Brookings City Council Meeting – May 27, 2025

The Brookings City Council met on May 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including consent agenda approvals, two proclamations, a year-to-date finance report, contract awards, first readings of budget amendments and zoning ordinances, public hearings on alcohol licenses, video lottery, commercial corridor design review, annexation, historic preservation, and a progress report. The council also entered executive session for legal and marketing strategy discussions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The agenda was amended to remove item 9C (On-Off Sale Malt License transfer for Shorty’s Burgers & Brew) and item 9D (Full Service On-Sale Restaurant Liquor Operating Agreement for Shorty’s). The amendment passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Items: Approved en bloc: City Council meeting minutes (May 13, 2025), City Council Ex-Officio Appointments, appointment of Deputy Mayor (Nick Wendell explained the role as backup to the mayor), and Special Event Temporary Alcoholic Beverage Licenses from existing holders. No items were removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Commercial Corridor Design Review (Item 9E): Kyle Rausch (Dakota Land Design) spoke in favor of streamlining the process, noting that the current 10-month timeline discourages development. He cited a client who chose a nearby town over Brookings due to delays. Sandra Calice, an architect, supported Kyle’s remarks.
• Historic Preservation (Item 9J): Multiple residents spoke in favor of amending the Future Land Use Map to add Residential Scale Preservation (RSP) along 6th Street between Maderi and Main. Speakers included Matthew Weiss (chair of Historic Preservation Commission), Janet Merriman, Sandra Calice (811 6th Street), Rachel Reed (907 6th Street), Audra Fullerton (newly appointed BHPC member), and Josh Westwick (502 9th Avenue). They argued that the change would protect the historic character and encourage investment, and that the current process for historic demolition is weak. Elizabeth Wake (Vine Street Properties) requested that 706 6th Street retain its Medium Density Residential designation. One speaker, Gene Stegman (congregational chairman, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 629 9th Avenue), opposed the amendment, stating that the existing 11-1 review process provides adequate protections.

Presentations/Reports

• Proclamations:
  • Global Accessibility Awareness Month: The mayor proclaimed May 2025 as Global Accessibility Awareness Month. A representative from the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee highlighted the importance of digital accessibility for the over 1 billion people with disabilities, noting that 98.1% of corporate home pages have accessibility failures.
  • Special Olympics Day (May 27, 2025): Proclaimed for athletes competing in the state competition. Junior, an athlete, will compete in the 50-meter run and javelin throw. Braun Chatham (chair of Special Olympics Board) noted three athletes are representing South Dakota in national games in Minneapolis.
• 2025 Year-to-Date Finance Report: Presented by Finance Director Ashley Runch.
  • Sales Tax: 2.2% above last year and 1.5% above the prorated budget. January was below due to a large audit refund to Solventum; February through April recovered.
  • 3B Tax (Hospitality): Eating places performed well; drinking places and hotels decreased slightly.
