Aberdeen council approves rezoning, equipment purchases, event license and maintenance contracts

The City of Aberdeen City Council on June 2 adopted two rezoning ordinances, approved a one-day on-sale beverage license for the 2025 summer concert series and authorized several equipment purchases and contracts, the council said during its regular meeting.

The council approved a second-reading ordinance to rezone property at 1812 Sixth Avenue Southeast to allow a parking lot south of the Legends Liquor property. Council members took a separate second-reading vote to rezone the former Journey Church site at 502 Melgaard Road. Both ordinances were presented at second reading and adopted after roll-call votes; Councilwoman Foburg abstained on the 502 Melgaard Road ordinance, as noted in the roll call.

Council members also approved a one-day on-sale beverage license that will allow alcohol sales at the city’s summer concert series on June 26, July 10 and July 24 in downtown Aberdeen at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Fourth Avenue and nearby blocks.

The council authorized a $43,690.42 purchase from Visto’s Trailer Sales of West Fargo for a U.S.A.R. (urban search and rescue) trailer for the fire department. Fire Chief Joel Wieg told the council the new trailer will replace an older, shorter unit and will be used by the city’s South Dakota Task Force 1 team and for regional responses; the existing trailer will be retained for departmental storage and kept at Station Number 2.

The council approved a $69,309.69 contract with Huber Technology Incorporated to rebuild two Huber screw-press dewatering units used in the wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater Treatment Director Amanda told the council both presses have been in service since May 2022 and that inspection by Huber found significant wear parts that require a total rebuild, which requires hoisting the presses out for on-site work and training.

Council members approved a pay request of $75,499.54 and an accompanying change order of $8,928 for additional work on the quadrant project performed by CWF Masonry Stu; city staff explained crews encountered an unexpected 8-inch concrete layer under the asphalt, which required additional removal to install the new quadrants along North Lincoln Street.

The council also reviewed and approved routine bills and payroll. Council members recorded several abstentions on discrete payments during that vote; council records show at least one council member abstained on a payment to Plains Commerce Bank and Councilwoman Foburg recorded an abstention earlier on a consent-calendar line item.

All listed motions passed by roll-call vote or voice vote as recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance (items approved June 2): - Ordinance: Rezoning 1812 Sixth Avenue SE (final adoption) — outcome: approved (roll-call: ayes recorded) - Ordinance: Rezoning 502 Melgaard Road (final adoption) — outcome: approved; Councilwoman Foburg abstained - One-day on-sale beverage license (summer concert series, June 26, July 10, July 24) — outcome: approved - Purchase: Visto’s Trailer Sales — USAR trailer, $43,690.42 — outcome: approved - Contract: Huber Technology Inc. — rebuild two screw-press dewatering units, $69,309.69 — outcome: approved - Pay request/Change order: CWF Masonry Stu — pay request $75,499.54; change order $8,928 — outcome: approved - Bills and payroll — outcome: approved with recorded abstentions

The council handled these items as part of the regular agenda’s consent calendar, old business and new business sections. Where discretion or technical detail was discussed, staff supplied cost and operational information in support of the motions. No measure failed.

Ending: The council concluded the meeting after approving the agenda items and set a special meeting to canvass election results (see separate article).