Brookings City Council Regular Meeting - April 23, 2024

The Brookings City Council met on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a pinning ceremony for new police officers and community service officers, a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, approval of construction contracts, first readings of two ordinances, and a discussion on liquor license fees. Several votes were taken, with key outcomes including the separation of a budget amendment into four parts and a directive to bring back a resolution equalizing two types of liquor licenses at $100,000 each.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the April 16, 2024, City Council meeting minutes.
• Approved property tax abatement of $4,445.73 for Parcel 40501-00100-000-00 (677 Park Avenue).
• Approved Volunteer Board, Committee, and Commission appointments.
• Approved Temporary Alcohol/Special Event Licenses for existing holders on publicly owned property.

Presentations & Reports

• Pinning Ceremony – Police Department: Chief Drake introduced new full-time officer Cora Olson (22 years in law enforcement, formerly with South Dakota Highway Patrol) and Easton Thurry (from Watertown, SDSU student). Due to an arrest, Officer Thurry’s pinning occurred later. The Community Service Unit (CSU) was also introduced, now comprising 2 full-time and 7 part-time staff under supervisor Dwayne Wahlberg (68 years old, ~40 years in law enforcement). The CSU handles animal control, parking enforcement, code enforcement, traffic control, neighborhood checks, and event security. Officers took the oath of office and were pinned.
• Proclamation: National Volunteer Week (April 21–27, 2024): Ann Hunberg from United Way accepted the proclamation. The mayor thanked volunteers in the fire department, city boards, and nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, youth mentoring, the Backpack Project, and the food pantry.
• Informational Item: 2024 Sidewalk Repair Assistance Pilot Project: Public Works Director John Thompson presented. The pilot program uses up to $35,000 from the 2024 fiscal year budget to assist property owners with first-time sidewalk damage due to boulevard trees and for income-qualified owners. An estimated $20,000 will cover 28 sidewalk panels (17 properties) with tree damage; the remaining $15,000 will be available for owners qualified through Interlakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP). Council discussed root barriers, tree stability, and program evaluation metrics. No action was taken.

Contracts & Change Orders

• Resolution 24-041: Concrete Maintenance Project – Awarded the bid to Timmins Construction Inc. for $329,229 (22% below the engineer’s estimate). The project combines sidewalk inspection/replacement and citywide concrete replacement, including ADA ramp installations. The cost per square foot ($35) is lower than last year ($36.57). Passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.
• Resolution 24-040: Landfill Equipment Storage Building – Awarded the bid to BTY Construction (Flandreau, SD) for $310,669 (38% below the approved budget and 11% lower than the next bid). The building will have a compacted gravel floor and will house all landfill equipment indoors. Passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.

Ordinance First Readings

• Ordinance 24-011: Amendment No. 2 to the 2024 Budget – Finance Director Ashley Rench presented four parts: (1) $103,850 for Library and Activity Center design consulting (carryover from 2023); (2) $85,000 for National Civic League City Charter Revision process; (3) $350,000 for Shady Acres remediation (including $170,000 demolition, $100,000 rental assistance, $65,000 case management, $15,000 ICAP administrative fee); (4) $21,000 for an amendment to the Six Mile Creek feasibility study (new FEMA mapping, additional meeting). Council voted 7–0 to separate the ordinance into four parts for individual discussion. On part 1 (Library design), staff clarified ~80–85% of work is complete; council discussed timing relative to the police safety center. On part 2 (Charter revision), council discussed the need for public engagement and requested staff to obtain a reduced cost from the consultant with fewer listening sessions. On part 3 (Shady Acres), City Attorney Steven Britzman detailed a pending nuisance abatement legal action (in process 4.5 years). Worst-case cost estimate includes demolition, land clearing, and landfill costs, which would be placed as a lien on the property. $100,000 rental assistance and $65,000 case management for displaced residents (ICAP’s Mike described a full-time housing stabilization coach). Council noted the amounts are not-to-exceed. On part 4 (Six Mile Creek study), council praised the consultant’s work and public engagement. Second readings for all four parts scheduled for May 7, 2024.
• Ordinance 24-004: Rezoning to JJ-B3 Heavy District – Planner Mike Struck presented a request to rezone five outlots on Main Avenue South from JJ-Agriculture and R-3A (Apartments/Mobile Homes/Manufactured Housing) to JJ-B3. The joint planning commission recommended unanimously. A public hearing and second reading are scheduled for May 7, 2024, at 5:30 PM jointly with the County Commission.

Other Business

• Discussion and Possible Action on Liquor License Fees – City Clerk Bonnie Foster reviewed state statutes and current fees: on-sale liquor licenses (18 holders) at $25,000 and full-service restaurant licenses (2 holders) at $100,000, both set in 2011. Council debated equalizing the fees. An amendment to set both at $75,000 failed. A subsequent motion to set both at $100,000 and direct staff to bring a resolution for final action at the next meeting passed 5–2 (Councilmembers Rasmussen and Specker dissenting). The resolution will appear on the May 7, 2024 agenda.

Progress Report

• Deputy City Manager Jake presented the April 2024 progress report. Highlights included: municipal election results (April 9) with congratulations to Councilmembers Wendell and Avery on re-election; three city employees graduated from Leadership Brookings; Finance Department received GFOA Certificate of Achievement; sidewalk and street projects; landfill equipment building awarded; new community services division launched; parks, golf course, pool, and playground projects; library book sale raised $8,000; and a public open house on library/activity center designs planned for May (date TBD). The council praised staff for spring bulky item pickup and other efforts.

Key Outcomes

• Approved two construction contracts (Concrete Maintenance, Landfill Building) unanimously.
• Separated the budget amendment ordinance into four parts for first reading; requested a lower cost for charter revision consulting; received information on Shady Acres remediation and ICAP partnership.
• Directed staff to bring a resolution setting both on-sale liquor and full-service restaurant license fees at $100,000 to the May 7, 2024 meeting.
• Scheduled second readings and public hearings for May 7, 2024, including the four budget amendment ordinances, the rezoning ordinance, and the liquor license fee resolution.
• Entered Executive Session at the end of the meeting under SDCL 1-25-2.3 (consultation with legal counsel on pending litigation or contractual matters). No additional business was conducted upon exit.