  • BID Tax: 9.4% below last year and budget due to fewer events (indoor track meet, state basketball/hockey tournaments not hosted in Brookings, a canceled meeting due to federal funding cuts, and decreased Canadian bus tourism).
  • General Fund: Expenditures at 28% of budget, revenues at 23% (first half of property tax arrives in May). Personnel makes up 62% of the general fund.
  • Capital Projects: Notable is the $3.3 million AMESCO Energy Efficiency Project (84% complete, $2.8 million spent). Other projects: epoxy flooring at Dacotah Bank Center ($80,000), police vehicles ($107,000), bobcat for street division ($73,000), parks shop roof ($63,000).
  • ARPA Funds: All $2.2 million to community partners (mental health, child care, workforce/affordable housing) expended by Dec 31, 2024.
  • Financial Policy Projects Fund: Balance ~$19.7 million. Primary project is the public safety facility ($17 million); secondary projects (fire station, activity center remodel, library remodel) total $19 million.
  • Economic Outlook: Steady development expected (Solventum expansion, marketplace, downtown incentives). Gradual mortgage rate decrease may stimulate real estate. Midwest CPI trending closer to national average. Inflation trending toward 2%; many economists reduce recession probability.
  • Awards: City received Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2023 ACFR) and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2025 interactive budget book) from GFOA.
  • Councilmember Wendell asked about comparison to other municipalities; Runch said Brookings is performing slightly better than the top ten comparable cities.
• Progress Report (May 2025): Presented by Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman.
  • Library: 182 attended Fandom Fest; summer reading program registration open.
  • Dacotah Bank Center: 19 event days in May, including high school graduation and Casa Fire and Ice Gala. Max Carnival this weekend.
  • Police Department: 5-hour training exercise at former bank location; two active threat trainings with BMU employees; DEA drug take-back collected 45 lbs of prescription medications.
  • Public Works: Ditch maintenance ongoing; Six Mile Creek maintenance north of Veterans Memorial Park to be completed in early June. 2025 concrete maintenance project ~80% complete. Solid Waste Master Plan progressing; Leech 8 Force Main Project starting June; landfill equipment storage building awaiting gutters. SDSU student route optimization recommendations to be implemented later this year.
  • Parks & Recreation: Parks Director Kristen Zimmerman invited to sustainability panel at NRPA conference. City acquired Fifth Street Gym; open gyms begin June 1. Pool opens May 29. Arbor Day activities held.
  • Marketplace: Groundbreaking for $57 million investment (future Target and Aldi) attended by ~100 people.
  • Budgeting: 2026 budgeting process underway; department meetings scheduled for June.
  • Downtown Fire Update: Three meetings with building owners since April 15. At 314 Main Ave (Kevin Grunwalt), building structurally sound, restoration ongoing, target operational summer 2025. At 320 Main Ave (Seven Songbirds), total loss, demolition permit approved. At 318 Main Ave (Bros Fashion), total loss, demolition permit approved. Demolition of 318 and 320 will occur simultaneously after shoring of shared wall with The Exchange (322 Main Ave) is completed. A building permit issued to shore up wall with Seven Songbirds; work expected to be completed soon. Next building owner meeting scheduled for May 28.

