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Mobridge council pursues federal grant for splash pad, approves water-plant contracts and hires
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Summary
The Mobridge City Council voted to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to build a splash pad at Tornado Park with a 60/40 local match and approved several water-treatment change orders, a $151,155.90 pay request and routine personnel and permit items.
The Mobridge City Council voted to reapply for a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to build a splash pad at Tornado Park, and during the same meeting approved multiple water-treatment change orders, a large contractor pay request and several personnel actions.
A staff member explaining the grant application said the total cost of the splash pad with contingency is about $271,129 and that the city has collected roughly $54,325 in contributions and donations toward the project so far. "We were turned down last year," the staff member said, describing options for the city's local match and grant-scoring tradeoffs. The staff member recommended a 60/40 city match to increase the chance of funding; the council voted to proceed with a 60/40 split.
Park committee members described the splash pad as "somewhere to take some of the congestion off of the city pool." A member of the committee said the feature would offer a lower-cost, no-lifeguard alternative for families and could be open longer in shoulder seasons than the pool. The staff member noted estimated ongoing maintenance costs at about $4,500 per year and warned of additional utility and insurance costs.
On infrastructure and contract matters, the council unanimously approved two change orders for Century: change order 9, $9,074.06, to locate and repair a broken pipe at the decant lift station at the water treatment plant; and change order 10, $8,467.21, to relocate sludge valve actuators and add a manual fail-safe so valves can be operated if pneumatic systems fail. The council also approved pay request number 9 to Muth Electric for $151,155.90 to close out that contractor's portion of the water project; retainage and a punch list remain before final acceptance.
The council approved hiring Casey Spirey for the water/wastewater maintenance department at $21.63 per hour, effective March 24, 2026, and approved a $1,560-per-year salary increase for an employee who earned a Class 3 wastewater certification (effective March 23, 2026). Council members also approved the list of seasonal parks employees for 2026 and a cemetery deed transfer.
Other routine business approved included a property tax abatement of $18,704.15 for the parcel referenced in the packet, a building mover license for Clyde's Mobile Home and Transport and a permit to move a building on city streets along a specified route through town. The council approved the 2025 audit engagement not to exceed $21,000, with the audit scheduled to begin April 28.
The council approved payment of bills listed in the meeting packet and then adjourned.
