Dell Rapids council approves wage increases, accepts state water/sewer funding, and OKs parks and library items

Dell Rapids City Council on April 21 approved a package of personnel, infrastructure and parks/library actions that officials said will preserve the city’s ability to bid and to staff critical services.

City Administrator Steve told the council the votes would only accept funding offers and would not immediately obligate the city to long-term debt: “we are not entering into $68,000,000 worth of debt. If you approve this, all we're doing is approving access to it,” he said.

Why it matters: The measures affect near-term operating costs and long-term capital plans. The wage changes are intended to address difficulties recruiting and retain public works employees. The council also accepted state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) loan and grant offers that would fund parts of two water and sewer projects; staff said accepting the awards preserves the city’s place in the funding queue while designs and bids proceed.

Wages and personnel - The council approved increasing the public works starting wage from $22.00 to $25.00 per hour and raising Public Works employee Brandon Garrett from $22.48 to $26.00 per hour, effective April 21. (Motion: Cavatelli; Second: Chad; outcome: approved by voice vote.) The council and staff said the change is intended to avoid new hires starting at higher pay than existing employees. - The council separately approved increasing four existing hourly public works employees (named in materials as Greg, Chris, Bob and Dave) by $1.25 per hour effective April 21 to limit wage compression. (Motion: Chad; Second: Chuck; outcome: approved by roll call.) Roll call on that motion recorded Yes: Meyer, Nelson, Hock, Jones, Kevin Jolly, Ron Sagen; No: Hanslick. Staff estimated the annual cost for the wage changes (including the Brandon adjustment) at about $14,600.

Infrastructure funding - Orleans Avenue project: The council accepted a DANR award package for the Orleans Avenue water and sewer work, including a $500,000 grant plus loan offers for sewer and drinking water that together would support the project if bids align with current estimates. (Motion: Gary; Second: Hanslick; outcome: approved.) Administrators said the project scope had been reduced to Fourth to Sixth streets to keep costs manageable and that surcharges would be considered when final costs are known. - Westwood expansion: The council accepted DANR loan terms for the sewer portion of the Westwood expansion project but noted the state would not fund the water portion as submitted. Loans were reported at 3.75% for 30 years. (Motion: Chuck; Second: Gary; outcome: approved.)

Parks and facilities - Pickleball court resurfacing: Council approved a $31,653.53 bid from Ascend Contracting to resurface one tennis court into two pickleball courts (includes nets, fencing and striping). (Motion: Hanslick; Second: Wendy; outcome: approved.) Staff said the work was included in the 2025 parks budget allocation tied to the Parks Master Plan. - Park building reservation fee: The council approved a $50 daily reservation fee for the new park shelter building; the facility’s restrooms will be programmed to open daily and the kitchenette will remain locked unless reserved. (Motion: Gary; Second: Cavatelli; outcome: approved.)

Licenses, library and other administrative actions - Temporary alcoholic beverage license: Council approved a special temporary alcohol license for the American Legion to host a fundraising event on May 15 for UnLOST United, a 501(c)(3) organization. Insurance and application requirements were reported as satisfied. (Motion: Chad; Second: Chuck; outcome: approved.) - Library items: The council approved the library’s request to host an adult-education alcohol-sampling program (sixth annual), allowed the library to close Saturday, July 5 (observed holiday schedule), and accepted the 2024 annual report. (Motions: Gary and Chuck; Seconds: Cavatelli and Hanslick as noted; outcomes: approved.) The library reported 191 programs and 34,885 total checkouts for 2024.

Administrative notes and next steps - Staff noted the city has four years to convert the DANR awards into executed projects before requesting extensions from the state. Any surcharges or rate changes tied to project costs will be developed once final bids are received. - The finance officer announced a requested recount for Ward 2 canvass results; the recount is scheduled for 09:00 Thursday at the council chambers with a three-person recount board appointed by the finance officer and the two nominees submitted by the contesting candidates.

Votes at a glance (selected recorded motions) - Increase public works starting wage to $25 and raise Brandon Garrett to $26 (effective April 21). Mover: Cavatelli; Second: Chad; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Increase wages of Greg, Chris, Bob and Dave by $1.25/hr (effective April 21). Mover: Chad; Second: Chuck; outcome: approved (roll call). Roll call: Meyer Yes; Nelson Yes; Hock Yes; Jones Yes; Hanslick No; Kevin Jolly Yes; Ron Sagen Yes. - Accept DANR Orleans funding package (including $500,000 grant). Mover: Gary; Second: Hanslick; outcome: approved. - Accept DANR Westwood sewer loan offer. Mover: Chuck; Second: Gary; outcome: approved. - Approve Ascend Contracting bid for pickleball resurfacing ($31,653.53). Mover: Hanslick; Second: Wendy; outcome: approved. - Approve $50 reservation fee for new park shelter. Mover: Gary; Second: Cavatelli; outcome: approved. - Approve temporary alcohol license for American Legion/UnLOST United (May 15). Mover: Chad; Second: Chuck; outcome: approved. - Approve library alcohol-sampling program, closure July 5, and accept 2024 annual report. Movers/seconds as recorded; outcomes: approved.

Council members and staff said most of these actions are preparatory: projects will move to design and bid phases before the city takes on long-term debt or implements specific rate changes.