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Council approves several routine measures: golf rates, software, flooring, transit agreement and more
Summary
Council approved a package of routine measures including a second-reading rezoning, updated golf rates, procurement approvals, transit agreements and authorization to advertise the Rushmore area project.
The City Council approved multiple routine items during the meeting, including the second reading of a rezoning ordinance, updated golf-course rates, procurement for flooring and software, the use of American Red Cross swim curriculum, acceptance of a South Dakota Department of Transportation (SD DOT) transit award with an identified shortfall, and authorization to advertise bids for the Rushmore area construction project.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 745 (second reading): Rezoning “Coughlin’s second edition, Lot 2” from GB to R1 (the lot that includes the house). Motion and second recorded; council approved second reading (vote recorded in meeting as “all in favor”).
- Golf rates resolution: Council approved a resolution setting rates for the municipal golf course and authorized sale of 2026 season passes beginning Nov. 1. Council moved and seconded the resolution and voted in favor.
- Food pantry rental fee waiver: Council approved waiving the rental fee for the upstairs facility for a food‑pantry fundraiser scheduled Nov. 21. Motion passed on a voice vote.
- Flooring contract: Council approved awarding flooring work to Dakota Floors (local vendor) based on submitted quotes; staff recommended Dakota Floors as the lower-cost option after sales tax adjustments, and the council approved including two small kitchen areas in the same contract because those additions remain under the approved budget threshold for procurement.
- Golf tee-time confirmation software: Council approved a software subscription (onboarding this fall) at about $5,000 per year to add automated text confirmations and waitlist/availability notifications intended to reduce no-shows and recapture revenue.
- American Red Cross swim agreement: Council approved use of American Red Cross training materials and curriculum for swim lessons at the municipal pool.
- Staff Christmas party: Council approved a staff Christmas party not to exceed $5,000 for food, gifts and prizes, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5.
- Transit coordination plan: Council accepted the transit coordination plan (required by SD DOT) and authorized signature; the document summarizes goals completed this year and proposed goals and time frames.
- SD DOT transit agreement: The council approved a transit award agreement. The city applied for roughly $135,000 but was awarded approximately $101,000, producing a shortfall of $34,167 for the 2026 budget. The council discussed the shortfall and noted an option to consider raising ride fees in a future meeting; the current fare is $2 per ride (per way). A council member commented that the service primarily serves children and elderly riders and commended the service Brandon provides.
- Slurry seal change order: Council approved change order No. 1 for the slurry-seal project; the change order is a contract decrease of just under $695,000. The council approved the change order on motion and second.
- Pay application No. 1 (final): Council approved pay application No. 1 and final for an unspecified project on motion and second.
- Rushmore area construction project authorization to bid: Council authorized advertisement for bids (newspaper ads on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19) and set a bid letting for Dec. 4, with a plan to return to council on Dec. 15 to award the lowest responsive bidder. The project is expected to proceed in summer 2026.
Procedural notes and staff comments
Staff said the golf course had nearly 6,000 no-shows historically and that implementing text confirmations and waitlist notification can recapture revenue; staff estimated some courses report six-figure revenue recapture after implementing similar systems. Staff also reported Dakota Floors’ quote was approximately $3,000 lower after adjusting for sales tax, and that including two small kitchen areas would keep the total well under the project budget.
On transit funding, staff explained it is normal to be awarded less than requested; the council asked staff to consider options, including a future discussion about ride fees to cover the shortfall. The council also accepted the transit coordination plan for SD DOT signature and moved to approve the transit agreement as presented.
The meeting closed with a motion to enter executive session to consult on contractual matters.
