The Britton City Council met Monday night, first convening as the city’s zoning board to consider three variance requests. Variances were approved for JTP Properties, owned by Joey Pierson, for a house project; for Erin Collins-Miles for a home addition; and for Barb McLaughlin for a shed.
Acting Public Works Supervisor Cameron Gerken updated the council on the city’s ongoing water meter replacement project, noting that a few meters still need to be installed. Council members revisited the possibility of adding a surcharge to water bills to help pay for the project.
Discussion focused on whether larger commercial water meter users should pay a higher surcharge than residential customers. The city plans to investigate how many users fall into each meter category before making a decision.
The council also discussed enforcement of the city’s ordinance regarding trees and shrubs encroaching into alleys. Gerken and Mayor Clyde Fredrickson said alley widths vary throughout town, but the goal is to maintain enough clearance for garbage trucks and propane delivery vehicles. Another letter will be sent to residents with overgrowth issues. Property owners will have until Aug. 15 to trim vegetation before the city completes the work and bills residents.
Council members briefly discussed repainting lines on Main Street. No action was taken, but the city plans to contact the South Dakota Department of Transportation to see whether the work could be coordinated with future highway line painting.
The council approved a request recommended by the Britton Economic Development Board involving an operating loan for a local business. Under the arrangement, the business owner will provide collateral and the city will pledge a $25,000 certificate of deposit as collateral for the remaining portion of the loan.
Event Center Director Laken Werner reported that G&R Controls recently completed a routine site visit at the Event Center and indicated that a lengthy list of repairs may be needed, including some potentially costly items. Werner said she had not yet received the final report.
Werner also announced that the city pool will be closed June 20-21 because of staffing shortages.
In his public works report, Gerken reminded residents that only vases and items built into headstones are allowed to remain at the cemetery. Other items, including flowers and shepherd’s hooks, were supposed to be removed by June 1, one week after Memorial Day. City crews will begin removing prohibited items next week.
Gerken also said the city plans to more strictly enforce the ordinance limiting stays at the RV park to 10 days because extended stays make mowing and maintenance difficult.
The council discussed street patching materials as well. Gerken said Jensen Sand & Gravel does not offer a price break for larger quantities, and council members asked city crews to measure the areas most in need of repair so the city can determine how much material to order.
At the close of the meeting, Fredrickson thanked outgoing council members Tim Dahme, Brian Beck, Cristy Davidson and Lindsey Kimber for their service. Newly elected council members will be sworn in at the next meeting July 13.
