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Record of Proceedings

Aberdeen City Council Meeting - September 28, 2026

City Council — Monday, September 28, 2026
BodyAberdeen, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:38

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

1:04

Good evening, everyone.

1:06

It is 5 30 on Monday, September 28th.

1:10

We're gathered here at City Hall, 123 South Lincoln, to meet and conduct city business.

1:16

We appreciate the group here in the gallery.

1:18

Thank you all for being here.

1:20

And we have a great agenda.

1:25

It should be very interesting.

1:26

Thank you for being here.

Speaker 2

1:31

Please respond by stating present.

1:32

Councilmember Ronane.

1:34

Present.

1:34

Foberg.

1:36

Liebelt.

1:37

Present.

1:38

Ward.

1:38

Present.

1:39

Econger.

Speaker 3

1:40

Present.

Speaker 2

1:40

Nilsen.

1:41

President.

1:41

Norm Strup.

1:42

President Mayor

Speaker 1

1:42

Shanneman.

1:44

Deputy Mayor Johnson.

1:45

Present.

1:46

Please stand and join with me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

1:52

I

Speaker 4

1:52

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:57

And to the Republic for which it

Speaker 2

1:59

stands for a nation.

Speaker 1

2:13

Thank you.

2:13

We'll uh entertain motions for first approval of tonight's agenda.

Speaker 5

2:19

So move.

2:21

Second.

Speaker 1

2:21

We have a motion from Nilson and a second from Econger.

2:24

All in favor, please say aye.

2:26

Aye.

2:26

Any opposed?

2:28

Thank you.

2:30

Agenda is approved.

2:31

And let's next take care of this housekeeping item, approval of the September 21st minutes.

2:38

I'll take a motion.

Speaker 3

2:39

Move to approve.

2:40

Second.

Speaker 1

2:41

We have a motion from Econger and a second from Liebelt.

2:44

All in favor, please say aye.

Speaker 3

2:45

Aye.

Speaker 1

2:46

Any opposed.

2:47

Great.

2:51

Again, we're um conducting business without our mayor present, and uh I have it on good authority himself that uh we may be able to see him as soon as next Monday night.

3:02

So we look forward to that.

3:03

And it's been wonderful to see him at various civic events.

3:08

Um looking well and active, and uh we still continue our prayers and best wishes for him and his family.

3:15

So uh the next item for us is our open forum.

3:20

And I'm happy to report that uh five uh people in gallery tonight are signed up, and so we are going to hear first uh from Clark Theres.

3:31

Um just uh a reminder that uh the intent is to have um your input.

3:38

Um no feedback really or discussion from the council, and we ask that you limit your remarks and comments to three minutes each.

3:47

So Clark, please.

Speaker 6

3:49

Is it on?

Speaker 1

3:52

Is there a green button?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████20%
Technology and Innovation███████████████15%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Homelessness█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Zoning Regulations██████6%
Veteran Recognition█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Aberdeen City Council Meeting - September 28, 2026

On Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM, the Aberdeen City Council met at City Hall to conduct routine business, hear public comments, and discuss several items including data center ordinances, housing initiatives, and infrastructure projects. Deputy Mayor Johnson presided in the absence of the Mayor.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Approved – Motion by Nilsen, second by Econger; voice vote carried.
  • Minutes Approved – September 21, 2026 minutes; motion by Econger, second by Liebelt; voice vote carried.
  • Consent Agenda Items (C1-C6) – Included routine approvals and the lead service line replacement plan update. Councilmember Ward abstained from item C3; Councilmember Ronane abstained from item D. After discussion, motion and second carried with two abstentions noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Clark Theres – Criticized lack of transparency regarding the ADC's land sale to Green Vault Power, noting a $350,000 profit and potential conflict of interest for Councilmember Ward. Cited that water was trucked to a North Dakota company approximately 200 times (1 million gallons). Asked for Ward's recusal, a “no direct grid access” ordinance for data centers, and extension of the moratorium to June 1, 2027. Volunteered to serve as a liaison between city, county, and citizens.
  • Melanie Bobby (Vice Chair, Aberdeen New Start) – Stated there are 26 known individuals sleeping in tents or cars despite ability to pay rent, due to lack of housing. Requested an emergency winter shelter and offered volunteer help from her organization.
  • Natasha Wells – Expressed frustration over water being hauled to North Dakota, decreased water pressure in July, and increased water bills. Called for better community engagement and transparency. Asked Councilmember Ward to recuse himself or resign.
  • Jamie Shaw (Vice President, Sunny Day Outreach) – Described homelessness crisis, collaboration with coalitions (Salvation Army, Midwest Street Medicine, etc.), and urged council to act before Aberdeen becomes like Sioux Falls. Challenged council members to consider they could be helping family members.
  • Tim Hannigan (CEO, Aberdeen Development Corporation) – Clarified that ADC has no NDAs with data center companies, no active projects, no direct contact with data center tenants. ADC advocates for a reasonable ordinance and supports a timely but thorough process. Emphasized accurate information for council and community.

