Brookings City Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025

The Brookings City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All council members were present. The meeting included approvals of consent agenda items, presentations, contract awards, public hearings, a progress report, and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as amended: added a special city council meeting on April 10, 2025, to meet with City Attorney Services applicants (7-0 roll call).
• Approved consent agenda (5 items):
  • City Council meeting minutes from March 11, 2025, and Board of Equalization minutes from March 17, 2025.
  • Temporary alcohol/special event alcoholic beverage licenses from existing holders.
  • Resolution 25-022: Authorizing the City Manager to sign a 5-year Wine Operating Agreement renewal for Yessica’s Restaurant (Edwin Alvarez, owner).
  • Various volunteer board appointments.
• The consent agenda was approved as a block with no items removed (7-0 roll call).

Presentations & Reports

• “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest Winners: Mayor Niemeyer and Council Member Bonnie Foster presented certificates to second grader Ruby Yseth and fourth grader Elliott Ahmann for their winning sticker designs. Stickers will be available at the April 8 election.
• Proclamation – Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Mayor Niemeyer proclaimed March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, emphasizing inclusion and the value of individuals with disabilities.
• SDSU Student Association Report: Chair Claire Kennicke reported that the general election for student government is underway (ballots opened March 25 at 8 AM, close March 26 at 5 PM). Transition date is April 7. Twelve candidates are running, with the College of Engineering being the only contested race.
• 2025 Stormwater Incentive Program: Presented by Sean Doremus, Engineering Technician. The 2024 program saw all 40 native plant vouchers claimed (20 reimbursed, acquiring 439 plants; city reimbursed $2,052.09) and 76 rain barrel orders (each received $30 subsidy; total $2,280). For 2025:
  • Rain barrel incentive: residents can purchase any rain barrel after Earth Day (April 22) and receive up to $50 reimbursement (up from $30).
  • Native plant program continues.
  • New rain garden pilot: partnership with SDSU Landscape Architecture and SDSU Extension. Up to four vouchers available, reimbursement up to $1,000. SDSU students will assist with design and oversight. A public presentation on rain gardens will be held April 5 from 10–11:30 AM at McCrory Gardens.
  • BMU matched the city’s contributions to expand the program. Council members commended staff and partners.

Discussion Items and Actions

• Resolution 25-023 – Slurry Seal Project Contract Award:
  • Awarded to Asphalt Surfacing Technologies (Aztec) for $1,203,814.04 (budgeted $1.3 million). The project covers multiple streets as part of a pavement preservation program, using a slurry seal method that cures in under two hours. Sioux Falls administered the bid. Council approved 7-0.
• Resolution 25-026 – Landfill Force Main Construction Contract Award:
  • Awarded to Metro Construction for $2,591,403.76 (lowest of two responsive bids; 4% lower than engineer’s estimate, 14% below budget). The force main will connect the landfill leachate system to BMU’s sanitary sewer, eliminating hauling. Substantial completion by early October, full completion by November. Council approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-009 – Budget Amendment No. 10 (Second Reading):
  • Adds expenditure authority in five areas offset by revenues: Hillcrest Aquatic Center ($14,995 for pool heater), Forestry ($20,000 for tree moving), reimbursement for overtime pay, Library ($6,000 from donations), and Bid Tax admin fees ($1,456). No changes since first reading. Council approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-010 – Flood Prevention Regulations (Public Hearing & Second Reading):
  • Full rewrite of Chapter 38 mandated by FEMA to continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). New flood maps become effective April 23, 2025. Key updates: designates City Engineer as floodplain administrator, requires two-foot freeboard for manufactured homes and new/expanded parks, restates compensatory storage and two-foot elevation requirement (approved August 2023). No public comments. Council approved 7-0.
• Resolution 25-027 – Annexation (Public Hearing):
  • Annexes approximately 55 acres in the northeast portion (west half of northeast quarter, Section 20) for future industrial expansion. Unanimous recommendation from Planning Commission; County Commission approved. Land is contiguous, can be readily served with utilities. Council approved 7-0.

Progress Report

• Presented by Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman. Highlights:
  • Applications for vacant City Council seat due by April 5.
  • City/School Board election April 8; early voting underway.
  • Downtown Incentive Program applications under review.
  • Brookings Insight and Community Economic Development Master Plan dashboards updated.
  • Slurry seal project (twice as large as 2024), street resurfacing, sidewalk maintenance, ramp/signal improvements at Main Avenue/12th Street S, intersection improvements at 22nd Avenue/20th Street S.
  • Drainage projects, Arrowhead Park, Six Mile Creek work (April).
  • Shared-use paths along 20th Street S and 12th Street S.
  • Airport parallel taxiway project nearing completion.
  • Landfill: equipment storage building wrapping up, new resident disposal area design starting.
  • Police: three officers graduated from training academy; one awarded leadership award. Community policing efforts.
  • Parks: RFPs for playgrounds and splash pad, golf course RFP open, ash tree removal along bike path, campground and golf course open, ball fields being prepared. Library craft swap raised $1,179.
  • Dakota Bank Center improvements: security cameras, windows/doors, bathroom RFP.
  • Tree planting program: incentives up to $100 per tree (front yard), additional $50 for treating ash trees; kicks off Earth Day.
• Council Member Holly Tilton Byrne reminded public of cleanup week: boulevard placement April 9–13, pickup starts April 14.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and action items approved unanimously (7-0) where votes were taken.
• Next regular meetings: April 15 and April 22, 2025. Special meeting April 10 for city attorney interviews.
• Executive session held pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2.3 and 1-25-2.5 for legal consultation and marketing/pricing strategies; no action taken.
• Council Member Wayne Avery inquired about replanting trees along bike path after ash removal; Parks staff confirmed larger trees will be spaded in from the city tree farm.