[6:30] Yeah.

[6:41] I have a chance.

[7:01] » Yes.

[7:25] The problem is they have a lot of questions.

[7:29] » Yeah, mice is okay.

[7:38] I know too much space.

[8:03] I hope so.

[8:26] Yeah.

[8:47] Dodgers.

[9:03] I just assume one of those teams.

[9:18] » Yeah.

[9:34] There you go. Yeah. Yeah.

[10:06] Oh boy. I don't know if you want me

[10:18] home versus Are we still recording?

[10:43] » I consider

[10:48] Fergus.

[10:56] Yeah, >> I just

[11:14] think I think just

[11:42] I think >> well here.

[11:56] Oh, yeah.

[12:11] » I don't think

[12:14] I just

[12:18] either way

[12:34] I think

[12:52] Oh yeah.

[13:08] » Yeah.

[13:17] So entire secondary

[13:34] screen.

[13:54] That's

[14:12] So you didn't

[14:25] Noise.

[14:28] All right.

[14:46] Yeah, he's very

[15:31] Yeah, depends their office.

[15:45] their problem. They're just not right now.

[16:29] Yeah.

[16:51] Okay, everybody. Thank you for your patience. Um, I'll reiterate this once

[16:53] we get started. We had a few technical difficulties. Uh, we're going to get

[16:57] started. We, um, yeah, we'll start the meeting here.

[17:01] Start with the pledge of allegiance.

[17:05] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[17:10] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[17:16] justice for all.

[17:23] » Okay, everybody, welcome to the meeting for tonight, Tuesday, October 14th,

[17:27] 2025. Uh as I said we had a few technical difficulties. We are not

[17:33] streaming on YouTube right now but we are recording the meeting. As soon as

[17:37] this is the the uh meeting is done tonight. We will extract the recording

[17:41] and then post it to YouTube. So again welcome and thanks for being here. Uh

[17:46] we'll go ahead and start with roll call. >> Benson

[17:49] » here. >> Burch. Brunick

[17:52] » here. >> Sarda

[17:53] » here. >> Conkling.

[17:55] Hanoff >> here.

[17:56] » Moer >> here. Spencer

[17:58] » here. >> Mayor Villan Noea

[18:00] » here. >> City Manager Leon

[18:02] » here. >> City attorney Denhurder

[18:04] » here.

[18:07] » Okay. Thank you. Right now um before you guys, you have the uh minutes of the

[18:12] regular meeting of September 22nd, 2025. Commission, what is your pleasure?

[18:20] » So moved. >> Second. Okay. Okay. So, I have a motion

[18:24] and second to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 22nd, 2025.

[18:29] Any commission discussion? No. From the public? All in favor say I.

[18:34] » All oppose? Nay. Okay. M minutes are approved. Number three under routine

[18:39] business. The schedule of bills is before you commission. What is your

[18:43] pleasure? >> Move to pay the bills.

[18:46] » Second. Okay. Have a motion and a second to pay the bills. Commission discussion.

[18:53] Anyone from the public? Roll call. >> Spencer.

[18:58] » I. >> Benson.

[18:59] » I. >> Brunick.

[19:00] » Hi. >> Sarda.

[19:02] » Hi. >> Hoff.

[19:03] » Hi. >> Moer.

[19:04] » Hi. >> Mayor Villanova.

[19:05] » I. Bills will be paid. And now we go to the city manager report.

[19:10] » Thank you, honorable mayor, members of the commission, and uh everyone in the

[19:15] public. Couple things that I want to uh bring forward to you. Yesterday, uh, we

[19:21] celebrated Native American Day. Just wanted to mention, uh, to the public and

[19:27] thank the library, we had a nice program, uh, at the library, uh,

[19:33] yesterday evening, a longtime friend of our library, Mr.

[19:38] Kills Small, uh, came and put on a program, uh, including some storytelling

[19:43] and, uh, some drumming. uh he is a as I said a friend of our library and so he

[19:50] was there doing some of those things and um has come to our library before so we

[19:56] appreciated and celebrated with him um did not have our meeting obviously

[20:01] because of the holiday but um did have an opportunity for folks to come to the

[20:05] library for free um and celebrate that day uh with us and so we thank the

[20:10] community library for having an opportunity there um to celebrate Native

[20:15] American today. Also, um it's been a while since we've met, but if you've

[20:19] been keeping up with the newspaper, our very own Commissioner Spencer was

[20:24] recognized uh because he received the Pam Ketering Spirit of Volunteerism

[20:29] Award from United Way. So, that's pretty cool.

[20:36] I didn't realize all the many things that he's doing. And then also to be on

[20:40] the city commission. So, that's pretty awesome to have him there. So,

[20:45] congratulations to Commissioner Spencer. Um, the commission received an email

[20:51] from uh me, but I wanted to just make sure that the public was aware.

[20:57] Uh, about once a year we make a mistake. Not very often, but about once a year.

