City Council Considers Installing Surveillance Cameras at Rubble Site

The Milbank City Council discussed installing surveillance cameras at the Milbank Rubble site during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting held remotely via Zoom on Monday, May 11.  Because so many people have been issued keys to the gate, abuse of privileges after hours, such as debris and tree branch dumping, has become a problem. The council is considering installing two surveillance cameras with an approximate cost of $3,600. One of the cameras would be positioned on the gate and one would be placed higher up to focus on license plates. The vote on the purchase of the cameras will be on the agenda for the June meeting.

The council also voted to lower the fee for disposing of TVs at the rubble site. The new cost will be $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents of Grant County. The change reduces the fees to those already established for computer monitors, printers, and microwaves.

The council decided the Milbank Visitor Center, which includes the offices of The City of Milbank, will remain closed until after the next council meeting. The city’s drop box is available to take payments, and inquiries, such as those regarding building permits and zoning, have been and will continue to be answered by phone.

The council also decided to keep all park restrooms in Milbank closed. Milbank City Administrator John Forman stated larger towns in the area, such as Watertown and Brookings, are not opening their park bathrooms because they lack the manpower to keep them clean. The council also declared the campgrounds in Milbank would remain closed, and the issue would be revisited at the June council meeting.

Councilman Scott Hoeke made a motion to approve Ordinance 829. Ordinance 829 allows for the creation of a Milbank Park and Recreation Board. James Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Mayor Raffety plans to select the members to comprise the board and announce the appointments at the June meeting.

The Milbank Parks Department reported 70 trees were obtained and potted. Other outdoor work completed included: water was turned on at the parks (although as noted earlier, park bathrooms remain closed); over 20 loads of brush below the dam were cut and hauled; a windscreen was erected at the tennis courts; summer banners for the Milbank Area Chamber of Commerce were hung; and graves at the Milbank Cemetery were seeded and filled. Docks were also installed at Lake Farley, and spraying in the parks has commenced as the weather has permitted.

During the April city council meeting, council members discussed the property at 208½ North First Street. They declared the site a nuisance and requested a bid for demolition from Berkner Excavating in Milbank. The quote capped the cost of demolishing the home at $4000, which is to include clearing the site and filling in the basement. The motion passed 5-0.

Malt beverage and South Dakota wine licenses were approved for The Back Door Pub, The Pump, Top Hat Lanes, Habanero’s, and GrandStay Hotel.

Mark Wagner from Twin City and Western Railroad requested an endorsement from the City of Milbank. The endorsement is to be included in the railroad company’s application for a $25 million grant to redo the rail line from Milbank to Sisseton.

Resolution 5-11-20A to move stop signs on Viola, Seventh Street, and 12th Avenue to improve traffic flow on those residential streets was tabled until the June meeting. Members of the council plan to drive around the area to conduct research and provide their feedback at the next meeting.

Bills totaling $100,348.93 were paid. Seasonal salaries were amended for Alec Bien – $10.25; Riley Gauer – $10.25; Jacob Karges – $10.25; Charles Schamber – $12.00. A 2014 Ford Police Interceptor SUV was declared surplus. The vehicle will sell by sealed bids on June 5.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Milbank City Council will be June 8 at 7 p.m.