City Council: Veteran’s Parkway, Pool Fee Hike and Tension with Public Input

City Council discussed several things in last night’s meeting on June 9, 2015.

The changing a portion of Powder House Road and South Dakota Highway 11 to Veterans Parkway was presented.

Also discussed, increasing pool pass fees, from $15 to $60 for kids and $70 to $150 for families by 2018. Various opinions were shared regarding the elimination of free pool passes to financially qualifying children.

A second reading for both topics is in July.

Council did repeal city rebates for high efficiency washing machines as Darrin Freese, water program coordinator for the city said the initial goal of subsidizing the difference in cost between HE and standard machines is no longer valid as the price difference is minimal.

Council also reviewed the details of last week’s announcement of Foundation Park, the new commercial and industrial area near I-29 and I-90.  The city will decide on building infrastructure as it develops.

City council meetings are usually quiet and orderly, but there was tension with several citizens who wanted to challenge the rule to be allowed to only speak once during public input time with a five minute limit.  Mayor Huether asked for order and commented on the process saying applause and cheering are not allowed and neither is a spirit of public input turning into a debate.

Meetings usually take place Tuesday evenings at 7pm and is open to the public.  You can follow the meetings at www.siouxfalls.org.