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The Slayton City Council approved moving forward with an application for the 2026 round of Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) during their June 16 meeting.
Jessica Foley, Director of Community Development for DSI, was present to update the council on the current SCDP, which funded rehabilitation on 19 owner-occupied homes, four single-family rentals and three commercial buildings in Slayton. Foley said the current program would close in September of this year.
During the application process, there were some homes that could not be funded. If the city were to move forward with a 2026 round, they could possibly begin processing applications for the program by Spring or Summer of 2027.
Slayton City Administrator Josh Malchow said the city does have funding to pay for the grant writing and initial application process. He recommended to councilors that they apply for the program.
A community interest survey will be sent out in early fall of this year, with DSI presenting the council results. Steps to move forward would then include a preliminary application to DEED. If approved, there would be a secondary application process that would include a public hearing.
In other council business, Briana Solheim and Amber Humphrey from the Murray County Medical Center gave a presentation on behalf of the MCMC Foundation to gauge the council’s interest in outdoor exercise equipment.
According to Solheim, the Foundation is looking for ways to support the health and wellness of the community. Outdoor equipment from the company Kompan is primarily for adults and installed in areas near parks. Equipment can vary at each site based on community size and can include leg lifts, free runner, arm bike and more.
Solheim said children generally play longer at parks if parents are nearby. The equipment would be free to everyone and available year-round.
The MCMC Foundation would take care of raising the funds – equipment costs are approximately $23,000 per site – but the city would need to provide the land and possibly installation.
Kompan representatives would come to the area to evaluate possible location sites. Solheim said they have also approached the cities of Fulda and Lake Wilson, but have not heard back from them.
The Slayton City Council gave Solheim approval to move forward with the site evaluation, calling the idea a “win-win” for Slayton.
The Slayton City Council also: Approved temporary liquor licenses for the fair and for the ECI pool party.
Approved a recommendation from Slayton Fire Chief Chris LeTendre that Brayden Ahlers and Scott Broeckle be removed from probationary status and onto permanent firefighter status.
Accepted the resignation of firefighter Steven Swanson.
