HURON — In a brief meeting Monday evening, the Huron City Commission approved the appointment of Derek Layher as the Interim Chief of Police in training. Layher currently serves as Detective Captain with Huron Police Department.

This promotion comes on the heels of the recent announcement by Police Chief Kevin VanDiepen that he will retire, effective April 21, 2024. Layher’s appointment to acting Chief of Police is effective upon that day.

The meeting opened with a pair of public forum items. Mayor Gary Harrington expressed his appreciation for the Battle of the Badges softball game that was played Sunday at Klock Field.

Harrington stated that it was the seventh year of the game that raises funds for multiple organizations in Huron.

A Huron resident expressed his concern that Midco had left behind debris in his yard when they most recently did work to replace lines. He brought in a large piece of line that was in his lawn and multiple pieces of small debris from his yard. He was encouraged to talk with Midco about the debris.

Solid Waste Supervisor Dale Fortin spoke about the additional loads dropped off at the rubble site during the recent Day of Caring. He stated that city residents were able to request additional loads to be picked up at their residence during that time, and 14 residents took advantage of this while many used their utility bill to make an additional trip to the rubble site. Fortin relayed that 600 tons of rubble is brought into the site each year by Huron residents using their utility bills.

The commission approved an increase of $7,625 on the purchase of a new pickup for Sewer Treatment, but one was not available. The original budgeted cost was short of the current total price to order a truck, which is $47,625.

Commissioners also:
• Approved a raffle for Huron Hockey on Feb. 9, 2024, at Bergman Arena.
• Approved the Central Chapter of Credit Unions for six raffles between Sept. 19, 2023, and April 16, 2024 at locations throughout Huron.

• Approved the hire of Ethan Comes as part-time volunteer firefighter.
• Approved the bid request for propane quotes and set Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. for bid opening.
• Approved the previously-submitted plat by Lean Investments, LLC for Lot 1A of the Foss Addition.

The commission ended the meeting with a work session discussion on the 2024 city budget.