[0:04] I call this meeting of the Peer City Commission to order. Please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance

[0:12] to the five of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing. We've got Father Holthauser here for the invocation. Welcome, Father. Thank you. Thank you very much. So much to give praise to God. So let's just do that. Praise to Lord God.

[0:36] almighty for all the good things you've given to us as we continue to move through the season of

[0:43] spring. You bring us the rain and the sunshine and all those things that are necessary to promote

[0:49] growth and the advancement of who we are in a society with the people of great optimism.

[0:56] We ask that all the decisions that we make in the changing world lead us closer to you. We ask that

[1:02] to continue to bless this commission, bless all the employees, the staff members of the

[1:07] city.

[1:08] May they continue to give praise to God for the good things you have given to us and

[1:12] may you continue to bless our agricultural based economy and all the elected and appointed

[1:17] officials who serve in this community.

[1:20] We ask for your blessings in every way possible and we thank you for all that you have given

[1:25] us, you who live and reign.

[1:26] God forever and ever.

[1:28] Amen.

[1:29] Amen.

[1:29] All

[1:33] right, we do have a poll commission tonight, so they see looking at the agenda.

[1:37] Are there any changes?

[1:38] No, changes to the agenda, Mayor.

[1:40] Okay, thank you.

[1:41] We'll go ahead and proceed then.

[1:42] The first item is the public comment period.

[1:44] The City of Pierce had a site 15 minutes for the public to address the commission on any items that they would like.

[1:50] So I will now open up the public comment period.

[1:53] If there's anyone here from the public that would like to address the commission, please come up to the microphone and let us know who you are.

[2:00] I see no one moving towards the podium, so I will close the public comment portion and bring it back to the commission.

[2:09] There's no special business tonight, tonight on the consent calendar.

[2:14] We've got the regular minutes of the regular meeting April 21st, 2026.

[2:20] We've got a new hire in the engineering department as interns of Tate,

[2:27] We've got a new hire in the water department as the meter utility locates as a seasonal of Chase Hanson and we've got new hires as the outdoor pool seasonal lifeguards and there's a number of them as printed on the agenda so we won't read every one of them.

[2:46] We've got the raffle request of the boys and girls club.

[2:49] We've got a raffle request from Pa's animal shelter and we have the claims his their motion

[2:55] We'll deproved second motion and a second so further discussion

[3:00] Here we none please call the roll commissioner Hizenga Johnson

[3:03] Hi, Lursa, I write so I

[3:06] Motion carried there's no

[3:09] There's no unfinished business tonight. So the first item on your new business is the

[3:14] The introduction of Platt of lots one and two of the Shangri-La addition for

[3:21] Clint Freeman of Shangri-La properties, LLC, and M. Align is here to bring us up to date.

[3:27] And this is introduction only. Welcome M. Align.

[3:30] Thank you.

[3:31] Yes, tonight I am doing an introduction to the Platt request.

[3:35] The subject property is located on an on-platted parcel on the east side of Arthur Avenue, north of Elizabeth Street.

[3:43] Lot 1 is approximately 1.71 acres and Lot 2 is approximately 0.946 acres.

[3:53] Clint Freeman is proposing to build a 4,800 square foot building on Lot 1 and a 7,000 square foot building on Lot 2.

[4:03] Both buildings are intended for storage and or business use.

[4:08] The property is currently zoned light industrial, so it would not require any rezoning action.

[4:16] And there are two existing utility services, four water and sewer sub already to the lots.

[4:23] The Planning Commission met on April 27th, and at that meeting they recommended approval of the plat.

[4:28] Again, tonight's item is introduction only, and I'll be back with it next week for final action.

[4:35] I'll be happy to answer any questions.

[4:36] All right, thank you, Emily.

[4:38] Are there any questions by any of the commissioners?

[4:44] All right, we don't have any questions, so we'll see it when you bring it back then, Emily.

[4:50] Okay, well, you don't get to leave too soon here tonight.

