Huron swears in Rhonda Klute; commission approves land purchase, station repairs and police grants

Rhonda Klute was sworn in as a city commissioner during a Huron City Commission meeting, and commissioners approved several routine and departmental items, including payment for a land purchase and multiple departmental purchase and grant requests.

The swearing-in and personnel change came early in the meeting: Mayor Mark Robich administered the oath to Rhonda Klute, who was introduced to the commission before taking the oath. Outgoing Commissioner Weinreis addressed the commission and audience, thanking colleagues and staff. "I've done my best every day to serve you with integrity and make decisions that reflect the values and the needs of our community," Weinreis said.

Those personnel actions preceded a consent agenda that commissioners approved as amended. The consent agenda included routine items — minutes, fuel quotes, seasonal hires and setting a May 19 public hearing date for malt-beverage and farm-wine license renewals — plus an added payment for the Stoney Run land purchase in the amount of $125,363.53. The commission approved the amended consent agenda by roll call.

In departmental business, commissioners approved an $11,000 additional expense to reroute and install ductwork at the North Fire Station after crews discovered damaged ductwork under the station's concrete floor. A staff member explained that rerouting overhead ductwork avoided cutting the floor and is expected to improve heating and cooling in previously under-conditioned areas; commissioners were told secondary funding would cover the extra cost.

The commission also approved a slate of appointive officers (department heads) as presented and accepted minor staffing start-date changes noted on the consent agenda.

Police Chief Derek Lehi requested and won approval to apply for and sign a South Dakota Highway Safety Office grant in the amount of $20,500 to reimburse overtime for speed and seat-belt enforcement. Lehi described the grant as an 80/20 program and said the city's 20 percent share is covered by regular hourly wages and would not create an additional cost to the city. "That's a speed and seat belt overtime enforcement," Lehi said in explaining the request.

Lehi also asked for permission to apply for grant funding for two replacement radar units. The two units cost about $6,870 in total; the grant pays up to $3,000 per unit, leaving a rough city share of about $2,070 if awarded. Commissioners were told that replacing the 2014-era radar units is necessary whether or not grant funds are received; the grant application would reduce the local capital expense if awarded.

All motions recorded in the meeting were approved by roll call as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval (including corrections and additions): approved by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript). Notes: start date correction for one hire moved from May 12 to May 19; added Stoney Run land payment to bills.

- Consent agenda, as amended (minutes; fuel quotes; recommended hires including one effective May 19; seasonal parks hires; set May 19 public hearing for malt-beverage and farm-wine license renewals; designation of official newspaper; list of official depositories; payment of bills including Stoney Run land purchase of $125,363.53): approved by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript).

- Purchase of additional ductwork for North Fire Station (additional $11,000): motion to approve carried by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript). Note: secondary funding expected to cover the cost.

- Appointment of appointive officers (department heads) as proposed: approved by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript).

- Authorization to apply for and sign the South Dakota Highway Safety grant ($20,500; speed and seat-belt overtime enforcement; 80/20 federal/state-city split; city share covered by normal wages): approved by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript).

- Authorization to apply for grant funding for two radar units (estimated total cost ~$6,870; grant up to $3,000 per unit; estimated city share ~$2,070): approved by roll call (unanimous; tally not specified in roll-call transcript).

The commission closed formal business and moved into a work session on social media and marketing later in the meeting.