STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council held their first meeting in May Monday, and elected a new council president and vice president.
Beka Zerbst was selected as president and Angela Wilkerson will serve as vice president.
The council also made committee appointments as it convenes its 2023-2024 council session.
The council heard from some concerned citizens last night regarding a school bus stop along Highway 14A, or Boulder Canyon Road, where children are crossing the busy four-lane highway when boarding and exiting the school bus.
Although city leaders share their concerns, the city says they are limited in what they can do because the highway is managed by the State D.O.T.
Citizens had hoped the city could take some action in creating a crosswalk or add additional signage or traffic control markings in the area. However, such action would more than likely need to come from the Meade 46-1 School District and the State Department of Transportation. Meade 46-1 Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt addressed the council on the issue Monday night.
Wormstadt says they are working with their bus company, Harlow’s, and the State Department of Transportation on improving the safety in the area.
In other business Monday, the council approved an addendum to the current Professional Medical Services Agreement with the Meade County Sheriff’s Office.
After negotiations between the Sturgis Ambulance Service and the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, the sheriff had agreed to an $18,000 lump sum payment for the care and transport of Meade County inmates as provided by the ambulance service. The two entities determined that $18,000 will appropriately and adequately compensate for these services in an average year.
But, after review by the Meade County Commission, the county modified the proposed fees to $13,000 to stay within their 2023 budget of $100,000.
The council also announced it has begun the recruitment process for a new City Manager. The job posting was made available on the City’s website today.
