HURON — In a short meeting Monday evening, the Huron City Commission approved a relatively small expenditure that could have significant payback to the city. Human resources manager Shanna Sterrett presented the service agreement with Connections, Inc. to provide training and employee assistance services for $6,399 in 2024.

The programs that will be offered by the contract with Connections include management training, leadership development, employee counseling, consulting, and more. The contract was approved.

The meeting opened with Commissioner Shawn Harvey presenting an update on the Market Street construction during public forum. Harvey reported that Northwestern will have the road closed on either side of Dakota Avenue through Thursday this week during the day, with the hope to be done with updates on Thursday and full access to the road opened up. ThroughThursday, drivers should plan for alternate routes during the day.

Finance director Paullyn Carey presented the joint cooperative agreement with Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG) for 2024. She stated that dues for NECOG have gone up three percent, but the organization does significant work for the city with grant applications and grant management. This was approved.

Commissioners also:
• Approved the full-time status of Nicholas Ferguson, Information Technology Specialist.
• Approved the full-time status of Jasmine Feild, 911 telecommunicator.
• Approved the hire of Monty Benally for the library assistant position in circulation and outreach services at the Huron Public Library.

Commissioner Rich Bragg announced the upcoming holiday schedule for the solid waste department, with the rubble site closed on Dec. 23, 25, and 30 as well as Jan. 1 as part of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Garbage pickup scheduled for Dec. 25 and for Jan. 1 will take place the Wednesday following the holiday.

The commission concluded the meeting in executive session regarding a contractual matter.