Huron Commission approves rates, grant authorization, public-works payments and consent items in routine session

The Huron City Commission approved a series of routine administrative and budget-related items, including a rates-and-fees resolution set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025; authorization to apply for a solid-waste management grant; multiple public-works change orders and progress payments; and several consent-agenda items such as event permits and personnel promotions.

Commissioner Brian Smith presented resolution 2024-12, the rates-and-fees schedule for city services, noting routine adjustments tied to a rate study and cost-of-living adjustments. "As we go through the front sheet, you'll notice that there are no changes on those fees," Smith said, then described specific increases such as a 3% adjustment tied to the rate study for recycling and garbage fees and other targeted changes in the schedule. Smith highlighted a new commercial driver license employee fee and changes to building permit calculations that apply a per-square-foot basis (using a three-season room example), and noted other line-item adjustments tied to FEMA schedules and service rates.

The commission adopted the rates-and-fees resolution on a roll-call vote.

The commission also approved resolution 2024-13, authorizing the city to apply for a solid-waste management grant and empowering the mayor to sign related documents. Staff noted Newcog will prepare the grant application and that this resolution authorizes execution of necessary paperwork as the application progresses.

On public-works items the commission approved a change order from BX Civil related to Dakota Avenue work (adjusting scope after the lift station work was deferred), a progress payment for a water-main replacement project, and a payment related to phase 4 of a SCADA improvements project for lift-station upgrades. Dennis Bennett, speaking for public works, described the FHWA urban boundary adjustment as a routine update based on the 2020 Census; the commission authorized the mayor to sign the adjusted Federal Highway Administration urban boundary map.

Consent-agenda items approved without discussion included minutes from the Dec. 9, 2024 meeting; fuel quotes; raffle approval for the Huron Area Volleyball Club; bingo and 50/50 approval for the Bethel County Humane Society; a special on-sale alcoholic beverage permit for a chamber mixer at Top Floor Events (Jan. 14 at Black Tie Limo); personnel promotions effective Jan. 1, 2025 (promotion of Linda Skorheim to deputy finance director and Kelly Sherman to deputy accounting coordinator); and payment of the bills. Each consent item was bundled and approved by roll-call vote.

Roll-call votes on action items recorded "Aye" from commissioners present on each motion; the meeting transcript records unanimous support on the listed approvals.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, fuel quotes, Huron Area Volleyball Club raffle, Bethel County Humane Society bingo/50-50, Top Floor Events special on-sale alcohol permit, personnel promotions for Linda Skorheim and Kelly Sherman, payment of bills): approved (roll-call vote). - 5.1 BX Civil change order (Dakota Avenue adjustments; lift station paving deferred): approved (roll-call vote). - 5.2 Progress payment — water main replacement: approved (roll-call vote). - 5.3 Payment — SCADA improvements, phase 4 (lift stations): approved (roll-call vote). - Petition/communication — adjusted FHWA urban boundary map for City of Huron: authorized mayor to sign (roll-call vote). - Resolution 2024-12 — Rates and fees for city services, effective 01/01/2025: approved (roll-call vote). - Resolution 2024-13 — Authorization to apply for solid-waste management grant and allow mayor to sign documents: approved (roll-call vote).

The meeting proceeded without extended debate on most items; department staff provided short explanations where requested by commissioners. Several items, including the rates schedule and SCADA project, were discussed briefly on their operational or technical merits before each vote. No ordinances requiring second readings were completed in the portion of the transcript provided.