[21:03] Just kidding. There was an error. Um, I think it was at our last meeting when we

[21:08] um presented our vision plan and our health insurance plan to you. So, I just

[21:15] wanted to um make sure everyone understands in just in the spirit of

[21:19] being as transparent as we can. Um so, this was not an error on the part of our

[21:25] um staff. Rather, it was an error on the part of uh the individual who provided

[21:29] us with the numbers. It doesn't change anything in uh what the commission acted

[21:34] on or um in our budget, but it is different than what was put in the memo.

[21:39] So, I just want to briefly talk about it. So at the September 22nd meeting,

[21:45] the commission approved a recommendation to considered with to continue with a

[21:49] company called the standard as the carrier for vision insurance with an

[21:54] increase from this year's rate. There was an error in that memo relating to

[21:58] the cost of that vision premium for 2026.

[22:03] A number had been transposed. The number that was given to us and was provided to

[22:08] you was $348

[22:13] uh for the monthly premium for single core plan vision insurance. That's the

[22:18] name of the plan. The correct amount coverage is 384. So you can easily see

[22:24] how that can be transposed from 348 to 384. All the other amounts for vision um

[22:31] buy it plans were provided correctly and the other amounts were uh provided

[22:35] correctly. The transposition doesn't change the recommendation because the

[22:40] recommendation read as I sent to you in the memo

[22:43] um that it would be um that we continue with the the standard vision rate at the

[22:50] at the increased cost. So it doesn't change that um and it was not an error

[22:55] on the part of staff. So, I'm not recommending that we do anything

[22:58] different. Um, but I feel like if the small errors don't get mentioned and we

[23:02] don't talk about them, um, then then, you know, it's easy to say, well, what

[23:06] size of error does does rise to the level of needing to talk about them. So,

[23:10] it's, you know, not a lot of money, but important, I think, in just for

[23:15] transparency. So, if anybody wants to look at the details of that, we have

[23:19] that at city hall. Still falls within our budget. Happy to answer questions.

[23:23] Um and the the folks that gave us those numbers uh apologized and as soon as

[23:28] they realized that uh they let us know that. So that's why that came to you. Uh

[23:33] want to make the public aware that uh we have a lot of PSAs out right now. Um and

[23:40] people should take a look. There is a uh PSA out right now regarding uh the Marn

[23:47] Creek sewer crossing that is going to impact uh the trails and the area of

[23:53] Paddlehe Point. So, people should be aware of that. Um if they use Paddlehe

[23:58] Point and the trail, I know a lot of people um let their dogs run there and

[24:03] and utilize that. Um there will be some construction there and um there will be

[24:09] some construction equipment there. I believe we're trying to keep a portion

[24:12] of the um of the driveway open and so we just want to make sure people are aware

[24:19] of of where they can be and where they can walk. So take a look at that map. Uh

[24:23] Kristen helped us out creating a map. And also, um, the Huther Family

[24:29] Aquatics, uh, parking lot, uh, Huther Family Aquatic Center parking lot is

[24:34] being closed now. We're at the point of that project where we're needing to

[24:38] close that parking lot. And so, um, that won't be a longtime closure, but we're

[24:42] getting close to paving there. So, people need to be aware of that. Um,

[24:46] particularly those neighbors that have been using that, uh, parking lot. Um,

[24:50] also I am aware that there might be a request uh, mayor to move an agenda item

[24:56] or remove an agenda item. So that may be coming forward to you. If that happens,

[25:01] there will need to be a motion and a second and then uh, that can be

[25:05] deliberated and that may require that will require action to be removed. So

[25:10] just bringing that forward. um in your consent calendar. Um if you just take

[25:16] your eyes down the consent calendar, the last meeting of um the year, if you can

[25:21] believe we're talking about that already,

[25:24] um we just talked about a sta as staff thinking about Thursday, December 18th,

[25:31] um at noon. Typically, we have some business to do, but not a lot of

[25:35] business. We thought since the holiday kind of falls towards a weekend that the

[25:41] weekend before might be a long holiday for some people. So, we said Thursday

[25:46] the 18th at noon here in this room. We're not married to that day. But if we

[25:52] we need five of you. If that works for five of you, we thought we'd stick with

[25:56] that day. Okay.

[25:59] » All right. So, that's on your consent calendar. Possible quorum events. Um

[26:05] this is a date. You'll get some information from HR later. Friday,

[26:09] December 5th at the brewery is the annual um Christmas party. So there may

[26:14] be five commissioners um at that uh for the press to be aware. No business, just

[26:21] monkey business where we have fun, celebrate the year. There's an employee

[26:25] of the year and a good meal and a lot of laughs and so um looking forward to

[26:31] that. and commissioners, you'll get an invitation and um Lisa will be having

[26:36] the roast beef. She replied all and we'll never let her

[26:41] forget that ever.

[26:43] » Good good choice. >> Ever. It It was It was It was really

[26:46] good. I'm happy to stand for questions, mayor, if if anyone has them.

