What to know about Monday’s data center meeting to gather input from public

Monday, Sept. 14 is the last of three meetings to gather feedback as the Aberdeen City Council works to draft an ordinance governing data centers.

The special meeting of the council is specifically to take input from the general public. There’s nothing else on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Aberdeen Civic Theatre, 212 Second Ave. S.E. The site was selected to accommodate what’s expected to be a large crowd.

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Details about the procedures were discussed and approved Tuesday, Sept. 8 during the council’s regular meeting at the Municipal Building. Here’s how Monday’s session will work:

• Much like the open forum portion of every city council meeting, those wishing to speak will be asked to sign in. Registration is open until 6 p.m. Anybody in the registration line at that time will be allowed to do so, but nobody can join the line after then.
• Those who register will be asked to sign in with their name, address and a brief summary of the topic they wish to talk about.
• Discussion should include comments, concerns, experiences, recommendations or other information that might help the council in drafting data center regulations. The meeting is not a debate. All comments should be directed to the council, and no action will be taken.
• Speakers will generally be announced in the order on the registration list. If someone is called and isn’t present, they’ll be moved to the end of the list. All registered speakers will have an opportunity to speak.
• All speakers will be called to a podium and given three minutes to make their comments. A seat next to the podium will be designated for the next speaker on the list.
• If multiple speakers jointly sign up to address the same topic, they can each yield one minute to a spokesperson, with a limit of 15 minutes total.
• Those who yield time to a spokesperson forfeit their time to speak.
• A speaker is allowed to request additional time before beginning their remarks. The request is subject to approval by the council, but cannot exceed 15 minutes total.
• Council members can ask questions of or request clarification from speakers.
• Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Following a warning, anyone found to be disruptive will be asked to leave. That conduct includes excessive hand clapping; foot stomping; whistling; noise making; use or display of profane or obscene language, images or gestures; yelling; and boisterous behavior. Personal attacks or threats are not allowed.
• Written comments and supportive material can be submitted. They will be distributed to the council, but not read aloud.
• Electronic presentations are not allowed.

What happens next?

The city council previously imposed a moratorium on the approval of any building or zoning permits related to data centers. No building or zoning permits can be issued until the expiration of that moratorium on Nov. 18.

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City officials have been clear that there are no pending data center proposals, they are just gathering information. The council has had past meetings for input from data center representatives and the business community.

Future council meetings will include:

• A report from staff on Sept 21 about the impact of data centers with respect to zoning regulations, housing, water and electrical use, and nuisances.
• Discussion on the framework of an ordinance, alternative drafts and amendments on Sept. 21, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. Plans call for the Aberdeen Planning Commission to consider the ordinance on Oct. 20.
• With planning commission approval, first reading and possible final approval of the ordinance by the city council are set for Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, respectively. Provided that timeline holds, the new ordinance would go into effect Nov. 25, unless it is referred to a public vote.

Aberdeen City Council adopts 2027 budget

Also Tuesday, the council reviewed and adopted the 2027 city budget, which is $182.97 million, and the city’s capital improvement plan.

This year’s budget is roughly $178.2 million.

The full 2027 budget is available online at aberdeen.sd.us/103/finance. City Finance Officer Jordan McQuillen said this is the first year the city has used OpenGov software, which allows the posting of more information about individual department requests.

McNeil

City Manager Dave McNeil said crafting the budget took quite a bit of discussion with department supervisors and a line-by-line evaluation to determine if adjustments were needed.

Sixth Street Moccasin Creek bridge replacement could be delayed a year as discussion continues

During discussion about the capital improvement plan, McNeil said there’s a possibility that the Sixth Avenue bridge replacement across Moccasin Creek could be delayed by a year as conversations continue about the prospect of adding a safer pedestrian crossing.

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Right now, the bridge is set to be replaced next year at an estimated cost of $7.24 million that will be covered by the state.

“That bridge project could be delayed one year if (the state Department of Transportation decides) the design could be improved,” McNeil said.

If that happens, he said, other street improvements could be considered along the proposed detour routes.

In other action, the council:

• Approved a new malt beverage and farm wine license and a wine and cider license for BBs Chophouse at 1401 Sixth Ave. S.E. The business is hiring in advance of opening.
• Approved a $189,098 payment to Dahme Construction for work on transmission lines needed for the new water tower.
• Approved payments to Helms & Associates and Quest Construction for work related to expanding and renovating the Aberdeen Regional Airport terminal to create a secure baggage-scanning area. The Quest payment was $814,363 for work done to date. Two payments to Helms totaled $42,318 for engineering services.
• Heard a reminder from McNeil that a 9/11 memorial service is at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11 at Dacotah Bank Stadium. It will be followed by a memorial stair climb and a blood drive, both of which are optional.