In recent months, the city of Milbank has been trying to find ways of better assisting property developers who are working to improve available housing options within the community. At last (Monday) night’s meeting, members of the Milbank City Council addressed concerns presented by Steve Wenzl, a member of the Grant County Development Corporation Board of Directors and Jamie Andrews of J @ J Land Sales who have both been searching for ways to better increase future housing development within the community. The men noted that overall building costs, along with a general lack of interest in new home construction have left little room for profitability for potential property developers. Milbank Mayor Pat Raffety and City Administrator Jason Kettwig both noted that the issue has been an ongoing struggle for everyone involved for quite some time. From the city’s perspective, it was noted there was a desire to try to better improve available housing development options, but at the same time there was equal concern about the possibility of neglecting certain capital improvement projects which are considered of major importance, as well. With councilman Steve Wiener being absent from last (Monday) night’s meeting, the council as a whole felt it would be better to refrain from taking any action on the matter until their special year end meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, December 22nd.
In other business, the council approved the second reading of ordinance 811, a supplemental budget
for the year 2017. A total of $89,122 will be transferred from the current fund balance to help fund expenditures associated with the the Fourth Street and Viola Street construction projects and the
Northridge development project.
In another matter, Brad Wilson, an administrator for Insurance Benefits Incorporated, which provides workers compensation coverage to public entities was on hand to present a special plaque to Mayor Pat Raffety formally recognizing the city for being an outstanding company charter member.
The council also approved a formal leave of absence agreement for Milbank City Administrator Jason Kettwig from January 8th through March 12th of 2018. Kettwig, who also serves as a South Dakota state legislator representing Brookings, Codington, Deuel and Grant counties will be attending the upcoming legislative session in Pierre, which begins on Tuesday, January 9th.
