BRITTON COUNCIL TALKS PROJECTS

    At the Britton City Council meeting on Monday night, several people from the Baseball and Softball Program were in attendance. Baseball participant Will Richter thanked the council for all the city has done for the program and improving the ballparks. The fundraising committee distributed a handout listing what they’ve been working on at the park. Completed projects include new dugouts, tiling the main field, work to the backstop and fence work. They have other work planned, including turning the south field, irrigation on the north and south field, more dugout and bench work plus other projects. 
    The committee asked that the council consider matching grant funds in the amount of $130,000 for a lighting project that the city has been tentatively approved for. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson expressed concern about coming up with that money in the near future. The two groups will continue conversations about the funds as the grant has not been officially awarded yet. 
    Kathy Holman and Terry Hoffman with Community Transit were present at the meeting to follow up on a discussion several months ago regarding adding a bathroom and office to their current garage on Hwy 10 on the west side of town. The transit garage is titled in the name of the city, but Transit will pay for the project with the help of grant funds. The council noted that they are fine with Transit making modifications to the building.
    Chayse Waagen was present at the meeting to discuss a confrontation he had with the city’s contracted sanitation service. Waagen noted that last week, the employees of Lehr Sanitation took and crushed one of his trash cans. Waagen said when he confronted the employees, he was met with aggression and profanity and was told that his garbage is regularly too heavy. Waagen added that he walked away from the situation to deescalate it. The next day, he noted that the destroyed can had been replaced with one of lesser value. He told the council that he wanted his can replaced and a warning system in the event one’s garbage didn’t comply with city code. The council expressed interest in a warning system and Fredrickson added he would speak to the sanitation service. 
    The airport land lease was discussed. The current lessee, Ray Effling, was present and noted he would like to keep the lease past the end of this year without it being bid out. He explained his family has worked that land for six years and improved it.  He noted he would negotiate with the city. City Attorney Justin Scott confirmed that the city is not required to go through the bidding process, but a resolution and a public hearing is required. The council passed a measure to move forward with posting their intent to negotiate a lease with Effling. 
    Fredrickson noted that the business Mitek wants to put up a new building in Britton. Previously, he had mentioned that they may be interested in space in the sale barn lots. Fredrickson said it would be a stable business with good tax revenue. He added that the company is still finalizing the building. Fredrickson said he would continue to have discussions with the business regarding their infrastructure needs. 
    During a discussion of the city’s fee schedule, Finance Officer Jennifer Athey noted that liquor license fees for both on and off sale need to be adjusted per South Dakota codified law. The fee for on sale licenses should be not less than one dollar per person in the city based on the last census.  Renewals also need to be charged for though that hasn’t previously been the case. 
    The council approved a Britton Economic Development Board request for a $70,000 guaranteed loan for a local business.
    The meeting ended when a council member had to leave and there was no longer a voting quorum. They will likely meet again next week.