Menno public meetings in 2025

December 29 Year End Council

The Menno City Council is meeting for its year-end session to handle routine administrative matters, including accepting resignations, making appointments, approving warrants, and passing a contingency resolution. The agenda also includes a write-off of an ambulance assignment and setting the next meeting date.

• Resignation WIII– Cross
• Resignation WI– Goehring
• Appoint WI- Cross
• Contingency Resolution #3
• Write-Off Ambulance Assignment

The council accepted resignations from Amber Cross (Ward III) and Tyler Goehring (Ward I), then appointed Cross to fill the Ward I vacancy. It approved a full slate of warrants, transferred $3,825 from contingency funds to cover legal, cemetery, and ambulance costs, and wrote off an $11,466.75 ambulance assignment. The next regular meeting was set for January 5, 2025.

• Accepted resignation of Amber Cross from Ward III (all aye)
• Accepted resignation of Tyler Goehring from Ward I (all aye)
• Appointed Amber Cross as Alderman of Ward I (mayor's appointment)
• Approved warrants totaling $107,000+ (all aye)
• Approved Resolution #3 transferring $3,825 from contingency to legal, cemetery, and ambulance (5-0)
• Wrote off ambulance assignment of $11,466.75 (all aye)
• Scheduled next regular meeting for January 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. (all aye)

December 1 Council

The Menno City Council will hold its regular meeting on December 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Finance Office at City Hall. They will consider setting hourly rates for city equipment, purchasing certificates of deposit for capital outlay, and holding second readings of two ordinances: a supplemental budget ordinance and an election ordinance. The council will also review an audit report, discuss surplus Highway 18 lights, and consider contracted law enforcement and a part-time police officer.

• Advertise hourly rates for backhoe, excavator, trencher, scraper, and telehandler
• Purchase CDs for Capital Outlay
• 2nd reading of Supplemental Budget Ordinance 2025-3
• 2nd reading of Ordinance 2025-4 (Election)
• Surplus Hwy 18 Lights

The Menno City Council approved the second reading of supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-3, which supplements street repair, drainage services, ambulance equipment, and water fund salaries and materials. They also approved the second reading of ordinance 2025-4 to change the municipal election date per HB1130, accepted the 2023 & 2024 audit report, and authorized advertising for hourly equipment rates and a part-time police officer. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-3 (2nd reading, all aye)
• Approved ordinance 2025-4 amending municipal election date per HB1130 (2nd reading, all aye)
• Accepted 2023 & 2024 audit report (all aye)
• Authorized advertising for hourly backhoe, excavator, trencher, scraper, and telehandler rates for 2026 (all aye)
• Authorized Finance Officer to purchase CDs for capital outlay (all aye)
• Approved November finance report and warrants totaling $51,070.20 (all aye)
• Surplused replaced Highway 18 lights (all aye)
• Authorized advertising for part-time certified police officer (all aye)

Meeting

This is a special meeting of the Menno City Council with a short agenda. The council will discuss ambulance matters and then hold an executive session on personnel, as allowed by state law. No other business is listed.

• Discussion of ambulance services
• Executive session on personnel (SDCL 1-25-2(1))

The City Council held a special meeting and unanimously approved hiring Bryan Spiotti as police chief, effective April 1, 2026 or sooner if possible, with an annual salary of $58,136 based on a 43-hour work week. He will receive the same insurance, retirement, and leave benefits as other full-time employees. The council also discussed necessary ambulance repairs and entered executive session for personnel matters before the hiring vote.

• Approved hiring Bryan Spiotti as police chief, effective April 1, 2026 or sooner, at $58,136/year (unanimous)
• Entered executive session for personnel (unanimous)
• Adjourned at 8:07 p.m. (unanimous)

November 3 Council

The Menno City Council will hold its regular meeting on November 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Finance Office at City Hall. The agenda includes routine items such as approval of previous minutes, financial reports, and warrants. Scheduled business covers water, sewer, streets, and drainage. New business includes liquor license renewals for four establishments, first readings of a supplemental budget ordinance and an election ordinance, and discussion of the October sewer average. The meeting will also include an executive session for personnel matters.