[26:52] » Commissioner, any questions for the city manager?

[26:57] Okay, seeing no mics come on. Uh next will be uh number five under the routine

[27:02] business will be public appearances. Again, as a reminder, this is a time for

[27:06] the public to come up and address the city commission on items not listed on

[27:10] this agenda. Again, no action will be taken uh under matters raised under this

[27:14] item. And again, we will not act upon anything. Uh you have about three

[27:19] minutes to speak and if anyone out there would like to come up to the podium, it

[27:23] is yours. Okay, seeing no movement. Next, we'll go

[27:28] ahead and move to consent items. So again, uh we have two items under

[27:33] consent items. We have reschedule a meeting date established Thursday,

[27:36] December 18th, 2025 at noon as a date for the time of the second city

[27:40] commission meeting in December. As Amy talked about, we have a possible quorum

[27:44] event. The city of Aton Christmas party will be held in December December 5th,

[27:47] 2025 at the brewery. Again, no action will be taken. Commission, do I have a a

[27:52] motion on the consent items? >> So moved.

[27:56] Second. >> Okay. I have a motion to second to move

[27:59] the consent items. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Nay. Anyone abstaining?

[28:06] Okay. Consent items are approved. Next. Number three, old business.

[28:11] Number one under old business public hearing and second reading for the

[28:14] proposed amendments to the city of Yankton tree ordinance number 1101.

[28:19] Consideration of memorandum number 25-183

[28:22] recommending the city commission adopt the amended tree ordinance number 1101

[28:27] in chapter 24 vegetation commission. What's your pleasure?

[28:37] » So moved. >> Second.

[28:39] » Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

[28:45] Can we get a explanation of what the differences are?

[28:48] » Absolutely. You bet. >> Thanks.

[28:53] » Thank you, Todd.

[29:02] So, the ordinance that we had in place didn't deal with the Emerald Dashboard

[29:08] at all. And then at the time it's recommended us to add some language

[29:13] about the emerald ashbor. It was an easy way for us to go through and just clean

[29:17] some stuff up. There were some distances from

[29:22] um intersections that didn't match up. So we've cleaned that up so all of the

[29:28] items have the same distance from intersections in it. We've added a

[29:35] definition for hazardous trees. So before we used to talk a lot in the

[29:40] ordinance about dead, disease and hazardous trees and so uh just so

[29:45] there's again when we get the phone calls from the general public we can go

[29:49] back to this and give specific examples right out of the ordinance. So we've

[29:55] added that definition when it comes to street trees. Uh again,

[30:01] just cleaned up some language, but really talked about uh how we have the

[30:06] lists for trees that can be planted. Things can be found on our website. But

[30:11] then more specifically, as you get towards the end, it talks about uh we no

[30:15] longer allow planting of ash trees. And then eventually it will have some

[30:20] language in there about when it's time to cut down ash trees. Once the emerald

[30:24] ashbor is here, the emerald ashbor is not in Yankton. We set out traps. the

[30:28] county sets out traps. There will be an announcement from the uh state

[30:33] government when emerald ashbor is found here. So now, right now, there is not.

[30:40] Once it is here, then you start to have quarantine areas and you cannot you can

[30:45] no longer haul ashwood from Labor Day to or sorry, Memorial Day to Labor Day

[30:52] because that's when the adult beetles are active and obviously they don't want

[30:58] the beetles flying out of the cut trees. So, you can cut and take down trees any

[31:03] time of the year other than they don't want you hauling uh ash trees from

[31:09] again Memorial Day to Labor Day. Uh we cleaned up a little bit with spacing of

[31:14] trees, how we define the small trees, distance, the medium trees and large

[31:18] trees. Cleaned that up a little bit. Uh distance from curb and sidewalks, we

[31:23] didn't really mess with distance from higher fire hydrants. We didn't change a

[31:27] whole lot. talked a lot about utilities and what that might mean for trees uh

[31:32] and tried to simplify that into as easy a sentence as possible.

[31:37] Again, as you get into tree care, again, in the time that I've been to

[31:41] town and there are other departments that take these phone calls, too, we've

[31:46] tried to define and make sure that people understand uh trees in the right

[31:51] of way aren't necessarily planted by the city of Yankton. So, you can get a tree

[31:56] permit. Tree permit, you would specify in that document what location you're

[32:03] looking at, what type of tree you're going to plant. Our urban forester looks

[32:07] at it. There are a lot of trees in town that were planted in rightways long

[32:11] before any of us were involved. But when it comes to tree care, trees that are in

[32:16] rightways are not maintained by the city of

[32:20] Yankton. We don't trim trees. And where we put language in here is we don't take

[32:26] care of hanging branches in trees. So there's a lot of things when it comes to

[32:31] tree care that we get phone calls and the expectation is, oh, there's a huge

[32:36] branch hanging over a roadway. The city of Yankton needs to take care of that in

