Aberdeen City Council preliminarily OK's promotion funds, including $96K for youth center

Promotional funds, including $96,000 for the Glenna and Rodney Fouberg Youth Development Center, have been preliminarily approved by the Aberdeen City Council.

The 2023 promotion fund allocations were discussed Monday during the council's regular meeting.

The promotion fund is a small part of the city's overall budget. It includes $1.2 million from the city's 1% tax on hotel and motel stays, restaurant meals and alcohol sales.

Money has been set aside for the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Downtown Association, Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau and other groups. The funding is to be used for activities that promote the city.

This year, the city had 14 requests totaling $1.679 million. The highest request, outside of the convention and visitors bureau, chamber and downtown association, was $500,000 for the youth development center expansion. The council trimmed that back to $96,000. The center is operated by the Aberdeen Family YMCA.

More:Youth Development Center now named for Glenna and Rodney Fouberg

Two requests were not funded. They were for the NSU Civic Symphony, which asked for $3,500, and the Aberdeen Hockey Association, which asked for $30,000.

With $1.2 million accounted for, the promotion fund has $29,400 unallocated.

Allocations were unanimously approved with no further discussion other than a general summary from City Manager Joe Gaa.

Bid for water treatment plant wiring approved

The council approved a $352,489 bid from Muth Electric to make improvements to the water treatment plant to improve the reliability of standby electric generation capabilities.

Plant manager Bob Braun said work will replace the wiring to the electric generator since many of the wires have failed. HR Green estimated the probable cost at about $152,400. Braun said that estimate was based on work done in 2021.

"The cost of the actual materials has gone up considerably," he said.

Work will include not only replacing wiring, but scoping the conduit to make sure installation is done properly, Braun said. 

Outgoing councilmen say farewell

In lieu of a city manager's report, outgoing council members Clint Rux, Dave Lunzman and Mark Remily spoke briefly. Each said they've enjoyed their time on the council. 

Rux is the last remaining member of the council to have served before the transition to the city manager form of government. He said it's been an honor to serve and that he is only a text away if questions arise about a past council decision.

Lunzman, who served five years before running for Brown County sheriff this year, said he's also enjoyed his time, even through the hard discussions and disagreements about COVID-19 policies. Those disagreements led to healthy talks, he said.

Remily noted past agreements and disagreements within the council. 

"I'm going to miss it, I really am. It was hard coming up to this election to let go," he said.