Brookings City Council Meeting - January 14, 2025

The Brookings City Council met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers for a regular meeting. The agenda included a consent agenda, a proclamation, reports from SDSU and city boards, a contract for golf cart leases, first readings of ordinances on charter amendments and a rezoning, and public hearings on a zoning change, airport lease, and a new malt beverage license with video lottery authorization. The meeting was adjourned after an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the City Council meeting minutes from December 17, 2024.
• Approved the cancellation of the January 21, 2025 City Council Study Session.
• Approved Resolution 25-001 designating depositories for municipal funds.
• Approved Resolution 25-002 designating the official newspaper.
• Approved Resolution 25-006 designating purchase authorities.
• Approved a special event temporary alcoholic beverage license request.

Proclamation

• Mayor Niemeyer read a proclamation declaring Monday, January 20, 2025, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally and Marade Day in Brookings. The intended recipient was not present.

Presentations & Reports

• SDSU Student Association: Claire reported that the spring semester began January 13, 2025, and runs through May 9, 2025, with commencement on May 10. Student elections are scheduled for March 25–26, and the Senate will attend Students for Higher Education Day at the Capitol on January 26–27. She noted the association is monitoring proposed budget cuts to state library funding and Board of Regents appropriations.
• BMU Utility Board: Councilmember Bonnie Foster (reporting for BMU) summarized the January 13 BMU board meeting. Key highlights included: a wastewater rate study discussion; 2024 operational highlights such as the solar farm expected to be operational by fall 2025, 99% of meters now read remotely, renovation of the 34th Avenue power station, water treatment plant substantial completion by October 2025, removal of 47 lead water lines (46 in 2024), and the downtown fire response using 5,000 gallons per minute with an estimated 1.6 million gallons of water. BMU also reported on telecommunications upgrades, including compliance with new FCC minimum internet speeds and testing for 10-gigabyte broadband. A bus incident on New Year's Eve disrupted service for 19 homes and 12 businesses, restored by 7:30 PM.
• Brookings Hospital Board: Councilmember Rasmussen reported on the December board meeting. Topics included AI use for physician note-taking, a pulse survey showing increased employee satisfaction, an increase in Medicare Advantage participants, election of new officers, and thanks to outgoing board members Jim Morgan and Dick Peterson.

Contracts & Change Orders

• Resolution 25-007 – Golf Cart Lease: Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Zimmerman presented a five-year lease agreement with NB Golf, LLC for 50 Club Car Tempo golf carts through the Sourcewell cooperative, at a total cost of approximately $376,000 (annual increase of about $40,000 over the previous contract). The new carts feature lithium batteries for faster charging and longer usage, and a GPS-based "golfer experience" system that can display sponsorships and city information. The council approved the resolution unanimously (6-0).

Ordinance First Readings

• Ordinance 25-001 – Charter Commission Report: David Gilbertson (Chair) and Dr. Lisa Hager (Vice Chair) presented the proposed new city charter. Key changes include: the city manager shall recommend the appointment of the city clerk and city attorney, subject to council confirmation; public records provisions (Section 5) ensure budgets, audits, and ordinances are publicly available. The commission recommended a 10-year review cycle instead of the current 20-year cycle. The first reading was held; second reading and action are set for January 28, 2025.
• Ordinance 25-003 – Rezone 1115 West 20th Street South: Community Development Director Mike Strucker presented a rezoning of a 30-acre parcel from Agriculture A to Residence R-3 Apartment District. The proposal is part of a Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD) plan for 58 lots (single-family or twin homes). The planning commission recommended approval unanimously. The applicant, Russell Atkins of Christenson Development Partners, stated the project supports the city's strategic growth goals. The first reading was held; public hearing and second reading are set for January 28, 2025.

Public Hearings and Second Readings

• Ordinance 24-038 – Rezone Bowes Addition: The council opened a public hearing and approved (6-0) a rezoning of Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 of Bowes Addition from Agriculture A to Residence R-1A Single-Family District. The applicant intends to build a single-family home. The planning commission had recommended approval.
• Resolution 25-005 – Airport Lease to Civil Air Patrol: Airport Manager Lucas Doll presented a five-year lease renewal for 1,020 square feet in the terminal building at $97.85 per month with a 3% annual increase. The Civil Air Patrol has 18 members (4 seniors, 14 cadets) and operates a Cessna 172. The council approved unanimously (6-0).
• Malt Beverage License (Item 9C) – GP2, LLC: The council held a public hearing on an on-off sale malt license with video lottery authorization for 406 Main Avenue, Suite D. The applicant, Kevin Grunwalt, described the space as an alley-accessed lounge. The council approved the malt license portion (6-0).
• Video Lottery Authorization (Item 9D) – GP2, LLC: Following the malt license approval, the council heard the separate video lottery authorization request. Councilmembers expressed concerns about density (11 existing video lottery establishments downtown) and proximity to a children's tutoring business (Play) and the Bunny Trail. The vote resulted in a tie (3-3: Ayes: Rasmussen, Avery, Neymar; Noes: Specker, Tilton Byrne, Doran), and the motion failed. The applicant was informed that state law requires a waiting period before resubmission.

Other Business

• None.

Future Topics

• Councilmember introductions included: recognition of Brookings city employees, a real estate property lease discussion for 32nd Street South and Main Avenue South, a special event alcohol license for a gala, Edgebrook Golf Course fee changes, second readings of the ordinances introduced, and a city progress report from assistant city managers. These items are scheduled for the January 28, 2025 meeting.

Executive Session

• The council voted unanimously to enter executive session under SDCL 1-25-2.3 (consulting with legal counsel on litigation or contractual matters) and SDCL 1-25-2.5 (discussing marketing or pricing strategies). No further business was conducted after the session.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda, contract for golf cart lease, and airport lease (all unanimous).
• Approved first readings of Ordinance 25-001 (charter) and 25-003 (rezoning) – second readings scheduled for January 28.
• Approved Ordinance 24-038 (Bowes Addition rezone) unanimously.
• Approved malt beverage license for GP2, LLC (6-0).
• Denied video lottery authorization for GP2, LLC (tie vote, 3-3, motion failed).
• Entered executive session; meeting adjourned from session.