Mobridge council approves housing director hire, emergency repairs and routine resolutions

At its Jan. 8 meeting the Mobridge City Council approved a slate of routine and administrative actions, including hiring Jamie Dieterle as executive director of housing at an annual salary of $81,000 and approving a cooperative agreement by which the housing authority will offset part of that cost.

The hiring motion passed on roll call (Kemnitz: yes; Cerny: yes; Mound: yes; Carlson: yes). The council also approved the cooperative agreement providing that the executive director will be an employee of the city but report to the Housing and Redevelopment Commission; the city agreed to budget approximately $60,000 toward the position for fiscal 2025 and the housing authority will cover the remainder.

Council members authorized a quote from Graham Tire to replace tires on the wastewater sludge truck for $30,063.62 after staff explained the vehicle’s six large “swamper” tires were no longer holding air and the truck was undrivable. The motion to approve the Graham Tire quote passed on roll call (Kemnitz: yes; Cerny: yes; Mound: yes; Carlson: yes).

The council approved Shear Howe boiler repairs for the Sher Howell Event Center, authorizing work not to exceed $26,708; staff said the boiler is old, the initial water‑leak repair was less than estimated, but additional front‑section replacement is required and funds will be handled with a year‑end supplement. The motion passed on roll call (Carlson: yes; Kemnitz: yes; Cerny: yes; Mound: yes).

Other approvals included: - Fire department roster for 2025 (approved; 25 names to be published). - Annual salary resolution listing job titles and pay (Resolution 25-01; approved). - Designation of the Mobridge Tribune as the official newspaper for 2025 (approved). - Authorization of electronic/early vendor payments for 2025 (approved). - Approval to set the April 8, 2025 municipal election and combine it with the school district election (approved). - Revision to the personnel manual to add Family and Medical Leave Act coverage (Resolution 25-02; approved). - Adoption of the Warhawk District Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (Resolution 25-03; approved), which the planner will report on annually to the mayor and council. - Approval to vacate a platted street at the request of John and Jill Olsen and Kim Schneider (Resolution 25-04; approved). - A pay increase for dispatcher Cindy Richey from $26.02 to $26.36 per hour, effective in December (approved). - Move the February regular council meeting to Feb. 5, 2025 (approved).

During discussion, Amy, a housing authority board member, said the board has seed funds and needs a paid director to “drive that bus,” arguing the position is necessary to pursue property investments and development work. City staff confirmed the executive director will be a city employee for payroll and benefits purposes but operationally report to the housing authority under the cooperative agreement.

The council paid bills as presented and adjourned the meeting.