Brookings City Council Meeting - July 22, 2025
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Brookings City Council Meeting - July 22, 2025
The Brookings City Council met on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Six council members were present (Mayor Oepke Niemeyer, Deputy Mayor Nick Wendell, Councilmembers Wayne Avery, Bonny Specker, Brianna Doran, Lisa Hager); Councilmember Holly Tilton Byrne was absent. The council approved a consent agenda, issued two proclamations, conducted public hearings on a downtown parking lot purchase and zoning changes, and advanced multiple ordinances. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approved City Council meeting minutes from July 8, 2025.
- Approved temporary alcohol/special event alcoholic beverage licenses from existing holders.
- Approved Resolution 25-063 authorizing renovation of the Dwiggins-Medary Skatepark. Parks and Recreation staff provided an overview: the skatepark is over 25 years old and has never been renovated; the 2025 budget includes $315,000 for a full concrete renovation, competitively bid through Source Well Cooperative Agreement, on budget. A design charrette drew approximately 40 participants and two council members. The west side will accommodate advanced users, the east side a street course for beginners. Concrete work expected to start fall 2025, completion spring 2026. Councilmember Doran praised public engagement. Councilmember Wendell inquired about maintenance capacity; staff confirmed concrete will require less maintenance than metal ramps and they have the capability.
- Approved Resolution 25-066 declaring surplus property.
Proclamations
- McCrory Gardens Day (August 1, 2025): Recognized the 60th anniversary. Lisa Morates, director, accepted and announced a history walk, ice cream social (free SDSU ice cream and jazz on August 1), and native plant initiative on August 2 with partners from the Native American Indian Center.
- Americans with Disabilities Act 35th Anniversary Day (July 26, 2025): Mark Thiessen spoke, describing ADA as a floor, not a ceiling, and urging continued progress beyond minimum compliance.
Discussion Items
- Purchase of Real Estate for Parking Lot (Resolution 25-069): City Manager Paul Briseno presented the purchase of 214 Front Street for $1,250,000 plus closing costs and real estate commission, funded by the Council's financial policy project fund. The purchase supports the Downtown Brookings Master Plan approved in October 2024. Councilmember Doran noted parking is a frequent public concern and confirmed the intent is free parking. The resolution passed 7-0.
- Budget Amendment No. 5 (Ord. 25-027, First Reading): A $1.3 million amendment to fund the parking lot purchase, including environmental study, appraisal, and closing costs. Second reading set for August 12, 2025.
- Library Reconsideration Policy Appeal Process (Ord. 25-024, First Reading): Brings the library's policy into compliance with SDCL 22-25-56, adding city council and judicial review as additional appeal levels for library cardholders who believe materials are obscene. Library Director Asia Hines reported only 1.5 formal requests in 9.5 years. Councilmember Wendell expressed concern that the law places council members without expertise in a decision-making role and asked about training availability. Councilmember Specker asked about frequency. Second reading set for August 12, 2025.
- Cannabis Dispensary Zoning Amendment (Ord. 25-023, First Reading): Proposes removing Business B-2A Office District as an eligible district for cannabis dispensaries, to serve as a buffer from residential areas. Four other commercial districts remain available. Planning Commission recommended unanimously. Second reading and public hearing set for August 12, 2025.
- Rezone 716 34th Avenue (Ord. 25-026, First Reading): Rezone from Agriculture A to Business B-3 Heavy to match adjacent commercial uses. Planning Commission recommended unanimously. Second reading set for August 12, 2025.
- Rezone City Properties to Civic District (Ord. 25-025, First Reading): Rezone approximately 60 city-owned properties (parks, drainage facilities, water towers, fire stations, etc.) to the recently adopted Civic zoning district to limit uses and increase public awareness. Excluded are heavy-use facilities (e.g., BMU headquarters, street shop). Planning Commission recommended unanimously. Second reading set for August 12, 2025.
