BELLE FOURCHE—The Belle Fourche City Council held a meeting on April 15. Mayor Randy Schmidt reported that the Belle Fourche Banner Settlement Fund, which provides financial support to the provision of elderly and health care in Belle Fourche, was able to donate a total of $7,000 this year. The recipients were Action for the Betterment of our Community ($200), Meals on Wheels ($900), Belle Fourche Silver Lining ($1,400), Belle Fourche Ministerial Association ($1,500), St. James Episcopal Church/Delta Dental Mobile Clinic ($1,500), and Good Shepard Clinic ($1,500). The total donated since the fund’s inception in 2006 is $85,541.22.
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement, which recognizes systems and their operators who demonstrate excellence in water system management and maintenance, was presented to Aaron Fowler, Ryan Reeves, Ryan Stedillie, and Steve Nafus.
Following the Mayor’s Report was a public hearing for the rezoning petition of Mountain View Development Group, LLC to be changed from Single Family Residential District to Small Lot Single Family District. No one present was in support or against the petition.
The Museum and Visitor Center Board approved Museum Director Kristi Thielen’s recommendation to hire Lorrie Vandever as Seasonal Assistant for the Museum and Shane McGraw as Program & Events Assistant for the Museum.
Next, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of Resolution 11-2024 Annexation, wherein property owned by Andy Coyle and Forest Sainsbury is proposed to be annexed by petition signed March 19, 2024. The Planning and Zoning Commission also resolved that Lot 3 and Lot 5, Hat Ranch 2 Subdivision, would be transferred from Rural Service District to Urban Service District.
The Police Committee recommended approval to purchase a 2022 Dodge Charger from the Kansas City Highway Patrol for the amount of $32,150. The new Charger will replace the 2018 Charger that was totaled in an accident. The insurance payout on the 2018 vehicle was $25,670.57.
Finally, the Public Works Committee recommended approval of the quote from Architectural Specialties for the replacement of the Rec Center pool doors and windows in the amount of $12,457.73.
Regular agenda items included a first reading of Ordinance 2-2024 and Ordinance 3-2024, which involve city zoning and city cemeteries, respectively. A motion to approve the Canvas of Municipal Election Results for Mayor, Ward 1, and Ward 2 carried. Also carried were motions to approve authorization for Mayor Schmidt to sign a State of South Dakota Agreement for Community Wayfinding Sign Program between the Department of Transportation and the City of Belle Fourche; and for Technology Inc. to install cameras and necessary equipment at City Hall as part of a city-wide camera system initiative. Total amount for the cameras and equipment is $22,675.71.
Clark Sowers thanked Hailey Hanzlik of the Engineering Department for her work in securing preparation for the burial site for his son, Richard. He also thanked Police Chief Ryan Cherveny, Lieutenant Tony Garcia, and the Police Department for their presence.
City Engineer Brent Hardy gave clarification on the steps in the process involved with the Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Additionally, Hardy gave a brief update on the Hat Ranch Well #3 project and a plan to take advantage of the SD Highway Improvement presence in Western South Dakota to complete crack sealing.
In closing, Mayor Schmidt thanked the Public Works department for their work on the water break over the previous weekend.
The next City Council meeting will be May 6, 2024 at 6 p.m.
