Yankton commission approves contracts, one-day liquor permits and schedule changes; accepts disaster reimbursement

YANKTON — At its April meeting, the Yankton City Commission approved a series of contracts and one-day liquor licenses, voted to reschedule two 2025 meeting dates, and acknowledged a state and federal reimbursement related to the 2019 blizzard and flooding.

The commission unanimously awarded a cold-applied plastic pavement marking contract to Sir Lanes A Lot of Harrisburg for $107,246.40 and approved a Summit Street water-main replacement contract to Maceray Components Inc. for $332,290.65. Both contracts were approved by roll call vote with all members present voting aye.

City Manager Amy Leon told the commission that the meeting packet included a letter from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety notifying the city of an $89,322.45 reimbursement — described as state and federal reimbursement for administrative costs tied to the 2019 spring blizzard and flooding. Leon said staff member Colleen Bailey and engineering staff prepared paperwork for the claim and that the funds will have restrictions that the governing body should understand before expending them. “We received today from the Department of Public Safety…an allocation of $89,322.45,” Leon said.

The commission also approved a resolution to purchase an evidence-drying cabinet and accessories from Arrowhead Forensics; the purchase was described as funded by a grant awarded through the South Dakota Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the Yankton Police Department Investigations Division. A commissioner asked for clarification on the timing of reimbursement; staff confirmed the department will purchase first and then seek reimbursement under the grant as written in the memo.

Other votes included approval of a sidewalk café permit for Walnut Tavern Inc., authorization to sell or dispose of Yankton Police Department surplus property under a separate resolution, and approval of several special one-day on-sale malt beverage and wine permits and one-day liquor licenses for events at the Center and the Boathouse this summer. All of those permits passed by unanimous roll call vote.

On meeting logistics, Commissioner Hanoff moved — and the commission approved — rescheduling the regular May 26, 2025, meeting to May 27, 2025, in recognition of Memorial Day and moving the October meeting from October 13 to October 14, 2025, in honor of Native American Day. The motion passed on a roll call vote recorded as unanimous.

During public appearances, resident Michael Strom suggested establishing a community farm on state-owned land near the former HSC farmland; he described an idea in which “anyone in the county can buy an animal, tag it, and now we'll have a place to raise it.” Another resident, Deanna Huether, asked about city-owned railroad property and said she had not yet been contacted by staff about a prior inquiry; staff said they are working on cleanup at the site and offered to follow up.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn into executive session to discuss contractual and personnel matters.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes of March 24, 2025 — approved (voice vote). - Pay the bills — approved (roll call; unanimous). - Reschedule May 26 meeting to May 27, 2025, and move October 13 meeting to October 14, 2025 — approved (motion by Commissioner Hanoff; roll call unanimous). - Award cold-applied pavement marking contract to Sir Lanes A Lot (Harrisburg) — $107,246.40; approved (roll call unanimous). - Approve sidewalk café permit for Walnut Tavern Inc., 100 W. Third St. — approved (roll call unanimous). - Approve purchase of evidence drying cabinet from Arrowhead Forensics using Edward Byrne JAG funding — approved (roll call unanimous). - Award Summit Street water main replacement contract to Maceray Components Inc. — $332,290.65; approved (roll call unanimous). - Authorize sale/disposal of Yankton Police Department surplus property — approved (roll call unanimous). - Approve special one-day malt beverage/wine licenses for Center events (May 17 and July 11) and one-day liquor license for Mojo's event at the Boathouse (July 19) — approved (roll call unanimous).

Background and context City Manager Amy Leon also reminded the commission about an upcoming strategic planning session on April 30 at Mount Marty University's conference room and noted a clerical correction on the consent agenda related to a November meeting date. Leon said the Department of Public Safety letter requires the governing body to understand restrictions on the $89,322.45 reimbursement before the funds are expended. The evidence-drying cabinet purchase was described as reimbursable under the South Dakota Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; staff confirmed procurement would precede reimbursement. The Summit Street water main replacement and pavement marking contracts were presented in memoranda that recommended award to the lowest/responsive bidders listed in the meeting packet.

Public comment summaries - Michael Strom, resident: pitched a community farm concept for state-owned land near the former HSC/dairy farm and suggested zoning, signage and fencing for shared animal-raising plots. - Deanna Huether, resident: asked about city-owned railroad property near Vineland and said she had not heard back after leaving contact information; staff offered to follow up and discuss cleanup work.

The meeting record shows no dissenting votes on the formal actions taken; several items were procedural or ceremonial and were either moved from consent to the regular agenda for brief discussion or approved without extended debate. The commission adjourned into executive session for contractual and personnel matters.