BRUCE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 14th, 2026
City Mayor Sabrina Kasper called the Bruce City Council to order Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at 6:00 pm at the Bruce Community Room. Those present included Mayor Sabrina Kasper, Council members Andrea Diedrich, Kay Ruden, Marilyn Edler, Lesley Winter, Mike Zuiderhof, Paul Hartley, Finance Officer Aundrea Saathoff and Maintenance Zackary Stokes. Those also present include Harlan Feldhus, Sue Feldhus, Denver Kruse, Louise Zuiderhof, Carol Skovlund, Rinda Ribstein, Randy Ribstein, Jodi Langland and Manny Langstraat.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Council called Roll Call.
Motion by Winter and seconded by Hartley to approve the agenda; all present voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Motion by Ruden and seconded by Diedrich to approve minutes from the March 10th, 2026 and March 20th, 2026, meeting; all present voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Motion by Zuiderhof and seconded by Hartley to approve the following claims presented by Aundrea Saathoff. All present voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
March Bills
GENERAL- Valley FiberCom $193.98; Ottertail $1,097.39; Cook’s Wastepaper $1,419.70; Brooking Deuel Rural Water $78.80; Sioux Valley Energy $102.20; QuickBooks $480.03; Verizon $79.46; M&M $221.50; Runnings $106.97; EMC $4,361.70; SDRS $1,787.08; Google Workspace $56.08; Axcess Coop $413.92; Great America Financial Services $112.55; CarQuest $110.92; RFD Newspaper $132.53; SDML $50.00; SDMLWC $403.00; Ace Hardware $19.98; Walmart $16.63; Post Office $78.00; Dollar General $3.72; Steve Britzman $250.00; Payroll: Finance Office: Aundrea Saathoff $3,956.44 Maintenance: Zack Stokes $3,573.30; Animal Control: Matthew Ridgeway $283.16 Council Pay: Sabrina Kasper $369.40, Andrea Diedrich $277.05, Kay Ruden $277.05, Marilyn Edler $277.05, Michael Zuiderhof $138.52, Paul Harley $138.53; Lesley Winter $138.52 Epay $309.51; Taxes $1,871.86;
Maintenance Report:
Sewer- Downloaded new Firmware to update Sensaphone.
Streets- There are some holes starting but needs to warm up to patch holes.
Parks- Electrical inspection at the Campground was good. There was one box that needed to be secured. Got the new lawn mower and bagger Monday.
Office Report: Got the shop inventory list typed up. Waiting to see when auditor can come back, almost done with audit.
Old Business:
Museum Roof – Quote is still valid. Will contact Gary to see when he is able to start the work. A motion by Diedrich, second by Zuiderhof. With all voting aye, motion carried.
B-Fest Insurance – The amount requested to be paid for part of the insurance is $282.25 . A motion by Ruden, second by Edler. With all voting aye, motion carried.
Building Permit List – Council had discussion on list provided.
Street bids- ASCO provided a bid for Slurry Seal. The Road Guy provided a bid for Red-Rock chip seal. Council was advised that there is a repair on Jefferson Street that may need to be addressed first. Budget for Slurry Seal in 2027. Check to see how much it would cost to raise Doe Street a few more inches.
Second Reading of Dynamic Engine Braking Ordinance- Council read the Dynamic Engine Braking Ordinance for the second time. Correction needed on Fee Schedule. A motion made by Winter, second by Diedrich with the correction to approve ordinance. With all voting aye, motion carried.
Ordinance 02-2026
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRUCE, BROOKINGS COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA:
Dynamic Engine Braking
- Except as provided in this section, the use or operation of a dynamic engine braking system on an unmuffled vehicle is hereby prohibited within this municipality;
- A dynamic engine braking system is a system used on vehicles that converts the engine from an internal combustion engine to an air compressor for the purpose of braking without the use of wheel brakes. These systems are commonly referred to as “Air Brakes”, “Engine Brakes”, “Compression Brakes", “Jacob’s Brakes”, or “Jake Brakes.”
- This section shall not apply to municipal emergency vehicles, whether or not responding to an emergency.
- As an affirmative defense to a charge of violating this section, the operator of the vehicle must provide by a preponderance of the evidence that:
- The operator of the vehicle was operating the vehicle in compliance with all applicable laws at the time the unmuffled dynamic engine braking system was used; and
- The speed of the vehicle was reasonable given all of the relevant circumstances; and
- The driver believed that the use of the dynamic engine braking system was necessary to either;
- Avoid an imminent threat to the safety of the operator or any other person(s); or
- Avoid an imminent threat to property.
- The operator’s belief as to the necessity for using the unmuffled dynamic engine braking system was objectively reasonable.
- The proposed fee for violation of Ordinance 02-2026 Dynamic Engine Braking shall be as follows:
Offense Fine Cost Total
Dynamic Engine Braking Violation $60.00 $72.25 $132.25
CITY OF BRUCE, SOUTH DAKOTA
_______________________________
Mayor, Sabrina Kasper
ATTEST:
________________________________
Finance Officer, Aundrea Saathoff
First Reading: 3/10/2026
Second Reading: 4/14/2026
Passed and Approved: 4/14/2026
Published: 4/23/2026
New Business:
Stuart Huber – Stuart from T&S Repair asked if the council would be willing to cover part or half of the cost to spray the gravel road to help with dust control. Discussion was had between council. Council decided to leave as is and not help with cost. A motion by Diedrich, second by Winter. With 5 voting aye, 1 vote against (Member [Zuiderhof] voted no).
Sale of Malt Beverage License - Nina’s Malt Beverage License is up for renewal. A motion by Winter to approve the Malt Beverage License, second by Zuiderhof. Diedrich abstained. With all others voting aye, motion carried.
Flowers for Jay Street – Council decided to get the same flowers and colors as last year, order extra to do 5 plants per planter. UV protected plants for under office window. 4H will help plant this year. A motion by Zuiderhof, second by Ruden. With all voting aye, motion carried.
Jefferson Street – Jefferson Street has broken in an area. Quotes were provided to help stabilize the road. Will need seal coating after. Get a quote for Red-Rock and Pea Rock. Tabled until May 12th meeting.
Permit for Sound Amplification Use After 10PM – Remove fee and signature spot for Sheriff. Check hours in Ordinance to ensure they are correct. Finance Officer can approve in Office, just make council aware of the Permit details. A motion was made by Zuiderhof, second by Winter. Diedrich abstained. With all others voting aye, motion carried.
Ordinance 2026-03 – First reading of Ordinance 2026-03. Second reading of Ordinance will take place at the May 12th meeting.
Council Member introduction of topics - No topics were brought forth.
The floor opened to those community members that signed in 5 minutes prior to the City Council meeting being called to order.
Harlan Feldhus discussed dust control. States that it could be detrimental to nature of the business that works on motors to have dust coming into the building due to traffic going by the building.
A motion was made by Diedrich, second by Winter to adjourn to Executive Session as per SDCL 1-25-2 at 6:59 PM. With all voting aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Winter, second by Hartley to adjourn Executive Session at 7:08 PM. With all voting aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Diedrich, second by Edler to move funds from 2% account to General Checking. With all voting aye, motion carried.
With there being no further business, motion to adjourn at 7:09 PM was made by Ruden, second by Zuiderhof. With all voting aye, motion carried.
Dated this 14th day of April 2026 in Bruce, South Dakota.
Aundrea Saathoff
Finance Officer
City of Bruce (Unapproved Minutes)