Mitchell Council advances election-timing change in first reading; rental-inspection debate, landfill purchase approved

The Mitchell City Council on Monday held extended discussions on a proposed rental-inspection ordinance and voted to advance a change to the city’s election schedule in a first reading, while approving a package of solid-waste actions including a multi-year land purchase and a state grant for landfill equipment.

The council voted on a first reading to stagger mayoral and council elections, advancing an amendment that would keep council terms at three years but move the mayor onto two consecutive two‑year terms before settling into the three‑year cycle. City staff presented two alternatives for staggering; council members debated the relative merits of three‑year versus four‑year terms, candidate pools and whether a full‑time mayoral role should be pursued separately.

Why it matters: Changing the election cycle alters when voters choose the mayor and council and, council members said, could affect who runs and how campaigns are timed. The council’s first-reading approval means the ordinance will return for a second reading and final vote at a later meeting.

Council discussion and next steps City staff member Mr. Johnson, who presented the ordinance alternatives, said the two options would achieve a staggered cycle without shortening current, incumbent terms and explained state statute constraints that prevent creating a single one‑year mayoral term. Councilmembers raised questions about candidate pools, whether two‑year mayoral terms would attract more candidates and whether the mayoral role should be converted to a full‑time position (a separate policy choice that would require additional steps and possibly public input). A motion that the council retain three‑year council terms and place the mayor on two consecutive two‑year terms passed on first reading; the item will return for a second reading with the amendment described.

Rental-inspection ordinance Councilmembers and staff spent substantial time on a rental-inspection proposal developed by a stakeholder task force. Staff and council described the ordinance as near-final but said several decision points remain — most notably whether to require egress (egress/escape) windows in basement bedrooms built before current code required them, and whether to grandfather older units that lack those windows or require retrofit to current standards.

City staff and task force participants, which included apartment owners, property managers and building-safety representatives, recommended keeping most program details intact and asked council to provide policy direction on how far the ordinance should go. Councilmembers suggested sending a focused list of open questions (for example, the scope of egress-window requirements and timelines for compliance) to the task force or holding a special meeting with council to walk through the ordinance before formal first reading. Staff said they expect to return with more detail within the next 60 days.

Solid-waste actions and landfill purchase The council approved staff recommendations to accept a grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Solid Waste Management Program) covering up to 20 percent of a new tractor-scraper purchase, not to exceed $241,000, and authorized the mayor to sign the grant documents. The grant application had been approved earlier by council on Jan. 6.

Council also approved a purchase agreement for a 60‑acre parcel west of the landfill from Jim River Ridge Farms for $3,480,000 to be paid over 10 years. Staff said the parcel is irrigated and currently farmed; the city would relocate irrigation piping as needed and intends to lease the land until it is needed for landfill operations. The city’s 2024 landfill report was cited during the discussion as estimating about 115 years of remaining capacity at the current landfill configuration; staff said the purchased acreage provides additional long‑term flexibility and could reduce future hauling costs if incorporated into the landfill footprint sooner than currently planned.

Other business and community items - The Mitchell Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that 2024 visitor spending produced $9.1 million in state and local tax revenue and that the bureau received $250,000 in city subsidy; staff presented a return-on-investment calculation of roughly $36 in tax revenue per city dollar invested (using the bureau’s figures), and $18 using a conservative halved estimate. Johanna from the Chamber and Development Corporation emphasized the ROI figure and answered council questions about regional draws and advertising reach. - Citizens used the public‑input period to raise several issues: Stuart Hanson asked for a clearer accounting of proceeds and costs related to the sale of public access areas (he cited a total sale amount of $995,000 and asked how much the city actually netted after expenses); Jay Webby urged the city to ensure fair vendor placement and priority for Mitchell businesses at city events; community groups announced upcoming events, including First Fridays and Corn Palace concerts.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda — approved (roll call recorded; no items removed). - Jensen Capital & Development, LLC — conditional-use permit for multifamily dwellings (Southeast corner of East Bruce Street) — approved. Planning Commission had recommended approval. - Doug and Heidi Gerke — variance for attached accessory building (request to increase from 2,000 to 4,600 sq. ft.) — approved. - Award bid, rock chips (project 2020-5-10) — awarded to Spencer Corey’s (unit price $19.60; total ~$49,000) — approved. - Award bid, petroleum products (project 2025-13) — awarded to Gebro, Inc. / Jabro (chip seal oil and fog seal prices listed in staff report; combined material cost reported) — approved. Staff said chip seal will cover about 13.5 miles (approx. 220 blocks). - Mitchell Corn Palace service agreement extension (A2025-30) — approved; rental fee for the 2026 season increased from $165,000 to $180,000 (9% increase reflecting inflation since 2023). - Grant agreement (A2025-31) Solid Waste Management Program — tractor scraper (grant up to 20%, not to exceed $241,000) — approved. - Real estate purchase west of landfill (A2025-32) — purchase of 60 acres from Jim River Ridge Farms for $3,480,000 payable over 10 years — approved. - Multiple plats and vacation resolutions (Woodland Heights plots; Olinger addition; portion of Windsor Street vacation) — approved (planning commission recommended approval on each item). - Ordinance O2025-4 (staggering of mayoral and council elections) — advanced on first reading with an amendment to place the mayor on two consecutive two‑year terms then revert to the three‑year cycle for council seats; item will return for second reading and final adoption. - Motion to enter executive session under SDCL 1‑25‑2 for negotiations — approved; council indicated no action would follow the executive session.

What to watch next Council staff said the rental-inspection ordinance will return with clearer bullet points and decision items (notably egress-window policy) within approximately 60 days or via a special discussion meeting if council wishes. The election‑timing ordinance will return for a second reading with the amendment approved on first reading. The landfill parcel purchase and the state grant for the tractor-scraper move the city toward longer-term landfill planning and equipment modernization.

Ending Council members thanked staff and community volunteers for recent events and reported park and rec updates, including plans to open park restrooms once overnight freeze risk passed and clarification that recreational programming for elementary‑age children (instructional play up to about age 10) will continue under the recreation department, while more competitive leagues may be managed by outside organizations.