Chamber receives check at city council meeting
The Tea Chamber for Development received a $10,000 check from Dakota Business Finance at the Tea City Council meeting May 15.
The Chamber received the first place prize for having the most SBA 504 loans for a municipality under 50,000 people.
Jon Jacobson with Confluence presented the bids for phase 4 of the Athletic Complex. The council discussed the bids, synthetic turf and fence distances at length before awarding the bid to LT Companies Inc. for $1.76 million. The bid they accepted includes installing two new ball fields and the bid alternates of parking lot asphalt pavement, field lighting, small shade structure, trail extension, scoreboard and batting cage.
The council discussed making installing another field in 2024 a priority and explore an in-field synthetic turf on that field.
Jesse Fonkert with Sioux Metro Growth Alliance provided a mid-year update on their activities. In the last three years, they have revamped operations with the change from their old structure. They have hired more staff with a marketing person, a full-time staff member working in Harrisburg and two others working with other communities.
He said they can do whatever a city wants them to do given the right amount of time and resources.
“We want to be better than we were before,” Fonkert said.
The council approved blocking off a portion of East 2nd Street the Friday and Saturday of Teapot Days. Sky Lounge plans to add extra security and not allowing minors inside the gates. They are planning a street dance and dart tournament.
The council also approved an outdoor concert at Squealer’s for Friday night of Teapot Days. They plan to have the band play from 8-11 p.m.
Planning and zoning administrator Kevin Nissen reviewed the items the city has listed on the Transportation Improvement Program for the next five years. Projects currently on the list include two projects related to 85th Street and two related to Sundowner Avenue. The council discussed adding some pathway projects to the list.
The council approved the pay application for James Avenue storm sewer improvements from Metro Construction for $370,410.76.
They approved the on-off sale malt beverage and on-off sale South Dakota farm wine licenses for Jokers 7, Jokers 7B, Jokers 7C, Jokers 7D, Olson Oil Co. DBA Get N Go, Casey’s General Store on Brian Street, Casey’s General Store in Bakker Landing, Rivals, The Big Dill, Dollar General and Boss’ Pizzeria & Sports Bar Casino.
The council declared a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 and 2003 Dodge R15 as surplus property.
They went into executive session at 8:44 p.m.