Brookings City Council Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Brookings City Council met on February 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM (local time) to address a range of items including routine approvals, public hearings on zoning and solid waste, and a major discussion on the delivery method for new police and fire facilities. The meeting featured presentations from local students and updates on community initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• Consent agenda (routine items) approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Al Curtenbach (owner, Max Eastside Grill) spoke in support of the 10-year on-sale liquor operating agreement transfer, noting his long history in East Brookings and plans for a future plaza concept.
• Justin Booker (Banner Associates, representing the development group) stood for questions on the rezoning of Lot 1, Clark 2nd Edition (Ag to I-1).
• Randy Hanson (resident, Mills Construction) spoke twice: first on item 10A, urging the council to use a design-bid-build (public bid) approach for the fire facility instead of Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), citing cost savings and market conditions. He later spoke on item 10B, reiterating his position and noting that the fire facility design is nearly complete, reducing the value of CMAR.

Presentations & Reports

• Brookings High School HOSA Chapter (Amelia Wendell, Lauren Bortnum): Presented on childhood hygiene insecurity. Key statistics: 1 in 6 children in Brookings County face hygiene insecurity; 20% of South Dakota children live in high housing cost burden households; 45.8% of SNAP households in SD have children; nationwide, 20% of students face hygiene insecurity, 34% of teachers report students skipping school due to hygiene issues, and 80% of teachers see peer treatment impact. Announced a hygiene drive from February 9–18, with drop-off at BHS front office.
• SDSU Student Association (Anna Hunt): Reported that House Bill 1133 (constitutional carry on campus) was moved to the 41st day (killed). Noted open positions for vice president and president. Student Promotion Fund Committee meeting this week. Traveling to Pierre to testify on House Bill 1325 (removing on-campus living requirement after freshman year). Upcoming athletic events.
• Board of Trustees (Brookings Health System) – reported by Bree: Strategic plan update, continued transition to Epic software, review of Workday effectiveness, employee engagement survey results. Highlighted the Emily's Hope naloxone box at the ER: 96 boxes removed since November; no opioid overdose trend observed. Chief complaint remains behavioral health; reminded community of 988 and 211 resources.
• Councilmember Wendell – Economic Development Merger Update: The Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Visit Brookings, and Downtown Brookings have merged into one organization (temporarily named Brookings Regional Growth Alliance) as of January 1. Staff co-located at 6th Street building. CEO search underway with three finalists visited the community. Branding process ongoing; may retain sub-brands like Visit Brookings.

Discussion Items

• Item 7A – Change Order for 20th Street South Shared Use Path: City Engineer Charlie Richter presented Resolution 26-018 for a change order ($81,180.48, 17% increase) to Timmins Construction for additional paving, embankment stabilization, and concrete work. Councilmember Specker questioned why the work was not in the original bid; Richter explained that the embankment sloughed off during paving, requiring unforeseen stabilization. The change order was approved unanimously.

• Item 9A – Liquor Operating Agreement (Max Eastside Grill): Bonnie presented the transfer to Al Curtenbach for 631 32nd Avenue (former Whiskey Creek location). Public hearing held; no opposition. Approved unanimously.

• Item 9B – E-waste and Lithium Battery Disposal Ban: Landfill Manager Charlie Kuhn presented Ordinance 26-003. E-waste is 2.7% of landfill waste (~1,600 tons/year in Brookings). Ban aims to save airspace, reduce fire risk (number one cause of landfill fires), and increase recycling. Tipping fee set at $1.25/lb. Program to launch in April with a one-week amnesty event during spring bulky item pickup. Approved unanimously.

• Item 9C – Rezoning (Ag to I-1): Mike Struck presented Ordinance 26-004 for 51 acres east of 34th Avenue. Consistent with comprehensive plan, recommended by Planning Commission 9-0. No public comment. Approved unanimously.

• Item 9D – Rezoning (R3A to B2): Mike Struck presented Ordinance 26-005 for 3.1 acres near the new interchange. Consistent with future land use map. Approved unanimously.

• Items 10A & 10B – Police and Fire Facility Delivery Method: Public Works Director John Thompson presented Resolution 26-007 (termination of existing CMAR contract with Henry Carlson Construction) and Resolution 26-017 (amending CMAR procedures). The original scope (combined public safety facility) has changed to separate fire and police facilities. Staff recommended using CMAR for both. After extensive discussion and public comment from Randy Hanson (advocating public bid for fire), the council took the following actions:

  • 10A: Approved termination of the Henry Carlson agreement (with $10,000 payment) and directed staff to issue a CMAR RFP for both facilities. But then the council decided to separate the fire facility from the CMAR process. Final action on 10A: Approved termination, but with direction to staff to issue a CMAR RFP for the police facility only and to proceed with a public bid process for the fire facility.
  • 10B: Approved Resolution 26-017 as amended to authorize CMAR procedures for the police facility only, and to direct staff to use a public bid process for the fire facility. Both votes were unanimous after the amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Change Order (20th Street South Path): Approved (Resolution 26-018).
• Liquor Operating Agreement (Max Eastside Grill): Approved (Resolution 26-015).
• E-waste Disposal Ban: Approved (Ordinance 26-003).
• Rezoning (Ag to I-1, 51 acres): Approved (Ordinance 26-004).
• Rezoning (R3A to B2, 3.1 acres): Approved (Ordinance 26-005).
• Termination of CMAR Contract (Henry Carlson): Approved (Resolution 26-007, as amended).
• CMAR Procedures Amendment: Approved (Resolution 26-017, as amended) – CMAR for police facility, public bid for fire facility.
• Next Meeting: February 24, 2026, with agenda items including first reading on sidewalk sales and parklets, employee recognition, subsidy requests, and State of the City address.