City council to revisit EMS, fire safety studies

The Tea City Council met Feb. 3 and discussed studies for EMS and fire safety.

City administrator Justin Weiland said the city received a grant from the Department of Health to cover the $44,995 cost of doing an EMS systems study. The city is looking at having Fitch & Associates conduct the study, but are also interested in conducting a fire study for another $44,995. While council members thought a fire study would be beneficial, they did not agree they should move forward without it being in the budget. They did put forth a motion to approve moving forward with both studies, however the motion failed due to a vote of 3-1 with two councilors absent. In order for it to pass, at least four of the six council members would need to vote for approval. The council will revisit this topic at the next meeting.

The council held a public hearing for a new retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license for Smudge Studios, LLC at 2001 Industrial St., #4 in Bakker Landing Addition. The business is a pottery studio that will offer beer and wine. No one from the public spoke on the matter and the council approved the license.

In order to close out the James Avenue project, the city needs to buy Wetlands Functional Capacity unit credits based on the excavation done on the project. They council approved buying credits for 1.6 acres at $36,800 from Goeden Properties.

As a formality, the council approved the 2023 annual report and audit.

The council approved the purchase of a 2016 Ram 5500 bucket truck from Century Trucks & Vans for $66,434.39 and a 2025 Elgin street sweeper from Sanitation Products Inc. for $278,992.

The council also approved the purchase of Hydro Vacuum Excavator from Ditch Witch for $79,498.27. They also approved the site and building addition for Save Our Space at 2000 Mona St., the interior build for Legacy Med Spa at 108 E. Venture Pl. and the plat for lots 1 and 2, Bucksnort Addition.

They also approved the anniversary step pay increases for Thad Konrad at $52.18 per hour, Brian Crosby at $43.11 per hour and Kevin Nissen at $44.99 per hour.

The next meeting will be Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. due to the President’s Day holiday on Feb. 17.

The council adjourned at 6:34 p.m.