[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486707,"mediaKeyId","5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d","parentId",5448152,"title","Commission approves scooter ordinance, short-term malt-beverage license and several contracts; tables water-tower decision","audioSeconds",16,"startMs",2184000,"endMs",2200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d&start=2184&end=2200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d/thumbnail_2184000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486707/Madison/Lake-County/South-Dakota/Commission-approves-scooter-ordinance-short-term-malt-beverage-license-and-several-contracts-tables-water-tower-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486707-b5ebdbb29734d9471bac55ccdc64c9b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406592&Signature=bSHedO2K8iX3UOR4U8oUfy3DT66Hxm8XrLgwqBElvcBPwFZX3rMntrarsebwu8GuuSxnmuDUqm-ZUKNcHhfH8gIvr-VdpcEQDtoYU~NegTIxV~cqk4tQ4SXmqcDQwzCnOrtSocUSJOJCjYutUQyiGdJo7Eej0tR-CX-vy-RWYPHmWd1zdOlyoO23-IVj3uituzqzseOsBxSPBZHhje7pH~lxU9V17S1KzCRbk7EnJhQ-Tsy1nkfjwXTlxErmYpWlklB-1o~iGLthH2E7bZUkAtI8K1JJJ7KkDqELkFgvqwGBsIAEmJHERKc2oonWU0kPUBWrVYrinCghjejsn8KQ1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Madison, SD","date","2025-07-22T06:30:33.85Z","article","The Madison City Commission on a voice vote approved several items at its regular meeting, including a second reading of Ordinance 16-80 regulating wheeled electronically propelled devices, a temporary on- and off-sale malt-beverage license for the Madison Baseball Association’s Amateur Baseball District Tournament, an award of a substation conversion contract to the lowest responsive bidder, and a change order for Madison Creek wall repairs. The commission also voted to table a decision on maintenance or demolition of the Northwest Water Tower.

Why it matters: The votes affect public-safety rules for new personal-transportation devices, permit alcohol sales at a seven-day tournament, advance a major electric-infrastructure upgrade, authorize additional stormwater/creek repairs, and postpone a decision about a landmark water tower that carries cellular leases that generate revenue for the city.

Ordinance 16-80 — wheeled electronically propelled devices
Ordinance 16-80, a new city regulation that treats scooters and similar devices in line with bicycles, passed on its second reading. The ordinance includes age-based helmet language and speed-based equipment guidance; it also requires eye protection for users traveling above 20 mph and allows tinted sunglasses during daytime but not at night. A motion to approve the second reading was made and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Temporary malt-beverage license — Madison Baseball Association
The commission approved a temporary retail on- and off-sale malt-beverage license requested by the Madison Baseball Association for the Amateur Baseball District Tournament. Eric Ortness, representing the association, said the tournament will be hosted in Madison and that organizers plan a beer tent with wristbands for purchasers to help identify who has been carded. The tournament will run seven date selections over a nine-day span; exact calendar dates were stated on the record. A motion to approve the license passed by voice vote.

Award of bid No. 982 — Southeast Substation conversion
The commission awarded bid No. 982 to IES Commercial Inc. for conversion of the Southeast Substation from 69 kV to 115 kV. Staff said three responsive bids were received; the low bid was $1,015,997.74 and all responsive bids were under the engineer’s estimate of $1,330,000. Engineers recommended award to the low bidder. Commission discussion addressed schedule coordination to avoid overloading remaining substations; energization was described as targeted for July 2026 with construction starting in early spring.

Change order No. 3 — Madison Creek walls improvements, Site 2
The commission approved change order No. 3 to Kesselute Excavation and Dirtwork Services for Madison Creek Walls Improvements at Site 2 to cover additional concrete, wall ties and footing width. Staff reported a total change-order amount of $10,872; the city’s share for the project is 15% ($1,630.80). FEMA and the state have been notified and are supportive, according to staff.

Motion to table — Northwest Water Tower
After an extended discussion of options — continued maintenance, removal of the tank but retention of foundations, or total demolition — the commission voted to table the matter until the next meeting so staff can gather community feedback, explore additional options with cellular lessees and obtain more detailed cost breakdowns. The voice vote to table carried.

