HURON — As part of the public forum at Monday’s Huron City Commission meeting, Mayor Gary Harrington announced the donation of $20,000 from the City of Huron toward the HRMC dialysis unit.
Harrington cited former Huron mayor Paul Aylward’s involvement in the project as a driving force behind the city’s involvement.

Harrington and the city commission then presented a check to Dr. Robert Hohm, HRMC Foundation director Levi Kary, and HRMC CEO/President Erick Larson.

Harrington also relayed during the public forum time how important AED (automated external defibrillator) devices are for Huron emergency personnel to have on board. He relayed the stats for their usage year-by-year and also discussed a recent event where an AED potentially saved the life of someone traveling through Huron.

The commission approved three variance requests by unanimous vote.

The first was a variance by Restoration Church to allow a church and related uses and services at 304 Dakota Ave. S., the former site of the Ben Franklin store in downtown Huron. Significant work will need to be done on the interior of the building to make it usable, and Restoration Church pastor Tom Brantner explained to the commission that the project would likely not be completed until mid- to late-2024.

The second variance was filed by Preston Head to construct an addition to the current garage at 1109 Utah Ave. SE.

The location of the building would put it out of conformance with the setback requirements. Commissioners approved the variance with the stipulation that the shed on the property would be removed from the property upon completion of the project.

Finally, the commission approved a variance filed by Karen North for 442 Nebraska Ave. SW to hae a garage only on the lot. The current home on the lot is dilapidated and requires removal. North agreed to not utilize the lot for outdoor storage and maintain the lot. This was approved.

City engineer Brett Runge presented two agreements dealing with the construction of the new solid waste transfer station. The first was with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company to provide construction administration services at an hourly rate not to exceed $410,000. The second was with Foerster Testing to provide construction testing at a rate of $19,200. These were both approved.

Runge also presented an agreement from DGR Engineering to complete design of three sanitary wet well improvements at the cost of $39,000. This was approved.

Commissioners approved an addendum to the lease agreement with Blue, Wheeler, and Banks to rent office space at City Hall. The addendum increased the yearly rent by three percent. This was approved by the lessee and by the commission.

The commission also:
• Accepted the resignation of Brooke Mitchell, 911 telecommunicator, effective Sept. 1, and approved advertising for the position.
• Approved a 2023-2024 retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license as well as a 2023 retail on-off sale wine and cider license for Tokyo Sushi and Hibachi at 2233 Kansas Ave. SE.

City commissioners met for a work session regarding the 2024 budget following the public meeting.