• Liquor license renewals for Roosters, Schnitz, Beer Garden, and Total Stop
• 1st reading of Supplemental Budget Ordinance 2025-3
• 1st reading of Ordinance 2025-4 regarding elections
• Discussion of October sewer average
• Executive session for personnel (SDCL 1-25-2(1))

The Menno City Council approved six liquor license renewals for local businesses, including The Schnitz, Rooster's Bar & Grill, Beer Garden, and Total Stop. The council also gave first reading to supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-3 and ordinance 2025-4 amending the municipal election date. A request to average sewer rates from October billing died for lack of a motion, and no action was taken after executive session.

• Approved six liquor license renewals (all aye)
• Approved October finance report (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $182,408.87 (all aye)
• Gave 1st reading to supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-3 (all aye)
• Gave 1st reading to ordinance 2025-4 amending municipal election date (all aye)
• Sewer rate averaging request died for lack of a motion
• Entered executive session for personnel; no action taken

Meeting

The Menno City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss and potentially decide on several administrative and operational items, including a drainage culvert issue, public hours for City Hall, a weekend upcharge for cemetery services, and a quote for firewall, internet, and email encryption services. The meeting also includes an executive session for personnel matters.

• Drainage - Culvert discussion
• City Hall hours open to public
• Cemetery weekend upcharge
• Green Eggs & Ram quote for firewall, internet at shop, and email encryption
• Executive session on personnel (SDCL 1-25-2(1))

The City Council approved a $21,662.03 culvert replacement on 4th Street, a drop box for City Hall, a $100 weekend grave-digging fee, and IT quotes for firewall and email encryption. All votes were unanimous. No action was taken after executive session.

• Approved $21,662.03 culvert replacement on 4th Street (all aye)
• Approved installing drop box and limiting City Hall front door hours to when Finance Officer is present (all aye)
• Added $100 fee for weekend grave digging or covering (all aye)
• Accepted firewall and point-to-point internet equipment quote for $994.98 (all aye)
• Accepted email encryption quote at $4.25 per email address per month (all aye)
• Entered executive session for personnel; no action taken afterward

October 6 Council

The Menno City Council is holding its regular meeting on October 6, 2025, covering routine items like minutes, finance reports, and warrants. They will also discuss old business including contracted law enforcement, a cat policy, nuisance properties, and Highway 18 lighting, plus new business on a temporary permit for the Fire Department and a decision on moving elections to June or November per HB1130.

• Discussion of contracted law enforcement
• Cat policy review
• Nuisance properties update
• Highway 18 lighting discussion
• Election timing change (June or November) per HB1130

The council approved replacing streetlights on Highway 18 with LED lights for $11,980.89, accepted an amended cat policy, and agreed to advertise for a Police Chief position to gauge interest before deciding on contracting law enforcement with the county. A temporary malt beverage permit for the fire department was also approved, and elections were moved to November per state law.

• Approved $11,980.89 LED streetlight replacement on Hwy 18 (all aye)
• Accepted amended cat policy (3-1, Fischer nay)
• Agreed to advertise for Police Chief position before deciding on county contract
• Approved temporary malt beverage permit for fire department Oct 25, 2025 (all aye)
• Moved city elections to November per HB1130 (all aye)
• Approved September finance report and warrants (all aye)

September 2 Council

The Menno City Council is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, the finance report, and warrants. Scheduled business includes a review of South Dakota open meeting laws and discussions on drainage, streets, water, and sewer. Under new business, the council will consider a cat policy, address a public concern about ambulance service, hold a second reading of the 2025 budget ordinance, and discuss nuisance properties. Old business includes a to-do list and the contracted law enforcement agreement.

• 2nd reading of Budget Ordinance 2025-2
• Review of contracted law enforcement
• Cat policy discussion
• Public concern regarding ambulance service (J. McCoy)
• Nuisance properties discussion

The Menno City Council voted to table a proposal to contract law enforcement with Hutchinson County after residents voiced concerns about response times and the lack of a resident police officer. The council also tabled a cat policy update pending advice from the city attorney, approved the 2026 budget on second reading, and declared two properties as nuisances. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

• Tabled contracted law enforcement with Hutchinson County (all aye)
• Tabled cat policy update pending city attorney advice (all aye)
• Approved 2nd reading of budget ordinance #2025-2 for 2026 (all aye)
• Declared 208 S. Pearl St and 612 S. 3rd St as nuisances under Chapter 22
• Approved August finance report (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $63,433.00 (all aye)

August 4 Council

The Menno City Council will meet to approve the agenda, review minutes and financial reports, and discuss routine items. The most significant action is the first reading of Budget Ordinance 2025-2, which is a step toward adopting the city's budget. Other business includes setting the pool closing date, discussing Highway 18 lighting, contracted law enforcement, and grass/weed enforcement.

