Brookings City Council Meeting: Joint Session and Budget Workshop - September 23, 2025

The Brookings City Council met in a joint session with the Brookings County Commission at 5:30 PM on September 23, 2025, to approve a zoning change, followed by a regular council meeting at approximately 6:00 PM that included a budget workshop, presentations, public hearings, and other business.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the meeting agenda (City Council and County Commission).
• Approved consent agenda items including meeting minutes (9/9/2025, 9/16/2025), temporary alcohol/special event licenses, appointments to the Public Arts Commission (Donna Merkt and Matt Lindner), and an appointment to the Brookings Human Rights Commission (Sydnie Peters).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during Open Forum or on other agenda items.

Presentations/Reports

• Stormwater Awareness Week Proclamation: Mayor Niemeyer proclaimed September 22–26, 2025 as Stormwater Awareness Week. John Thompson (Public Works) highlighted the importance of stormwater management and recognized staff.
• SDSU Student Association Report (Anna Hunt): Announced Shed Day on January 25–26, 2026; Board of Regents meeting October 1, 2025; estimated economic impact of the Student Promotion Fund is about $2.8 million, with $61 returned to the city for every $1 funded. Upcoming events: Senior Day, Family Weekend, and Hobo Day (October 11).
• 2025–2026 Food Waste Composting Pilot Program (Charlie Kuhn, Landfill Director): Brookings is the first municipality in South Dakota to launch a food waste composting pilot, funded by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Four drop-off sites (Street Department, East Fire Station, South Fire Station, and the landfill). Residents can collect food scraps at home using provided two-gallon buckets (250 initially, $10 purchase price) or free compostable bags at sites. Pilot runs mid-October 2025 to mid-October 2026. Councilmembers expressed strong support.
• City of Brookings Progress Report (Samantha Beckman): Summarized recent achievements including progress on the Fifth Street Gym, completion of 12th Street South Shared Use Path, new pool filter at Hillcrest Aquatic Center, police officer graduation from FBI National Academy, and the new community food forest north of community gardens.

Discussion Items

• Budget Workshop #2 (ID 25-0410): Reviewed the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and proposed fee schedule changes for 2026. Key points:
  • Total budget decreases $650,000, but general fund increases $1 million with 3% sales tax growth and 5% property tax growth.
  • CIP highlights: $4.5 million for street projects, $700,000 for fire engine replacement, $450,000 for Fifth Street Gym improvements in 2026 (total ~$1.5 million over 5–6 years), bond payments for Bob Sheldon and Larson Ice Center ending in 2033.
  • 77% of 2026 CIP expenditures go to Public Works, Parks, Recreation & Forestry, and Public Safety.
  • Debt will be repaid by 2033; $600,000 surplus in 2035 would go to the City Council Financial Priority Projects Fund (currently $18.5 million saved for fire station and police facility).
  • Fee schedule changes: solid waste and landfill fees increase 3%; mobile home disposal rises from $265 to $500; storm drainage unit charge increases 3%; sign, flag, and banner removal fees increase; zoning fees increase $25–$50; building permit fees increase $5–$10 per square foot.
  • Councilmembers discussed vehicle replacement cycles, grant opportunities, and the Fifth Street Gym investment (Councilmember Avery expressed support, noting the property was obtained for free from the school district).

Key Outcomes

• Joint Zoning Change (ORD 25-028 / County Ord. 2025-05): Unanimously approved (8-0 City Council, 3-0 County Commission) to rezone 21625 471st Avenue from Joint Jurisdiction Business (JJ-B3) to Joint Jurisdiction Industrial (JJ-I1) Light District.
• 20th Street South Shared Use Path Phase 2 (RES 25-080): Unanimously approved resolution awarding the bid to Timmins Construction (low bid $288,722; 28% under engineer’s estimate). Construction expected this fall.
• Sidewalk Assessments (RES 25-081): Unanimously approved levying assessments for concrete maintenance at 31 locations.
• Liquor License Transfers for Comfort Suites University / Domellie’s (Items 12B, 12C, 12D): Unanimously approved (8-0) transfer of on-off sale malt license, 10-year on-sale wine operating agreement, and 10-year on-sale convention liquor operating agreement to SND LLC.
• Medical Cannabis Dispensary License Transfer (RES 25-078): Unanimously approved transfer of The Flower Shop LLC medical cannabis dispensary license to new owners (Joe Stavig), with no interruption to patient service.
• Budget Workshop: No formal action taken; a third workshop tentatively scheduled for October 14, 2025.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM after introduction of ordinances and future agenda topics.