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Record of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Meeting: Candidate Interviews and Regular Business - April 15, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 15, 2025
BodyBrookings, South Dakota
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:31

I call this meeting to order.

0:34

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:55

Thank you all for attending this evening.

0:57

Uh will the city clerk please take attendance.

1:00

All council members are present, Mr.

1:01

Mayor.

1:02

Thank you.

1:03

Entertain a motion to uh approve the agenda.

1:07

So move.

1:08

Second.

1:09

Are there any comments from the public on the agenda?

1:14

Council questions, comments?

1:17

Please call the roll.

1:19

Avery.

1:20

Aye.

1:20

Doran.

1:21

Aye.

1:21

Neyer.

1:22

Aye.

1:22

Specker.

1:23

Aye.

1:23

Tilton Byrne.

1:24

Aye.

1:25

Wendell.

1:25

Aye.

1:27

Okay.

1:27

First thing on our agenda is a discussion with the applicants for the vacants.

1:32

City council seat.

1:33

Our uh applicants are Al Ostram, Larry Ayers, Lisa Hager, Michael Lambertus, Blake Stevens, and Zena Wicks the third.

1:43

We will go in alphabetical order.

1:45

Each applicant will have up to ten minutes to make into introductory remarks.

1:50

Uh council will try and hold it five minutes so that we're not here till midnight.

1:54

And then after we've interviewed every one of the candidates, uh, there will be open time for public comment.

2:01

So uh let's get started.

2:03

Al Ostrheim, you're up.

2:16

Good evening.

2:23

First off, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to appear before this body as it considers an appointment to complete the seven-member Brooking City Council.

2:32

As you know, I have taken an active interest in serving on the council by running for election the last two years.

2:38

Narrowly missing election both years, less than one percent last year and only a couple of percentage points this year.

2:44

Sadly, if I had not taken the initiative to collect signatures and file a petition as a council candidate, there would not have been a city election.

2:52

That's not a sign of an engaged community.

2:54

We live in a great community.

3:03

Our community engagement is not good, proven by our election turnouts.

3:08

What would our engagement be had we not had an election the last two years?

3:13

I have the commitment.

3:16

Also is seen in the three decades in which I have made Brookings my home.

3:19

It is also where I have owned and operated a successful and growing landscaping business.

3:24

There is no experience like operating business, making payroll, planning strategy, and overseeing people.

3:36

Those skills are directly applicable to the skills needed to be a good city council member and would bring greater viewpoint diversity to the council.

3:45

The housing situation in Brookings is very important.

3:47

I have been involved in both providing affordable housing, but also trying to help employees find affordable housing.

3:58

But a couple of months ago, there was only one person outside of the incumbents who was interested in serving.

4:03

I am that one person.

4:05

Two seats are up for election every year.

4:25

In fact, three of the candidates didn't even vote in the last two city elections.

4:29

It makes one wonder what the commitment is to city government.

4:36

Serving on a number of youth sports boards and establishing a large network of business contacts.

5:00

But compared to last year, I received more votes this year than anybody received last year.

5:06

So of the public that's willing to get out there and vote, we can't say that I don't have some public support.

5:15

And with that, I guess leave it up to any questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████████████████████████40%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Economic Development████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Floodplain Management██████6%
Zoning Regulations██████6%
Public Safety████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Meeting: Candidate Interviews and Regular Business - April 15, 2025

The Brookings City Council met on April 15, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM with an election canvass (not recorded in transcript), followed by a special study session at 5:30 PM to interview six applicants for the vacant City Council seat, and then the regular meeting at 6:30 PM. The regular meeting included consent agenda, reports, a naming resolution, an ordinance first reading, a public hearing, and other business. The council concluded with an executive session to discuss the vacancy appointment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: March 25, 2025 regular meeting and April 10, 2025 special study session minutes approved.
  • Temporary Alcohol Licenses: Approved for existing license holders per SDCL 35-4-124.
  • Resolution 25-028: Canvassing the April 8, 2025 Municipal Election results.
  • Resolution 25-012: Renewal of On-Sale Liquor Operating Agreement for MG Oil Company dba The Lanes, 722 Western Avenue.
  • Resolution 25-016: Renewal of On-Sale Liquor Operating Agreement for Wonder, Inc. dba The Wild Hare, 303 3rd Street.
  • Resolution 25-024: Awarding bid for Portable Litter Control Fences.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • During Study Session (candidate interviews): Six members of the public spoke in support of applicant Al Ostrom: Tim Gatormson (Bruce, SD, business owner), Jeff West (retired resident), another speaker, David Knipe, Mike McClemens, and Jane Cafer (resident outside city limits). They cited Ostrom's business experience, community involvement, near-win in two elections, and his character. No other candidates received public support.
  • During Regular Meeting Open Forum: Reggie Huff (Brookings resident) introduced himself and his invention, the Tomahawk turbine engine, and urged the city to be more welcoming to innovators.