• 1st Reading Budget Ordinance 2025-2
• Pool closing date set for August 10th
• Discussion on Hwy 18 lighting
• Contracted law enforcement discussion
• Grass/weeds enforcement

The Menno City Council approved the first reading of the 2026 budget ordinance and authorized adding a culvert on 5th Street to improve drainage. The council also approved the July finance report, warrants, and pool closing for the season. No action was taken on LED lighting for Hwy 18 or contracting law enforcement with Hutchinson County.

• Approved agenda and minutes of July 7 and July 21 meetings (all aye)
• Approved July finance report (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $96,016.84 (all aye)
• Approved adding a culvert on south end of 5th Street for drainage (all aye)
• Gave first reading to budget ordinance #2025-2 for 2026 appropriations (all aye)
• Approved pool closing for season on August 10 (all aye)
• Discussed Hwy 18 LED lighting, no action taken
• Discussed contracting law enforcement with Hutchinson County, no action taken

Meeting

The Menno City Council is meeting to work on the budget. The agenda includes a second reading of Supplemental Budget 2025-1 and general budget work. No other substantive items are listed.

• 2nd Reading of Supplemental Budget 2025-1
• Work on Budget

The Menno City Council held a budget meeting and gave final approval to supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-1, which supplements park salaries and repairs and street equipment in the General Fund. The council also reviewed budget sheets for all funds. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-1 (all aye)
• Approved meeting agenda (all aye)

July 7 Council

The Menno City Council is meeting to handle routine business including minutes, finances, and police reports. They will discuss drainage, street, sewer, and water issues, and consider a budget supplement, city attorney fees, and quotes for phones and a printer. The meeting includes a public comment period and a closed session for personnel matters.

• 1st Reading of Supplemental Budget 2025-1
• Discussion on drainage, street, sewer, and water
• City Attorney fees and contract
• Surplus culverts
• Quotes for phones (Golden West) and printer (One Office Solution)

The Menno City Council accepted the resignation of Police Chief Mike Hofeldt and extended appreciation for his 10+ years of service. The council also approved Dylan Novak of Bertsch Law Office as the new City Attorney at $180/hr legal and $80/hr cemetery work. Several routine items were approved, including warrants, a supplemental appropriations ordinance first reading, and various quotes.

• Accepted Police Chief Mike Hofeldt's resignation (all aye)
• Approved Dylan Novak as City Attorney at $180/hr legal, $80/hr cemetery (all aye)
• Approved $110,764.50 in warrants (all aye)
• Gave first reading to supplemental appropriations ordinance #2025-1 (all aye)
• Approved $331.63 campground signs from Mayer Signs (all aye)
• Approved $149.95 Golden West phone quote for finance office (all aye)
• Approved $490.98 printer quote from One Office Solution (all aye)
• Surplused 9 cement/steel culverts (all aye)

June 2 Council

The Menno City Council will meet to handle routine business including approving minutes, the finance report, and warrants. They will also consider several action items such as appointing a councilman, a new off-sale liquor license, a variance, and a joint co-op agreement. The council will also discuss drainage, street, sewer, and water projects.

• Release $500 for Jr Legion Baseball
• Transfer $25,000 sales tax to GO Bond Fund
• Transfer $29,736 surcharge to Phase I sewer
• Approve Joint Co-op Agreement with District III for $1,539
• Approve Consumption Permit for Alley Dance on July 3

The council approved the new off-sale liquor license for Total Stop Convenience Store, one of two applicants for the license created by 2025 state law. It also approved a variance for a garage addition, continued financial support for District III, and set new campground fees. All other agenda items were routine approvals of reports, warrants, and transfers.

• Issued new off-sale liquor license to Total Stop Convenience Store (3-1)
• Granted variance for 12-foot garage addition at 207 S East St (all aye)
• Continued District III agreement financial support at $1,539 for 2026 (all aye)
• Approved temporary alcohol consumption permit for July 3 alley dance (all aye)
• Set City Park campground fee at $25/day, $20/day for 30+ days with advance payment (all aye)
• Approved $25,000 transfer from General Fund to GO Bond Fund (all aye)
• Approved $29,736 transfer from Sewer Fund to GO Bond Fund (all aye)
• Approved May warrants totaling $81,375.02 (all aye)

May 5 Council

The Menno City Council will meet to handle routine business including approving minutes, financial reports, and warrants. They will also discuss and potentially decide on summer sewer rates, approve malt beverage license renewals, and address various community items such as pool operations and a fireworks permit.

