Council approves consent items, multiple construction and airport payments; appointments and license transfers cleared

The City of Aberdeen Council on June 16 approved the consent calendar and a series of routine and capital pay requests, change orders and project awards across public works, utilities and the airport. The meeting included an appointment to the K.O. Lee Public Library board, a malt‑beverage license transfer and multiple construction payments; most items passed on roll call votes. Below are the formal actions recorded at the meeting.

Nut Graf: The council approved more than a half dozen construction and airport‑related payments, tentative award of an airport terminal remodel bid, several change orders and the use of ARPA funds for wastewater treatment facility work. The council also approved a library board appointment and a transfer of an on/off sale malt beverage license that were both uncontested.

Votes at a glance (each item approved unless noted) 1) Consent calendar — approved as printed (11 items on the consent calendar). Motion carried. 2) Appointment — Nicole Hines to K.O. Lee Public Library Board of Trustees. Motion by Council member Foburg; second Ward. Outcome: approved. 3) Liquor license transfer — Transfer of on/off sale malt beverage license from Ace Bochee (Moccasin Creek concessions) to Hub City Softball Association (Players Field concessions). Outcome: approved (no public protest recorded). 4) Pay request — Tenth Avenue SE bridge replacement project: Pay Request No. 1 for $294,561.26 to Prom Construction (storm sewer and precast concrete stockpiling). Outcome: approved. Council discussed upcoming demolition and detour planning in relation to Sixth Avenue bridge work. 5) Quadrant improvements — Pay Request No. 2 for $2,140,574.19 and an associated change order for $115,499.25 to CWF Masonry to add additional quadrants (work under budget and added scope). Outcome: approved. 6) Street maintenance concrete repair — Pay Request No. 1 for $140,006.44 (CWF Masonry) for curb and gutter repairs ahead of chip‑seal routes. Outcome: approved. 7) Wastewater treatment (WRF) improvements — Pay Request No. 1 for $4,615,956.51 to PKG Contracting. Amanda Fisher (wastewater) reported excavation, mobilization and early equipment procurement are included. Funding: primarily ARPA funds that must be spent before December 2026. Outcome: approved. 8) Airport GA apron reconstruction (Phase 2) — Pay estimates: Helms & Associates $42,997.63 (resident engineering) and Reedy $598,304.40 (materials/work through May 17). Funding allocation cited as roughly 90% federal, 5% state, 5% local. Outcome: approved. 9) Runway rehabilitation lighting improvements — Invoice No. 26 for $1,245.74 to Helms & Associates for construction administration and reporting; the project remains delayed by manufacturer issues. Outcome: approved. 10) Airport terminal remodel/expansion (TSA accommodations) — Council tentatively awarded AIP project (Bid Schedule AB, Alternate B‑1) to Quest Construction of Aberdeen for $1,370,410.04 and authorized the city manager to execute FAA, DOT and related contractual documents following city attorney review. Outcome: approved (tentative award and authorization to sign documents). 11) Preconditioned air unit (airport) — Authorized city manager to sign letter of agreement after city attorney review; the project is funded by a voluntary airport low emissions (VALE) grant awarded to the airport. Outcome: approved. 12) Airport terminal access road and parking lot — Pay estimate authorization to Helms & Associates for $4,500.86; project scheduled to begin July 7 with detours planned to avoid flight schedule impacts. Outcome: approved. 13) Terminal design and bidding invoices (airport) — Payments to Helms & Associates: $19,004.47 for design services and $3,794.57 for bidding services (bidding services about 35% complete). Funding sources include an $11.2 million allocation from Senate Bill 144, AIP funds, and a local share of approximately $60,000. Outcome: approved. 14) Approval of claims and payroll — Council voted to pay the bills for the June 1–14 payroll period. There were isolated abstentions (for example, Council member Foburg abstained from a payment to Dakota Bank); the motion carried.

What council discussed Council members asked for clarification on funding sources (ARPA for WRF, federal shares for airport projects), requested heads‑up for bridge demolition photography, discussed aesthetic possibilities for Sixth Avenue bridge design (noting state DOT leads the design and the city would likely fund any aesthetic enhancements), and emphasized coordination with parks and engineering staff for corridor improvements.

Procedure and next steps - Several items (airport terminal work, runway lighting) remain contingent on external grants and manufacturer resolution for lighting components. - Staff was authorized to sign contracts and pay estimates where indicated, pending routine city attorney reviews for FAA/State documents.

No item on the record was rejected; most votes were unanimous.