and financial advisors as necessary.

Section 7. Duration

This Board shall remain in effect for the duration of the CAPS program process and may continue as needed for project oversight, unless dissolved by action of the City Council.

Section 8. Effective Date

This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.

Dated this 11th day of May, 2026.

CITY OF MILBANK,

SOUTH DAKOTA

Pat Raffety, Mayor

ATTEST:

Cynthia Schumacher,

Finance Officer

Discussion Items –

• Emerald Ash Borer Update – The contractor has been busy removing the approximately 195 trees that were marked for removal in the cemetery. They will pause the Thursday before Memorial Day and stay out of the cemetery until Tuesday. Dr. Ball recommends that affected ash trees not be removed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During this time the contractor will focus on treating the trees. Dr. Ball has secured a $25,000 grant to assist in treatment efforts in Milbank. He will have sole discretion in determining which tees are suitable for treatment coordinate the treatment of the selected trees.

• Unity Health & Recreation Center Expansion – VanVooren stated they have met with Hasslen Construction, who did the original build. They reviewed expansion ideas presented by Park Board members and staff. However, given current funding, some options may not be feasible without additional sources. The park board will review the proposals and determine whether to proceed with the expansion or consider an alternative project. Additional options for the use of the funds are being explored, but the Park Board’s input will be gathered before recommendations are presented to the council.

• Mayor Raffety announced there is an opening on the Milbank Housing Board and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Interested individuals should contact the Mayor or the City Administrator.

• Mayor Raffety expressed appreciation to Mark Reedstrom for his dedicated years of service as City Attorney. He spoke of Mark’s mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support throughout his tenure. Mark was thanked for his many contributions to the city and was wished all the best in his retirement. In recognition of his service, a commemorative plaque and gift were presented to Mark.

• April Permits: John Trevett - 703 E. Milbank Ave. - house garage. Dillon Tillma - 1519 Elmwood Ave. - accessory structure. Mike Locke - 710 Valley View Cr - house/garage. Brenda Thurman -907 S. 3rd St. - residential addition. Alex & Daria Liebe - 501 S. 1st St. - residential addition. Susan Gingerich - 1300 E. 4th Ave. - commercial addition. VFW - 205 S. 3rd St. - commercial sign. Adam & Karleen Thomas - 207 Diane Ct. - deck. Darris & Megan Olson - 505 S. Viola St. - fence. Whetstone Valley Electric - 1102 E. 4th Ave. - hotel demolition.

• April Salaries: Mayor/Council - $3,400. Finance - $37,243. Police - $66,910. Fire - $1,862. Streets - $36,806. Rubble Site - $1,566. Recreation - $7,739. Pool - $619. Fitness - $8,274. Unity - $17,380. Park - $24,308. Water - $16,895. Sewer - $34,609.

Executive Session – A motion was made and seconded to enter Executive Session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(1) personnel and 1-25-2(3) Legal. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Raffety called the Council out of Executive Session.

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Lisa Marso of Boyce Law, LLP, as City Attorney effective 6/1/2026. Approved 6-0.

The Mayor called for a Special Council meeting on May 26, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Adjournment – The next regular meeting is June 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0.

Pat Raffety, Mayor

ATTEST

Cynthia Schumacher,

Finance Officer