• Release $5,000 to Athletic Club
• Approve malt beverage license renewals for Klaudt Service, Total Stop, and Beer Garden
• Set summer sewer rates
• Discuss 2025 All School Reunion
• Consider temporary permit for Baseball Association and July 4th fireworks

The Menno City Council approved a change to summer sewer rates, renewed three malt beverage licenses, and set the pool opening for May 27. The council also approved a fireworks display, a temporary beer permit for the baseball association, and hired lifeguards at set wages. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved summer sewer rate change to include May in average billing (all aye)
• Renewed malt beverage licenses for Klaudt Service LLC, Menno Groceries LLC, and WWIT2 LLC (all aye)
• Approved temporary malt beverage permit for Menno Baseball Association (all aye)
• Allowed fireworks display on July 4 near baseball field (all aye)
• Set May 27 as tentative pool opening date (all aye)
• Approved lifeguard wages: $13/hr for first year, $13.50/hr for returning (all aye)
• Approved $5,000 annual funds to Menno Athletic Club (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $103,890.02 (all aye)

April 14 Council

The Menno City Council is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, reviewing finances, and releasing funds. They will also discuss drainage, street, sewer, and water projects, along with several new business items such as a mosquito workshop and flower planting.

• Release Funds – Baseball Assn $1500
• Drainage, Street, Sewer & Water Projects discussion
• 4-H group to plant flowers on 5th St - $250
• 2025 Mosquito Workshop - Mitchell 4/24
• Executive Session for Personnel SDCL 1-25-2(1)

The Menno City Council approved the purchase of the IamResponding communication platform for both the ambulance and fire departments at $300 per year each. The council also approved the March finance report, released $1,500 to the Menno Baseball Association, and approved a list of warrants. In personnel actions, Brenna Edelman was acknowledged as the 2025 pool manager at $16.00 per hour, and Johnny Woehl was hired as RU site manager at $13.00 per hour.

• Approved IamResponding platform for ambulance and fire departments (all aye)
• Approved March finance report (all aye)
• Released $1,500 annual funds to Menno Baseball Association (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $60,338.87 (all aye)
• Approved police report (all aye)
• Acknowledged Brenna Edelman as 2025 pool manager at $16.00/hr (all aye)
• Hired Johnny Woehl as RU site manager at $13.00/hr (all aye)
• Approved ad reminding citizens to mow lawns and spray weeds (all aye)

Meeting

The Menno City Council held its annual equalization meeting on March 17, 2025, with no property valuation appeals filed. The council approved a temporary malt beverage permit for the Menno Fire Department's April 12 event, accepted the 2024 annual report and water quality report, and made no changes to assessment books.

• Approved temporary malt beverage permit for Menno Fire Department (all aye)
• Approved 2024 annual report (all aye)
• Accepted 2024 water quality report (all aye)
• No changes made to assessment books or improvement lists

March 3 Council

The Menno City Council will meet to handle routine business including minutes, finance reports, and warrants, and to discuss drainage, street, sewer, and water projects. New business includes a sweeping contract, spring clean-up dates, a police chiefs' meeting, the April meeting date, and garbage rates.

• Sweeping Contract
• Spring Clean-up - 4/14, snow date 4/28
• Police Chiefs' mtg - Deadwood - 4/15-17
• April Meeting Date – April 14??
• Garbage Rates

The Menno City Council approved a garbage rate increase to $26.00 per month for residents, plus a $1.00/month RU site fee and applicable sales tax, following a new contract with Myers Sanitation. The council also approved a $2,000 contract with the SD DOT for street sweeping on US Hwy 18, set spring clean-up for April 14, and authorized payment for the police chief to attend a meeting in Deadwood.

• Approved garbage rate increase to $26.00/month plus $1.00 RU site fee (all ayes)
• Approved $2,000 sweeping contract with SD DOT for US Hwy 18 (all ayes)
• Set spring clean-up day for April 14 with snow date April 28 (all ayes)
• Approved police chief's registration and expenses for Deadwood meeting April 15-17 (all ayes)
• Approved February finance report and warrants totaling $58,613.65 (all ayes)
• Approved police report for February (all ayes)
• Set next regular meeting for April 14 at 6:00 p.m. (all ayes)

Meeting

This is a special meeting of the Menno City Council. The only substantive item is consideration of a garbage bid or contract. The rest of the agenda is procedural (call to order, roll call, approval of agenda, adjournment).

