Aberdeen City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026

This meeting of the Aberdeen City Council was called to order at 5:30 PM on January 26, 2026, with all council members and the mayor present. The council approved the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting, then moved through a consent calendar, three ordinance second readings, several new business items, and a final approval of claims and payroll. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Henry Carlson Construction – New Sidewalk Contractor License: Approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were presented.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 260101 (Taxi Cab/Motorbus Regulations): Second reading and final adoption. Administration reported no public comments; recommended approval. The ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
• Ordinance 260102 (Solid Waste Collection Regulations): Second reading and final adoption. Staff recommended approval; no new discussion. Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 260103 (2026 Budget Supplement for Unanticipated Projects): Second reading. The council clarified that the CARES Act reserve would not be drawn upon; instead, general reserves and budget cuts from other departments would be used. Passed unanimously.
• 2026 Promotional Funds Distribution Schedule: Finance Director Jordan reported a year-end surplus of approximately $660,000 in the promotion fund, with a target reserve of $200,000, leaving $350,000 available. The proposed plan authorizes spending down existing obligations (about $507,000) and later allocating the $350,000 via an application process in June or July. Approved.
• Surplus of Canine Equipment (Retired Canine Nico): Police Chief John Dahl requested approval to transfer a kennel and care items to the retired canine's handler per policy. Approved.
• Resolution 260102R – Designation of Official Newspaper: Continued designation of "the insider" as the city's official newspaper. Council noted the newspaper does a good job. Approved.
• Pay Request #3 – Water Tower Transmission Line: $520,552.50 to Landmark Structures (Texas). Staff reported progress on the tower. Approved via roll call.
• 2026 Water Treatment Plant Roof Improvement Bids: Only one bid was received at $1.5 million, but staff identified $220,000 in deducts (changing membrane thickness from 25-year to 20-year warranty, etc.), reducing the cost to about $1.3 million. Funding comes from the water enterprise fund and special sales tax. The old building's roof will be replaced with a similar system; a leak detection system will be installed. Approved.
• Claims and Payroll: Payroll period January 11–24, 2026, and associated fees. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All four ordinances (260101, 260102, 260103) and the consent calendar item were adopted unanimously.
• The promotional funds distribution schedule, surplus canine equipment transfer, official newspaper designation, water tower pay request, roof improvement bid, and claims/payroll were all approved unanimously.
• The city manager was absent; the mayor noted that the street works department began excavating a creek project, with two excavators expected to be on site by the next day.