By Aberdeen Insider - August 6, 2026 in JULY 27, 2026 MINUTES
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers, 123 South Lincoln Street, Municipal Building, Aberdeen, South Dakota, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting of the City Council.
CALL TO ORDER
MEETING ROLL CALL
Present at roll call were City Council Members Rob Ronayne, Erin Fouberg, Charlotte Liebelt, Rich Ward, Alan Johnson, Talmage Ekanger, Chad Nilson, David Novstrup, and Mayor Travis Schaunaman.
City Staff present were Dave McNeil, Ron Wager, Leif Redinger, Ken Hubbart, Joel Weig, Tanner Jondahl, Jeromy Thorstenson, and Jordan McQuillen.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Schaunaman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Nilson, second by Ekanger, to approve the agenda. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
MINUTES
Motion by Liebelt, second by Ward, to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2026, City Council Meeting, as circulated. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
Economic Development Manager and Public Information Officer Schwab presented project updates.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Ekanger, second by Novstrup, to approve the following items in the consent calendar:
REPORTS AND MINUTES FROM CITY BOARDS – Receive and place on file: 1. KO Lee Library Board Meeting on June 2, 2026, 2. Planning Commission Meeting on June 16, 2026, and 3. Zoning Adjustment Board Meeting on June 11, 2026
PLAT: Aberdeen Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park First Addition to the City of Aberdeen, in the W½ of Section 17, Township 123 North, Range 63 West of the 5th P.M., Brown County, South Dakota
DAY CARE LICENSE RENEWAL: Tracy Whittlinger
REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE: Scott Cunningham – Block Party
SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON AUGUST 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. for the Transfer of Retail On-Sale Liquor License RL-5400 and Video Lottery License No. VL-1017 from City Lights Bar & Event Center LLC dba City Lights Bar & Event Center, 316 South 2nd Street to the Yelduz Trustees, Inc., 802 South Main Street
SPECIAL LICENSE TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: City Lights Bar and Event Center LLC dba City Lights Event Center for the Shrine event: Chase the Fez/Shrine Bar Bingo on the following dates: 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, and 8/26, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 802 S Main St – contingent upon department approvals
SPECIAL LICENSE TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: City Lights Bar and Event Center LLC dba City Lights Event Center for the Shrine event: Scheduled weddings on the following dates: 8/8, 8/15, and 8/29, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. at 802 S Main St – contingent upon department approvals
Voice vote to approve, with Council Member Ward abstaining from item B, all present voting aye, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
PRESENTATION BY THE ABERDEEN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU VACATION TRAVEL INFORMATION
Executive Director & Outdoor Media Rep Casey Weismantel presented the visitors bureau updates.
APPROVAL OF CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING REQUEST FROM DACOTAH PRAIRIE MUSEUM FOUNDATION
Dacotah Prairie Museum Director Patricia Kendall presented the funding request. Motion by Fouberg, second by Liebelt, to approve the funding request of the Dakota Prairie Museum expansion project in the total sum of $250,000 dollars, with the length, terms, and funding source for such amount to be finalized by the City Manager, in coordination with the Finance Officer, and with funding disbursements to be approved by the City Council. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF A WORKING TIMELINE FOR POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF A DATA CENTER ORDINANCE
