City to discuss donating land for new school

The Tea City Council met May 15 with president of the council Chuck Ortmeier presiding in the absence of Mayor John Lawler.

The council heard from Jim Ihnen about the street dance he hosts during Teapot Days. He was seeking approval to hold a dance Friday of Teapot Days from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a rain date of Saturday. The council approved his dance.

They also approved the warrants, May 1 minutes and the agenda with the addition of executive session to discuss personnel.

The council approved the retail on-off sale malt beverage license for LBA, LTD d/b/a Wood Ridge Casino and Wood Ridge Casino Too and Tea Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Grandstay Hotel & Suites. They also approved the package off-sale malt beverage license for Olson Oil Co., d/b/a Get N Go #17, Cubby’s Inc. and Casey’s General Store.

In zoning, Tea Area School District superintendent Jennifer Lowery talked about the district’s plan for a new elementary school in the south part of the city. At the city’s June 5 meeting, the city will discuss donating 2.4 acres in exchange for non-school hours use of the gymnasium of that school.

Lowery also suggested they bid a third court as an add-altnerate for the city to identify true cost. They also talked about the need for streets to go in around the school.

The district is looking to bid the project in December or January if the bond passes. Main Avenue will need to be extended and Seventh Street will need to be constructed. Utilities superintendent Thad Konrad noted that construction crews could enter the site from South Main. However, those two streets would need to be completed before the school is projected to open in fall 2019.

She noted that the city’s engineer wanted to look more in depth at the traffic plan.

The council approved the hiring of Andrew Steinberg as a full-time police officer at $17 per hour. His planned start date is May 26. He spent some time on the Sioux Falls Police Department but due to a family illness he had quit the department to help on his family’s farm. He is filling the Tea Police Department’s SRO position.

The council also approved the hiring of four summer rec employees for the month of June. One will receive $10.25 and the other three will earn $9.25 an hour.

Sid Munson handed out some information on pumping wastewater. The council continued to discuss continuing to pump to Sioux Falls or building their own wastewater treatment plant. The topic will likely be on the June 5 agenda.

The council went into executive session at 7:47 p.m.