[32:40] a rightaway tree. And that is not the case. We're not in charge of tree care

[32:45] until we have a dead disease or if they want

[32:50] to make an argument and ask us if it's a hazardous tree, then we would come out,

[32:54] evaluate. Uh, and again, we did not change that in here. When it becomes

[32:59] time and it is decided that a tree is dead, diseased or hazardous, then the

[33:04] city of Yankton will take the tree down or we'll hire a contractor to take it

[33:09] down. And we also removed the stumps out of the rightway. None of that tree tree

[33:13] language changed in here. Again, there was two different areas for

[33:20] tree clearance above sidewalks and roadways, and we've got those to match

[33:25] up that there's a 10 ft and a 12t. It was either 15 or 16 that was talked

[33:30] about before on on major thoroughares. Anyway, that language has been cleaned

[33:34] up. So now you only find the two distances. Uh when it comes to tree

[33:38] topping, tree topping was never allowed on right-of-way trees. Uh and that

[33:43] didn't change. Tree removal and intentional damage

[33:48] again talks about once a tree is dead, has diseases or insects in it, then city

[33:54] of Yankton will take care of those rightway trees. Um removal of stumps.

[33:59] Once that tree is removed, the city will or a contractor will remove the stump

[34:04] from the rightway. Uh, and then we also cleaned up some language and and if you

[34:09] have more questions, Ross can can help with this, but talked about abatement

[34:14] and that it can be a nuisance and those type of things. So, if something happens

[34:20] where something should be done and it's not being done, the city has the ability

[34:25] to hire a contractor and then bill back through the abatement process or those

[34:30] type of things. Um, also specifically defined a little bit

[34:37] better that the park advisory board is the city's tree board. And again, part

[34:42] of that is we need that for uh, city uh, >> city

[34:46] » tree city USA. And so we specifically spell out and can show them that we have

[34:51] a tree board. The park advisory board serves as that. Again, people can come

[34:57] in, talk about a situation that they're dealing with either themselves or

[35:02] they've already brought the city in and may not like uh something the city has

[35:07] said or decided and the tree board can hear that, give a recommendation.

[35:12] And again, just like anything else, it then could always come to the city

[35:16] commission after the tree board has heard about it and made their

[35:20] recommendation. Uh and then we again like I said we talk

[35:24] about that review by city commission

[35:28] and then towards the end we specifically get into emerald ashbor language and

[35:33] kind of what our response has been and that we also have a emerald ashbor

[35:40] mitigation plan which was adopted in 2018. That's the original.

[35:47] We again have gone back in knowing what we know now, updated some numbers of

[35:52] trees we've taken down and those type of things and we're going to later on in

[35:56] new business update the emerald ashbor mitigation plan. So it's updated to 2025

[36:04] and again this refers that there is information and things that the public

[36:08] needs to know that are dealt with in that plan and again that is found on the

[36:12] city's website under the urban forestry. So, those are some of the uh tweaks and

[36:18] changes that we made as we work through it.

[36:23] » Did you have something, Ross? >> Just want to add normally when we do um

[36:27] ordinance updates, we provide a redlinined copy and a clean copy.

[36:33] Unfortunately, this one was so heavily edited that would have been useless for

[36:40] you. Um but, uh the description is accurate so far. If you if you have any

[36:45] questions though, I'm >> and we do have the red line available.

[36:48] So if somebody would want to see the redline version, it is available.

[36:52] » It's kind of hard to read. >> Fair enough. Thank you, Todd, for the

[36:56] explanation. Um commissioners, do you have anything else you want to chat

[36:59] about here? >> No. Okay. Anyone from the public have

[37:04] any questions?

[37:08] » Okay. Roll call. >> Benson.

[37:12] » I. Brunick. >> Hi. Sarda

[37:14] » I >> Hunanoff

[37:15] » I >> Moer

[37:16] » I >> Spencer

[37:18] » I >> mayor of Villan Nova

[37:19] » I motion passes okay now we're under new business number one AFSCME collective

[37:26] bargaining agreement consideration of memorandum number 25-152

[37:31] recommending the city commission approve and authorize the city manager to sign

[37:34] the revised agreement between the city of Yankton and the American Federation

[37:38] of state county and municipal employees AFL-CO Local 3968 Effective January 1st,

[37:44] 2026 through December 31st, 2028. It is recommended the city commission approve

[37:50] resolution number 25-31 and authorize the city manager to impate

[37:55] implement a base adjustment of 2% and a one-step increase on the pay plan if

[38:00] eligible effective January 1st of 2026. Commission, what's your pleasure?

[38:07] » Move to approve. >> Second.

[38:10] » Okay, I have a motion and a second on the floor. Commission discussion.

[38:16] Okay. See no mics come on. Anyone from the public?

[38:20] Seeing no movement. Roll call. >> Brunick.

[38:23] » I. >> Sarda.