Votes at a glance (formal actions taken)
- Ordinance 16-80 (second reading) — motion to approve made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Temporary retail on- and off-sale malt-beverage license (Madison Baseball Association) — motion to approve made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Award bid No. 982 (Southeast Substation 69 kV to 115 kV conversion) — motion to award to IES Commercial Inc.; motion made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: awarded to low responsive bidder.
- Change order No. 3 (Madison Creek Walls Improvements, Site 2) — motion to approve made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Motion to table maintenance/demolition of Northwest Water Tower — motion made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: tabled.

What’s next: Staff will return with more detailed cost breakdowns and outreach results on the water-tower question. The commission’s next regular meeting was announced for Monday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. (local time).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 21, 2025 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison City Commission on a voice vote approved several items at its regular meeting, including a second reading of Ordinance 16-80 regulating wheeled electronically propelled devices, a temporary on- and off-sale malt-beverage license for the Madison Baseball Association’s Amateur Baseball District Tournament, an award of a substation conversion contract to the lowest responsive bidder, and a change order for Madison Creek wall repairs. The commission also voted to table a decision on maintenance or demolition of the Northwest Water Tower.","taxTitle","Madison, Lake County, South Dakota","taxId",69081,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486697,"Lake Area Improvement Corporation rebrands as Madison Area Development Corporation; early-learning center and industrial park updates given",50,487000,537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d&start=487&end=537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6486697/Madison/Lake-County/South-Dakota/Lake-Area-Improvement-Corporation-rebrands-as-Madison-Area-Development-Corporation-early-learning-center-and-industrial-park-updates-given","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486697-f0873fd1ebf0d20556dc1f1f3b07ef95/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406592&Signature=RIKQKUKMdhcPWCmh9fmi97jZMrCtJOGmvipuDwMrYdbp3shIvGCqebGeCqWnOM-Z-Ss-cAg13V6m8BPSZEhRX3yIjV2DTDUfVlJpKtRUGsrmuX9RV4qZbG74TmpLkNF7n2vJWTONqH46pPz6fEhzAsSYNDzEZj3XuvCnRRkeOa3ELFNGEjBUUxLyICVmxN9Q2GmhCyadRotDv4XgUWeW6oNmU8ILx-i52MflnZf0J1tVknvJfC9-Jm-QU6yS7Wz~8BH6wUJ1hgSY5zEY8kIxOJR9WqGyjSSBhqwIz2maG~CG2rb7pKwEZ9HKmPoEA6dxrmoRkpRJ9fYaDDskIIS-XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brooke Rolag, representing the local economic-development organization formerly known as the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, told the commission the organization has officially rebranded to Madison Area Development Corporation (MADC) and launched a new logo and upcoming website redesign.

Why it matters: The rebrand is intended to provide clearer geographic identification and reduce confusion with similarly named regional institutions. Rolag said the change follows recommendations that emerged during the city’s strategic-planning process and is meant to present the organization as a partner to businesses rather than a city department.

Key updates from MADC
- Rebrand and digital updates: Brooke Rolag said the group will phase in a new website and updated logos and that the short-form acronym is intended to be \"MADC\" though community usage may evolve.
- Early-learning center: Rolag said construction is on schedule for completion at the end of the year, with an anticipated opening in March (speaker did not specify the year). \"We've spent a lot of time prior to dig date and design development in hopes that we didn't have a lot of hiccups,\" Rolag said, adding that things were \"going very well.\"
- Industrial park expansion: Rolag reported the primary construction work is complete and only final paperwork and grant reimbursements remain. She said the expansion adds more than 50 acres of fully serviceable industrial park land for business recruitment and expansion.

Commission comments
Commissioners and the mayor thanked MADC and the chamber for their work on strategic planning and branding alignment; staff said the coordinated look reduces confusion between the city and partner organizations.

