Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aberdeen council approves board formation, bridge pay request and excavator purchase; payroll approved
Summary
On Jan. 5 the City of Aberdeen council passed a resolution establishing a consolidated board of equalization, approved Pay Request No. 11 for the 10th Avenue SE bridge amid contractor-delay discussion, authorized purchase of an excavator, and approved claims and payroll (one abstention).
The City of Aberdeen council on Jan. 5 approved several formal actions during its regular meeting.
Resolution establishing consolidated board of equalization: The council passed a resolution to establish a consolidated board of equalization "pursuant to the South Dakota law 10/1866 through 10/1177." A council member volunteered to serve as the board member with Rob as the alternate. Council conducted a roll-call vote and the motion carried.
Pay Request No. 11 — 10th Avenue SE bridge: The council approved Pay Request No. 11 for $35,009.49 and $0.78 payable to Prime Construction for progress on the 10th Avenue Southeast bridge replacement. Public-works staff reported a subcontractor was on site installing pedestrian guardrails and said that, if the guardrails are finished on schedule, "we should be able to have the bridge open by the end of the week." Council members pressed staff about repeated missed completion dates; staff said the city is assessing liquidated damages — "with the $49,000 that we're assessing this pay period that's that brings us up to what is that? 49. Yeah. 67,000" — and noted roughly $800,000 of work remains on the contract. The roll-call vote recorded one 'No' from Councilmember Ekonger and the motion carried.
Excavator purchase authorization: The council authorized purchase of a Caterpillar excavator from Butler Machinery under Sourcewell contracts. Staff said the city had budgeted about $210,000 to replace a rubber-tired backhoe and found a medium excavator at similar cost; the offered machine is a 2024 holdover model with a full factory warranty (about five years) and would reduce rental costs on the upcoming Moxon Creek cleanup project. Council recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes on the purchase.
Claims and payroll: The council approved claims and payroll for the pay period Dec. 28–Jan. 10. Mayor Schoneman announced an abstention on a payment to "climate control" and otherwise voted aye; the motion carried.
Several items—including the bridge pay request and the excavator purchase—were discussed at length with staff before votes. Where the bridge project is concerned, staff said liquidated-damage assessments are the city's primary remedy for contractor delays, and the council requested further engagement with the contractor on scheduling concerns.
The council adjourned following the meeting.
Votes at a glance (recorded roll-call results in transcript): - Resolution: roll-call recorded as unanimous 'Aye'; motion carried. - Pay Request No. 11 (Prime Construction) $35,009.49 and $0.78: Nordstrom Aye; Nelson Aye; Ekonger Nay; Johnson Aye; Ward Aye; Liebelle Aye; Foburg Aye; Ronan Aye; Mayor Schoneman Aye. Motion carried. - Excavator purchase (Butler Machinery, Sourcewell contract): recorded ayes; motion carried. - Claims and payroll (Dec. 28–Jan. 10): approved; Mayor Schoneman abstained on the payment to Climate Control.
