Brookings City Council Meeting - June 10, 2025

The Brookings City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Six council members were present; Councilmember Nick Wendell was absent. The meeting included proclamations, approval of two construction contracts, four public hearings on ordinances, and a resolution transferring contingency funds. All votes were recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda, including the May 27, 2025 meeting minutes and temporary alcohol / special event alcoholic beverage licenses from existing holders.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Slurry seal update: John Thompson, Public Works Director, provided a brief update on downtown slurry seal work, noting minor delays due to machine calibration but anticipating completion by next week pending weather. No public comment was offered on unlisted items.
• Pride Month Proclamation: Aaron Lavender Stott, LGBTQ+ liaison for the Human Rights Commission, accepted the proclamation and invited the community to the June 21 Pride event at Pioneer Park.
• Juneteenth Proclamation: Keely Eagles Shield, VP of the Brookings Human Rights Commission, accepted the proclamation and invited the public to the June 19 celebration.
• Downtown at Sundown: A Chamber representative described the five-week event (July and August), including New Resident Night (August 7), Multicultural Night (August 14), and SDSU Night (August 21).
• Gunsmithing Conditional Use: Tyler Brockle, owner of Havoc Engineering, spoke in favor of his application, emphasizing that the business is primarily product development and government contracting, with build classes being a small part. He noted compliance with federal and state law, and that home-based FFLs are common in South Dakota.
• Hair Salon Conditional Use: Andrew Austral, owner of the proposed hair salon at 1214 Western Avenue, briefly spoke in support, noting the property is surrounded by businesses.

Presentations/Reports

• Proclamations: The Mayor read and presented proclamations declaring June 2025 as LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month and June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth.
• Council Ex-Officio Reports: Councilmember Wayne Avery reported on the Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU) meeting, including remodeling of the Western Avenue office, completion of the lead service line replacement project, discussions on new power generation (a diesel plant in Watertown, a natural gas turbine near Toronto, and a solar plant under development by Missouri River Energy), and a draft raw water supply agreement between the city and BMU for the golf course.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 25-061 – Arrowhead Park Trail and Drainage Improvements: The project replaces 6,000 square yards of shared-use trail and ballie gutter at Arrowhead Park. Three bids were received; the low bid from Timmins Construction was $201,234.34, approximately 19% below the engineer’s estimate. Councilmember Specker requested better maps in future presentations. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution 25-062 – 20th Street South Shared Use Path: The project replaces the sidewalk from Main Avenue South to Medary Avenue with an eight-foot-wide shared-use trail, plus crossing and shoulder improvements. The low bid from Timmins Construction was $461,337.17, approximately 23% below estimate. Construction to start later in the season. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance 25-016 – Budget Amendment No. 2: Allocates $250,000 for the economic development merger and $12,000 to the Chamber and Visit Brookings for additional rental costs. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance 25-017 – Budget Amendment No. 3: Transfers $200,000 from General Fund Economic Development Reserves to the Marketplace Capital Project Fund for a sewer line extension on Capitol Street, and $260,000 from the second penny tax capital improvement reserve for street paving (to be reimbursed upon future sale of the Weast property). Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance 25-018 – Zoning Change (Agriculture A to Business B-3 Heavy): Rezones Lot 1 in Clark Addition and Lot 2 in Clark Second Addition (east side of 34th Avenue) for future commercial development, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and supported unanimously by the Planning Commission. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance 25-019 – Conditional Use Permit for Gunsmithing (Major Home Occupation): For 2505 Larkspur Ridge Drive in an R-2 Two-Family District. The Planning Commission recommended approval with three conditions: non-transferable to the applicant, no build classes on site, and proof of federal/state licensing every three years. Council discussed concerns about location near a school, surveillance, ammunition storage, and potential for manufacturing. The applicant clarified that all parts are separate, no ammunition sales on site, and home-based FFLs are common. Councilmember Tilton Byrne opposed due to location; Councilmember Avery also opposed. Approved 5-2 (Specker, Doran, Niemeyer, Hager, and likely one other aye; Tilton Byrne and Avery nay).
• Ordinance 25-020 – Conditional Use Permit for Hair Salon (Major Home Occupation): For 1214 Western Avenue in an R-1A Single-Family District. The Planning Commission recommended approval with one condition (non-transferable). No objections. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution 25-045 – Transfer of Contingency Funds: Transfers $20,000 to the City Clerk department for professional scanning and digital archiving of permanently bound city records dating back to 1883. Original records will remain in the city’s fire/water-safe master file room. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolution 25-061 awarding the Arrowhead Park Trail project to Timmins Construction ($201,234.34).
• Approved Resolution 25-062 awarding the 20th Street South Shared Use Path project to Timmins Construction ($461,337.17).
• Approved Ordinance 25-016 (Budget Amendment #2) and Ordinance 25-017 (Budget Amendment #3).
• Approved Ordinance 25-018 (zoning change).
• Approved Ordinance 25-019 (gunsmithing conditional use) on a 5-2 vote.
• Approved Ordinance 25-020 (hair salon conditional use) unanimously.
• Approved Resolution 25-045 (contingency fund transfer of $20,000 for records scanning).
• Approved the Downtown at Sundown temporary alcohol license.
• Councilmember Doran requested a future study session on the conditional use process for major home occupations; it will be added to a future agenda.