[4:54] So the next item is the introduction and set May 12, 2026 at 5.45pm for

[5:01] public caring for the conditional use permit for multiple family use at 302 East Dakota Avenue for

[5:07] for Chappelle Investments LLC and MLM again.

[5:12] Yes, I'm just going to give an introduction like you said.

[5:16] The property is located at 302 East Dakota Avenue, which is the former City Hall site.

[5:23] And is lot three of tracked one of Chappelle properties LLC.

[5:29] The request is brought by the current owner of Chappelle properties LLC as well as the petitioner stencil group.

[5:37] and it's for a multifamily use in local business district zoning to build an apartment building with eight studio apartments, 35 one bedroom units and 49 two bedroom units.

[5:54] This evening, I'm requesting the City Commission to set a public hearing for May 12th, 2026 at 5.45 pm.

[6:03] If approved, a public notice will be sent to the seven adjacent property owners, and

[6:08] a notice will be published in the newspaper.

[6:10] All interested parties are welcome to attend the public hearing.

[6:13] And may also contact me at City Hall with any questions or comments.

[6:18] Okay, thank you, Emily.

[6:20] Are there any questions or comments from any of the commissioners?

[6:22] Commissioner, I think.

[6:23] Thank you, Mayor.

[6:25] Emily, it's pretty exciting.

[6:26] This has been a long time coming.

[6:28] And it predates even you being part of the city government here.

[6:32] We've been talking about this for a number of years and the history of this.

[6:37] And it was a city hall and with big visions and then COVID hit and

[6:43] interest rates and but here we are where we've talked about housing.

[6:49] It's a big part of the last couple of elections we talk about housing.

[6:53] we are doing our part to facilitate this and Mayor Harding's done a lot to, he didn't forget about it and you know, the started with Higgs and now it's stencil and you know, there's been a, it's a long, windy road to get to this point but some housing, you know, started at 60 units now, we're at 90 units downtown, beautiful facility.

[7:16] We know who stencil is, the facility's rate.

[7:21] The last, the department they just built is right outside City Hall.

[7:24] Beautiful facility, filled up, it's a pretty exciting time.

[7:28] So, looking forward to the meeting on May 12th, so thank you.

[7:34] Thank you.

[7:35] Further questions or comments by any of the commissioners?

[7:39] Yes, the commissioner alerts that.

[7:41] Thank you.

[7:41] What is it currently zoned as?

[7:44] Currently it is a central business district, and so in central business district in order to have a multiple family use, it is a conditional use in that zoning district.

[7:57] So, thank you.

[7:58] No problem.

[7:59] Further questions or comments by any of the commissioners?

[8:03] All right, then we do need to take action on this to set the May 12th public hearing. Is there a motion?

[8:09] I would make a motion to set a public hearing for May 12, 2026 at 5.45 pm, to consider the conditional use permit for multiple family use at 302 East Dakota Avenue by Chapelle Investments LLC.

[8:24] I second motion and a second is a further discussion.

[8:28] Hearing none, please call the roll.

[8:30] Commissioner Hisenga Johnson.

[8:33] Who's that?

[8:33] Aye.

[8:34] Right, so Mayor Herding.

[8:35] Aye, motion carried.

[8:36] Thank you, Amaline, and we have one more for you.

[8:41] So the next item under New Business is the request for proposals for the 2027 through 2037 Comprehensive Plan Update, and Amaline will present.

[8:54] Amaline.

[8:55] Thank you so much.

[8:57] Yes, for those who are maybe watching at home or joining in, you see me come and do flat updates, things like that.

[9:06] So, my job as city planner does include, you know, replats and conditional use permits and all those things.

[9:12] But another really exciting piece of the job that I do is ensuring that we are using and updating our comprehensive plan.

[9:22] And so, that's why I come to you tonight to request authorization like you said, to issue requests for proposals for

[9:31] consultant services to update the City of Peer Comprehensive Plan.

[9:36] And to give you some background, the Comprehensive Plan is the City's long-term planning guide.

[9:43] And so it helps guide land use and zoning decisions, infrastructure, investments, housing, transportation.

