The Britton City Council met Monday night and addressed several questions raised by the public in an anonymous letter, as well as swore in a new councilman.
The council revisited whether people watching council meetings through Zoom are allowed to make public comments. City Attorney Justin Scott said he looked into the matter and determined that the requirement to allow public comment through Zoom applies when a meeting is being conducted by teleconference. Since Britton’s meetings are not being conducted that way, with a council member participating remotely, the city is not required to open Zoom to public comment.
The council also received an anonymous letter from residents identifying themselves as “Concerned Taxpayers.” The writers said they feared retaliation if their names were made public. The council decided to read the letter, although officials noted they were not obligated to do so.
One concern in the letter involved a comment about Mayor Clyde Fredrickson allegedly saying that he could condemn property with the swipe of a pen. Fredrickson called the claim “an absolute falsehood.” He said there is nothing that allows a mayor to condemn a property and that condemnation would require a court decision.
The letter also questioned the status of a list of white goods that city garbage services would accept. The issue had been discussed at an April 2025 meeting, when the city said it would create a list and post it on the city website. The list has not yet been posted. Fredrickson agreed that the city should provide the information and suggested residents contact Lehr Sanitation with questions about what items are accepted.
Several questions in the letter concerned the city swimming pool and pool manager Laken Werner. The letter questioned why the city held a fundraiser for pool furniture and whether Werner had looked into grants. Werner said grants were available for items such as pool furniture, but not for pool maintenance, salaries or repairs. A grant was indeed applied for though the city did not receive it.
The letter also asked about establishing a pool and park board. Officials said the city would like to establish such a board. Questions were also raised about private swimming lessons. Werner said the pool provided 16 private lessons this summer and had filled its available schedule before fitting in two additional lessons.
The number of days the pool was closed was also questioned. Werner said the pool was closed two days in June and two days in July because of staffing shortages. She said staff worked to keep the pool open whenever possible, including closing sections of the pool rather than closing the entire facility when staffing was limited. Werner said she also occasionally works as a lifeguard to help keep the pool open.
Councilman Erik Peterson defended Werner’s work at the pool, saying he commended her leadership and that the pool had a great summer. He also praised the lifeguards for their work. Fredrickson described the letter as “vindictive and spiteful.”
In project updates, the council discussed the pavement maintenance plan. Fredrickson said special meetings outside of regular council meetings will likely be needed to work through road issues with assistance from ISG engineering. The council also continued discussion of the city’s water meter project and a possible surcharge.
The council filled a vacant Ward II council seat by nominating Phil Pruitt. Pruitt was sworn in and will serve a one year term following the resignation of Norm Mack. His term will run until the next election.
The council also revisited its policy regarding cell phone reimbursement for city employees who use personal phones for city business. Councilman Jerome Marlow said Event Center Director Laken Werner should not be expected to answer city questions on her personal cell phone outside of business hours, including questions related to weekend events at the Event Center. Marlow said residents should not expect city employees in a small town to be available for answers during evenings and weekends.
Marlow made a motion that the city not provide cell phone reimbursement, but the motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Kirk Greeno then made a motion to provide Werner and city public works employees with $20 per month for cell phone use. Marlow voted against the motion, which passed.
Fredrickson also reported that the city had $5,600 in credit from the Federal Aviation Administration. The South Dakota Department of Transportation asked whether the city would transfer the funds to an airport in Sturgis. Fredrickson said he could not make that decision without council approval, and there was not enough time to hold a special meeting. The money will return to the federal fund. Fredrickson said he hoped the city could vote in the future to keep similar funds in South Dakota.
Councilman Marlow raised the issue of the sale barn property, which the city purchased several years ago and has continued to lose money on, according to him. The council discussed whether the property should be sold or whether the city should charge rent to entities using or encroaching on that property and other city property. Fredrickson recommended forming a committee to study the matter. Marlow, Greeno and Pruitt were appointed to the committee.
The council also began preliminary discussions on the 2027 budget. Fredrickson said the city is not behind on revenue year to date and that officials will examine the budget in greater detail during future meetings. The budget does not need to be approved until November.
During committee reports, officials discussed the water meter project and whether the project should be funded through a surcharge or by purchasing the meters. Marlow, Peterson and Pruitt will serve on that committee.
Werner reported that the swimming pool had more than 132 group lessons and 16 private lessons this summer. Attendance was approximately 5,000, with the pool bringing in about $40,000 in revenue, approximately $15,000 more than budgeted. Public Works Supervisor Cameron Gerken said the city also saved money on propane by turning the heat off during the middle of the summer when temperatures were particularly warm.
In the public works report, the council voted to supplement the street budget by $16,000. Gerken said the additional funds will allow the city to purchase approximately 10 more loads of hot mix for road repairs.
The council also approved summer help for mowing at the cemetery. They convened as a zoning board and approved a plat for Terry Haven. The project will also require action from Marshall County because the property falls under joint jurisdiction.