What’s next: MADC plans to roll out the new website later this year and will continue coordinating with city staff on promotion and outreach related to the industrial park and the early-learning center.
","Madison’s economic-development organization announced a formal rebrand to Madison Area Development Corporation and provided updates on an early-learning center construction schedule and completion of industrial-park expansion paperwork.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486702,"Commission postpones decision on historic Northwest Water Tower; staff to seek public feedback and detailed cost options",633,1555000,2188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d&start=1555&end=2188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448152-f7bb53dcfc9cfce1802713b7b772c02d/thumbnail_1555000.jpg","/articles/6486702/Madison/Lake-County/South-Dakota/Commission-postpones-decision-on-historic-Northwest-Water-Tower-staff-to-seek-public-feedback-and-detailed-cost-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486702-23480a24e22ee44900238eac1367760a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406592&Signature=Wop0MUVkFcwNg6UYjJUdaA8xtetPES5HAb6o4EC3INBNLegYqZFw8w~eCM~UPABFhtIJCaUpbGcP7k-O~yEo4KxpqyAkskgHlUUtUcGuEWnX9B0T7U0seeFI9TD0lRp1g7QcQGQANxSawQ5j9~qPbCCjPC3hj6KRaGZeEd2f0Anzfsr30~5SqFFOQJSx8KXqi1B8c2zrdoy~upiXVIem10HBi8reanQlB44MdUgjRVTPjrpY8lB6Wn3cFhGUBt-mY5CQCK89kiIftcqAa3j5qlFqIU332scy7~M9c1IneiQfsSZBUuzBM39N~Dpv~eLo0pQQmVaTBNePssm6A9eS4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison City Commission on Monday discussed whether to continue maintaining, remove the tank but leave foundations, or demolish the Northwest Water Tower at 504 Northwest Fourth Street. After hearing structural and cost information from staff and noting the site also hosts cellular leases, the commission voted to table the matter and asked staff to return with community feedback and more granular cost options.

Why it matters: The tower is a local landmark that also produces recurring revenue through long-term cellular leases. The city faces a choice between multi-hundred-thousand-dollar maintenance obligations or a lower one-time demolition cost, both of which carry financial, operational and cultural implications.

What staff presented
Amy Jamieson, speaking for staff, said the tower — taken out of service in 2023 after the new Industrial Park tower was completed — is the city’s oldest water-tower asset and needs work: \"the paint is starting to flake off, and it does have a high content of lead, so it needs to be addressed.\" Jamieson said a maintenance proposal from a specialty vendor spread over four years would total $591,612; that proposal also included a smaller annual maintenance fee (reported as $14,618 starting in year five) intended to cover periodic inspections and eventual recoating.

Demolition was presented as a substantially lower one-time cost: staff reported a low demolition quote of $138,000 that would remove the tank and superstructure but may not include full removal of foundations. Jamieson noted that AT&T and Verizon Wireless hold leases on tower equipment; the value of remaining payments on those contracts was described as \"just under $500,000.\" She said AT&T requires one year’s written notice for termination of its lease; Verizon’s lease runs until 2042.

Operational and technical context
Mike (staff member) and Ryan Hague (staff member) discussed options to keep the site’s communications equipment operating if the tank is removed: relocating city gateways, using alternate towers under construction, and commissioning propagation studies to ensure coverage. Staff said city equipment relocation costs would likely be borne by the lessees for their cellular equipment, while city-owned radio/gateway relocation could be handled internally or moved to nearby assets.

Historical and community considerations
Several commissioners emphasized the tower’s local history; staff and commissioners noted the nameplate on the tower reads 1933. \"It's been here since then,\" one speaker said on the record, urging the commission to consider the historic value when deciding whether to remove the structure.

Commission direction and next steps
The commission voted to table the question until its next regular meeting so staff can: gather public feedback (particularly from nearby residents), obtain additional cost breakdowns that separate repaint/repair versus removal of only the tank, and continue discussions with AT&T and Verizon about relocation or new lease options. Staff also will provide the prior inspection report and the vendor’s breakdown of recommended work.

What to watch for: Staff will return with community input, detailed cost options (including a scenario of removing the tank but retaining the framework), and propagation studies or lessee responses that could affect whether the city can retain lease revenue on an alternate structure or location.","After a multi-hour discussion about maintaining, removing the tank or demolishing the Northwest Water Tower at 504 Northwest Fourth Street, the commission voted to table the item and directed staff to solicit public input and provide more detailed cost options and lessee discussions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves scooter ordinance, short-term malt-beverage license and several contracts; tables water-tower decision

Lake Area Improvement Corporation rebrands as Madison Area Development Corporation; early-learning center and industrial park updates given

Commission postpones decision on historic Northwest Water Tower; staff to seek public feedback and detailed cost options