[38:25] » Hi. >> Hoff.

[38:27] » I. >> Moer.

[38:28] » I will abstain. My husband's a city employee.

[38:32] » Spencer. >> I.

[38:33] » Benson. >> I.

[38:35] » Mayor Villan Noea. >> I. Motion passes. Okay. Number two.

[38:38] Under new business. base salary adjustment and step plan for

[38:41] non-represented non-certified law enforcement members. Consideration of

[38:45] memorandum number 25-153 recommending that the city commission

[38:50] approve resolution number 25-32 authorizing the city manager to

[38:54] implement a base adjustment of 2% and a one-step increase on the pay plan if

[38:59] eligible effective January 1st, 2026 for all regular full-time nonrepresented

[39:06] non-certified law enforcement employees that are below the maximum of their

[39:11] respective pay range. Commission, what's your pleasure?

[39:15] So moved. >> Second.

[39:18] » Okay. I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any commission discussion?

[39:24] » Okay. Seeing no mics come on. Anyone from the public?

[39:28] Seeing no movement. Roll call. >> Sarda.

[39:32] » Hi. >> Hoff.

[39:34] » I. >> Moer. Abstain for the same previous

[39:37] reason. >> Spencer.

[39:38] » I. >> Benson.

[39:40] » I. >> Brunick.

[39:41] » Hi. >> Mayor of Villanoa.

[39:42] » Hi. Motion passes. Number three under new business, the mayor's appointment of

[39:46] citizen to Yankton Housing and Redevelopment Commission. Consideration

[39:50] of me memorandum number 25-185 recommending approval of the mayor's

[39:55] appointment of Nick Severson to the Yankton Housing and Redevelopment

[39:58] Commission. The vacant position on this board is due to the resignation of

[40:03] Ashley Dimmer. Mr. Severson's appointment will expire in 2029.

[40:07] Commission, what's your pleasure? >> Move to approve the appointment.

[40:11] » Second. >> Okay. Okay, I have a motion, a second on

[40:13] the floor. Any commission discussion? Seeing no mics. Anyone from the public?

[40:20] There's no movement. Roll call. >> Hunoff.

[40:22] » Hi. >> Moer.

[40:23] » Hi. >> Spencer.

[40:24] » Hi. >> Benson.

[40:25] » Hi. >> Brunick.

[40:26] » Hi. >> Sarda.

[40:27] » Hi. >> Mayor Villanova.

[40:29] » I. Motion passes. Number four. Emerald ashbor mitigation plan. consideration of

[40:35] memorandum number 25-184 recommending that the city commission adopt the

[40:39] updated 2025 emerald ash boore mitigation plan. And before I entertain

[40:45] a motion, Todd, is there any any major highlights we should probably hit before

[40:49] we move on?

[40:56] Again, this is pretty straightforward. Uh again, we already have a mitigation

[41:01] plan in place. This is just updating some numbers and even in the memo it

[41:05] starts to tell you that at one time we had 850 ash trees. There's still about

[41:10] 270 ash trees present in rightways along the old brokeout trail in the city

[41:15] cemetery or in some park areas. Uh other things to know, we are planning on

[41:23] saving a few ash trees. And by saving, so again, make sure the general public

[41:28] knows until the state declares the emerald ashbor in the city of Yankton,

[41:34] you do not need to treat your trees for emerald ashbor. So if you're paying to

[41:38] put chemical in your trees right now, you do not need to be doing that. Uh

[41:42] once the ashbor is here, you have two years to figure out if you want to treat

[41:46] your trees or not. Even if the ashbor is in your trees, you have two years.

[41:52] But things to know, uh this gives some uh data that you again can find on our

[41:59] city website. We have links that'll take you to the

[42:02] state and the department of a and uh environmental. They'll have

[42:09] recommendations and more information you can read. But again, there are a few

[42:14] trees out in the city that we're going to try to save that are either in

[42:17] rightaways along the trail, in the arboritum, up by the high school, things

[42:20] like that. Uh, if people want to save trees in the rightway, we will allow

[42:25] them to do that also. But really, you're looking at a tree needs to be a really

[42:30] desirable tree that it's growing very well. It's looks healthy. There's not a

[42:35] ton of broken branches and trunks up top. It has good form. Those type of

[42:40] things if it's desirable. Again, we'll have a process where they'll turn in

[42:45] some paperwork to us to prove that they are having the tree treated. We can put

[42:49] a marker on the tree. And again, it's a process.

[42:53] One thing that has changed, again, as people learn about this, uh originally

[42:58] they always talked about treating an asht tree every two years for the life

[43:02] of the tree. And now that recommendation is starting to look like you would treat

[43:07] the tree every two years for maybe 10 years

[43:12] because after that all of the ash trees are going to be

[43:16] gone other than the ones that are saved. The emerald ashbor isn't going to be

[43:21] here and the likelihood that that beetle is going to be back

[43:26] is very slim. So they are starting to change their recommendations that way.

