On the agenda: Aberdeen minutes — license plate reader (Jul 27)

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MINUTES

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ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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City Council Chambers, 123 South Lincoln Street, Municipal Building, Aberdeen, South

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Dakota, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting of the City Council.

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CALL TO ORDER

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MEETING ROLL CALL

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Present at roll call were City Council Members Rob Ronayne, Erin Fouberg, Charlotte

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Liebelt, Rich Ward, Alan Johnson, Talmage Ekanger, Chad Nilson, David Novstrup, and Mayor

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Travis Schaunaman.

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City Staff present were Dave McNeil, Ron Wager, Leif Redinger, Ken Hubbart, Joel Weig,

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Tanner Jondahl, Jeromy Thorstenson, and Jordan McQuillen.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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Mayor Schaunaman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Nilson, second by Ekanger, to approve the agenda. Voice vote to approve, all

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present voting aye, motion carried.

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MINUTES

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Motion by Liebelt, second by Ward, to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2026, City

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Council Meeting, as circulated. Voice vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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OPEN FORUM

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Economic Development Manager and Public Information Officer Schwab presented

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project updates.

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CONSENT CALENDAR

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Motion by Ekanger, second by Novstrup, to approve the following items in the consent
calendar:

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REPORTS AND MINUTES FROM CITY BOARDS – Receive and place on file: 1. KO

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Lee Library Board Meeting on June 2, 2026, 2. Planning Commission Meeting on June 16, 2026,

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and 3. Zoning Adjustment Board Meeting on June 11, 2026

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PLAT: Aberdeen Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park First Addition to

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the City of Aberdeen, in the W½ of Section 17, Township 123 North, Range 63 West of the 5th

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P.M., Brown County, South Dakota

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DAY CARE LICENSE RENEWAL: Tracy Whittlinger

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REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE: Scott Cunningham - Block Party

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SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON AUGUST 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. for the Transfer of

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Retail On-Sale Liquor License RL-5400 and Video Lottery License No. VL-1017 from City Lights

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Bar & Event Center LLC dba City Lights Bar & Event Center, 316 South 2nd Street to the Yelduz

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Trustees, Inc., 802 South Main Street

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SPECIAL LICENSE TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: City Lights Bar and Event

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Center LLC dba City Lights Event Center for the Shrine event: Chase the Fez/Shrine Bar Bingo

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on the following dates: 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, and 8/26, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 802 S

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Main St – contingent upon department approvals

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SPECIAL LICENSE TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: City Lights Bar and Event

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Center LLC dba City Lights Event Center for the Shrine event: Scheduled weddings on the

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following dates: 8/8, 8/15, and 8/29, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. at 802 S Main St –

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contingent upon department approvals

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Voice vote to approve, with Council Member Ward abstaining from item B, all present

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voting aye, motion carried.

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NEW BUSINESS

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PRESENTATION BY THE ABERDEEN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
VACATION TRAVEL INFORMATION
Executive Director & Outdoor Media Rep Casey Weismantel presented the visitors bureau
updates.
APPROVAL OF CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING REQUEST FROM DACOTAH
PRAIRIE MUSEUM FOUNDATION

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Dacotah Prairie Museum Director Patricia Kendall presented the funding request. Motion

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by Fouberg, second by Liebelt, to approve the funding request of the Dacotah Prairie Museum

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expansion project in the total sum of $250,000 dollars, with the length, terms, and funding source

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for such amount to be finalized by the City Manager, in coordination with the Finance Officer,

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and with funding disbursements to be approved by the City Council. Roll call vote to approve, all

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present voting aye, motion carried.

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DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF A WORKING TIMELINE FOR POSSIBLE
ADOPTION OF A DATA CENTER ORDINANCE

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City Attorney Wager reviewed and discussed with the Council a working timeline for a

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possible adoption of a data center ordinance. Motion by Johnson, second by Novstrup, to approve

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the following timeline of actions of the Council, Staff, and Planning Commission towards adoption

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of a data center ordinance prior to the sunsetting on November 18, 2026, of the moratorium on

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building and zoning permits regarding the construction, development, or operation of data centers

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established by Resolution No. 26-07-04R.:

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Date

Action

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8-17-26

Regular Meeting of City Council to receive input from data center industry
representatives