• Garbage bid/contract consideration

The City Council held a special meeting and approved a 3-year garbage collection contract with Myers Sanitation at $23.97 per resident per month. The council withdrew its earlier offer to United Sanitation because that company does not currently serve any municipalities, making it impossible to obtain references. The motion passed unanimously.

• Approved 3-year garbage contract with Myers Sanitation at $23.97 per resident per month (5-0)
• Withdrew offer to United Sanitation due to lack of municipal references (5-0)

Meeting

The Menno City Council is holding a special meeting to consider garbage contract bids and a grant opportunity from the SDML Worker's Compensation Fund for trenching and confined space safety. The agenda is short and focused on these two items, with no other business listed.

• Garbage contract bids review
• SDML Worker's Compensation Fund Trenching & Confined Space Grant consideration

The City Council awarded the garbage contract to United Sanitation Services at $5,700 monthly for 285 residents plus $340 monthly for ball fields and pool. The council also approved purchasing confined space equipment using a 2025 SDML grant. All votes were unanimous.

• Awarded garbage contract to United Sanitation Services (all aye)
• Approved purchase of confined space equipment from Stan Houston Company (all aye)

February 3 Council

The Menno City Council will hold its regular meeting on February 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Finance Office at City Hall. The agenda includes routine items like approving minutes, the finance report, warrants, and the police report, plus updates on drainage, street, sewer, and water projects. The council will also discuss new business including advertising for pool staff, the 2024 annual report, a garbage contract/bid, and proposed fees for burial excavation and NSF checks.

• Drainage, street, sewer, and water projects updates
• Garbage contract/bid discussion
• Burial excavation fee and NSF fee proposals
• Advertising for pool manager, lifeguards, and lessons
• 2024 Annual Report from Schoenfish & Co.

The Menno City Council approved a $500 fee for funeral homes to dig graves at the city cemetery, plus a $150 fee if a thermal blanket is needed, and raised the NSF fee from $20 to $30 per returned check/ACH. They also approved warrants totaling $131,960.34, advertised for pool personnel, set the equalization meeting for March 17, and hired Schoenfish & Co. for the 2024 annual report. No action was taken on a possible liquor license transfer discussed by Ken Bertsch.

• Approved $500 grave-digging fee and $150 thermal blanket fee (all aye)
• Raised NSF fee from $20 to $30 per returned check/ACH (all aye)
• Approved warrants totaling $131,960.34 (all aye)
• Advertised for pool manager, lifeguards, and swimming lesson instructor (all aye)
• Set equalization meeting for March 17 at 6:00 p.m. (all aye)
• Approved paying expenses for District III meeting attendees (all aye)
• Hired Schoenfish & Co. to prepare 2024 annual report (all aye)
• Acknowledged garbage bid notice with bids due February 10 (all aye)

January 6 Council

The Menno City Council will hold its first meeting of 2025, handling yearly business such as designating the official depository and publication, setting the April 8 election, and appointing the election board. They will also consider paying bills, releasing annual contributions, and discussing new business including hourly rate quotes for equipment and a possible mini excavator purchase.

• Resolution to Pay Bills #1-2025
• Release annual contributions: Gym $2,000, Museum $774
• Hearing on Legion temporary permits
• Hourly rate quotes for backhoe, excavator, trencher, scraper, telehandler
• Mini excavator purchase discussion

The Menno City Council approved the 2025 salary resolution, purchased a mini excavator and trailer, and accepted bids for hourly equipment rates. They also set the April 8 election, named the official depository and publication, and approved annual contributions and warrants.

• Approved 2025 salary resolution (6-0)
• Purchased 2017 Takeuchi TB240 Mini Excavator for $49,500 and 2025 Big Tex Trailer for $8,600 (all aye)
• Accepted all hourly rate bids from Water Management Solutions and D&D Services (all aye)
• Hired Tim & Sherry Freier to mow cemetery at $700 per mowing (all aye)
• Approved temporary alcohol permits for American Legion Post 152 for 34 dates in 2025 (all aye)
• Named Menno State Bank as official depository and Courier as official publication for 2025 (all aye)
• Set city-school election for April 8, 2025 at Menno Fire Hall (all aye)
• Approved annual contributions: $2,000 to Menno School-Gym and $774 to Menno Museum (all aye)