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Record of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Meeting - April 16, 2024

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 16, 2024
BodyBrookings, South Dakota
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 16, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:33

Original source
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0:26

Okay.

0:27

Call this meeting to order.

0:30

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:52

Thank you all for coming tonight.

0:53

Would the clerk please take attendance?

0:56

All council members are present, Mr.

0:58

Mayor.

0:59

Thank you.

1:00

Item three is approving the agenda for this evening.

1:03

Entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

1:05

So moved.

1:06

Second.

1:07

Move and second.

1:08

Please call the roll.

1:09

Doran.

1:11

Here.

1:11

Nehemiah?

1:12

Aye.

1:13

Rasmussen.

1:14

I.

1:14

Specker?

1:15

Aye.

1:16

Tilton Byrne?

1:17

Hi.

1:17

Wendell?

1:18

I Avery.

1:20

All right.

1:20

We'll move on to open forum.

1:22

In order to provide equal access to all during the open forum, each member offering comments during the open forum shall not exceed the allotted three minute period.

1:30

Your time to comment has expired when the red light appears on the podium.

1:34

No further comments may be made by a member speaking during the open forum after the red light appears.

1:39

That being said, is there any member of the public who wishes to address the council and the public with an item that's not on tonight's agenda?

1:50

Please come forward and state your name, sir.

1:53

Good evening.

1:56

Sorry.

2:02

And uh I'm a former member of the park recreation and forestry.

2:08

My question to the council is why hasn't the water problem at Edgebrook been solved?

2:22

Okay.

2:23

Paul, you want to address that where we're at on the product on the process?

2:27

Sure.

2:28

Kristen's here, she might be able to answer some of the uh of this.

2:31

I can't hear you, Paul.

2:32

Kristen's here, she might be able to answer some of the the question.

2:35

IT might need to increase my volume here.

2:38

Um the city staff is currently working with engineers uh to look at solutions.

2:44

I believe Kristen is actually working on an alternative agreement with engineering um on that process.

2:51

It's gonna take probably more than a year just to get through the engineering, the permitting process, going through uh wetlands, then ultimately having uh water source available probably take about a year and a half or so.

3:03

But Kristen could probably give a better timeline and process.

3:06

She's actually leading up the project for us.

3:13

Mayor members of the council and Kristen, the Parks Recreation Forestry Director for the City of Brookings.

3:19

Currently the water sourcing project, we are like Paul said, collecting proposals for the engineering design for the water sourcing that's boring over from Belgium Everest Pond back over to the golf course.

3:36

Um those ponds are connected into some wetlands, so there's some additional environmental studies that we want to go through because we want to make sure we're in the the best stewards of our land and our resources, um, and making sure it's a sustainable source for the long-term future of our city.

3:53

And that's kind of where we're at right now.

3:55

It's a long process, but I would add to that city council did budget roughly $800,000 in this year's budget for this project.

4:02

So there's money's put aside for it, but it's just a a lengthy permitting process uh to get the water source completed.

4:10

Well, Paul, while I was still on the board.

4:19

And what's the status of the consultant's report?

4:22

How much money was spent?

4:24

Is there still a contract?

4:26

None of this appears in the city information that I have.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Future Land Use██████████████████18%
Stormwater Management██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Planning Commission█████5%
Zoning Regulations████4%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Election Procedures███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Meeting - April 16, 2024

The Brookings City Council met on April 16, 2024, starting at 5:30 PM for an election canvass and then a regular meeting at 6:00 PM. The council approved consent agenda items, heard presentations on development projects and sustainability programs, conducted public hearings on zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, and took action on various business items including a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Solventum (formerly 3M).

Consent Calendar

  • Approved City Council meeting minutes from March 26, 2024.
  • Approved Resolution 24-034, a Resolution Canvassing the April 9, 2024 Municipal Election.
  • Approved Resolution 24-039, declaring surplus property for the City of Brookings.
  • Approved Resolution 24-035, awarding the bid for Landfill Leachate Hauling through December 31, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John (former Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board member): Expressed frustration over the delay in solving the Edgebrook Golf Course water problem. He stated that despite three dry years, the city is "dilly-dallying" and that a fourth dry year for golfers is "unacceptable." He urged the council to direct the city manager to get the project moving. City staff (Paul Briseno and Kristen Zimmerman) responded that the project is in engineering and permitting phases, with $800,000 budgeted, but it will likely take over a year to complete due to wetland studies and permits.
  • Alan Ostrine: Commented on the low voter turnout (16% of registered voters) in the April 9 municipal election, calling it a community problem. He expressed support for better public engagement and criticized the elimination of public committees, urging council to talk directly to residents. He also referenced data from a "speakout" in the paper.