[9:50] Our current Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2008 and was intended to guide development through 2020.

[9:57] And so since then, peers experience changes in growth patterns, housing needs, infrastructure

[10:04] priorities, demographics, and community goals that are not fully reflected in our existing

[10:11] plan.

[10:13] And so an updated plan is important for several reasons.

[10:16] It provides clear policy framework for when we're reviewing development proposals and rezoning

[10:22] requests.

[10:22] It supports eligibility and competitiveness for state and federal grant funding.

[10:28] It helps guide future capital investment and infrastructure planning.

[10:33] And it ensures the city decisions are aligned with current community needs and goals.

[10:39] Perfect, the request for proposals does outline a comprehensive plan update rather than a complete rewrite of our plan.

[10:49] And so the consultant services would include a review of our existing 2008 comprehensive

[10:55] plan, as well as other adopted plans.

[10:58] So that includes like our city of peer housing study that was done in 2008, and the update

[11:03] to that study that was done in 2022, a public engagement process to gather community input,

[11:11] a current and future land use assessment, implementation strategies to guide city actions

[11:16] over the next 10 years, and a presentation and final plan to City Commission and the Planning Commission for adoption.

[11:26] So if authorized tonight, staff would proceed with advertising and distributing the RFP and proposals would be accepted through June 4th, 2026.

[11:36] City staff would then review proposals and if necessary conduct interviews before returning to City Commission with a recommended consultant for contract approval.

[11:47] The anticipated project timeline is approximately 12 to 18 months once a consultant is under contract.

[11:56] And I kind of just want to end by saying I personally am really looking forward to the community and public engagement piece of it.

[12:05] because I really think that a comprehensive plan depends on that strong community

[12:11] involvement. I think an important goal of the update is to engage residents and

[12:16] stakeholders throughout the process to ensure that the plan is thoughtful,

[12:21] inclusive and aligned with our local needs. So with that, I'll be happy to take any questions.

[12:28] All right, thank you, and Emily. Are there questions or comments of Emily?

[12:32] Commissioner Jeff.

[12:33] Thank you, Mayor.

[12:34] Since you've only been here a short time, were you told when you started, why we were so far behind in establishing a new comprehensive plan?

[12:43] You know what? I was not.

[12:47] Thank you.

[12:48] Yes, no problem.

[12:49] Commissioner Reitzel.

[12:50] Thank you, Mayor.

[12:52] Emily, thank you for mentioning the public engagement.

[12:54] You said it a number of times, and I think it's an important part of this scope of what we're doing that the public will be aware that their voice and what they want to hear.

[13:03] what they want to see in this plan, will be represented moving forward.

[13:08] So that they should keep their eyes out for that when this plan does go.

[13:11] And so that can get the public engagement aspect put together.

[13:16] So thank you.

[13:17] Thank you.

[13:18] Further questions or comment?

[13:19] Commissioner Lurseth.

[13:21] Thank you.

[13:21] This kind of piggybacks off of what Commissioner Ricele just said.

[13:25] But how does this work?

[13:26] Is there like someone walking around downtown with clipboard, is asking people questions?

[13:31] Yeah, so part of when we, when consultants send back to us in RFP, part of that will be they'll outline how they plan to do the public engagement piece.

[13:44] So it can involve, lots of different places do it in different methods, but it can include, and will definitely include specifically public meetings.

[13:54] Sometimes it's a specific website that people can go out and do, yeah, have surveys, community surveys, so it'll look different depending on who ends up being chosen to, I think, help update the plan.

[14:07] Okay, thank you.

[14:09] Further questions or comments?

[14:10] Comments on your right, Phil.

[14:11] Thank you.

[14:12] One more for you.

[14:12] The 2008 plan is that on our website, somewhere the city website.

[14:16] It is, yup, yup, it's under the engineering and planning section of the website.

[14:22] Thank you.

[14:24] Further questions or comments?

[14:26] Mayor, can I?

[14:27] Yes.

[14:28] Go ahead.

[14:28] Just a reminder, just for all of you, we did discuss this in the budget.

