Brookings City Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The Brookings City Council convened on December 16, 2025, to review consent items, approve resolutions, and hear public comments on various municipal projects. The meeting featured presentations on internal staff promotions, bid rejections for the Edgebrook Golf Course water sourcing due to high costs, budget amendments, land lease approvals, and zoning annexations.

Consent Calendar

• Routine Approvals: The council unanimously approved the agenda and moved to approve the Consent Calendar items without modification or removal. This included routine administrative approvals and the transfer of surplus library items to public surplus, with confirmation from staff that they would be listed on public surplus.com.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consent Calendar: No public comments were received regarding the items on the consent calendar.
• Resolution 25-090 (Edgebrook Golf Course): Councilmember Specker inquired about future pipe sizing for the project to ensure potential capacity for additional ponds could be utilized later; staff confirmed the same pipe size would be used. Councilmember Dern requested timeline projections for the redesign and rebidding, citing the complexity of winter construction windows. Councilmember Avery expressed support, clarifying that the project remains a priority despite the delay.
• Resolution 25-092 (Clubhouse Management): Councilmember Hager voiced support for the operational structure, thanking staff for educating non-golfer council members on the challenges of municipal golf course operations and the benefits of independent contractor models.
• Resolution 25-107 (Asphalt Maintenance): Councilmember Specker requested clarification on the location of the Main Avenue South work, noting initial confusion regarding the map placement; staff corrected the location to the intersection of Main Avenue South and 12th Street South.
• Ordinance 25-046 (Concrete Crushing Facility): Councilmember Hager questioned the stormwater management requirements, seeking clarification on whether drainage plans were mandatory for a facility located outside city limits.
• Resolution 25-098 (Airport Lease): No specific public opposition or support was recorded during the roll call; the vote proceeded without comment.
• Resolution 25-094 (Annexation): Councilmember Specker sought clarification on the zoning process following annexation, confirming that properties retain county zoning initially before undergoing a future rezoning request.

Discussion Items

• Promotion of Fire Marshal: Fire Chief Troy Hughes presented Jared Rungy for promotion to Fire Marshal. Rungy highlighted his 14 years of fire experience (12 with the department) and his commitment to a "softer approach" focused on code enforcement that prioritizes keeping businesses open and safe rather than punitive measures.
• Edgebrook Golf Course Water Sourcing (Resolution 25-080): Staff presented that bids for the project came in significantly higher than the engineer's estimate of $1.3–$1.4 million, with actual bids approaching $2.1 million. Park Rec and Forestry Director Kristen Zimmerman and Banner Associates representative Paul Kraft attributed the cost drivers to mobilization and dewatering challenges during winter months. Discussion focused on the trade-off between reducing the project scope (relining only one of three ponds) to save costs versus the construction delay required to complete the work during summer months, which would cause golf course disruption.
• Edgeway Golf Course Management (Resolution 25-095): Staff recommended a 2026–2027 flat-fee agreement with Mowen Management. The proposal clarified that the management company would retain driving range revenue to create a direct incentive for operational improvement, while the city retains revenues for green fees and memberships. Staff noted that while the course operates at a slight deficit, this structure provides budget predictability and shifts operational liability to the contractor.
• Asphalt Maintenance Change Order (Resolution 25-107): A change order increasing the contract by approximately 9% ($194,628.94) was discussed to cover additional paving on Main Avenue South, new markings, and utility work on Third Avenue. The total adjusted contract remains within the allocated budget.
• Concrete Crushing Facility (Ordinance 25-046): A first reading was held for a conditional use permit for a concrete, asphalt, and rock crushing facility at 2016 471st Avenue. Staff noted the facility meets all criteria, is located outside city limits, and received a unanimous recommendation from the planning commission.
• Budget Amendment (Ordinance 25-042): Council reviewed Amendment 9, which reallocates $54,254 for fire insurance premium reversions, $20,000 in grants to the Chamber of Commerce, and $45,500 from reserves for downtown parking lot ancillary costs.
• Airport Land Lease (Resolution 25-098): A public hearing covered the lease of 85 acres west of the airport to David Burns at $1,250 per acre ($10,667.50 annually), with an option for two one-year extensions with a 2% rate increase.
• Wine License (Resolution 25-093): Council discussed authorizing a 10-year agreement for Commonwealth Gaming/Holdings (DBA Deuces Casino) to obtain an on-sale wine license for Suite 105D, bringing the total number of suites with on-sale wine licenses to five.
• Property Annexation (Resolution 25-094): A public hearing was held to annex Block 1, Mills Third Edition, located near the 20th Street South Interstate ramp, aligning with city annexation priority maps.
• Economic Development (Resolution 25-097): Council extended an agreement with Barry Properties (Millborne Seeds Inc.) to allow for a timeline extension and acknowledged the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance as the successor to the Brookings Economic Development Corporation.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-090 (Rejected): Council voted to reject all bids for the Edgebrook Golf Course Water Sourcing Project, directing staff to redesign the project scope and rebid.
• Resolution 25-095 (Approved): Council authorized the 2026–2027 management agreement for the Edgeway Golf Course with Mowen Management.
• Resolution 25-107 (Approved): Council approved the change order for the 2025-08 STI asphalt maintenance project.
• Ordinance 25-046 (First Reading): First reading passed for the concrete crushing facility; second reading scheduled for January 13, 2026.
• Ordinance 25-042 (Approved): Council approved the 2025 budget amendment number nine.
• Resolution 25-098 (Approved): Council authorized the lease of 85 acres at the Brookings Regional Airport to David Burns.
• Resolution 25-093 (Approved): Council authorized the on-sale wine operating agreement for Suite 105D at Deuces Casino.
• Resolution 25-094 (Approved): Council authorized the annexation of Block 1, Mills Third Edition.
• Resolution 25-097 (Approved): Council authorized the extension of the agreement for the transfer of real property to the Brookings Economic Development Corporation.
• Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned with the next council meeting scheduled for January 13, 2026.