HURON — City commissioners on Monday approved a $4,400 expenditure to Stockwell Engineers of Sioux Falls to prepare street renderings of Dakota Avenue South in advance of a major reconstruction project expected to come in 2024 or 2025.
City Engineer Brett Runge said the three separate street renderings are intended to provide before-and-after visual perspectives of what Dakota Avenue could look like with a center median and a bike path.
The renderings would include the areas between 14th and 21st streets, Fifth and Seventh streets and from Fifth Street north through the downtown area.
Runge said the engineering department believes the renderings are necessary to fully evaluate the city’s options before the state Department of Transportation begins designing the project this winter. The city will have the chance to provide input on potential amenities, he said. The state is currently doing surveys and will begin design work soon.
Commissioners Doug Kludt and Gary Harrington welcomed the renderings and the chance for city input, but expressed skepticism on how a center median and bike path could be practical. A median, for example, would cause problems with snow removal efforts, Harrington said.
It has been more than 40 years since Dakota Avenue South was reconstructed by the state and the new project is expected to last another 40 to 50 years, Runge said.
Meanwhile, bids for a separate project to reconstruct Dakota Avenue North, from Highway 14 north to 15th Street, are expected to be let in October for a 2019 project.
Meanwhile, the board approved first reading of an ordinance rezoning 450 Fourth St. N.E., the former location of Sibley Motors, from general business to general industrial to allow Basin Electric Power Cooperative to use the property for an office and warehouse and for the installation of a chain link fence at the back of the lot for secured storage of wire spools, small transformers, cross ties and poles.
Also, a 70-foot communications monopole will be erected behind the building. The tower will be licensed and won’t interfere with other devices.
Basin’s telecom lead, Derrick Freese, said the utility plans to update and improve the building in the next couple years.
In other business, commissioners tabled a variance application filed by John Kreyenschmidt, 806 Simmons Ave. S.E., to construct an addition to an existing garage that will be 17-feet, 4 inches from the sidewalk where code requires 20 feet.
Since a hearing examiner considered the application last month, Kreyenschmidt has proposed a compromise that involves curving the sidewalk toward the curb. After lengthy discussion and at the recommendation of City Attorney Jeff Banks, the request was delayed to determine if the relocated sidewalk would be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
There was also concern that the compromise has not been advertised so neighbors are aware of it.
A conditional use permit requested by Shane and Melissa Hood to operate a vacation rental home at 556 Nebraska Ave. S.W. was approved. The Hoods live next door and also plan to use the house as an “overflow” residence when out-of-town family members visit.
In other business, commissioners:
• Heard a semi-annual update from Kim Krueger, executive director of the Beadle County Humane Society. She said owners continue to be reminded to license their pets.
• Approved a permit filed by the student council for the Huron High School Homecoming Parade on Sept. 21, contingent on approval by the state Department of Transportation for use of Dakota Avenue South.
• Approved a $29,447 progress payment for Rexwinkel Concrete LLC of Corsica for concrete replacement.
• Approved a $948,749 progress payment for Kyburz Carlson Construction of Aberdeen for the public works building. The completion date is Sept. 18.
• Approved an $11,672 change order for Asphalt Paving & Materials Co. of Huron for paving of 24th Street Southeast. After an earlier deduct, the total project cost is slightly under the bid amount.