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8-31-26

Special Meeting of City Council to receive input from business interests

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9-14-26

Special Meeting of City Council to receive input from citizens

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9-21-26

Regular Meeting of City Council with Staff report to City Council re impact

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of data centers on community and comprehensive plan (i.e., zoning,

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housing, water, electrical, nuisances, etc.) and City Council to provide

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direction to Staff re framework of draft data center ordinance(s)

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9-28-26

proposed data center ordinance(s) to City Council

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Regular Meeting of City Council with Staff to present alternative drafts of

10-5-26

Regular Meeting of City Council to discuss data center ordinance(s), make

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revisions, and refer a proposed ordinance for Planning Commission’s

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recommendation

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10-8-26

proposed data center ordinance amending zoning regulations

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10-15-26

Publish newspaper notice of public hearing by City Council on proposed
data center ordinance amending zoning regulations

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Publish newspaper notice of public hearing by Planning Commission on

10-20-26

Regular Meeting of Planning Commission with Public Hearing for all

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interested persons and Planning Commission to make recommendation on

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proposed data center ordinance amending zoning regulations

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10-26-26

persons and first reading of data center ordinance(s), with amendments

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Regular Meeting of City Council with Public Hearing for all interested

11-2-26

Regular Meeting of City Council with second reading of data center
ordinance(s)

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11-18-26

Moratorium on building and zoning permits sunsets

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11-25-26

Data center ordinance(s) to become effective unless referendum invoked

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Voice vote to approve the timeline, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-07-05R FOR DEVELOPER TO SEEK

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

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AUTHORITY (SDHDA)

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City Manager McNeil presented the resolution. Motion by Ronayne, second by Ward, to

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approve first reading and passage of Resolution No. 26-07-05R supporting the affordable housing

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project of the developer, The Aster, LLC, and its application for financial assistance from SDHDA.

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Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-01, A PETITION TO

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REZONE FROM R-2 TO C-2, PROPERTY AT 210 & 316 ROOSEVELT STREET N,

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LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS PROPOSED LOTS 1-4, ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT

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CORPORATION ROOSEVELT INDUSTRIAL PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF

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ABERDEEN, ALL IN THE W½ OF SECTION 17-TOWNSHIP 123N-RANGE 63W OF THE

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5TH PM, BROWN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

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Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Nilson,

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second by Ekanger, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-01, a petition to rezone from

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R-2 to C-2, Property at 210 & 316 Roosevelt Street N, legally described as Proposed Lots 1-4,

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Aberdeen Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park Addition to the City of Aberdeen,

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all in the W½ of Section 17-Township 123N-Range 63W of the 5th PM, Brown County, South

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Dakota. Roll call vote to approve with Council Member Ward abstaining, all others present voting

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aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-02, A PETITION TO

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REZONE FROM R-2 TO I-2, PROPERTY AT 2816 INDUSTRIAL AVENUE NE, LEGALLY

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DESCRIBED AS PROPOSED LOT 5, ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

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ROOSEVELT INDUSTRIAL PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, ALL IN THE

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W½ OF SECTION 17-TOWNSHIP 123N-RANGE 63W OF THE 5TH PM, BROWN COUNTY,

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SOUTH DAKOTA

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Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Ekanger,

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second by Nilson, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-02, a petition to rezone from R-

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2 to I-2, Property at 2816 Industrial Avenue NE, legally described as Proposed Lot 5, Aberdeen

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Development Corporation Roosevelt Industrial Park Addition to the City of Aberdeen, all in the

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W½ of Section 17-Township 123N-Range 63W of the 5th PM, Brown County, South Dakota. Roll

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call vote to approve with Council Member Ward abstaining, all others present voting aye, motion

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carried.

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APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-07-03, A PETITION TO

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REZONE FROM M TO R-3, PROPERTY AT 824 THIRD AVENUE SW, LEGALLY

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DESCRIBED AS LOT 1, KELLER ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, IN THE SE¼

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OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 123 NORTH, RANGE 64 WEST OF THE 5TH PM, BROWN

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COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

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Community Development Director Hubbart presented the ordinance. Motion by Ronayne,

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second by Fouberg, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-07-03, a petition to rezone from

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M to R-3, Property at 824 Third Avenue SW, legally described as Lot 1, Keller Addition to the

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City of Aberdeen, in the SE¼ of Section 14, Township 123 North, Range 64 West of the 5th PM,

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Brown County, South Dakota. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF 2026-2027 ROADWAY DEICING SALT BID

