HURON — Updates from the directors of the Greater Huron Development Corporation (GHDC) and Huron Senior Center (HSC) highlighted Monday evening’s meeting of the Huron City Commission.

Entities that receive funding from the city periodically report on activities within that organization over the past year. Ted Haeder, executive director of GHDC, shared a number of positive items with the commission. “We had two Governor’s Houses placed in June of 2023, have added garages and we have seeded the lawns on both houses,” Haeder said, “and I can report that both houses are under contract to young couples.”

Haeder said GHDC had received $267,000 in funding for a new cul-de-sac (Dogleg Court) in the Broadland Creek Residential Development, which will include 12 residential lots. He said the plans were in for review and that a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, which includes Peaceful Pines, will fund the development.

Haeder reported that Peaceful Pines itself is set to open this fall with 21 assisted living, 20 independent living and 20 memory care units.

“Our downtown facade grant program continues to generate interest,” Haeder said, “With approximately half of the funds set aside being utilized.” Haeder added that a sewer service line replacement loan program — providing up to $10,000 for businesses choosing to upgrade sewer lines during the Dakota Ave. construction — has seen 14 loans processed.

Later in the meeting, the commission approved quit claim deeds to GHDC for the lots with the Governor’s Houses.

Huron Senior Center director Megan Hogle reported that the membership continues to grow by two or three people each month and now stands at 426 members.

She said the recent Fishing for Seniors event had great attendance — 20 participants compared to two last year — and that many businesses were interested in becoming sponsors next year.

A total of 6,081 meals came from the HSC kitchen in June, for the senior nutrition programs in Huron and Wolsey and the Senior Food Box program has grown to include 26 individuals.

Hogle said the program provides a 25-pound box of food for seniors who are income eligible, in partnership with Feeding South Dakota.

She also touched on encouraging more intergenerational interaction, with local 4-H clubs and youth organizations and that the Huron Senior Center is the first in South Dakota to become part of the National Institute of Senior Centers.

In other action, the commission:
• Approved a diesel quote from Agtegra ($2.869/gallon) for the Street Department.
• Approved special event on-sale alcoholic beverage licenses for Sportsman Inc., and Manolis Grocery for an event July 27 and 28.

• Approved a parade permit for the Huron High School Homecoming parade on Sept. 20.
• Approved a partial payment of $206,533.78 to Micro-com, for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems upgrade.
• Approved plat approval for Spencer Quarries for the 4th Street project. Assistant city engineer Dennis Bennett noted that a “square-foot-for-square-foot land exchange” is part of the plat, to allow adequate space for the new street.
• Approved an agreement with Agtegra for police services for the company’s Aug. 3, customer appreciation event.
• Approved a recommendation from the Capital Asset committee to purchase a new door for the Huron Event Center and a new mosquito sprayer for the Parks Department.

The next City Commission meeting is 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, in the commission room at City Hall.