City approves resolutions for FEMA grant applications

By Benjamin Chase of the Plainsman
Posted 2/4/25

Notes from February 3 Huron City Commission meeting

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City approves resolutions for FEMA grant applications

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HURON –– The Huron City Commission spoke with Ted Dickey, program coordinator with the Northeast Council of Governments, otherwise known as NECOG, regarding two grants the city intends to apply for in order to construct a FEMA storm shelter at the baseball field.

The total cost of the project is a little more than $2 million, and if full grant funding is provided, the city would be responsible for $724,010.69. Dickey explained that the project will be submitted to the state through two grant programs for consideration. The first of these, the BRIC grant program, has its initial deadline of mid-February and would then face up to a year of review at the federal level if the state chooses Huron’s project.

Dickey expressed to the commission that construction would be “maybe 2026, likely 2027” for the project, assuming the usual turnaround response.

The commission discussed the potential of going forward with the project before a decision was made, and Dickey stated that a letter would simply be sent stating that the city no longer intends to participate in the particular grant program.

Both grant applications were approved.

The meeting opened with public forum, with Mayor Mark Robish reminding residents that the Huron Burger Battle began Saturday and runs through February.

The commission approved a payment to North Star Logistics LLC for the transfer station project in the amount of $515,227.62. Assistant engineer Dennis Bennett stated that the project is nearing completion.

The second reading of Ordinance 2269-18-69 adding definitions and adjustments to the flood plain ordinance was approved with no public comment received, according to city planner Barry Cranston. The commission also approved Resolution 2025-1 to add a variance process for flood plain zones as part of the revised ordinance.

Commissioners also:
• Set a public hearing date for Feb. 24 to consider the transfer of retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license from Toasted Coconut & Co. LLC to Toasted Coconut Lounge, both located at 33 4th St. SE.

• Approved a special event on-sale alcoholic beverage license filed by Top Floor Events for a Chamber Mixer on March 11 at Peaceful Pines Senior Living.
• Approved a letter of commitment as a participant in the Beadle County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Approved request for the fire chief to apply for funding for $28,239.44 through the South Dakota Homeland Security Grant Program for building access control systems at the fire halls.
• Approved a request from the police chief to apply for funding up to $30,000 from the Homeland Security Grant for shields for the department.
• Approved the declaration of five city-owned rifles as surplus and approved the transfer of the rifles to the Beadle County Sheriff’s Department.