City commission approves multiple summer hires

HURON — The Huron City Commission approved hires for multiple summer positions as part of a long list of personnel moves on Monday evening.

The commission approved the hire of Kierra Dragt, Loren Strubel, Becky Dragt, Kyle Johnson and Nolan Wiegel for seasonal positions at Broadland Creek. Commissioners also approved the hire of Aiden Zavesky, Alexandria Gilbert, Celeste Borgan, Ellie Eichstadt, Heavan Gainey, Htoo Ray, Jaelyn Hamilton, Julia Blom, Lindsey Leyendecker, Marty Gohn, Nathaniel Lyon, Reese Rozell, Shue Wah, Teagan Pfitzer, Wah Ney Dah and William Kluth for seasonal positions with Splash Central.

The meeting opened with public forum, and two commissioners spoke. Commissioner Doug Kludt noted that the Solid Waste Department will be picking up green bins on Wednesdays through the month of April only. After the month of April, green bins will be picked up on regular pickup day.

Commissioner Mark Robish spoke during public forum regarding the flag disposal drop box. The box is located at the memorial on Wisconsin Avenue and Third Street Southwest, and United States flags that have been tattered or damaged can be dropped in that box for the Boy Scouts to properly dispose of in a ceremony later in the year.

The commission heard from Assistant City Engineer Dennis Bennett regarding the Electrical Service and Transformer Agreement with Dakota Energy at the new wastewater treatment plant. This was approved.

Police Chief Kevin Van Diepen presented to the commission that two officers were resigning and requested to purchase their service handguns. An appraisal committee will be appointed and the officers will be able to purchase their handguns at replacement cost.

Van Dieben also presented a request to apply for a grant for seat belt and speed enforcement. The request was approved.

Commissioners also:
• Approved a raffle for the South Dakota Elks Association and South Dakota Elks Major Project Inc. for May 15 at the Crossroads.

• Approved the promotion of Denjer Davis to Detective Sergeant.
• Approved the transfer of That Lark to Detective Sergeant.
Accepted the resignation of Casey Spinsby from the police department.
• Approved posting and advertising internally for the position of Detective Captain with the police department.
• Approved posting and advertising for a patrol officer position.
• Accepted the retirement of Ardelle Reno from the account supervisor position in the finance office.
• Approved posting and advertising for the account supervisor position.
• Approved posting and advertising for an account clerk position.
• Approved Leslie Brondsema for supplementary benefits with completion of 1040 hour probationary period.
• Accepted the resignation of Shaun Davis from the volunteer fire position.
• Accepted the resignation of Brittney Neuharth from the volunteer fire position.
• Approved hiring Vince Juelfs for part-time general labor/scale operator position in the Solid Waste Department.
• Approved posting and advertising for a street maintenance/street sweeper operator.
• Approved posting and advertising for seasonal summer help at Broadland Creek and Memorial Golf Course.
• Approved quote 2021-12 for $41,504 to purchase generator for public works building.
• Approved applying for Certified Local Government Grant for Historical Preservation.

The commission closed the meeting with a discussion on COVID CARES funds, and while no actionable motions were made in the discussion, the commission came to a consensus that a primary focus of the funds should be reducing bonds. Currently, bonds receive more than $500,000 annually, so a notable payment could reduce the time left on bonds and bring that money into the city budget more quickly.