Aberdeen council repeals city plumber licensing, approves airport closeouts and equipment purchase

The City of Aberdeen City Council on Feb. 18 voted to repeal its local plumber-examining-board ordinance, approved multiple airport contract amendments and payments tied to Federal Aviation Administration closeouts, OK’d the purchase of a 2025 John Deere motor grader for $377,000 and cleared a set of routine licensure and appointment actions.

The votes were largely procedural and passed with roll-call approval. Councilors approved the second reading and final adoption of the ordinance repealing the city plumber-examining-board requirement after staff reported no substantive changes since first reading and no public comments were received.

Most airport items on the agenda were carried as recommended by the airport board. The council approved two separate amendment approvals and several payments to Helms and Associates related to Airport Improvement Program (AIP) projects (taxiway geometry, apron reconstruction and lighting/rehabilitation work) and authorized the city manager to sign a one-year letter of agreement with Helms for miscellaneous services (limit discussed at roughly $15,000). Staff said the larger amendment increases reflected additional construction work, rework and FAA closeout requirements; the council noted the…