By Jenny Kirk Among a handful of motions passed by the Slayton City Council at its meeting on Monday, March 6, was the approval to go ahead with roof repairs at the Water Treatment Plant. “The roof on the Treatment Plant hasn’t been worked on for quite some time, and we’re noticing a couple small leaks,” Slayton City Works Director Weston Mahon said. A minor inspection had been done last summer so they had an idea of what needed to be done. City Administrator Josh Malchow reminded the council that there had been discussion about it during budget season. “There is $40,000 in the water fund for this project,” Malchow said. A quote from Buysse Roofing Systems in the amount of $36,790 was included in the agenda packet. “It’s quite pertinent that it gets done as soon as possible,” Mahon said. Mayor Miron Carney figured it was roughly 38 years old. Mahon agreed, noting that he believed it was either 1985 or 1986 when it was constructed.
In unfinished business, the Council approved a motion to call a public hearing in regard to the special vehicle ordinance that had been discussed at the last council meeting. The Council was in agreement that the drafted ordinance that Police Chief Jeremy Steinle presented them was as they had discussed at the last meeting. Malchow anticipates posting the ordinance with the new changes online for the public to see prior to the public hearing. “This is pretty much exactly what we talked about.” Kate Harmsen stated.
Other unfinished business included information provided by an engineer as a second opinion about potential 34th Street asphalt and concrete costs. The Council had tasked Malchow with getting this second opinion, when several members questioned the high estimate from SEH. “Our old engineer, Scott LaVoy, now works for DGR in Sioux Falls,” Malchow said. “He’s still a good resource for things like this. He was very accommodating.” Most notably, Malchow said there was quite a bit of difference in the concrete estimates. “SEH is using $85 a yard for the estimate,” Malchow said. “Scott says he hasn’t seen anywhere near that, and he had pretty recent bid tabs from Pipestone, Willmar and Sioux Falls — projects within the last six months to a year. His suggestion was, when we went out to bid, to have concrete be an alternate and go that way.”
Malchow also updated the Council on the potential $2.5 million bonding project the city is attempting to move through the legislature. “The language for the bill is being finalized, according to Representative (Joe) Schomacker’s legislative assistant,” he said. “She’s been excellent in terms of pretty prompt communication back and forth.” He anticipates hearing back from her within the week. He will keep the council updated.
After approval of the minutes and claims at the start of the meeting, the Council added a sixth item to the agenda. The item was the 2023 AFSCME contract for city staff and city works department personnel who fall outside of the police department. Changes reported include a uniform allowance hike from $275 to $400, as well as a language change regarding steel-toe boots and steel-toe shoes. Language was also cleaned up in reference to resignation and retirement aspects. A motion to approve the union contract carried unopposed.
The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 20 at City Hall.
