Aberdeen City Council Regular Meeting — November 2, 2026

On November 2, 2026, the Aberdeen City Council held a regular meeting. The council approved routine agenda and minutes, advanced multiple water, parks, and rezoning ordinances, approved pay requests and a liquor license, appointed Ashley Wolf to the Planning Commission, and heard public comments on an EV-charging proposal and a city award. The city manager also reported on employee milestones, public-safety outreach, downtown wayfinding, sidewalk planning, and a new ambulance.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the October 26 meeting.
• Approved the consent calendar: workers' compensation coverage for volunteers, a lottery notice for CASA, and a new residential building contractor's license.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ron Krogman presented a 2026 City of the Year plaque to Aberdeen, saying the city was recognized for outstanding service to a national organization; he said the award was bestowed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on September 26, 2026. He also announced a free community and veterans lunch at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, which he referred to as the former Mohawk Depot building, and invited the public. Alan, who accepted the award, said South Dakota is one of only two states with a Gettysburg namesake.
• Miranda Gowan, an Aberdeen resident and former automotive salesperson, expressed support for electric-vehicle opportunities and called an EV charging station near downtown a great idea. She said the Aberdeen Development Corporation is exploring a charging station in a downtown parking lot, cited Walmart and Ionna as aggressive charging-network builders, noted Ionna's founders include General Motors, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis, and said Litchfield partnered with ZEF Energy. She offered to help with legwork.

Discussion Items

• Second readings and adoptions advanced without changes: Ordinance 26103 for drinking-water facility improvements and a revenue bond; a water-system improvement surcharge ordinance; an ordinance establishing utility customer classifications and water service types conforming to solid waste provisions, with no rate changes; Ordinance 26106 supplementing parks, recreation, and forestry activities; Ordinance 26101, a C2-to-C3-R4 rezoning described as the American Bank First Edition; and Ordinance 26102, a C2 and R3 to C2 rezoning at 503 3rd Street North. The transcript labels the water-surcharge item as a second reading, while the staff comment referred to a first reading.
• Held a public hearing and approved a retail on-off sale malt beverage and wine license for Mud Bugs Saloon at 414 South Main Street; no one spoke during the hearing.
• Approved the appointment of Ashley Wolf to the Aberdeen City Planning Commission for a five-year term effective December 15, 2026; staff recommended her, citing community involvement and experience for the upcoming comprehensive-plan update.
• Approved a $126,014.22 pay request to Wright and Sudlow for concrete maintenance and repair; staff said the work is winding down as asphalt becomes unavailable.
• Approved a $495,489 pay request to Landmark Structures for the water tower and transmission line; staff said the project is near 98% complete, the tank holds 1.5 million gallons, first fill and bacteria testing were planned for Saturday, and the project is about three weeks ahead of schedule.
• Approved a $241,366.60 pay request to Hydrotech Service of Pipestone for water-treatment pipe gallery valve replacements; staff said the valves are 40 to 90 years old and the work replaces approximately 80% of the valves in that area.
• Approved claims and payroll for the pay period October 18 through October 31.

City Manager Report

• Recognized Captain Tony Bisby and Officer Erica Klein for 20 years with the Aberdeen Police Department and Wyatt Bill for five years at the water treatment plant.
• Police Chief Tanner reported on a community survey seeking input on department performance and improvement areas; he said 70 to 80 responses had come in and the goal is an annual survey. He also described a downtown parking and wayfinding effort, with the next meeting in about two and a half weeks.
• The city manager said a winter project will review sidewalk gaps and repair needs, with community-wide improvement areas discussed in spring.
• An ambulance report noted the city took possession of a remount ambulance with a four-point patient-compartment harness and an updated narcotics refrigerator; state licensing was expected by Friday, with full service hoped for by the weekend.
• The city manager thanked the council for discussion of the promotional fund and said discussions would continue on the golf fund and a lead service line presentation, with a work session to be scheduled.

Key Outcomes

• All motions carried; no opposing votes were recorded. The agenda, October 26 minutes, consent calendar, six ordinance items, Mud Bugs Saloon license, Ashley Wolf appointment, three pay requests, and claims and payroll were approved.
• Staff will continue police community survey work, downtown parking and wayfinding planning, and the winter sidewalk-gap review.
• The new ambulance was expected to receive state licensing by Friday and enter full service by the weekend.
• A future work session is expected on the golf fund and lead service line.