[43:29] But again, you can find links in there to take you to all kinds of different uh

[43:34] either with the state or other uh universities to find more about the

[43:39] about the emerald ashbor. But uh it's just a matter of letting the public

[43:43] know. We've looked at it. We've thought about it. We're working with it. We're

[43:46] trying to take down trees. And there are some things as private property owners

[43:50] that they're going to have to do once it gets here. They're just not going to be

[43:53] able to let the tree stand uh because it gets very dangerous once it the beetle

[43:58] is in there. it starts to kill the tree. It really dries out and then you can

[44:02] have the tree almost start to shatter uh large parts of the tree shatter and fall

[44:07] down and cause damage to people on property. So, uh yeah, it's on our our

[44:12] website. >> Okay. Thank you. Thanks for that

[44:14] explanation. Commissioner, do you have a question?

[44:16] » Just wanted to ask real quick, what's the closest community to Yankton that

[44:19] has had the uh ashbor? Uh it so it started uh was up around the north side

[44:25] of Sou Falls and then it has actually it jumped north and then it jumped south.

[44:30] So I believe Elk Point or Jefferson would be the two closest. It is not in

[44:38] Vermillion yet. So, it hasn't started making its way west, but along the

[44:43] border uh it's pretty thick from uh North Sous City all the way up to Dell

[44:49] Rapids and places north of Sou Falls. So,

[44:56] » okay. Yes. >> Um just out of curiosity, Todd, you

[45:00] mentioned it of the removal of trees. Um, are we still actively removing trees

[45:06] or have we slowed down and and kind of where are we at in that process of tree

[45:11] removal? I mean, there's stats here. I'm just curious how that's going and and

[45:15] how many more do you think we still have to take down and and what does that look

[45:18] like? So, originally in 2018, if you looked at rightways, trails, cemetery,

[45:24] parks, uh, Foxrun Golf Course, there were 850 ash trees that needed to be

[45:30] removed if you were going to remove all of them. Uh, there's still about 275

[45:34] trees that are present in Rideaways, trail, cemetery, and parks. So, the goal

[45:40] was to go about a 100 ash trees a year, and we would have been done in about

[45:45] seven, eight years. We were not that aggressive. Uh, so we still have, like I

[45:50] said, the 275. There's 38 ash trees on Fox Run Golf Course yet. And there are

[45:57] 45 trees in right of ways that are undecided. Either property owners have

[46:04] talked to us about them or we've decided they're in a good location, good-looking

[46:09] tree. So, we have about 45 trees that are undecided. 22 of those would be

[46:14] property owners that uh I think we have about 22 property owners that have

[46:19] decided yes, we are going to try to save them. So, and then we have eight ash

[46:24] trees out in the park uh in the arboritum around uh the summit activity

[46:29] center that we're thinking about the city is thinking about treating also to

[46:34] keep them in our arboritum so people again can see different tree species uh

[46:39] and the varieties of a tree. So again, we were hoping to get a 100 trees a year

[46:44] down, ash trees. We have other trees that have to come down other than ash

[46:48] trees. So we haven't been quite as aggressive, but we're still hoping. Uh

[46:52] and again, 275 trees. We within three or four

[46:57] years, we're hoping to have the majority of the ones that we're not saving down.

[47:02] That way, if the ammerald ashboard gets here, we're not up against a wall where

[47:06] we have 400 trees to take down in a in a winter. So,

[47:11] » okay, good question. Anybody else? Okay. Thank you, Todd. All right. With

[47:17] that, I will entertain a motion.

[47:23] » So, moved. >> Okay. So, I have a motion and a second,

[47:26] it sounds like. Okay. So, again, any more commission discussion on this?

[47:31] Okay. See no mics come on. Anyone from the public? Seeing no movement. Roll

[47:36] call. >> Moer.

[47:38] » I. >> Spencer.

[47:39] » I. Benson I >> Brunick I

[47:41] » Sarda >> I

[47:42] » Hanoff >> hi

[47:43] » Mayor Villan Noeva >> I motion passes okay number five under

[47:46] new business garden Estates development project phase 1 acceptance consideration

[47:51] of memorandum number 25-187 recommending that the city commission

[47:55] accept the sewer storm and street improvements for phase one of the garden

[47:59] estates development commission what's your pleasure

[48:03] move >> to approve second okay have a motion and

[48:06] a second on the floor any commission discussion

[48:10] Seeing no mics come on. Anyone from the public? No movement. Roll call.

[48:15] » Spencer. >> I.

[48:16] » Benson. >> I.

[48:17] » Brunick. >> Hi.

[48:18] » Sarda. >> I.

[48:19] » Hanoff. >> Hi.

[48:20] » Moer. >> I.

[48:21] » Mayor Villan Noea. >> I. Motion passes. Okay. Number six.

