Beresford council approves letter of intent for South‑side pathway after debate over route, flooding and liability

The Beresford City Council voted to authorize submission of a letter of intent to the South Dakota Department of Transportation for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant to extend the city’s walking path along the south side of the golf course.

Council approved sending the letter to secure DOT site review and formal cost estimates after staff presented two route options: the original red route, which staff said presented steep slopes and impacts to front yards, and an alternate “black” route that would run along golf‑course property and tie into existing paths near Third Street and the high‑school practice softball field. Jerry Simons, city administrator, described slope and right‑of‑way concerns on the red route and said the alternate route would be largely on city/golf‑course property unless an easement from the Catholic church is required to cross a roughly 20‑foot drainage corridor.

The council’s discussion focused on several constraints DOT reviewers may identify: slope and grading difficulties, the need for culverts or a small bridge where the creek floods, the cost of constructing culverts versus other crossing solutions, and the likelihood of future maintenance costs including snow‑clearing and repairs in low‑lying sections. Members also raised liability questions about locating a path adjacent to active golf play and whether the city could be exposed to claims for injuries from errant golf balls.

Council members stressed that the letter of intent would not commit the city to construction but would allow DOT engineers to visit the site, provide design recommendations and give the city a clearer cost estimate. Simons noted the grant would cover 81 percent of eligible costs if awarded and that construction—if funded—would likely take place the following year.

The motion to proceed with the letter of intent passed on a roll call vote. The vote was recorded as Yes: Sarah Antonson, Pat Beckett, Kayla Bullis, Mike Peterman and (Mayor) Sealy; No: Will Roehlke and Larry Rohrer. The city will return to council for review of DOT comments and a more detailed cost estimate before committing to specific construction designs.

The council asked staff to work with the engineering firm (Banner) to prepare the map, updated cost estimate and supporting materials required in the DOT letter of intent and to follow up on potential easement needs with the Catholic church if the alternate route shifts off city property.