City Attorney Wager reviewed and discussed with the Council a working timeline for a possible adoption of a data center ordinance. Motion by Johnson, second by Novstrup, to approve the following timeline of actions of the Council, Staff, and Planning Commission towards adoption of a data center ordinance prior to the sunsetting on November 18, 2026, of the moratorium on building and zoning permits regarding the construction, development, or operation of data centers established by Resolution No. 26-07-04R.:
Date Action
8-17-26 Regular Meeting of City Council to receive input from data center industry
representatives
8-31-26 Special Meeting of City Council to receive input from business interests
9-14-26 Special Meeting of City Council to receive input from citizens
9-21-26 Regular Meeting of City Council with Staff report to City Council re impact of data centers on community and comprehensive plan (i.e., zoning, housing, water, electrical, nuisances, etc.) and City Council to provide direction to Staff re framework of draft data center ordinance(s)
9-28-26 Regular Meeting of City Council with Staff to present alternative drafts of proposed data center ordinance(s) to City Council
10-5-26 Regular Meeting of City Council to discuss data center ordinance(s), make revisions, and refer a proposed ordinance for Planning Commission’s recommendation
10-8-26 Publish newspaper notice of public hearing by Planning Commission on proposed data center ordinance amending zoning regulations
10-15-26 Publish newspaper notice of public hearing by City Council on proposed data center ordinance amending zoning regulations
10-20-26 Regular Meeting of Planning Commission with Public Hearing for all interested persons and Planning Commission to make recommendation on proposed data center ordinance amending zoning regulations
10-26-26 Regular Meeting of City Council with Public Hearing for all interested persons and first reading of data center ordinance(s), with amendments
11-2-26 Regular Meeting of City Council with second reading of data center ordinance(s)
11-18-26 Moratorium on building and zoning permits sunsets
11-25-26 Data center ordinance(s) to become effective unless referendum invoked
Voice vote to approve the timeline, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-07-05R FOR DEVELOPER TO SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SDHDA)
City Manager McNeil presented the resolution. Motion by Ronayne, second by Ward, to approve first reading and passage of Resolution No. 26-07-05R supporting the affordable housing project of the developer, The Aster, LLC, and its application for financial assistance from SDHDA. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-01, A PETITION TO REZONE FROM R-2 TO C-2, PROPERTY AT 210 & 316 ROOSEVELT STREET N, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS PROPOSED LOTS 1-4, ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ROOSEVELT INDUSTRIAL PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, ALL IN THE W½ OF SECTION 17-TOWNSHIP 123N-RANGE 63W OF THE 5TH PM, BROWN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Nilson, second by Ekanger, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-01, a petition to rezone from R-2 to C-2, Property at 210 & 316 Roosevelt Street N, legally described as Proposed Lots 1-4, Aberdeen Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park Addition to the City of Aberdeen, all in the W½ of Section 17-Township 123N-Range 63W of the 5th PM, Brown County, South Dakota. Roll call vote to approve with Council Member Ward abstaining, all others present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-02, A PETITION TO REZONE FROM R-2 TO I-2, PROPERTY AT 2816 INDUSTRIAL AVENUE NE, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS PROPOSED LOT 5, ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ROOSEVELT INDUSTRIAL PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, ALL IN THE W½ OF SECTION 17-TOWNSHIP 123N-RANGE 63W OF THE 5TH PM, BROWN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Ekanger, second by Nilson, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-02, a petition to rezone from R-2 to I-2, Property at 2816 Industrial Avenue NE, legally described as Proposed Lot 