OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Aberdeen City Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyAberdeen, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 51:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:23

Good evening.

0:24

It's 5 30 and time to conduct some city business.

0:27

We are gathered here for the Aberdeen City Council meeting.

0:30

A regular scheduled September 8th meeting.

0:34

And we are delighted to welcome all of you in the gallery and those online.

0:38

We'll excuse Mayor Shahneman.

0:40

He's unable to attend today, and in his absence, I'll conduct his deputy mayor.

0:48

Please respond by stating present.

0:50

Councilmember Ronane.

0:51

Present.

0:52

Present.

0:53

Liebelt?

0:54

Present.

0:54

Ward.

0:55

Present.

0:55

E.

0:56

Conger.

0:56

Present.

0:57

Nilsson.

0:58

Present.

0:58

Norm Strup.

0:59

Present.

0:59

Mayor Shannon.

1:00

Deputy Mayor Johnson.

1:02

Present.

1:03

Please join me for the pledge.

1:13

And to Republican.

1:16

One nation.

1:17

Under a individual.

1:29

Beautiful, thank you.

1:30

So next item is the approval of tonight's agenda.

1:37

We'll discuss a couple of adjustments, but do I have a motion to approve as uh as has been amended?

1:47

Second.

1:48

Okay, we have a motion from Econger and a second from Ward.

1:50

All in favor?

1:51

Aye.

1:52

Any opposed.

1:53

Thank you.

1:55

And we're approving this evening two sets of minutes.

1:58

The first from our regular meeting of August 24th, and also a week later, we met on the 31st in a special meeting.

2:07

So uh do I have a motion to approve both sets of minutes?

2:10

So moved.

2:11

Second.

2:13

All right.

2:13

We have a motion.

2:15

Um from Folberg and a second from Econger.

2:22

Uh all in favor, please indicate.

2:24

Aye.

2:24

Any opposed.

2:26

Thank you.

2:27

Uh no one has signed up for open forum, so uh let's peek at nine items of consent calendar business.

2:36

An interesting variety.

2:38

Um we have uh first a proclamation, and we're going to take a moment and read that.

2:44

Uh we have guests who are here in anticipation of this proclamation.

2:50

So uh let me read it in the mayor's stead.

2:53

Um official proclamation, whereas direct support professionals deliver individualized services and support for South Dakotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and whereas there are nearly 3,300 DSPs working for 21 community support providers, community service providers, and the South Dakota Developmental Center.

3:15

And whereas communities are strengthened and enriched by the inclusion of all members of society regardless of their disability, and whereas Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is an opportunity to recognize dedicated, hardworking and compassionate professionals who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to thank them for their service to South Dakota and families.

3:38

Now therefore I, Travis Shahneman, Mayor of Aberdeen, do hereby proclaim September 14th through 18.

3:45

That's next week as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.

3:49

Uh please join me in acknowledging these professionals for their invaluable service to our communities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████████████27%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████████████20%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Liquor Licensing████4%
Veteran Recognition████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Aberdeen City Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Aberdeen City Council met on September 8, 2026, at 5:30 PM with Deputy Mayor Johnson presiding in the absence of Mayor Shahneman. The council addressed a wide range of items including the 2027 budget and capital improvement plan, liquor licenses, a data center public input meeting, airport projects, and a proclamation. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda as amended.
  • Approved minutes from the regular meeting of August 24 and special meeting of August 31.
  • Approved a proclamation declaring September 14-18, 2026, as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. The proclamation highlighted the nearly 3,300 DSPs working for 21 community support providers and the South Dakota Developmental Center. Councilmembers Ronane and Norstrup abstained on consent item C (not specified in transcript).
  • Approved several consent items including a proclamation read aloud, followed by a photo opportunity.
  • Deputy Mayor Johnson noted impressive year-over-year gains in passenger accounts at the airport, with increases of approximately 8% and 7% in the last two years.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during open forum or public hearings.

