Brookings City Council Meeting – August 13, 2024

The Brookings City Council met jointly with the Brookings County Commission at 5:30 PM on August 13, 2024, in Council Chambers at the Brookings City & County Government Center. The regular City Council meeting began at 6:00 PM. Key actions included approval of a joint jurisdiction rezone, acceptance of an updated Master Drainage Plan, approval of a bridge replacement contract, two rezonings related to the Northern Plains Addition, a tabled conditional use permit for townhouses, and adoption of updated city policies. Public comment was heard on several items, with particular concern about stormwater runoff and neighborhood compatibility.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the July 23, 2024 City Council meeting.
• Approved appointments to the Public Arts Commission (ID 24‑0359).
• Approved an appointment to the Planning Commission (ID 24‑0385).
• Approved the 2025 City Council Meeting Calendar (ID 24‑0389).
• Approved Resolution 24‑074 awarding the bid for a 4,000‑gallon water truck.
• Approved Resolution 24‑071 authorizing Change Order #2 for the Pickleball Courts Project.
• Approved temporary alcohol/special event licenses for existing license holders (ID 24‑0405). All consent agenda items were approved unanimously by roll‑call vote.

Presentations/Reports

• SDSU Safety Ranking: President Barry Dunn announced that South Dakota State University was ranked the safest large campus in South Dakota (enrollments over 10,000) by SafeHome.org, using FBI and Department of Education data. He credited collaboration between university police and the Brookings Police Department.
• Proclamation – A Day to Celebrate the Cultures of Our Community: Mayor Oepke G. Niemeyer proclaimed Wednesday, August 21, 2024, as a day to celebrate the cultures of our community. Jeannie Bosky, representing the Brookings Multicultural Center, invited the public to the International Ice Cream Social and Community Fair at Good Roots Farm and Gardens from 7–9 PM.
• Ex‑Officio Reports: Council Member Wayne Avery reported on the Brookings Municipal Utility (BMU) board meeting, including a branding/PR campaign by Hankin Schultz, the 2025 capital improvement plan (2024–2032), coordination with city street projects, and a future AMI meter system.
• Downtown at Sundown: Deputy Mayor Wendell reminded the community of the event on Thursday (5:30–7 PM) for informal conversation with council and staff.

Discussion Items

• Master Drainage Plan (ID 24‑0391): Public Works Director John Thompson and City Engineer Charlie Richter presented an update to the 2008 plan. Key points:
  • 25% increase in annual rainfall over the past 100 years in Brookings.
  • Use of 2D rain‑on‑grid modeling; city divided into five drainage areas.
  • 12 million dollars in projects identified over the next 10 years, with construction costs ranging from $380,000 to $4.7 million.
  • Proposed stormwater fee change to an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) based on impervious surface, with an initial rate of $6.14/month ($73.68/year) starting 2025, and annual 3% increases from 2026. This would fund the projects.
  • Equity example: two commercial parcels with similar impervious area currently billed $23,604 vs. $6,723; under ERU they would pay $9,351 and $8,671 respectively.
  • Pilot program for rain barrels (91 sold) and native plantings (40 vouchers) expanded for future sustainability.
• Bridge Replacement (RES 24‑077): Award of bid to Hostrime Excavating for $166,489 to replace the Western Avenue bridge (condition downgraded from fair to poor). Construction will close Western Avenue for several weeks and be completed by November.
• Ordinance First Readings:
  • ORD 24‑025: Budget Amendment No. 8 – increases capital expenditure account by $3,166,168 and transfers $500,000 from general fund for an energy savings performance contract with Amaresco (window/door upgrades, fire alarm, roof replacement). Expected to reduce carbon footprint by 15%.
  • ORD 24‑026: Clarifies clerical error in Chapter 82 (covering vehicle loads) and exempts county highway vehicles during winter/emergency operations.
  • ORD 24‑027: Amends Articles I & II of Chapter 72 to adopt ERU‑based storm drainage fee, replacing land‑use factors. Second readings/public hearings scheduled for August 27.
• Rezoning – 3901 Main Avenue South (ORD 24‑022): Joint City/County action to rezone from Joint Jurisdiction Residence R‑3A to Joint Jurisdiction Business B‑3 Heavy for future commercial use. Approved unanimously by both bodies (roll‑call vote).
• Northern Plains Addition Rezone (ORD 24‑023): Rezoning of the east 151 feet of Block 1 from Business B‑2A Office to Residence R‑2 Two‑Family District (downzoning). Developer Kyle Rausch explained this allows more green space and improved drainage. Several neighbors spoke against the rezone, citing existing stormwater runoff from the development (three‑inch rain event on August 7 caused water to flow onto properties). Engineer Justin Booker noted a future berm and swale will be added. Council approved the rezone 11‑0 after hearing public comment.
• Conditional Use Permit for Townhouses (ORD 24‑024): Applicant sought to re‑approve a conditional use for up to 20 townhouses on Blocks 3A and 4 (R‑2). Originally approved in 2022 but expired. Numerous residents raised concerns about drainage, traffic, privacy, and non‑compliance with city codes. Developer said rendering was outdated and intended to add 10‑foot swale and increase green space. Council Member Avery moved to table the item until an updated site plan complying with regulations is provided. Motion to table carried unanimously. The item was tabled.
• Revised Preliminary Plat (ID 24‑0397): Revised plat for Blocks 1A, 3A, and 4 in Northern Plains Addition to align with zoning changes. Approved unanimously (roll‑call vote).
• Revised City Policies (RES 24‑072): Four‑year review resulted in updated governance/ends policies, including significant changes to Tax Increment Financing (Policy 306), Sales Tax Incentive Grant (Policy 309), and a new Triple Bottom Line Policy (321) requiring analysis of equity, environmental, and economic impacts for incentive requests. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Joint rezone (ORD 24‑022) approved.
• Master Drainage Plan accepted (ID 24‑0391) – motion carried unanimously.
• Bridge replacement awarded (RES 24‑077) – motion carried unanimously.
• Rezone of Northern Plains Addition parcel (ORD 24‑023) approved 11‑0.
• Conditional use permit for townhouses (ORD 24‑024) tabled – motion to table passed unanimously. The item will return with an updated site plan.
• Revised preliminary plat (ID 24‑0397) approved unanimously.
• Revised city policies (RES 24‑072) approved unanimously.
• First readings of ORD 24‑025, 24‑026, and 24‑027 were introduced; second readings/public hearings set for August 27, 2024.
• Council directed the City Manager to invite a proponent of Initiated Measure 28 to the September 27 study session (motion passed unanimously).
• The meeting moved into executive session (SDCL 1‑25‑2.3) for legal consultation; no further business after session.