Presentations/Reports

  • Brookings Marketplace Update (Patrick Daly, Ryan Companies): Provided an update 75 days after the referendum vote. Project activities resumed after a pause; the entitlement package was submitted on April 1, 2024, and a DRT meeting is scheduled for later that week. The anchor tenant remains interested. Other prospects are being negotiated but cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality. If all goes to plan, entitlements will be completed by summer 2024, site work will begin later this year, and vertical construction will start by spring 2025.
  • 2024 Rain Barrel and Native Plant Pilot Program (Charlie Rick, City Engineer; Robin Butterball, Sustainability Council): Presented a stormwater incentive pilot program. Rain barrels: available via pre-order from April 22 to May 22, 2024, with a $30 city incentive. Expected uptake: 300 barrels per 10,000 residents. Native plant reimbursement: vouchers for up to $250 (50% reimbursement) for the first 40 residents, with a minimum purchase. Program aims to reduce runoff and improve water quality. Council asked about metrics (participation rates, square footage of plantings) and potential expansion to businesses.
  • 2024 Capital Improvements Projects (Charlie Rick, John): Overview of major projects: University Boulevard/22nd Avenue Gravity Sewer Project (May-September 2024, with road closures), Main Avenue/12th Street South traffic signal replacement (fall 2024, possibly pushed to spring 2025 due to lead times). Also noted a pilot slurry seal program on three high-traffic streets to compare performance with chip seal. The Brookings Community Construction website (www.brookingscommunityconstruction.info) provides project details.
  • SDSU Student Association Report (Michael, outgoing president): Reported on the student government’s activities: $68,000 spent from the student promotion fund, a tuition freeze secured, and new clubs approved. Introduced successor Claire Kennicke. Thanked council for partnership.
  • City Council Ex-Officio Reports: Councilmember Wayne Avery reported on Brookings Municipal Utility’s transition to a new TV content provider effective May 1, 2024. Councilmember Brianna Doran announced the next Coffee with Council event on April 24, 2024, from 5-7 PM at Mosaic Wine Bar, joined by school board members.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing – Ordinance 24-008 (Elimination of Drive-Thru Services in B-2A Office District): The ordinance amends Chapter 94 to remove drive-thru as a permitted special use in the B-2A district due to noise and proximity to residential areas. Existing drive-thrus (e.g., Scooter's Coffee) become non-conforming. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Council approved 8-0.
  • Public Hearing – Resolution 24-038 (Amendment to 2040 Comprehensive Plan Major Street Plan): Removes several proposed collectors and arterials that are no longer relevant, such as those east of the interstate and in southern low-density areas. Reclassifies Maddiray Avenue from arterial to collector. Adds collector streets near 37th Street South. Planning Commission unanimously recommended. Council approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing – Resolution 24-037 (Amendment to 2040 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map): Changes the land use designation of the Hansen Addition (near 34th Avenue and Highway 14 Bypass) from urban medium intensity to light industrial/business park to allow future industrial rezoning. The property is upstream from the BMU wellfield. Planning Commission unanimously recommended. Council approved unanimously.
  • Other Business – 2021-2026 City Council Strategic Plan Update: City Manager Paul Briseno presented updated vision and mission statements and five strategic areas. The plan will be posted on the city website and updated annually with progress percentages. Council approved.
  • Other Business – Resolution 24-033 (Support for Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant): Parks Director Kristen Zimmerman requested support to apply for a federal LWCF grant for an inclusive playground, restroom, and splash pad at Fishback Soccer Complex. Preliminary designs are subject to public input. Applications are due next week. Council approved.
  • Other Business – Revised Preliminary Plat for Fox Run Addition: The developer proposed eliminating two cul-de-sacs and creating a court on the west side of Fox Run Trail, with a large block on the east side for future development. Fox Run Trail will extend south to 26th Street South when adjacent properties are annexed. Planning Commission unanimously recommended. Council approved.
  • Other Business – Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Solventum (formerly 3M): Tim Reed (Brookings Economic Development Corporation) presented the MOU for the first phase of a $220 million expansion that will retain/add approximately 50 jobs. The MOU sets terms for TIF eligibility and is needed for project financing. The TIF application and development agreement are expected in July 2024. Council approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 24-008 (drive-thru prohibition) approved with a vote of 8-0 (all present).
  • Resolution 24-038 (Major Street Plan amendment) approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 24-037 (Future Land Use Map amendment) approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 24-036 (Chip Seal project award to Bituminous Paving, $523,490) approved.
  • Resolution 24-033 (LWCF grant support) approved unanimously.
  • Revised preliminary plat for Fox Run Addition approved unanimously.
  • TIF MOU with Solventum approved unanimously.
  • City Council Strategic Plan approved unanimously.
  • Next regular meeting: April 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The May 21 study session will include an update on the Edgebrook Golf Course water source project.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Call this meeting to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you all for coming tonight. Would the clerk please take attendance? All council members are present, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Item three is approving the agenda for this evening. Entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Move and second. Please call the roll. Doran. Here. Nehemiah? Aye. Rasmussen. I. Specker? Aye. Tilton Byrne? Hi. Wendell? I Avery. All right. We'll move on to open forum. In order to provide equal access to all during the open forum, each member offering comments during the open forum shall not exceed the allotted three minute period. Your time to comment has expired when the red light appears on the podium. No further comments may be made by a member speaking during the open forum after the red light appears. That being said, is there any member of the public who wishes to address the council and the public with an item that's not on tonight's agenda? Please come forward and state your name, sir. Good evening. Sorry. And uh I'm a former member of the park recreation and forestry. My question to the council is why hasn't the water problem at Edgebrook been solved? Okay. Paul, you want to address that where we're at on the product on the process? Sure. Kristen's here, she might be able to answer some of the uh of this. I can't hear you, Paul. Kristen's here, she might be able to answer some of the the question. IT might need to increase my volume here. Um the city staff is currently working with engineers uh to look at solutions. I believe Kristen is actually working on an alternative agreement with engineering um on that process. It's gonna take probably more than a year just to get through the engineering, the permitting process, going through uh wetlands, then ultimately having uh water source available probably take about a year and a half or so. But Kristen could probably give a better timeline and process. She's actually leading up the project for us. Mayor members of the council and Kristen, the Parks Recreation Forestry Director for the City of Brookings.

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