Brookings City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024

The Brookings City Council met on December 17, 2024, beginning with an executive session at 5:00 PM, followed by a study session at 5:30 PM, and the regular meeting at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered updates on PFAS mitigation, emerald ash borer management, and the inclusive play project, as well as the Mayor's State of the City address, several contract approvals, rezoning, and a city manager compensation adjustment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda, which included: City Council meeting minutes from December 10, 2024; volunteer board, committee, and commission appointments (10 boards, 31 seats); temporary alcohol/special event beverage licenses; the Federal Highway Administration urban boundary for Brookings; and Resolution 24-116 declaring surplus property. No items were removed for discussion.

Study Session Updates

• 3M/Solventum PFAS Mitigation Plan – Jim Burkhart, Solventum site director, presented an update on ongoing sampling and assessment. Detections of PFAS were found off-site in stormwater ponds and quarry ponds, with the highest readings southwest of the property. The company has submitted a report to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the city. Interim steps include removal of 4,500 cubic yards of soil (sent to a landfill in Rosemount, MN) and installation of a berm and carbon treatment system for stormwater, expected to be fully functional for spring runoff. Quarterly groundwater monitoring and annual reporting will continue. Councilmember Specker asked about soil testing in the pond area southwest of the site; Burkhart stated that a meeting with the state is scheduled after the new year to discuss next steps.
• Emerald Ash Borer Update – Kristen Zimmerman, Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director, reported that the emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed in Brookings on July 2, 2024. The forestry division (4 full-time staff, 2 certified arborists) maintains over 20,000 public trees with a 2024 budget of $440,000. In 2024, over 2,300 trees were removed (1,500 ash trees at the golf course and Solventum property), 340 trees were planted, and selected trees are being treated with an Arborjet system every 2–3 years. The 2025 focus is on Zone 4 (along Derdall and Orchard) where EAB activity is highest. The urban forestry program will offer $25,000 in resident incentives: $100 per tree planted, an additional $25 for front-yard planting, and $50 per address for ash tree treatment (maximum $175 per address). Approximately 80% of ash trees are expected to be dead or removed within five years. Council discussed treatment methods, costs (ranging from a few hundred to several hundred dollars per tree), and the GIS interactive map that will be available in 2025. The city manager suggested reconsidering a list of certified applicators for the public.
• Brookings Inclusive Play Project – Kristen Zimmerman also provided an update on the inclusive playground at the Fishback Soccer Complex. Phase one includes an 11,000-square-foot playground, splash pads, and restrooms (total phase one cost $1.6 million). Future phases include a mini-pitch soccer/futsal court, fitness equipment, and shelters. Total project cost: $2.7 million. Fundraising progress: $900,000 from city CIP, $20,000 committed, leaving a $1.6 million gap. Grants are pending, including one from Musco for the mini-pitch. The city is seeking community champions and sponsors. Councilmember Wendell suggested identifying fundraising champions; Zimmerman noted the park board is helping make connections. No deadline exists for funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the open forum or on any agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's State of the City Address – Mayor Oepke Niemeyer presented a comprehensive review of 2024 accomplishments, organized by the city's strategic plan (fiscal responsibility, safe/inclusive community, service innovation, sustainability, economic growth). Highlights included: new budget software, updated procurement policy, revised TIF policy (with triple bottom line requirements), facility upgrades expected to reduce carbon footprint by 15%, affordable housing code changes resulting in homes starting at $180,000, Hillcrest Pickleball Courts ($750,000, opened September 2024), Pioneer Band Shell restoration ($235,000), expanded Community Service Officer unit, Activity Center membership tripled to 362, parks and trail improvements, charter review for April 2025 election, council policy updates, high-performing organization training, Master Drainage Plan (updated 2024), Solid Waste Master Plan implementation, EAB management, stormwater incentive program (rain barrels and native plants), and economic growth projects including I-29/20th Street interchange, Solventum $220 million expansion (adding 4% jobs, $16 million regional revenue, $80,000 annual taxes), and Brookings Marketplace development (Aldi, convenience store, big-box retailer; construction spring 2025; estimated $1.1–1.5 million annual sales tax revenue).
• Legal Services Agreement – Renewal of City Attorney Steven Britzman's contract for 2025 with a 4.5% rate increase, 50 hours per month ($200/hour after 50 hours). Council members expressed appreciation for his work. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-115 – 12th Street South Intersection and Main Avenue South Signal and Sidewalk Ramp Reconstruction – City Engineer Charlie Richter presented the award of the bid to Big Al's Contracting Inc. for $489,068 (41% below engineer's estimate). The project replaces aging traffic signals and non-compliant ramps. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 24-038 – First Reading Rezone – Ordinance to rezone lots near 22nd Avenue South and 26th Street South from AG to R1A single-family for a home (Bose family). Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Public hearing and action set for January 14, 2025. No council discussion.
• Resolution 24-111 – Airport Lease – Lease of 4,096 square feet at Brookings Regional Airport to Madison Aircraft LLC and Dakota Jet Company for 25 years at $0.14/sq. ft. (initial annual revenue $573.44), with 2% annual adjustment and five-year rate review. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-114 – Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment – Community Development Director Mike Struck presented changes to urban medium intensity for several areas along Main Avenue South, 20th Street South, and other corridors to provide flexibility for commercial and residential development. No floodplains or natural wetlands were impacted. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.
• Preliminary Plat – Sioux Village of Indian Hills Addition – Replatting of three lots (53E, 53F, 53G) near Crystal Ridge Road and Trail Ridge Road, including one existing multifamily lot and two undeveloped parcels. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-113 – Contingency Fund Transfer – Transfer of $50,000 from city manager's contingency to the Community Service Unit for payroll, supplies, and uniforms due to the unit's expanded role (code enforcement, security, animal control). Finance Director Ashley Rynch explained the need for equipment (tasers, body cameras). Approved unanimously.
• Progress Report – Assistant to the City Manager Samantha Beckman highlighted December activities: Festival of Lights, Mayor's Awards, engineering ditch maintenance, solid waste master plan implementation (leachate force main design 95% complete, spring 2025 groundbreaking), holiday lights recycling program, police shield ceremony, ride-along program, code enforcement transfer to police, parks activities (ash removals, Larson Ice Center improvements, library window replacement, lighting upgrades). Councilmember Tilton Byrne asked about skate rentals for the skating academy; staff will follow up.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Legal services agreement with Steven Britzman approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-115 (bid award) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 24-038 first reading; public hearing scheduled for January 14, 2025.
• Resolution 24-111 (airport lease) approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-114 (future land use map amendment) approved unanimously.
• Preliminary plat approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-113 (contingency transfer) approved unanimously.
• Executive session held after the regular meeting to discuss the city manager's contract. Council then voted to increase City Manager Paul Briseno's base salary to $202,217, with the remainder of his contract unchanged. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Council also approved a motion (7-0) to add a discussion item for the January 2025 meeting regarding a salary analysis for city staff.