HURON –– The Huron City Commission denied two variance request applications as part of their meeting on Monday evening at City Hall.

The first variance was filed by Jonathon and Callee Wachter at 1940 Riverview Dr. Their variance asked to build an addition closer to the lot line than the current variance allows. Two neighbors spoke in opposition to the variance, citing privacy issues for neighbors and potential precedent set by permitting the variance. The Wachters explained that their variance covered the current build of their deck, no additional currently unoccupied footage, but commissioners cited that the deck is not considered permanent housing, and therefore did not impact the current variance application. The commission voted unanimously to deny.

The second variance request was filed by Iglesia Nueva Jerusalem to locate an apartment on the main floor of a commercial building. Three area businesses spoke against the variance, citing parking concerns. The commission explained to the applicants that while they could still rent two upstairs apartments in the building, the construction of an apartment on the main level was denied unanimously.

In public forum, Commissioner Shawn Harvey explained that the intersection of Third St. S. and Dakota Ave. would have closures upcoming as street lights are raised at the intersection.

The East/West travel along Third St. would be closed during the work while North/South travel along Dakota Ave. will be slowed significantly and could be subject to flagging at times as the project is completed.

Two bids were approved by the commission. The first is the bid opening set for 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 for the five-year lease of city-owned hayland. The second was for a 2 p.m. bid opening on Feb. 18 for the 2025 street milling and overlay bids.

City engineer Brett Runge presented the commission with an agreement for an updated water rate study to be completed in 2025 regarding water rates from 2026-2030.

Three ordinances received approval from the commission. The first was the second reading of Ordinance 2268-24-11 regarding front footage requirements in cul-de-sacs. The second ordinance was a first reading of Ordinance 2267-23-145 that clarified structure definitions and also clarified language regarding fences in an R-2 zoned district.

This was approved, and second reading is set for Feb. 10. The final ordinance was Ordinance 2269-18-69 regarding adjustments to the flood plain ordinance. This was approved with the second reading set for Feb. 3.

Commissioners also:
• Approved a property tax abatement elderly freeze for Melvin and Janice Dosch.
• Accepted the voluntary retirement of Leigh Smith, Water-Sewer Maintenance 2, effective Jan. 24 and thanked Smith for 33 years of dedication to the city.
• Approved posting internally and advertising, if needed, for a water-sewer maintenance uncertified position.
• Accepted the transfer of Andrea Rietveld from Police Sergeant to Detective Sergeant, effective Feb. 9.
• Approved posting internally for a police sergeant and patrol officer.
• Approved an adjustment to Police Sergeant Bryon Reff’s 2025 hourly wage.

• Approved the hire of Noah Appel as volunteer firefighter, effective Jan. 6.
• Approved the resignation of Brittany Layher, accounting technician, and approved posting to hire for the position.
• Approved pay request of $273,432.74 to HK Solutions group for the 2024 sewer main lining.

The commission adjourned into a work session regarding the FEMA shelter construction at Memorial Ballpark.

Resolutions will be forthcoming on that project to attempt to utilize grant funding.

The commission then adjourned into executive session regarding contractual matters.