[14:31] So this is a budgeted item for $2,026.

[14:36] Yeah, I've been looked at a lot, so it's time to get it done, for sure.

[14:43] Okay, further questions by any of the commissioners.

[14:47] Okay, then we do need to take action, so it's very motion.

[14:52] Make a motion to authorize requests for proposals for consultant services to update the city of Pierce Comprehensive Plan.

[15:00] Second. Motion and a second is a further discussion. Hearing none, please call the roll. Commissioner Heisingde. Hi. Johnson. Hi.

[15:08] First, aye. Ritsel. Mayor Herding. Aye. Motion carried. Thank you, Mr. Amalai. Thank you. All right. That concludes our agenda for tonight. So we will go into dialogue and start with Commissioner Ritsel. All right. I have a few tonight here, Mayor. Thank you. We'll start with the 2026

[15:29] seasonal passes at the outdoor pool. As we look ahead to summer, the outdoor pool season passes are now available.

[15:38] Seasonal passes are a great way for families to take advantage of the pool all season long.

[15:44] There's an early purchase discount by before May 1st and say $50. May 1st is this Friday, so that date is coming very quickly.

[15:55] The Auto Pool is a great asset for our community, and I encourage residents to plan ahead and take advantage of the savings.

[16:04] Next, I have a slide on this past weekend. Mark the 24th annual Showdown Walleye Tournament on Lake Sharp.

[16:14] It's great to see events like this that bring people into peer and for peer.

[16:19] A big thank you to the Peer Area Chamber and the fishing crew for organizing another successful tournament.

[16:26] There was strong participation and a really competitive weekend on the water.

[16:31] The daily weigh-ins at Steamboat Park, Ampitheater are always a highlight, great for spectators and families.

[16:38] Events like this showcase not just our river but our community and our local hospitality.

[16:44] We appreciate everyone who helped make this weekend a success.

[16:50] And then finally, I want to take a moment to highlight a great community event happening this weekend.

[16:57] This Saturday, May 2, the South Dakota Army National Guard is hosting an event at Downs Marina.

[17:03] It's a chance for the public to learn more about the guards rafting and maintenance operations

[17:09] and to connect with the guard in a hands-on way.

[17:13] The event starts at 11 a.m. and is open to the community.

[17:17] They'll also have food and drinks, which is always a great way to bring people together.

[17:23] Events like this are a reminder of the partnerships and people who help support our community every day.

[17:29] We encourage anyone interested to stop by and show support to the 200th.

[17:34] Thank you.

[17:35] All right.

[17:36] Commissioner Johnson.

[17:37] Nothing today, Mayor.

[17:38] Okay.

[17:39] Commissioner works there.

[17:40] Nothing tonight.

[17:40] All right.

[17:41] Mr. Hylenga.

[17:42] Thank you, Mayor.

[17:42] Got a couple items.

[17:43] Should be a slide.

[17:44] This past weekend, Pierre and Fort Pierre hosted the South Dakota for a shooting sports

[17:50] state championship.

[17:52] We welcomed over 1,000 youth participants from across the state.

[17:56] Competition includes air rifle, 22 rifle, and a couple different archery competitions.

[18:01] The Expo Center over in Fort Pierre was full all weekend, great energy, and great to showcase

[18:07] the facility, which the, there's no better example of government cooperation than the Expo Center.

[18:14] Peer, Fort Peer Stanley and Hughes County came together to build that, and

[18:18] that is on jointly by the four government entities.

[18:22] But one of the success stories is it generates enough revenue by the users between the hockey and

[18:27] the winter, and all the events that take place there in the off hockey season,

[18:31] that it doesn't require any additional government funding since this opened up for, you know, 20 years or more.

[18:38] So it's been quite a success, it's a great facility, events like this bring families, visitors, and a bunch of economic activity to the community.

[18:49] More importantly, it highlights the hard work, discipline and sportsmanship of these young participants and a big thank you to all the organizers, volunteers and partners who made it happen.

[19:00] So it was a big success with a lot of people in town.

