City discusses animal ordinance at recent meeting

The Tea City Council met Nov. 3 and held a first reading on an ordinance on animals.

Community development director Albert Schmidt presented a first reading on ordinance 320. The ordinance specifically addresses the keeping of chickens within city limits. The proposed updates include a maximum of six total animals of chickens, quails or rabbits. Roosters are prohibited. Waterfowl would need a conditional use permit. The second reading on the ordinance will be at the Nov. 17 city council meeting.

The council approved the second reading and adoption of ordinance 327, an ordinance amending chapter 9, section 9.03 of the city of Tea on snow removal. Schmidt noted the main changes were requiring snow and ice removal from sidewalks within 48 hours of a snowfall. The changes also include where snow can be removed to and snow cannot be pushed on another person’s property without their written approval.

They also discussed ordinance 328, the 2026 appropriations ordinance. The council will hold a second reading of the budget ordinance on Nov. 17.

Schmidt presented information on a proposed variance at 2000 Manville St. The parking lot that was installed did not follow what was planned. It does match up with the property adjacent to it, but that property is in the county, where this property is in the city limits. 

A representative of Jeren Properties said they know they still have to plant trees. When the parking lot was asphalted, the contractor just matched it up with the existing parking lot. He noted if the city wants them to remove the asphalt it will be gravel or grass and people will still park on it because it is as narrow parking lot.

Councilman Aaron Otten said if it was an open lot to the north, he would feel differently, but since there’s another property there, it makes sense to make the parking lot the same.

The council approved the variance unanimously.

Schmidt said the second variance at 2910 N. Thompson Avenue is a single family home new build with covered patio. The depth of the house goes a little further than what is allowed. The city requires 25 feet but the variance request is for 20 feet. The site is unique in that it has a floodplain behind it and has a steep drainage area that will be difficult to cross to maintain the back lot if homeowners purchase the back lot.

The council approved the variance unanimously.

They approved the final pay application for the Heritage Parkway resurfacing project of $158,061.76 from T&R Contracting. The total project came in about $34,000 under the contracted price.

City administrator Justin Weiland has been working on an agreement with the city of Sioux Falls on an agreement for future maintenance and funding for the 85th Street interchange. The agreement calls for the two cities to split the maintenance costs 50-50 with Tea responsible for the south side. The council approved the agreement.

Weiland noted that a hotel developer has been in touch with the city. A hotel study needs to be done before a hotel will build. Since Covid, the responsibility of conducting these studies has been shifted to cities instead of developers. A study would cost about $12,000. Council members did not feel it was the time to do that and suggested Weiland go back to the developer and pitch sharing the cost of a study 50-50.

Weiland also noted the county commission will meet about the ambulance district proposed by Lennox Ambulance. He said Lennox will discontinue service outside of their city limits in 2027 unless a district is established.