By Aberdeen Insider - October 2, 2025 in CITY OF ABERDEN
MINUTES
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
City Council Chambers, 123 South Lincoln Street, Municipal Building, Aberdeen, South Dakota, September 26, 2025, 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 was Cathy McNickle.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Schaunaman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Nilson, second by Fouberg, to approve the agenda. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION: COUNCIL TO INCLUDE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND COMMUNITY GROUP MEMBERS TO INTERVIEW THE CITY MANAGER FINALISTS AND DISCUSS THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCE, PERFORMANCE, CHARACTER OR FITNESS AS PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES (SDCL § 1-25-2(1)), TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL TO DISCUSS CONTRACTUAL MATTERS, AND TO PREPARE FOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE (SDCL § 1-25-2(3) AND (4)). COUNCIL TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM HR STAFF, DEPT. HEADS, AND COMMUNITY GROUP MEMBERS
Motion by Johnson, second by Ward to go into executive session to include department heads and community group members to interview the City Manager finalists and discuss their qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness as prospective employees (SDCL § 1-25-2(1)), to consult with legal counsel to discuss contractual matters, and to prepare for contract negotiations with prospective employee (SDCL § 1-25-2(1), (3), and (4)). Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried. The Council moved into executive session at 8:03 a.m.
Motion by Ronayne, second by Ward to end executive session and return to open meeting. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried. The Council returned to open meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Motion by Ekanger, second by Fouberg to (1) offer the position of City Manager to Dave McNeil in coordination with the retirement of Robin Bobzien, current City Manager, and (2) to instruct the City Attorney and HR Director to negotiate the contract terms with Mr. McNeil. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion by Johnson, second by Nilson, to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote to adjourn, all present voting aye, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Prepared by Steven Thithavong for the Finance Office. /s/Cathy McNickle Deputy Finance Officer
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