[19:03] A lot of, you know, it's a very family oriented activity.

[19:06] And so we're, you know, it's just, you know,

[19:10] is at the Expo Center and then at the shooting range

[19:12] north of town and then they have a 3D up by the dam

[19:16] and outdoor part of that deal.

[19:17] And so there's just a lot of people over three days,

[19:20] Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

[19:22] So it's a big, big turnout, multiple day event.

[19:25] And it proves that the things that we can host in peer

[19:28] we're really good you know I mean not all activities are we can handle out

[19:34] here but that's that's one that does work so next slide please you may notice

[19:40] smoke in parts of town today the city is taking advantage of the recent

[19:45] rain to conduct a control burn for our tree pile we generate literally semi-

[19:52] loads of trees every week that go up on top that hill and then when we get get

[19:57] And get enough moisture in the area after a rain or a snow, then we burn those trees

[20:03] to get rid of all that.

[20:04] And so, anyway, we're doing that today and these conditions help ensure the burn is

[20:08] safe and manageable.

[20:10] And if you see smoke in the area, please do not be alarmed.

[20:13] It's a very controlled burn and it's going on right now, but if the wind switches out

[20:18] of the southeast, sometimes you can smell it a little bit, but for right now, it's not causing

[20:22] any trouble.

[20:23] And so the only other thing, no slide or anything, but the group that is organizing or wanting to organize an event center north of town or on the north edge of town for sporting good, sporting events held an event on Saturday night.

[20:41] Mayor was there, I was there, Commissioner Johnson was there, just trying to generate some

[20:46] revenue to do a feasibility study and so we'll see how that all plays out, that group

[20:51] has kind of taken the lead on that but we were there and pretty good turnout and I think

[20:56] they generated over half of the money they need to do the fun feasibility studies my understanding.

[21:04] So great turnout, good community activity, we'll have to see how that all plays out and that's

[21:10] That's all I have, Mayor.

[21:11] Yeah, thanks for bringing that up.

[21:13] Commissioner Heisinger, that was really a nice event and well-organized and that community

[21:19] has just done a great job and it was a great fundraiser.

[21:25] I have one thing tonight, I think there's a slide up there.

[21:31] Last Friday actually was Arbor Day and every year as a tradition in Arbor Day the city is

[21:38] The Arbor Board has planted a tree somewhere in the city.

[21:41] I know they planted one down and at the Arbor Reedem down there, one year we planted one up at Tf-Riggs High School and around town.

[21:51] And also the Arbor Board, they gave out, it was 250 trees.

[21:58] 250, almost exactly, they had their exact right number, so it worked out well.

[22:04] Well, yeah, Commissioner Wrightsill is Liaison's with the Arbor Board.

[22:10] And so today, because Friday, with weather, and some people were missing, so we actually

[22:16] planted the tree today out in front of City Hall.

[22:20] And it's a black kills blue spruce that we planted.

[22:23] And there's a picture of them.

[22:25] I didn't do much help digging or even feeling the dirt back in, but I was there for support.

[22:31] it. And the parks crew did a great job there. You can see Jay and Nick that dug the hole and helped

[22:39] replant it again and the Arbor board there. And so it was just another great thing. We've got another

[22:44] great tree there in front of City Hall. So thank you to the Arbor board and Commissioner Wright

[22:52] so for getting that done. Okay, that's all I have. Mayor, I don't have anything tonight.

[22:59] Lacey and I think one that let everyone know that Hughes County has received the ballots for absentee voting

[23:05] so that has begun as it was delayed about a week but just contact Thomas or for at the Hughes County Courthouse for absentee voting.

[23:16] Okay, thank you. Lindsay, anything from City Attorney's Office.

[23:19] Okay, there's no executive session tonight so I would ask for a motion to adjourn.

[23:24] So moved second motion and a second is a further discussion

[23:29] Hearing none please call the roll. Mr. Heisinga Johnson. Hi, what is that? Hi, right? So mayor Hardy. Hi motion carried meeting adjourned

Pierre City Commission

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