Discussion Items

• Contract Awards:
  • Resolution 25-050: Playground replacements at Indian Hills, Sarah Renee, and Hillcrest Parks. Budget $450,000. Features include wider slides, hammock-style swings, communication boards. Children, staff, and police provided input. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 25-051: Restroom upgrades at Dacotah Bank Center (eight restrooms, full renovation excluding structural work). RFP closed April 11, three proposals received. Approved unanimously.
• First Readings of Ordinances:
  • Ordinance 25-016 (Budget Amendment #2): Appropriates $250,000 for the economic merger of Visit Brookings and Chamber of Commerce, plus additional rental support for short-term lease extensions. City Manager Paul Briseno stated the second reading is June 10. Councilmember Doran asked about CEO search timeline; Councilmember Wendell responded that the board of directors will be selected by June 16, CEO search over summer, new CEO on board by early September, merger launch January 2026.
  • Ordinance 25-017 (Budget Amendment #3): Transfers $200,000 from general fund economic development reserves to Marketplace capital project fund for a sewer line extension on Capitol Street, and $260,000 from second penny tax capital improvements reserve for paving and street improvements (reimbursable from future sale of city-owned Wiest property). Public Works Director John Thompson presented. Second reading June 10.
  • Ordinance 25-018: Rezone Lot 1 in Clark Addition and Lot 2 in Clark Second Addition from Agriculture A to Business B-3 Heavy District. Located east of 34th Avenue. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Staff supports.
  • Ordinance 25-019: Conditional Use Permit for a major home occupation (gunsmithing) at 2505 Larkspur Ridge Drive (R-2 Two-Family District). Applicant Tyler Brockel (Havoc Engineering Group) explained that the license allows him to put serial numbers on firearms assembled from parts, but no build classes on site; classes are held at other FFL locations. All materials are serialized, background checks performed, no ghost guns. Conditions: permit valid for applicant only, no build classes on site, proof of licensing every 3 years. Council discussed concerns about school proximity and enforcement. Chief Drake noted that federal ATF does random inspections and can be assisted by local police. The applicant resides in the home owned by his mother. The planning commission voted unanimously with conditions. Second reading June 10.
  • Ordinance 25-020: Conditional Use Permit for a major home occupation (hair salon) at 1214 Western Avenue (R-1A Single Family District). Single chair, meets parking requirements. Condition: valid for applicant only. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Staff supports.
• Public Hearings and Second Readings:
  • Item 9A: On-Off Sale Malt License for PNP Pub, Suite B at 318 2nd Street South. Includes video lottery authorization for up to 10 machines. City Clerk Bonnie Foster presented. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9B: Video Lottery Authorization for the same location. This is the last available authorization. Approved unanimously.
  • Items 9C and 9D were removed from the agenda.
  • Item 9E: Ordinance 25-008 amending Commercial Corridor Design Review Overlay District (Section 94-165). Key change: administrative approval for projects that meet all requirements; exceptions still go to planning commission and council. Also removes subjectivity and addresses planned development districts and a gap on Main Avenue. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Councilmember Wendell noted this has been a 10-month conversation with public input. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9F: Ordinance 24-035 amending Planned Development District (Section 94-163) to align with commercial corridor changes. Previously tabled, removed from table and approved unanimously.
  • Item 9G: Commercial Corridor Design Review Site Plan for Lot 2, Block 1, Wiese Addition (west of Whiskey Creek, east side of LaFever Drive). Two businesses on one lot; requested exceptions for minimum lot area (58,955 sq ft vs required 60,000) and window glazing (14% and 15% vs 20%, but with awnings). Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9H: Resolution 25-055 – Intent to Lease Real Property to RTI, LLC at the Research and Technology Center. Month-to-month extension at current rates ($10/sq ft office, $4/sq ft garage) generating ~$9,842/month, until no later than August 31, 2026. RTI is exploring other options. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9I: Resolution 25-053 – Annexation of West Half of Northwest Quarter, Section 20, T110N R49W (east of 34th Avenue). Previously had a typo; corrected legal description. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9J: Resolution 25-054 – Amendment to 2040 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map for 6th Street corridor from Maderi Avenue to Main Avenue. Changing from Medium Density Residential to Residential Scale Preservation (RSP). The Historic Preservation Commission initiated the request. Planning commission recommended 5-4 against. After public testimony, council discussed that the change does not alter zoning but sets a vision for compatible scale and form. Councilmember Tilton Byrne, Specker, Wendell, Hager, Doran, and Avery expressed support. Councilmember Niemeyer noted the plan is a living document. Approved 7-0.
  • Item 9K: Resolution 25-056 – Vacate a portion of 26th Street South right-of-way east of 22nd Avenue. Unimproved gravel road; four property owners petitioned. City will obtain easements for utilities and access before recording. Approved unanimously.
• Other Business: Item 10A – Amended Large Scale Residential Development Plan (Prairie Hills Landing): Change rear yard setback from 25 feet from property line to 25 feet between structures (due to common HOA-owned open space, no typical side/rear yard issues). Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Contracts: Playground replacements ($450,000) and Dacotah Bank Center restroom upgrades.
• First Readings & Future Second Readings: Budget amendments 25-016 and 25-017, zoning changes (25-018, 25-019, 25-020) will be acted upon on June 10, 2025.
• Approved Licenses: On-off sale malt license and video lottery authorization for PNP Pub (last available).
• Commercial Corridor Reforms: Ordinance 25-008 and 24-035 passed, streamlining administrative approvals while preserving public hearing for exceptions.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Future Land Use map changed to Residential Scale Preservation along 6th Street between Maderi and Main, strengthening historic preservation vision.
• Annexation and Right-of-Way Vacations: Approved 25-053 and 25-056.
• Lease Extension: Approved month-to-month lease for RTI, LLC at Research Park until August 31, 2026.
• Large Scale Residential Plan: Approved amended rear yard setback for Prairie Hills Landing.
• Executive Session: Entered at 7:47 PM for legal and marketing strategy discussions; no further business after adjournment.