Mitchell council approves engineering and design contracts, first reading expands residential redevelopment districts

Mitchell — The Mitchell City Council on Monday approved a series of professional services agreements and resolutions to advance infrastructure, personnel and redevelopment work across the city.

Council voted to hire Design Art Group LLC to provide full architecture and engineering services for a proposed new Mitchell Fire Station, with staff citing a lump-sum fee of $161,900. A Design Art Group representative told the council the services include architectural, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering as well as geotechnical work to assist structural and civil design. “The provided agreement covers professional services, from the start, which is schematic design, to the end, which would be project closeout,” the representative said.

The council also approved a separate Design Art Group agreement to remove and replace the North Building roof at the Mitchell Ice Arena, a project staff said is needed after repeated leaks; the proposed fee for that work was $54,000.

Officials approved SPN & Associates for design and bidding services for a replacement lift station near 13th Avenue, with the design phase proposed to be funded through a future State Revolving Fund loan; staff said the contract is an hourly-fee arrangement not to exceed $95,000.

On labor matters, the council approved a memorandum of understanding amending the IAFF Mitchell Firefighters Association Local 4166 collective bargaining agreement to change the department’s work schedule from a 27-day/204-hour cycle to a 28-day/212-hour cycle to align payroll and overtime reporting with Fair Labor Standards Act requirements. City staff told the council the firefighter positions have been posted and hiring and background checks are underway.

The council approved the transfer of a retail on-sale liquor license to VFW Post 275 at 215 North Main Street after Police Chief Knippling reported no concerns and recommended approval.

On transportation and property matters, the council authorized an agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation for new sidewalks and ADA improvements on Oman Street and adjacent segments. Staff said SDDOT will purchase a small parcel from the Mitchell Christian Education Association northwest of 16th Avenue and Iowa Street and deed it to the city.

Council also approved vacating a portion of South Hunter Street between East First Street and East Hanson Street, the staff report said the city has no utilities in that segment and will take ownership for future disposition. The council adopted Resolution R-2026-01 dissolving Tax Increment Financing District No. 9 after staff said the district’s indebtedness had been paid in full, and approved Resolution R-2026-02 to amend the 2026 compensation plan, including reclassifying a library circulation assistant to library specialist with an estimated budget impact of a little over $5,000 covered by unspent 2025 funds.

In policy work, councilmembers heard first reading of Ordinance O-2026-01 to repeal the existing downtown redevelopment district and replace it with three new residential redevelopment districts that would expand discretionary formula treatment to additional neighborhoods whose housing stock largely meets the state definition of blighted or dilapidated. Staff explained the ordinance excludes property that is already in an existing TIF district and noted that either the city or county may adopt discretionary districts under state law.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session under state statute to discuss legal matters and trade secrets; the council said no action would follow the closed session.

What’s next: Ordinance O-2026-01 was advanced on first reading and may return for a second reading and final vote at a future council meeting. Contract work and design studies are expected to proceed under the approved agreements.