Council adopts water, wastewater, sidewalk ordinances; approves budget supplement and other routine measures

The Hot Springs City Council took multiple formal actions during the meeting, adopting second readings of four ordinances that revise city rules for water, wastewater and streets; approving a supplemental appropriation ordinance; and passing several resolutions, grant endorsements, tax abatements and administrative items.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 12-70 (second reading): Revisions to Title 5 (Public Works) chapter 51 (Water) — approved on second reading by roll call. - Ordinance 12-71 (second reading): Revisions to Title 5 chapter 52 (Wastewater and storm sewer) — approved on second reading by roll call. - Ordinance 12-72 (second reading): Revisions to Title 9 chapter 94 (Streets and sidewalks) — approved on second reading by roll call. - Ordinance 12-73 (second reading): Supplemental appropriation ordinance — approved on second reading by roll call. The ordinance lists several budget adjustments explained in the meeting packet, including new administrative hires, Centennial Park sprinkler work, a historic assessment for the Minnecotta Bridge replacement, additional boring costs on the Dip Bridge, and workers’ compensation supplements. - Resolution 2025-16: Appoint Craig Romy to the Custer-Fall River Regional Waste Management Board — approved by voice vote. - Resolution 2025-17: Resolution of support for SD DOT Transportation Alternatives grant application (staircase replacement project) — approved; council discussed that KLJ completed engineering and the project will replace staircases near the Episcopal Church and fire station. - Motion to approve and publish notice to bidders: 2025 Valley View Drainage Improvement Project — approved; staff will confirm publication dates and bid opening timing. - Tax abatements: Approved tax abatements submitted by the Fall River County Auditor totaling $3,286.80 across specified parcels (amounts and parcel numbers recorded in the meeting packet). - Special-sales alcoholic beverage license: Approved for CS Inc. d/b/a Winter Circle for a fundraiser at Centennial Park on Sept. 6 — approved. - Public hearings set: Special-sales license public hearing (Hot Springs Rotary) and zoning map change request for 1829 Minnequada (Kara Hagen) — set for July 21 at specified times. - Contingency transfer: Approved a $1,500 transfer to the General Fund Parks Department to purchase 17 five-gallon pails of acrylic resurfacer (butler Park basketball court resurfacing) after staff and vendors explained the product is a base coat and not returnable. - Business Improvement District bylaws: Council approved revised bylaws to be effective July 8, 2025; the BID reduced its regular meeting cadence from quarterly to twice yearly in practice, per the board’s annual report. - Budget meeting dates: Council set budget hearings for July 29 and 30 at 5 p.m. at the Mueller Civic Center.

Why it matters: The ordinances and supplemental appropriation adjust city rules and budgets for public works operations and capital projects. The staircase grant endorsement and drainage project procurement will move infrastructure projects forward; the AWOS grant (separately approved) and other votes together represent a significant capital and operational period for the city.

Discussion highlights

- Ordinance changes: Council discussed specific items such as responsibility for service line and meter repairs under the water ordinance and septic and sewer connections under the wastewater ordinance. Roll-call votes were recorded for each second reading.

- Supplemental appropriation: The finance officer and city administrator summarized the items included: a new administrative hire, Lower Centennial Park sprinkler costs, a historic assessment for the Minnecotta Bridge replacement, increased boring costs for the Dip Bridge, South Dakota match adjustments, and workers’…