Professional fundraising for the Corn Palace on tap

Discussion of the possibility of hiring a professional fundraiser to raise money for the renovation and expansion of the Corn Palace is on the Mitchell City Council’s agenda tonight. In July, the council approved a $7.175 million plan for the Corn Palace, split into two phases. The city currently has $6.5 million set aside for the project.

Since the plan was approved, the idea of hiring a fundraiser to raise money for the project has occasionally surfaced at council meetings, but no action has ever been taken.

The renovation and expansion plan calls for changes to the exterior of the Corn Palace, including new light-up domes, which will have LED lights with the ability to change color. It will also include larger murals with improved lighting and large windows that open to a walk-out balcony above the marquee, and numerous other changes.

The existing City Hall building, which is connected to the north side of the Corn Palace, will be vacated and renovated to include exhibits and a theater in the second phase of the plan.

Mayor Ken Tracy said Friday the idea is being discussed simply to see where the council stands on the issue.

The agenda for tonight’s meeting also mentions Mitchell Main Street & Beyond’s proposed $5.8 million downtown streetscape project. Tracy said that, if a fundraiser were hired, it is yet to be decided whether funding for that project could also be pursued.

Capital Street

The council will also discuss the possibility of installing flashing yellow lights and 15 mph speed limit signs on Capital Street in front of Mitchell High School.

The discussion will follow several prior talks regarding Mitchell School District Superintendent Joe Graves’ proposal to close a portion of Capital Street between Mitchell High School and the Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy building, Mitchell Technical Institute’s former north campus.

At the last council meeting Oct. 21, council members said they heard virtually no public support for the proposal to close Capital Street.

Consent agenda

Council members plan to consider approving the following items as part of a consent agenda:

• The meeting agenda, council minutes from the prior meeting and minutes from various committee meetings.

• Raffle requests from the James Valley Community Center, with the drawing to be held Jan. 11; Pink Ladies Dart League, with the drawing to be held Jan. 18; Mitchell High School boys and girls basketball, with the drawing to be held Dec. 28.

• An application to transfer a package off-sale malt beverage license from LAB LLC, doing business as Arnie’s First and Foster, 1218 E. First Ave., to Niew LLC, doing business as Arnie’s, 1218 E. First Ave.

• Set a Nov. 18 date for a hearing on the application to transfer a retail on-sale liquor license from Bryan A. Rickel, 421 N. Wisconsin St. to Cattleman’s Club Steakhouse, 601 E. Norway Ave.

• An application from the Palace City Lions Club for a special event malt beverage and wine license for the Kenny Rogers concert on Dec. 19 at the Corn Palace.

• Automatic supplements to parks and recreation special revenue fund in the amount of $6,485 from donations for the tree planting program, and $1,276 from an insurance claim reimbursement for repairs.

• A change order for the Capital Street project decreasing the project cost by $25,256.89, for an adjusted contract amount of $733,680.91 to H&W Contracting.

• A change order for the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital drainage project decreasing the project cost by $5,239.50 for an adjusted contract amount of $1,211,390.68 to Menning Backhoe.

• Bills, payroll salary adjustments and new employee hires, and authorize the payment of recurring and other expenses in advance as approved by the finance officer.

• A list of pay estimates.

• Gas and diesel fuel competitive quotations.

Other business

In scheduled business tonight, council members plan to:

• Sit as the board of adjustment to set a Nov. 18 date for a hearing on the application of Chris and Frank Krohmer for a variance for an oversize accessory building adding 1,320 square feet to their existing 2,112 square feet, and a side yard variance of 11 feet rather than the required 20 feet, located at 500 E. 16th Ave.; consider the application of Carmen Fischer for a conditional-use permit to operate a day care in her home at 601 N. Edgerton St; and consider the application of Nathan and Erin Schlimgen for a front yard variance of 16 feet rather than the 25 feet required for an addition to their attached garage at 1500 Ridge Lane.

• Briefly discuss a proposal to add a city administrator to the city’s government, to allow Mayor Ken Tracy to inform the council that a professor from the University of South Dakota will attend a future meeting to discuss the proposal with the council.

• Conduct a public hearing on a three-year hayland lease.

• Consider adopting a resolution accepting this fiscal year’s operating agreement with Palace Transit.

• Consider adopting a resolution to plat lots two, three and four, block six, Westview Addition in the southeast one-fourth of Section 20, Township 103 North, Range 60 West of the fifth P.M., city of Mitchell.

• Consider the second reading and conduct a final vote for an ordinance amending the city of Mitchell’s municipal code to accommodate electric car charging stations.

• Consider the second reading and conduct a final vote for an ordinance to supplement portions of the general fund, including information technology, police, traffic, fire, street, snow removal and emergency medical services, with funds from the general fund cash balance; portions of the parks and recreation special revenue fund, including aquatics, sports complexes, parks and entertainment tax; and portions of the enterprise fund, including water treatment, water distribution, airport, landfill and Corn Palace shows.

• Consider approving contracts for E-911 and traffic services with Aurora, Brule, Hanson, Hutchinson counties, and E-911 services with McCook County.