Discussion Items

  • City Council Vacancy Interviews: Six applicants were interviewed alphabetically: Al Ostrom, Larry Ayers, Lisa Hager, Michael Lambertus, Blake Stevens (withdrew), and Zeno Wicks III. Key topics raised by applicants and council questions included:
    • Affordable housing, workforce recruitment, and child care.
    • Community engagement, voter turnout, and transparency.
    • Strategic plans, city efficiency, and collaboration with staff.
    • Youth programs and potential loss of federal funding.
    • Economic development, downtown vibrancy, and attracting businesses.
  • Reports:
    • SDSU Student Association: Anna Hunt, newly appointed government affairs chair, provided updates on commencement (May 10) and Ag Week.
    • City Council Ex-Officio Reports: Utility Board reported on WAPA agreement extension through 2050 (covering ~30% of city power) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) allowing app-based monitoring. Brookings Health System reported clean audit, impact of Medicare Advantage, and continued recognition as Top 20 Rural Community Hospital (10th time).
    • Downtown Fire Update: Jake Meske provided status on the December 30, 2024 fire at 318 Main Avenue. Buildings at 314 Main (structurally sound, reopening summer 2025), 318 Main (demolition pending), 320 Main (total loss, demolition pending shared wall shoring), and 322 Main (exterior improvements). Monthly updates to continue.
  • Naming Request: Resolution 25-033 to name the fire training tower after retiring Fire Chief Pete Bolzer (25 years of service). Council members praised his dedication. Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance First Reading: Ordinance 25-011 to amend sidewalk café alcoholic beverage sales guidelines, removing the requirement that 50% of gross revenue come from prepared food. Staff noted the city's current rule exceeds state law. Second reading set for April 22.
  • Public Hearing: Resolution 25-032 for the 2024-01 Sidewalk Concrete Maintenance Project. 68 locations identified: 13 city responsibility, 55 private. Of 55 private, 28 opted into city repair, 1 completed independently, 2 will hire own contractor, 24 unresponsive. City's share estimated at $17,000. Approved.
  • Other Business:
    • Resolution 25-035: Setting fines for floodplain ordinance violations (first offense $300 + $72.50 court costs, second $400 + $72.50, third $500 + $72.50). Staff will work with property owners before fines. Approved.
    • Resolution 25-031: Authorizing acquisition of 7,938 sq ft from Paul E. Moriarty Living Trust for $158,522.50 ($21.62/sq ft) for 20th Street South / 22nd Avenue South intersection improvements. Approved.
  • Executive Session: Council entered executive session under SDCL 1-25-2.1 to discuss the qualifications of prospective council appointees. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Fire Training Tower Naming: Approved unanimously to name the tower "Chief Pete Bolzer Training Tower" (or "Pete's Place").
  • Sidewalk Café Ordinance: First reading held; second reading and action scheduled for April 22.
  • Sidewalk Repair Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Floodplain Fines Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Property Acquisition Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Vacancy Appointment: The council will vote on the appointment at the April 22 meeting; swearing-in planned for May 13.

Meeting Transcript

I call this meeting to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you all for attending this evening. Uh will the city clerk please take attendance. All council members are present, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Entertain a motion to uh approve the agenda. So move. Second. Are there any comments from the public on the agenda? Council questions, comments? Please call the roll. Avery. Aye. Doran. Aye. Neyer. Aye. Specker. Aye. Tilton Byrne. Aye. Wendell. Aye. Okay. First thing on our agenda is a discussion with the applicants for the vacants. City council seat. Our uh applicants are Al Ostram, Larry Ayers, Lisa Hager, Michael Lambertus, Blake Stevens, and Zena Wicks the third. We will go in alphabetical order. Each applicant will have up to ten minutes to make into introductory remarks. Uh council will try and hold it five minutes so that we're not here till midnight. And then after we've interviewed every one of the candidates, uh, there will be open time for public comment. So uh let's get started. Al Ostrheim, you're up. Good evening. First off, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to appear before this body as it considers an appointment to complete the seven-member Brooking City Council. As you know, I have taken an active interest in serving on the council by running for election the last two years. Narrowly missing election both years, less than one percent last year and only a couple of percentage points this year. Sadly, if I had not taken the initiative to collect signatures and file a petition as a council candidate, there would not have been a city election. That's not a sign of an engaged community. We live in a great community. Our community engagement is not good, proven by our election turnouts. What would our engagement be had we not had an election the last two years? I have the commitment. Also is seen in the three decades in which I have made Brookings my home. It is also where I have owned and operated a successful and growing landscaping business. There is no experience like operating business, making payroll, planning strategy, and overseeing people. Those skills are directly applicable to the skills needed to be a good city council member and would bring greater viewpoint diversity to the council. The housing situation in Brookings is very important.

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