Brookings City Council Meeting - January 28, 2025
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Brookings City Council Meeting - January 28, 2025
The Brookings City Council met on January 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the City & County Government Center. The meeting included a proclamation, multiple presentations, first and second readings of ordinances, public hearings, and action on various business items. Councilmember Doran was absent. The meeting was adjourned after a progress report and discussion of future agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda unanimously, including the January 14, 2025 meeting minutes, temporary alcohol licenses for five events (clarified by Councilmember Specker), and Resolution 25-009 amending the joint cooperative agreement for the Government Center.
Presentations/Reports
- Proclamation: Mayor Niemeyer proclaimed January 30, 2025 as "Religion and Values Forum Day." Dr. James Murphy of SDSU encouraged community attendance at the inaugural forum at the South Dakota Art Museum.
- SDSU Student Association: Claire Kenneke reported on attendance at Brookings/SDSU Day at the Capitol and Students for Higher Education Day, noting SDSU had 28 attendees. They are monitoring HB 1090 (anti-hazing) and SB 100 (concealed carry on campus).
- First Impressions Program: Laura Shankarbineau (Visit Brookings) presented a community “secret shopper” program with Aberdeen, run through SDSU Extension. Volunteers will visit each other’s communities in summer 2025 to assess gateways, downtown, housing, etc. The program costs $10,000 per community but is free as a pilot. Councilmember Specker recommended the final report be presented as a study session.
- Strategic Plan Online Dashboard: Deputy City Manager Jake Meshke demonstrated a new interactive dashboard tracking the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, updated biannually. It shows progress (e.g., 76% of fiscal responsibility objectives on track, 24% completed). The dashboard will be public soon. Councilmember Wendell asked about the update process; department heads populate progress with staff oversight.
First Reading
- Ordinance 25-002: Creation of a new Civic District zoning district (Chapter 94 amendment) for public/institutional uses. Community Development Director Mike Strucker presented it as a 6-1 recommendation from the Planning Commission. The second reading and public hearing are set for February 11, 2025.
Public Hearings and Second Readings
- Ordinance 25-001 (Charter Commission): Second reading and approval (unanimous) to accept the Charter Commission’s report and set the April 8, 2025 election for proposed charter amendments. Deputy City Manager Meshke noted seven public meetings were held. Councilmember Rasmussen thanked the commission.
- Resolution 25-010 (Airport Hay Lease): Approved unanimously. Airport Manager Lucas Dahl reported a bid letting on January 7, 2025; Kohl Hauglie won with $120.50/acre for 314 acres (annual payment $37,837). One-year lease with two one-year renewal options.
- Resolution 25-004 (City Hay Land): Approved unanimously. Eric Weir was the sole bidder at $63/acre for 18 acres (annual payment $1,134). One-year lease with renewal options.
- Temporary Alcohol License (Chamber of Commerce): Approved unanimously for the Galentine’s Day event on February 13, 2025, at Brookings Cinema.
- Ordinance 25-003 (Rezone 1115 W 20th St S): Approved unanimously (6-0). The property is rezoned from Agriculture to R-3 Apartment District. Public comment: Kristen Olk (1206 W 20th St) opposed, citing inconsistencies with the comprehensive plan (low density designation) and drainage concerns. Developer Russell Atkins spoke in favor. Councilmembers discussed safeguards: the Large Scale Residential Development (LSRD) plan is binding; any changes require new approval. Councilmember Wendell noted the LSRD process ensures council oversight. The density is 3.25 units per acre on 30.46 acres (41 twin-home lots, 17 single-family lots).
Other Business
- Preliminary Plat – Prairie Sunset Addition: Approved unanimously. 30.46 acres, 41 twin-home lots and 17 single-family lots, with two detention basins. Engineer Charlie Rick and BMU’s Eric Witt addressed drainage, traffic, and sewer capacity. The developer stated the traffic study assumed higher density and showed no impact. Councilmember Specker emphasized the review process by multiple departments.
- Resolution 25-008 (Edgebrook Golf Course Rates): Approved unanimously. Finance Director Ashley Rynch presented 2025 fees, with increases in line with peer courses and operational cost increases (including a new golf cart contract). The Park and Recreation Advisory Board approved on January 6.
City Progress Report
- Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman reported: a December 30 fire on Main Avenue (28 hours, no lives lost); Target as anchor tenant at Marketplace development (construction spring 2025, operational fall 2026); downtown incentive applications due March 1; new digital budget book; 2025 public works projects (larger street maintenance, drainage, shared-use paths, e-waste program); solid waste improvements (Leach 8 main, route optimization study with SDSU); police community events; Parks & Rec activities (ash tree removal, possum family at Dakota Nature Park); library cultural exhibit; and Codobank Center events (2,200 attendees at recent tournament).
Key Outcomes
- All votes were unanimous (6-0) except for items where roll call was not shown but all ayes were recorded.
- The council directed that the First Impressions Program final report be presented at a future study session.
- The next regular meeting is February 11, 2025, with second readings and other items.
- Councilmember Wendell noted the need to update the outdated PDF version of the comprehensive plan; staff will explore adding a link or asterisk to the current online map.
Meeting Transcript
I call this meeting to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Regions. Thank you all for attending tonight. Will the clerk please take attendance? Mr. Mayor, there are six council members present this evening. Councilmember Doran is absent. Thank you. Action to approve the agenda, entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Motion second. Comments from the public. Council have any comments, questions? Please call the roll. Avery. Aye. Neemeyer. Aye. Rasmussen. Aye. Specker. Aye. Tilton Byrne. Aye. Wendell. Aye. So before we start the open forum, uh, in order to provide equal access to all during the open forum and public comment portions of the meeting, each individual offering comments shall not exceed the allotted three-minute period. The podium light turns from green to yellow when there is one minute remaining. Your time for comment is expired when the podium light turns red. That being said, is there any member from the public who wishes to address the council on an item that's not on tonight's agenda? All right, move on. Consent agenda. Action on the to approve the consent agenda. Is there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? Entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. So moved. Second. Is there any public comment on any of the items on our consent agenda? Any council conference? Councilmember Specker. Yeah, and I think Bonnie can answer this, but in the special event temporary alcohol beverage license, it's not really clear whether that's like for the year or for specific events. And I was just wondering if that could be clarified. Yeah, certainly. So you'll have five events under item number B, the special event temporary alcohol beverage licenses. Those are for five separate events. The licenses issued are for 24 hours. So it will expire at the end of that day. So how often are these submitted, like once a month or for so applications are submitted from the staff at Sedexo as they handle the temporary alcohol on campus?
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