[48:25] Cedar Street second to fifth street reconstruction acceptance project

[48:29] closeout. Consideration of memorandum number 25-188

[48:33] recommending that the city commission accept the completed Cedar Street

[48:36] reconstruction project as well as the alley and parking lot reconstruction and

[48:40] authorize the finance officer to issue a manual check to Holstein Excavating Inc.

[48:45] in the amount of $32,113.

[48:50] Commissioner, what's your pleasure?

[48:54] » Move to approve. Second. Okay. I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any

[48:59] commission discussion? Seeing no lights come on, anyone from

[49:03] the public? Seeing no movement, roll call.

[49:06] » Benson, >> I

[49:07] » Brunick. >> Hi.

[49:08] » Sarda. >> Hi.

[49:09] » Hoff. >> Hi.

[49:10] » Moer. >> Hi.

[49:11] » Spencer. >> Hi.

[49:12] » Mayor Villan Noea. >> I motion passes. Number seven, Karen

[49:16] Drive and Bradley Street Valley Road Water main project acceptance closeout.

[49:21] Consideration of memorandum number 25-189

[49:24] recommending that the city commission approve change order number one. accept

[49:28] the completed construction project along Karen Drive, Bradley Street, and Valley

[49:32] Road and authorize a finance officer to issue a manual check to Fymer

[49:37] Construction, Inc. in the amount of 175,35230.

[49:42] Do I have a motion? So moved. >> Second.

[49:48] » Okay, I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any commission discussion?

[49:53] See no mics come on. Anyone from the public?

[49:56] See no movement. Roll call. >> Brunick.

[50:00] » I. >> Sarda.

[50:01] » Hoff. >> Moer.

[50:03] » I. >> Spencer.

[50:04] » I. >> Benson.

[50:05] » I. >> Mayor of Villanova.

[50:07] » I. Motion passes. Number nine. SD dot agreement. Chain Gurnie Airport

[50:12] Maintenance and Financial Agreement. Consideration of memorandum number

[50:18] eight. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. My apologies

[50:21] everybody. Getting ahead of myself. Number eight. Waterline easement

[50:25] relocation in tract B of Steven Larson Edition consideration of memorandum

[50:29] number 25-190 recommending the city commission approve

[50:33] resolution number 25-47 a vacation of the current waterline

[50:37] easement and creation of a new easement and tract B of Steven Larson edition

[50:42] city of Yankton Yankton County South Dakota as shown in the the associated

[50:46] attachments. Do I have a motion? >> Move to approve the resolution. Second.

[50:54] » Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any commission discussion?

[50:59] » See no lights. Come on. Anyone from the public?

[51:02] » Roll call. >> Sarda.

[51:04] » I. >> Hunoff.

[51:05] » I. >> Moer.

[51:06] » I. >> Spencer.

[51:07] » Hi. >> Benson.

[51:08] » Hi. >> Brunick.

[51:09] » Hi. >> Mayor Vanova.

[51:10] » I. Motion passes. Thank you, commissioners. Appreciate that. Keep me

[51:14] in check. Number nine. SD dot agreement. Chain Gurnie Airport Maintenance and

[51:19] Financial Agreement. Consideration of memorandum number 25-191

[51:23] recommending that the city commission approve the maintenance and financial

[51:26] agreement for the chain Gurnie airport project number 3-46-4600-312025

[51:33] and authorize the city manager to sign the referenced SD dot agreement

[51:38] commission. What's your pleasure? >> So moved. Second.

[51:43] » Okay. I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any commission discussion?

[51:50] Seeing no mics come on. Anyone from the public?

[51:55] » Sure. Can we get some explanation on that,

[51:58] please?

[52:02] » Yeah. >> Uh, sure. Just quick explanation on

[52:06] that. Sho is was doing a project that just required a relocation of a water

[52:11] line. >> We're on number nine, which is the SDG

[52:15] chain. >> Oh, never mind. I will let

[52:19] It's airport. >> Sorry.

[52:25] » This was a maintenance project that the DOT contracted out for the asphalt

[52:30] runway at the airport. It's like kind of like a glorified chip seal on that that

[52:36] runway. Like I said, the DOT contracted that all out and this was for our share

[52:42] of the project. So, >> okay. Thank you, Adam.

[52:49] Okay. Again, will any any commission discussion?

[52:52] Anyone from the public? >> Okay. Roll call.

[52:56] » Hanoff. >> I.

[52:57] » Moer. >> I.

[52:58] » Spencer. >> Hi.

[52:59] » Benson. >> Hi.

[53:00] » Brunick. >> I.

[53:01] » Sarda. >> I.

[53:02] » Mayor of Illinois. >> I. Motion passes. Okay. Number 10.

[53:06] Yankton Transfer Station Tipping Fees Adjustment. Consideration of memorandum

[53:10] number 25-192. recommend the city commission adopt

[53:14] resolution number 25-48 enacting the new rates effective January 1st 2026 January

[53:21] 1st 2027 and January 1st 2028 commission what's your pleasure

[53:28] » so approve >> second

[53:30] » okay I have a motion and a second any commission discussion

[53:35] » see no mics come on anyone from the public

[53:39] seeing no movement roll call >> moer

[53:42] » I Spencer Hi, >> Benson.