- Human Rights Commission Complaint Process (Ord. 25-022, Second Reading): Lawrence presented the revision shifting the Human Rights Commission from investigating and adjudicating discrimination complaints to a resource and referral role, directing complainants to state/federal agencies (e.g., HUD, EEOC). The change addresses concerns about volunteer training, time commitment, and legal liability. The ordinance passed 7-0.
- Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment (Resolution 25-065): Reclassifies a former salvage/junkyard site on Main Avenue South from Open Space Wetland to Urban Medium Intensity. Planning Commission recommended unanimously. Resolution passed 7-0.
- Liquor License Transfer and Operating Agreements (Items 9C, 9D, 9E): Transferred an On-Off Sale Malt License and approved 10-year On-Off Sale Wine and On-Sale Convention Liquor Operating Agreements from Den Wil Hospitality Group (Wilbert's) to Matt Chapman, dba Domellie's LLC, at 929-931 25th Avenue. The licenses do not include video lottery. Matt Chapman spoke, stating it is his dream to open his own place; he takes over August 1 and hopes to open the restaurant by early September. All three items passed 7-0.
Progress Report
- Police Department: Participated in Special Olympics Torch Run, Safety Town, Bike Rodeo, Fourth of July Parade, Brookings Summer Arts Festival.
- Library: Summer reading program has 1,062 children and teens registered; life-sized Trivial Pursuit planned for August.
- Public Works: Airport parallel taxiway project opens this week; asphalt maintenance to complete by October; 12th Street South Shared Use Trail concrete poured, completion by August; Main Avenue South & 12th Street South traffic signals operational.
- Mosquito Control: City fogging operations ongoing; state budget cuts eliminated West Nile testing for Brookings traps, though one trap in the county is being tested.
- Dakota Bank Center: Uncle Sam Jam had over 2,100 attendees; renovations expected mid-August.
- Parks: Over 40,000 visitors during July 12 weekend for tournaments and Summer Arts Festival.
- Mayor's Awards: Nominations due August 1 (most categories) and July 23 (Disability Awareness); awards presented at December Mayor's Holiday Party.
Executive Session
- Council voted to enter executive session under SDCL 1-25-2.4 (contract negotiations), 1-25-2.3 (legal counsel), and 1-25-2.5 (marketing/pricing strategies). No action was taken afterward; the meeting adjourned following executive session.
Key Outcomes
- Approved downtown parking lot land purchase ($1.25M) and budget amendment ($1.3M).
- Passed revision to Human Rights Commission complaint process.
- Approved comprehensive plan map amendment and liquor license/operating agreements for Domellie's.
- Introduced five ordinances for second reading on August 12, 2025.
- All votes were 7-0 unless otherwise stated.
Meeting Transcript
I call this meeting to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you all for coming this evening. Would the city clerk please take attendance? Six council members are present, Mr. Mayor. Councilmember Tilton Burn is absent. All right. Action on approve the agenda. Entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Any comments from the public? Council questions, comments? Please call the roll. Naymaier. Aye. Hager. Aye. Specker. Aye. Wendell? Aye. Avery? Aye. Doran. Aye. Okay. We move on to open forum. Is there any member of the public who wishes to address the council on an item not listed on tonight's agenda? All right, move on to consent agenda. Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? Seeing none, entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. So moved. Second. Is there any public comment on any of the items? Council having questions, comments? Councilmember Durin. Thank you, Mayor. I was wondering if Kristen from Parks and Rec would be willing to come up and just give an overview about our renovation of the skate park. Thank you, Mayor, members of council. Just some brief background information is that Skate Park is now over 25 years old. We were having a hard time to actually figure out how old it is. So it hasn't really ever seen like a an improvement of any kind since it was built. Before 2000, is all I know for sure. We're excited to share that their full renovation of the skate park is included was included in the 2025 budget at $315,000. The project is purchased through the Source Well Cooperative Agreement, so it was competitively bid throughout that process, and it's falling when at budget, so it's that full $315,000. As with any public park improvement, community input is a vital part of the process. We hosted a design charrette which was attended by approximately 40 to or 40 participants and two council members. One during the initial design phase and the another after the draft concepts were developed.
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