5, Aberdeen Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park Addition to the City of Aberdeen, all in the W½ of Section 17-Township 123N-Range 63W of the 5th PM, Brown County, South Dakota. Roll call vote to approve with Council Member Ward abstaining, all others present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-03, A PETITION TO REZONE FROM M TO R-3, PROPERTY AT 824 THIRD AVENUE SW, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 1, KELLER ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, IN THE SE¼ OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 123 NORTH, RANGE 64 WEST OF THE 5TH PM, BROWN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Ronayne, second by Fouberg, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-03, a petition to rezone from M to R-3, Property at 824 Third Avenue SW, legally described as Lot 1, Keller Addition to the City of Aberdeen, in the SE¼ of Section 14, Township 123 North, Range 64 West of the 5th PM, Brown County, South Dakota. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF 2026-2027 ROADWAY DEICING SALT BID
Public Works Director Thorstenson presented the bid. Motion by Ward, second by Johnson, to award the bid of approximately 2300 tons of Roadway Deicing Salt at $88.25 per ton in the approximate amount of $202,975.00 to BlackStrap Inc. of Neligh, NE, as lowest responsible bidder and authorize the City Manager and Finance Officer to sign the necessary documents after approval by the City Attorney. This is an increase of 39 cents per ton from last year’s bid. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS FOR SERVICES FOR THE 2ND STREET BRIDGE PRESERVATION PROJECT
City Engineer Redinger presented the project. Motion by Ronayne, second by Nilson, to approve the following Proposals for Services for the 2nd Street Bridge project and for City Manager to execute the same: 1. IMEG Proposal for Services: Str. No. 07-112-325 Bridge Preservation Design and service fee in the amount of $25,424.65, 2. IMEG Proposal for Services: Str. No. 07-112-326 Bridge Preservation Design and service fee in the amount of $25,424.65, and 3. IMEG Proposal for Services: Str. No. 07-112-327 Bridge Preservation Design and service fee in the amount of $25,424.65. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF PAY REQUEST #2 FOR ST-2026-2 (NORTH DAKOTA ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS) IN THE AMOUNT $2,144,589.08 AND CHANGE ORDER #2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $109,548.00 TO REEDE CONSTRUCTION INC. OF ABERDEEN, SD
City Engineer Redinger presented the pay request and change order. Motion by Nilson, second by Novstrup, to approve Pay Request #2 for ST-2026-2 (North Dakota Roadway Improvements) in the amount $2,144,589.08 and Change Order #2 in the amount of $109,548.00 to Reede Construction Inc. of Aberdeen, SD. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF PAY REQUEST #9 FOR WT-2025-1 (WATER TOWER AND TRANSMISSION LINE) IN THE AMOUNT OF $574,513.09 TO DAHME CONSTRUCTION INC. OF ABERDEEN, SD FOR SCHEDULE A AND $223,772.50 TO LANDMARK STRUCTURES INC. OF FORT WORTH, TX FOR SCHEDULE B
City Engineer Redinger presented the pay request. Motion by Nilson, second by Novstrup, to approve Pay Request #9 for WT-2025-1 (Water Tower and Transmission Line) in the amount of $574,513.09 to Dahme Construction Inc. of Aberdeen, SD for Schedule A and $223,772.50 to Landmark Structures Inc. of Fort Worth, TX for Schedule B. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
Motion by Liebelt, second by Ekanger, to approve payment of the bills listed for July 27, 2026.