Discussion Items

  • 2027 Appropriations Ordinance (Budget): City Manager David McGill presented the budget, emphasizing collaboration with department heads and line-by-line review. Finance Director Jordan described two modifications: a $120,000 re-categorization from health and welfare to economic development (net zero effect) and consolidation of the downtown BID district into the general fund. The new OpenGov online budget tool was demonstrated, providing transparency. Councilmember Johnson praised the transparency. Councilmember asked about a $5,000 decrease in Meals on Wheels; staff attributed it to fewer clients. The public hearing was closed, and the ordinance passed first reading unanimously.
  • 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): McGill highlighted major investments including North Dakota Street Road, water transmission line, and water tower. City Engineer Leaf discussed pavement condition index, traffic counts, and coordination with sewer/water projects. A potential delay of the Sixth Avenue Bridge project was noted, with possible reallocation of funds to other road improvements. The CIP also includes a sewer line study and interior drainage study. Approved unanimously.
  • Data Center Public Input Meeting Procedures: The council approved procedures for a special meeting on September 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Aberdeen Civic Theater. The meeting will be a listening session with 3-minute speaking slots, registration until 6 PM, and no debate. City Attorney Ron amended two typographical/consistency errors in the procedures. The timeline includes a draft ordinance two weeks later, council revisions, and public hearings on October 20 and 26, with a potential second reading on November 2. The current moratorium on data centers sunsets November 18.
  • Airport Terminal Expansion Pay Requests: Dustin Flewelling presented three payments: Helms & Associates invoices #18 ($3,894.61) and #6 ($10,047.45) for engineering services, and Quest Construction pay estimate #7 ($814,362.92) for work through August 22. Funding sources: state $1.2M, federal grants, and $60,000 local share. Anticipated completion by end of September 2026. Approved.
  • Preconditioned Air (PCA) Unit Payment: Helms & Associates invoice #9 for $375 for assistance on acquiring a PCA unit (95% federal, 5% city). Delivery expected Q3 2026. Approved.
  • Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) Building Expansion Design: Payment of $28,001.07 to Helms & Associates for 30% complete design services. Funding: 95% federal, 2.5% state, 2.5% city. Expansion will also house the airfield electrical vault. Approved.
  • 2027-2037 Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP): Approved the ACIP and pre-application for SRE building expansion and airfield electrical vault relocation. Previously presented May 4, 2026. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • Appropriations Ordinance (Budget): Public hearing held; first reading approved unanimously. Final adoption expected at later meeting.
  • Capital Improvement Plan: Final adoption approved unanimously.
  • Liquor Licenses for BB's Chop House: Malt beverage/farm wine license (item C) approved unanimously with abstentions on consent item C (unrelated). On-off sale wine/cider license (item D) approved unanimously.
  • Data Center Meeting Procedures: Approved as amended unanimously.
  • Pay Requests: All four pay requests (sewer lining $20,293; water tower $189,098; airport terminal $828,304.98 combined; PCA unit $375; SRE design $28,001.07) approved unanimously.
  • Airport CIP: Approved unanimously.
  • Claims: $2 million in accounts payable and payroll/benefits approved unanimously.
  • City Manager Report: Recognized Don Thorstenson (10 years, campground/concessions) and Keith Knowledge (20 years, heavy equipment operator). Announced 9/11 memorial events and Presentation Peace Circle opening on September 10.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. It's 5 30 and time to conduct some city business. We are gathered here for the Aberdeen City Council meeting. A regular scheduled September 8th meeting. And we are delighted to welcome all of you in the gallery and those online. We'll excuse Mayor Shahneman. He's unable to attend today, and in his absence, I'll conduct his deputy mayor. Please respond by stating present. Councilmember Ronane. Present. Present. Liebelt? Present. Ward. Present. E. Conger. Present. Nilsson. Present. Norm Strup. Present. Mayor Shannon. Deputy Mayor Johnson. Present. Please join me for the pledge. And to Republican. One nation. Under a individual. Beautiful, thank you. So next item is the approval of tonight's agenda. We'll discuss a couple of adjustments, but do I have a motion to approve as uh as has been amended? Second. Okay, we have a motion from Econger and a second from Ward. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed. Thank you. And we're approving this evening two sets of minutes. The first from our regular meeting of August 24th, and also a week later, we met on the 31st in a special meeting. So uh do I have a motion to approve both sets of minutes? So moved. Second. All right. We have a motion. Um from Folberg and a second from Econger. Uh all in favor, please indicate. Aye. Any opposed. Thank you.

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