Council approves routine minutes, bills, personnel moves and rezoning; publishes RFQ for city attorney services

Flandreau City Council on Monday approved consent items and a slate of administrative and personnel actions, including a second-reading rezoning ordinance for the new fire station lot and a grouped set of employee step increases.

Minutes and bills: The council unanimously approved the minutes of the March 3 meeting (motion by Alderman Eckern; second by Alderman Tufte) and approved the city bills as presented (motion by Alderman Yates; second by Alderman Fargent).

Rezoning ordinance: The council approved second reading of Ordinance 6-28, rezoning property assembled for the new fire station from industrial to central commercial. The motion was moved by Alderman Hekern and seconded by Alderman Yeaton; the motion carried by voice vote.

Employee step increases (grouped motion): The council approved step increases for four employees in a single motion to shorten the agenda. The staff recommendation and council packet listed the individual names, departments and step changes: Chase Elendell (streets) from step 2 to step 3; Ashley Strong (police/general admin) from step 6 to step 7; James Zollner (electric) from step 1 to step 2; and Tanner Harris (water/sewer/public works director) from step 4 to step 5. The council approved the grouped motion (moved and seconded; motion carried by voice vote).

Seasonal hires and park concession: The council placed Bruce Jensen at step 3 on the cemetery seasonal pay scale and placed Amanda Herrera at step 1 for yard-waste staffing (motion moved by Alderman Farge; seconded by Alderman Gayton). The council also approved a one-season concession-stand lease submitted by Tom Hanson of Kinsley for $365.

City attorney RFQ publication: The council approved publication of a request for qualifications for city attorney services and discussed a likely timetable for review and interviews; the RFQ responses are due April 25 and the council expects to consider candidates in late April/May and to appoint at the May meeting. Councilmembers indicated a preference to review submissions in executive session and to schedule interviews the week of April 28 if needed.

Other routine approvals: The council approved administrative reports — which included an update that the housing authority entered a contract with Banner & Associates on a Broad Avenue site-development plan (the consultant expects deliverables by September) and that five properties recently came into code compliance — by motion and voice vote.

Votes at a glance (motions named in meeting record): - Approve minutes (March 3): Moved by Alderman Eckern; second Alderman Tufte; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approve bills: Moved by Alderman Yates; second Alderman Fargent; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approve administrative reports: Moved by Alderman Allers; second Alderman Parjan; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Ordinance 6-28, rezoning for fire station lot (second reading): Moved by Alderman Hekern; second Alderman Yeaton; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Grouped step increases (Chase Elendell, Ashley Strong, James Zollner, Tanner Harris): mover/second on the record; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Seasonal wage placements (Bruce Jensen, Amanda Herrera): moved Alderman Farge; second Alderman Gayton; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Park concession lease to Tom Hanson ($365 season): moved Alderman Eaton; second Alderman Tufte; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Authorize RFQ publication for city attorney services: moved Alderman Bierke; second Alderman Tufte; outcome: approved by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff will post the RFQ and return with a proposed interview schedule; the council will also circulate the consultant’s FEMA packet to affected property owners and pursue outreach for the March 24 project meeting.