Aberdeen council adopts home-daycare zoning change, repeals drone rules; approves licenses, bridge payment

Aberdeen — The City of Aberdeen City Council on Monday, July 28, adopted an ordinance amending zoning rules for home daycares, voted to repeal the city—ode provisions that regulated recreational and hobby drone flying, approved the transfer of three alcohol licenses tied to the sale of the Ramkota hotel, advanced a budget-transfer ordinance for parks, and approved a $319,210.71 pay request for bridge work in Slayton, Minnesota.

The council pproved the second and final reading of an ordinance that amends zoning regulations governing home daycares and administrative exceptions. City staff told the council there have been no changes since the prior meeting and recommended approval. The ordinance passed on roll call.

The council also approved a repeal of the earlier ordinance that had limited recreational drone flying within the city. Council member Johnson praised the repeal, saying the change "is an example" of thoughtful city government and that "for a lot of drone enthusiasts, this is a happy day." The repeal passed on a roll call vote.

In a single vote, council members approved the transfer of three alcohol licenses from Regency Midwest Ventures (doing business as Ramkota) to Aberdeen Lodging (doing business as Ramkota) following the sale of that hotel operation. The licenses transferred included the hotel lcohol license, an on-off sale wine and cider license, and a retail on-off sale malt beverage license.

The council gave initial approval (first reading) to Ordinance 25 0 7 0 4, a 2025 budget supplement that authorizes quarterly transfers to move donated and restricted park funds (including Storybook Land and Wylie Park donations) from a parks gift fund into the parks operating budget and a transfer from the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund into the cemetery budget. Jordan (staff) said the transfers reflect normal practice: gifts are placed in a dedicated fund and then moved into operating when spent.

City engineer Stu updated the council on bridge work in Slayton, Minnesota, and asked the council to approve Pay Request No. X in the amount of $319,210.71 for frame construction. Stu said crews had encountered legacy footings from an earlier bridge that must be removed; he anticipated a forthcoming change order to address the extra work. He estimated the rebuilt bridge would likely be completed in late fall, with any current delay measured in a week or two. The pay request was approved.

The council accepted a bid from Johnson Feed for roadway deicing salt. Staff noted this year's price was approximately $2 per ton less than last year and that transportation cost declines contributed to the lower price. The bid was approved.

The council approved the consent calendar (which included Department of Labor certification related to a union election, a daycare license to Nicole Fuller, an excavator license to ProContracting Inc., a community event permit by resident Brian Delzer, and several routine reports), ratified minutes from the July 21 meeting, and approved payroll and bills for the pay period covering July 13 nd 20.

City attorney Ron Weiger led the council through its required annual review of the South Dakota open meetings laws and the attorney general—rochure "Conducting the public's business in public." He emphasized that the annual review must be noted in the minutes and reminded council members that executive sessions may be used only for authorized topics and that formal actions must occur in open session. Weiger also cautioned that council business should not be conducted by email.

The City Manager, Robin, and staff noted next steps: a budget work session on Aug. 11 and the first reading of the overall budget scheduled for Sept. 2.