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Public Works Director Thorstenson presented the bid. Motion by Ward, second by

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Johnson, to award the bid of approximately 2300 tons of Roadway Deicing Salt at $88.25 per ton

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in the approximate amount of $202,975.00 to BlackStrap Inc. of Neligh, NE, as lowest responsible

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bidder and authorize the City Manager and Finance Officer to sign the necessary documents after

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approval by the City Attorney. This is an increase of 39 cents per ton from last year’s bid. Roll call

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vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS FOR SERVICES FOR THE 2ND STREET BRIDGE
PRESERVATION PROJECT

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City Engineer Redinger presented the project. Motion by Ronayne, second by Nilson, to

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approve the following Proposals for Services for the 2nd Street Bridge project and for City

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Manager to execute the same: 1. IMEG Proposal for Services: Str. No. 07-112-325 Bridge

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Preservation Design and service fee in the amount of $25,424.65, 2. IMEG Proposal for Services:

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Str. No. 07-112-326 Bridge Preservation Design and service fee in the amount of $25,424.65, and

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3. IMEG Proposal for Services: Str. No. 07-112-327 Bridge Preservation Design and service fee

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in the amount of $25,424.65. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye, motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF PAY REQUEST #2 FOR ST-2026-2 (NORTH DAKOTA ROADWAY

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IMPROVEMENTS) IN THE AMOUNT $2,144,589.08 AND CHANGE ORDER #2 IN THE

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AMOUNT OF $109,548.00 TO REEDE CONSTRUCTION INC. OF ABERDEEN, SD

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City Engineer Redinger presented the pay request and change order. Motion by Nilson,

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second by Novstrup, to approve Pay Request #2 for ST-2026-2 (North Dakota Roadway

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Improvements) in the amount $2,144,589.08 and Change Order #2 in the amount of $109,548.00

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to Reede Construction Inc. of Aberdeen, SD. Roll call vote to approve, all present voting aye,

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motion carried.

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APPROVAL OF PAY REQUEST #9 FOR WT-2025-1 (WATER TOWER AND

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TRANSMISSION LINE) IN THE AMOUNT OF $574,513.09 TO DAHME CONSTRUCTION

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INC. OF ABERDEEN, SD FOR SCHEDULE A AND $223,772.50 TO LANDMARK

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STRUCTURES INC. OF FORT WORTH, TX FOR SCHEDULE B

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City Engineer Redinger presented the pay request. Motion by Nilson, second by Novstrup,

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to approve Pay Request #9 for WT-2025-1 (Water Tower and Transmission Line) in the amount

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of $574,513.09 to Dahme Construction Inc. of Aberdeen, SD for Schedule A and $223,772.50 to

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Landmark Structures Inc. of Fort Worth, TX for Schedule B. Roll call vote to approve, all present

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voting aye, motion carried.

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REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
Motion by Liebelt, second by Ekanger, to approve payment of the bills listed for July 27,

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2026.

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Bills having been audited by the Finance Officer and fully itemized and authorize the

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Mayor or City Manager to sign, and the Finance Officer to countersign, all warrants for payment

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of the following approved bills: United Parcel Service, 1,000.00; Dacotah Bank, 150.00;

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Paymentech, LLC, 6,000.00; Elavon Merchant Services, 500.00; Northern Electric, 10,000.00;

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Northwestern Energy, 180,000.00; Wellmark, 248,000.00; Delta Dental of S.D., 207.68;

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Optilegra, Inc., 25.84; Aberdeen Area Humane Society, 6,400.00; Agtegra Cooperative, 7,298.53;

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Asphalt Zipper, 119.23; Auto Value, Aberdeen, 260.40; BNSF Railway Co., 831.51; Brown

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County Treasurer, 28.70; Butler Machinery Co., 469.33; Climate Control, 424.95; Cole Papers,

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Inc., 729.13; Connections, Inc. EAP, 829.40; Core & Main, LP, 11,896.49; Crawford Trucks &

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Equip., 157.22; Crescent Electric Supply, 40.44; D&O Trucking, LLC, 1,000.00; Dahme

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Construction, 574,513.09; Dakota Electronics, LLC, 3,079.50; Dakota Fluid Power, Inc., 332.76;

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Dakota Supply Group, 89.53; Dependable Sanitation, 366.00; Diamond Vogel, 636.25; EZ-Liner,

