HURON — The Monday evening agenda sheet for the Huron City Commission was significantly dominated by almost 20 personnel items that were part of the consent agenda.

To begin the meeting, Mayor Gary Harrington read a proclamation naming May 11-17 as National Police Week in Huron as well as declaring May 15 as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day in the city. As part of his proclamation, Mayor Harrington read the names of the three Huron officers who have died while on duty.

Assistant city engineer Dennis Bennett addressed the first major item on the agenda, which was a progress payment to Gridor Construction Inc for work on the wastewater treatment facility in the amount of $506,491. He stated that the current work is primarily being done in the pretreatment facility.

Mayor Harrington asked Bennett to estimate, by percentage, how much of the project is complete at this point. Bennett’s response was “roughly 70%,” stating that the estimated completion date should be within a week or two of the actual completion date. The commission approved the payment.

Huron police chief Kevin VanDiepen explained the next item, which was a request to apply for and accept any awarded funds from the United Way for the city’s Shop-With-A-Cop program. VanDiepen stated that the department would be applying for $1,500 toward the program, which allows underprivileged children to purchase gifts for Christmas with members of the police, sheriff, highway patrol, and fire departments, along with EMS.

This was approved.

Commissioners also:
• Changed the probationary period for Taylor Sorenson, full-time firefighter.
• Approved a probationary period and residency waiver request for Dave Syverson, police officer.

• Approved a residency waiver for Tomlyn Toy, 911 telecommunicator.
• Approved a wage correction for Cailey Coss, gymnastics.
• Approved the transfer of Madison Perry to concessions.
• Approved the termination of Jacob Millette and Brett Christman from police officer position.
• Approved the hire of Chad Beck for the volunteer firefighter position.
• Approved the relief of Logan Rietveld and Alex Griffith from the probationary period for the volunteer firefighter position.
• Approved a request to post internally for the fire lieutenant position.
• Approved the hire of Terry Rasmussen and Tristan Nelson for seasonal golf maintenance.
• Approved the hire of Samuel Kruse and Mason Davis for concessions.
• Approved the promotion of Brian Dunn to the fire captain position.
• Approved name correction from Lynne Hanten to Lynne Marcus, part-time Parks & Recreation employee.
• Recognized the retirement of Rollie Hotchkin from the Street Department after 28 years of service.
• Approved the posting and advertising for a mechanic for the Street Department.
• Approved May 14 as Buddy Poppy Day.
• Approved May 27-28 as Poppy Days.
• Approved 2022 City board and committee assignments.
• Approved parade permit filed by the South Dakota State Fair for June 4, contingent upon approval by the South Dakota Department of Transportation for use of Dakota Ave (Hwy 37).

The commission ended the meeting with a work session regarding the solid waste department and potential city-wide cleanup efforts.