Canton commission approves pool pass change, tax abatement and several municipal projects; discusses citywide cleanup and liquor-license change

The Canton City Commission on an evening vote set the price of a family pool pass at $1.50 (replacing a $1.75 proposal) and removed a numerical limit on how many family members may be included, approved a tax abatement request from the Canton Economic Development Corporation for land in the Vanderskoot's Addition, awarded a $19,500 contract to re-side the fire hall and authorized participation in a regional water/sewer study, among other routine approvals.

Why it matters: The pool-pass change and the tax abatement affect household costs and local development incentives; the regional study and capital repairs shape near-term city operations and budgets. Several of the items approved were routine or previously discussed; the meeting also included a lengthier discussion of the annual citywide cleanup and early-stage conversation about changes to Canton's municipal liquor-license system.

The commission began new-business items with a conditional approval for a residential chicken coop at 11 Park Lane. Code enforcement officer Jeff Billings reported that the coop must be at least 7 feet from rear and side property lines; the commission approved the request contingent on a reinspection of the setbacks and on the submission of a building permit for the chicken run.

On pool fees, staff presented a proposed update that had previously limited a family membership to four named members and proposed an additional-family-member fee. After comparing regional rates, a commissioner moved to set a family pass at $1.50 (replacing a $1.75 figure discussed earlier in the meeting) and to eliminate the numerical limit on included family members; the motion passed on a roll call with all commissioners voting aye. The motion specified the same residency and household requirements that apply to family memberships.

The commission approved a tax-abatement request from the Canton Economic Development Corporation for land in the city's industrial area (described in the record as the Vanderskoot's Addition). Staff said a 2023 change in state statute expanded an exemption from $750,000 to $2,500,000 in assessed value and that the parcels now qualify because they are no longer leased to a tenant.

Other approvals included: - A raffle request from the Canton Lutheran Church youth group permitting sale of tickets (price tiers recorded in the meeting record as $3 for one ticket, $5 for two, $10 for five and $20 for 12) with prizes that include two half hogs; the commission approved the request. - Reappointment of Tanya Iverson to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-year term. - Awarding a low bid of $19,500 to Trum Exteriors to re-side the fire hall and authorization for an authorized signature to proceed. - Authorization for the city to participate in a regional water/sewer study with Southlake and Rural Water, with the city share authorized up to $3,500 (the record shows an earlier anticipated cost of $2,214.29). The commission previously discussed the item at its March 17 meeting. - Approval of routine consent-calendar items by motion at the start of the meeting.

On holidays, the commission voted to give employees Good Friday off and require work on Easter Monday (the motion carried on a roll call vote recorded as all ayes). Commissioners discussed county practice and childcare/school calendars during that item.

The meeting also included extended discussion of the citywide cleanup. Commissioners and staff discussed roll-off container options, potential tipping fees at the Sioux Falls landfill (staff said Sioux Falls had in prior years waived tipping fees on request but that waiver is not guaranteed), collection or one-day drop-off logistics, handling of mattresses and electronics, hazardous-waste options, volunteer pickup for residents who cannot carry items to a central site, and possible cost-recovery charges for items such as mattresses and televisions. Staff said they would follow up with vendors and neighboring jurisdictions and aim to return with recommendations at the next meeting.

Commissioners also heard an update on the municipal liquor-license system. Staff described the city's current model in which the city holds two primary liquor licenses (an on-sale and an off-sale) and administers billing and distribution through that structure. Changing the system, staff said, would require returning those licenses to the state and reissuing licenses to applicants; staff described that process as effectively "all or nothing" and said no local case studies were readily available. Commissioners asked staff to do more research and coordinate with city attorney Larry and liquor-license holders.

The meeting concluded with a request for an executive session under the statute identified in the record as "9-34-19." The commission then took recorded roll-call votes for items earlier in the agenda and adjourned.

Votes at a glance (items approved in this meeting) - Family pool-pass change: Motion to set the family pass at $1.50 (replacing $1.75) and remove the numerical limit on family members; outcome: approved (roll-call: Commissioners Jordan, Larson, Biggers, Garbers, York, Mayor Mary Lundstrom all recorded as aye). - Chicken coop, 11 Park Lane: Approved contingent on reinspection of 7-foot side/rear setbacks and submission of building permit; outcome: approved (motion/second recorded). - Tax abatement, Canton Economic Development Corporation (Vanderskoot's Addition): Approved; outcome: approved (roll-call recorded as ayes). - Raffle request, Canton Lutheran Church youth group: Approved (ticket prices and prize structure recorded in meeting); outcome: approved. - Reappointment, Tanya Iverson to Planning & Zoning Commission (3 years): Approved. - Fire hall siding: Low bid award to Trum Exteriors for $19,500; approved and signature authorized. - Regional water/sewer study participation: Authorized with city share up to $3,500 (previously estimated at $2,214.29); approved. - Good Friday administrative leave (work Monday): Motion carried (all ayes recorded).

What commissioners said and next steps: Staff were directed to follow up on roll-off pricing, hazardous-waste handling, mattress and electronics disposal options, and potential landfill tipping-fee waivers and to return with firmer numbers at a future meeting. Staff also will continue work with the city attorney and license holders on the liquor-license system discussion.

Ending: Several items on the agenda were routine approvals; the commission requested additional information on the citywide cleanup and the liquor-license matter and scheduled follow-up at future meetings.