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121.57; Faber Analytics, 3,000.00; Farm Power Mfg., Inc., 41.77; Federal Signal Corp., 5,272.44;

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Fire Safety First, 603.99; Flexible Pipe Tools & Equipment, 371.90; Guardian Life Ins. Co.,

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1,347.36; Haar Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 399.68; Harms Oil Co., 33,582.14; Hub City Radio,

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1,695.00; Jensen Rock & Sand, Inc., Mobridge, 33,167.80; Keith Lauder, 40.00; Ken's SuperFair

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Foods, 76.93; Kiesler Police Supply, Inc., 858.00; Kristi Sawatzky, 300.00; L&T Lawn Care, LLC,

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350.00; Landmark Structures I, LP, 223,772.50; Lawson Products, Inc., 481.52; Linde Gas &

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Equipment, Inc., 151.43; Locators & Supplies, Inc., 791.04; Mac's, Inc., 34.88; Marco

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Technologies, LLC, 416.10; Menards, Inc., 1,153.51; MTI Distributing, 1,074.45; Nelson Sales &

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Service, LLC, 303.39; O'Reilly Auto Parts, 9.79; Patriot Fire & Safety, Inc., 2,142.92; Pomp's

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Tire Service, 247.37; RDO Equipment Co., 1,730.76; Reede Construction, Inc., 2,144,589.08;

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Runnings Supply, Inc. #14, 536.57; Ryan DeRouchey, 43.90; Sansio, Inc., 1,324.31; Share Corp.,

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4,158.01; Stan Houston Equipment, Inc., 12,646.05; Steven Lust Automotive, 1,554.37; The

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Hazmat Guys Productions, Inc., 5,995.00; The Lamar Companies, 100.00; Triple C Pros Window

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Cleaning, 925.00; U.S. Bank Corp., St. Paul, 700.00; U.S. Geological Survey, 12,955.00; Vestis

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Group, Inc., 275.05.

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Payroll for the period from July 12, 2026, through July 25, 2026, and city share of social

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security, old age & survivor’s insurance, retirement, health and life insurance. EFTPS 237,681.04,

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SD Retirement Systems 116,617.94, Governing Body Council 3,921.89, City Manager 9,364.57,

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Attorney 9,296.92, Finance Office 21,586.57, Human Resources 15,733.63, Municipal Hall

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2,315.35, Computer Services 6,728.30, Community Development 19,099.20, Engineering

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13,890.43, Leif Redinger 89.49/hr, Police 194,266.08, Fire 190,445.74, Building Inspection

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8,296.00, Street 56,214.98, Kaylin Anderson 23.59/hr, Traffic Control 14,036.78, Utilities -

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General 41,972.61, Solid Waste 22,948.95, Wastewater Treatment 24,850.20, Utilities - Sewer

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16,657.74, Water Treatment Plant 32,005.54, Tim Koch 27.35/hr, Jason Vetch 27.35/hr, Utilities

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- Water 2,366.38, Airport 36,247.64, Jamie Hubert 23.59/hr, Cemetery 10,568.33, Transit

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29,525.53, West Nile 7,632.18, Meals On Wheels 740.52, Culture And Recreation 16,412.50,

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Concessions 13,794.34, Admin 12,174.02, Participant Rec 48,087.38, Park Rec ARCC 47,505.26,

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Michelle Fritz 19.25/hr, Grace Sheffield 15.25/hr, Aquatic Center 45,845.41, Park Rec Golf

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11,530.51, PC Complex 4,426.51, Park Rec Senior Center 6,829.25, Campground 8,849.07, Parks

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36,764.08, Parks/Wylie 34,885.69, Forestry 14,663.14, Library 39,203.89, City Econ Dev

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3,169.60
Roll call vote to approve with Council Member Fouberg abstaining to Dacotah Bank, all

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present voting aye, motion carried.

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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

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City Manager McNeil provided updates on the chip sealing project; reminded Council of

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the promotional funds application deadline of August 3, 2026; noted that the first proposed budget

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presentation will be held next week; and reminded Council of the August 17, 2026, work session

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at 4:00 p.m. regarding the license plate reader program and related technology.

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ADJOURNMENT

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There being no further business, motion by Johnson, second by Ekanger, to adjourn the

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meeting. Voice vote to adjourn, all present voting aye, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at

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6:57 p.m.

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Prepared by Steven Thithavong for the Finance Office. /s/Jordan McQuillen, Finance Officer