HURON — In three separate items on the agenda at Monday’s Huron City Commission meeting, the commission approved the oversight and construction administration for two large upcoming projects in Huron, with city engineer Brett Runge explaining the contracts.

The first two regarded the Dakota Ave. project, set to begin in May. Infrastructure Design Group was contracted for ongoing administration support at an hourly rate not to exceed a total of $289,411. Stockwell Engineers were also awarded an administration agreement for $24,900.

The second project is the reconstruction of 4th St. SE near the new solid waste facility. Infrastructure Design Group was assigned that construction administration contract at an hourly rate not to exceed $99,711.75.

Runge explained that while Stockwell designed the downtown work that will be done on the Dakota Ave. project, Infrastructure Design was going to be in town already for the 4th St. project, so contracting them for the majority of the oversight work simply made sense.

Construction administration is a piece of the overall project in each case. The Dakota Ave. project in the city is estimated to be slightly less than $4.3 million. The city has budgeted $2,240,000 for the 4th St. reconstruction project. Both will be multi-year projects.

The meeting opened with two public forum comments. Rob Rieger, the city’s water and sewer supervisor, reminded residents that with the recent rain, sump pumps should be pointed out to the street.

Ben Chase of the Huron Area Community Theater board encouraged residents to attend a performance of the upcoming play, “The Tin Woman,” with showings Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. and a matinee offering at 2 p.m. All shows will be held at the Huron Fine Arts Center.

Runge also presented a payment request to Key Contracting Inc. for work on sanitary sewer manhole lining for the amount of $95,848. This was approved.

Commissioners also:
Set May 13 as the public hearing date to consider 2024-2025 malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license renewals.
• Approved the transfer of Arnold Case from Solid Waste Maintenance 1 to Central Park, Splash Central, and Community Campus Center Maintenance 2 for the Parks and Recreation department.
• Approved hiring Sidney Arua as Solid Waste Maintenance 1.

• Approved hiring Daniel Copeland as Solid Waste Maintenance 1.
• Approved 32 seasonal hiring recommendations for Parks and Recreation and Golf Maintenance.
• Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 2260-23-413 regarding zoning of home occupations to include automotive detailing.
• Approved a 2024-2025 retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license for Toasted Coconuts & Co., 33 4th St. SE.

The commission held a work session regarding on-sale alcoholic beverage licenses potentially being used at city-owned facilities with owners of area bars testifying to the commission about the potential for a license at the golf course. After hearing testimony, commissioners stated that they do not see a reason to pursue such a license at this time.