Bills having been audited by the Finance Officer and fully itemized and authorize the Mayor or City Manager to sign, and the Finance Officer to countersign, all warrants for payment of the following approved bills: United Parcel Service, 1,000.00; Dacotah Bank, 150.00; Paymentech, LLC, 6,000.00; Elavon Merchant Services, 500.00; Northern Electric, 10,000.00; Northwestern Energy, 180,000.00; Wellmark, 248,000.00; Delta Dental of S.D., 207.68; Optilegra, Inc., 25.84; Aberdeen Area Humane Society, 6,400.00; Agtegra Cooperative, 7,298.53; Asphalt Zipper, 119.23; Auto Value, Aberdeen, 260.40; BNSF Railway Co., 831.51; Brown County Treasurer, 28.70; Butler Machinery Co., 469.33; Climate Control, 424.95; Cole Papers, Inc., 729.13; Connections, Inc. EAP, 829.40; Core & Main, LP, 11,896.49; Crawford Trucks & Equip., 157.22; Crescent Electric Supply, 40.44; D&O Trucking, LLC, 1,000.00; Dahme Construction, 574,513.09; Dakota Electronics, LLC, 3,079.50; Dakota Fluid Power, Inc., 332.76; Dakota Supply Group, 89.53; Dependable Sanitation, 366.00; Diamond Vogel, 636.25; EZ-Liner, 121.57; Faber Analytics, 3,000.00; Farm Power Mfg., Inc., 41.77; Federal Signal Corp., 5,272.44; Fire Safety First, 603.99; Flexible Pipe Tools & Equipment, 371.90; Guardian Life Ins. Co., 1,347.36; Haar Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 399.68; Harms Oil Co., 33,582.14; Hub City Radio, 1,695.00; Jensen Rock & Sand, Inc., Mobridge, 33,167.80; Keith Lauder, 40.00; Ken’s SuperFair Foods, 76.93; Kiesler Police Supply, Inc., 858.00; Kristi Sawatzky, 300.00; L&T Lawn Care, LLC, 350.00; Landmark Structures I, LP, 223,772.50; Lawson Products, Inc., 481.52; Linde Gas & Equipment, Inc., 151.43; Locators & Supplies, Inc., 791.04; Mac’s, Inc., 34.88; Marco Technologies, LLC, 416.10; Menards, Inc., 1,153.51; MTI Distributing, 1,074.45; Nelson Sales & Service, LLC, 303.39; O’Reilly Auto Parts, 9.79; Patriot Fire & Safety, Inc., 2,142.92; Pomp’s Tire Service, 247.37; RDO Equipment Co., 1,730.76; Reede Construction, Inc., 2,144,589.08; Runnings Supply, Inc. #14, 536.57; Ryan DeRouchey, 43.90; Sansio, Inc., 1,324.31; Share Corp., 4,158.01; Stan Houston Equipment, Inc., 12,646.05; Steven Lust Automotive, 1,554.37; The Hazmat Guys Productions, Inc., 5,995.00; The Lamar Companies, 100.00; Triple C Pros Window Cleaning, 925.00; U.S. Bank Corp., St. Paul, 700.00; U.S. Geological Survey, 12,955.00; Vestis Group, Inc., 275.05.
Payroll for the period from July 12, 2026, through July 25, 2026, and city share of social security, old age & survivor’s insurance, retirement, health and life insurance. EFTPS 237,681.04, SD Retirement Systems 116,617.94, Governing Body Council 3,921.89, City Manager 9,364.57, Attorney 9,296.92, Finance Office 21,586.57, Human Resources 15,733.63, Municipal Hall 2,315.35, Computer Services 6,728.30, Community Development 19,099.20, Engineering 13,890.43, Leif Redinger 89.49/hr, Police 194,266.08, Fire 190,445.74, Building Inspection 8,296.00, Street 56,214.98, Kaylin Anderson 23.59/hr, Traffic Control 14,036.78, Utilities – General 41,972.61, Solid Waste 22,948.95, Wastewater Treatment 24,850.20, Utilities – Sewer 16,657.74, Water Treatment Plant 32,005.54, Tim Koch 27.35/hr, Jason Vetch 27.35/hr, Utilities – Water 2,366.38, Airport 36,247.64, Jamie Hubert 23.59/hr, Cemetery 10,568.33, Transit 29,525.53, West Nile 7,632.18, Meals On Wheels 740.52, Culture And Recreation 16,412.50, Concessions 13,794.34, Admin 12,174.02, Participant Rec 48,087.38, Park Rec ARCC 47,505.26, Michelle Fritz 19.25/hr, Grace Sheffield 15.25/hr, Aquatic Center 45,845.41, Park Rec Golf 11,530.51, PC Complex 4,426.51, Park Rec Senior Center 6,829.25, Campground 8,849.07, Parks 36,764.08, Parks/Wylie 34,885.69, Forestry 14,663.14, Library 39,203.89, City Econ Dev 3,169.60
Roll call vote to approve with Council Member Fouberg abstaining to Dacotah Bank, all present voting aye, motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager McNeil provided updates on the chip sealing project; reminded Council of the promotional funds application deadline of August 3, 2026; noted that the first proposed budget presentation will be held next week; and reminded Council of the August 17, 2026, work session at 4:00 p.m. regarding the license plate reader program and related technology.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion by Johnson, second by Ekanger, to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote to adjourn, all present voting aye, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Prepared by Steven Thithavong for the Finance Office. /s/Jordan McQuillen, Finance Officer
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