[53:43] » Hi, >> Brunick.

[53:44] » Hi, >> Sarda.

[53:45] » Hi, >> Hanoff.

[53:46] » Hi, >> Mayor Villanova.

[53:48] » I motion passes. Number 11, airport fees, consideration of memorandum number

[53:53] 25-193, recommending the city commission adopt

[53:56] resolution number 25-49, enacting the new airport rates effective

[54:01] January 1st, 2026. Commission, what's your pleasure?

[54:05] » So moved. >> Second.

[54:07] » I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any commission discussion?

[54:12] See no lights. Come on. Anyone from the public?

[54:16] See no movement. Roll call. >> Spencer.

[54:19] » I. >> Benson.

[54:21] » I. >> Brunick.

[54:22] » Hi. >> Sarda.

[54:23] » I. >> Hanoff.

[54:24] » I. >> Moer.

[54:25] » I. >> Mayor Villanova.

[54:26] » I. Motion passes. And lastly, number 20 or excuse me, number 12, section line

[54:31] right-of-way vacation. Consideration of memorandum number 25-186 regarding the

[54:36] planning commission's recommendation that the city commission issue a

[54:39] position statement to the county that stipulates that the city will be

[54:43] satisfied with the county decision to vacate the described north south section

[54:48] line highway beginning at the north boundary of the widing drive rightway to

[54:53] the north boundaries of sections 8 and 9 T93 north R55 west of the of the fifth

[54:59] pm all in Yankton County, South Dakota. a centerline distance of approximately

[55:04] 1,50 ft. And before I accept a uh motion, should we have some explanation

[55:10] of that? Thank you.

[55:24] » All right, Mayor Villanova, members of the commission, thanks. Uh

[55:28] so basically the uh the county has asked the the city commission to provide a

[55:35] position statement on a uh request for a vacated rightaway. Um and it is in the

[55:41] county area. And the reason they're asking the city for an opinion is uh

[55:46] this is located within the three mile um platting jurisdiction of the city. even

[55:51] though the the act of a rightaway vacation is is a county action. Um but

[55:58] uh the uh this issue was presented to the planning commission here earlier

[56:02] this month and they uh recommended that uh the city you know provide a position

[56:07] statement that would be uh favorable to the to the county. Um it's it's sort of

[56:11] a non-issue you might say. um the uh the petitioners that uh were asking for the

[56:18] rightway vacation. Basically, the reasoning was the the uh uh the section

[56:24] line right away um is is unnecessary because of the fact that the um um if

[56:32] you if you can picture u southwest Jim River Road and Whiting Drive, um

[56:37] Southwest Jim River Road is basically runs parallel to this section line and

[56:41] it's very close to this uh section line in question. And um so if if we were to

[56:48] um look at a plat or a subdivision uh in the future um we would be looking to

[56:52] that uh that Jim River Road as as the section line of of record for right away

[56:59] consideration. >> Okay. Thanks for that explanation. I

[57:03] appreciate that. Okay. With that explanation, commissioners, uh do I have

[57:06] a motion? Move

[57:09] » to approve. >> Second. Okay. Have a motion and a

[57:12] second. Any commission discussion? Anyone from the public? Roll call.

[57:17] » Benson, I >> Brunick. Hi.

[57:19] » Sarda. >> Hi.

[57:20] » Hoff. Hi. >> Moer. Hi.

[57:22] » Spencer. Hi. >> Mayor Villainova.

[57:24] » I. Motion passes. Okay. Next. Future business. So, this is the time that the

[57:28] city commissioners to address the commission regarding matters not on this

[57:31] agenda. These items will not be deliberated by the governing body and

[57:34] will not be acted upon at this time. Items mentioned may be added to a future

[57:38] city commission meeting or work session for deliberation or action.

[57:42] Commissioners, do we have any future action, future business?

[57:47] Okay, seeing no mics, come on. We'll move next to uh I'll entertain a motion

[57:52] to to move into uh executive session to discuss contractual and litigation

[57:56] matters under SDCL 125-2. >> So moved.

[58:01] » Okay, I have a motion >> second

[58:03] » and a second. Uh all in favor say I. I. >> All opposed, nay. Okay, we'll move into

[58:09] executive session. [Applause]

[58:15] Oh, any action? >> No action after.

[58:18] » Thank you. >> This conference is no longer being

[58:22] recorded.

[58:35] Yeah.

[58:43] [Music]

[58:47] » Grab you before I head out.

[58:55] » We got to make the story. >> Yeah.

[58:58] » Talk about that. >> That's what we do. That's what we do.

[59:03] Well, well, you're finally

October 14, 2025 Regular Yankton City Commission Meeting

Transcript