Discussion Items

  • Old Business – Two ordinances received final adoption:
    • Ordinance 260902: Rezone 24 North State Street from I2 to R3. Approved unanimously (roll call).
    • Ordinance 2609-03: Amend off-street parking and loading regulations. Approved unanimously (roll call).
  • New Business – Items included:
    • National Award – Ron Krogman (40 & 8 organization) announced Aberdeen was named National City of the Year by La Société des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, with official proclamation from Gettysburg, PA.
    • Special Beer License – One-day license for Unity for Life (Stella Maris at Sacred Heart Parish). Approved unanimously.
    • Budget Supplement (Ordinance 260904) – Transfer for Storybook Land activities. Approved unanimously.
    • Pay Requests – Lime slacker replacement ($39,127) and water tower/transmission line ($238,592) both approved unanimously.
    • Legal Services – Payment to Woods Fuller ($68,380) for Winds Water Project agreement; Aberdeen's share ~$32,074. Approved unanimously.
    • Data Center Ordinance Working Drafts – City Attorney Ron Wager presented three very rough draft ordinances (sales tax refund, extra-territorial zoning, and data center regulation). He noted none are ready for public review and the timeline will be delayed. Council will consider extending the moratorium next week. Councilman Nostrup asked about open meeting law compliance for sharing drafts—Attorney explained proper procedures.

Key Outcomes

  • Both rezoning and parking ordinances passed unanimously (second reading).
  • All pay requests and licenses approved unanimously, with specific abstentions noted on consent items.
  • Data center ordinance timeline missed: no first reading next week; attorney to propose resolution extending moratorium.
  • City Manager Dave McNeil introduced housing initiative: city-owned land near Riverside Cemetery being explored for affordable housing (mortgages $150,000–$200,000) in partnership with nonprofits. Amber Schwab reported on identifying development-ready sites (20+ lots) and potential TAP grant (first in Region 8).
  • Upcoming events: South Dakota Municipal League Conference in Aberdeen, groundbreaking for Public Works facility at Roosevelt Industrial Park (October 5, 1 PM), and community development workshops with Peter Calthorpe.
  • City acknowledged Jordan Majeski's 10 years of service with the police department and successful Gypsy Day Parade.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It is 5 30 on Monday, September 28th. We're gathered here at City Hall, 123 South Lincoln, to meet and conduct city business. We appreciate the group here in the gallery. Thank you all for being here. And we have a great agenda. It should be very interesting. Thank you for being here. Please respond by stating present. Councilmember Ronane. Present. Foberg. Liebelt. Present. Ward. Present. Econger. Present. Nilsen. President. Norm Strup. President Mayor Shanneman. Deputy Mayor Johnson. Present. Please stand and join with me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands for a nation. Thank you. We'll uh entertain motions for first approval of tonight's agenda. So move. Second. We have a motion from Nilson and a second from Econger. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you. Agenda is approved. And let's next take care of this housekeeping item, approval of the September 21st minutes. I'll take a motion. Move to approve. Second. We have a motion from Econger and a second from Liebelt. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed. Great. Again, we're um conducting business without our mayor present, and uh I have it on good authority himself that uh we may be able to see him as soon as next Monday night.

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