The Brookings City Council met on March 10, 2026, with Council Members Wendell and Tildenburn absent, but a quorum present. The meeting covered employee service recognitions, reports from SDSU Student Association, Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU), and Brookings Health System, as well as votes on outside agency funding, ordinance amendments, and a fee schedule resolution.
Outside Agency Funding Recommendations (2026): City Manager Paul Brasino and Heidi Gelliksen (United Way) presented. The council allocated $274,254 for outside agencies, consistent with city policy. Applications were evaluated using an impact-based rubric prioritizing food security and rental assistance. The Food Pantry did not request funding this year. Councilmember Specker noted that only about 27% of funds directly target food security and rental assistance. Heidi responded that many organizations serve intertwined needs. Councilmember Duran disclosed her roles as executive director of Margot’s Place, president of Brookings Backpack Project, and board member of Brookings Area Transit Authority, but stated no direct financial or personal gain. She emphasized the importance of these services to prevent eviction, unemployment, and crime. The council voted unanimously to approve the recommendations.
First Reading - Ordinance 26-010 (Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Infested Trees): Kristen Zuberman presented an update to modernize language, expanding from just emerald ash borer and Dutch Elm disease to cover all such trees, allowing quicker response to emerging threats like pine wilt. No public comment. First reading held.
Second Reading and Action - Ordinance 26-006 (Budget Amendment #10 to 2025 Budget): Ashley Rench presented an amendment increasing expenditure authority by $153,614.60, covering city attorney legal fees ($45,000), human resources costs ($41,000), community development ($25,000), appropriations/subsidies ($13,000), Dakota Bank Center operating shortfall ($29,614.60), and a net-zero adjustment in parks/recreation. Approved unanimously.
Second Reading and Action - Ordinance 26-007 (Budget Amendment #1 to 2026 Budget): Carries forward surplus funds from 2025 to 2026, including transfers for the fire facility project and Dakota Bank Center capital funds. Approved unanimously.
Second Reading and Action - Ordinance 26-009 (Sidewalk Dining and Parklets): Samantha Beckman presented amendments to allow parklets (small seating areas in parking spaces) by code, following a successful pilot program. Parklets are limited to side streets; sidewalk dining remains on Main Avenue. Engaged with Wooden Legs for feedback. Approved unanimously.
Public Hearing and Action - Ordinance 26-008 (Projecting Signs in B1 District): Mike Struck presented an amendment to allow one projecting sign per 25 feet of street frontage instead of per building face, addressing multi-tenant buildings. The planning commission recommended approval 9-0. Councilmember Duran inquired about spacing between signs; staff decided not to add a distance requirement to avoid putting existing signs into non-conforming status. The State Historic Preservation Office does not review these signs. Approved unanimously.
Action on Resolution 26-016 (Consolidated Fee Schedule): Ashley Rench presented a resolution adding fees for sidewalk cafe permits ($100 annually) and parklet permits ($250 annually) to offset administrative costs. Approved unanimously.
Council Member Wendell and Councilmember Tildenburn are absent. Which means we still have a quorum. Correct. All right. Action to approve the agenda. Entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Any comments from the public on the agenda for this evening? Council. Questions, comments? Please call the roll. Specker. Aye. Avery? Aye. Doran. Aye. Hager. Aye. Meyer. Hi. Open forum. In order to provide equal access to all during the open forum in the public comment portions of the meeting. Each individual offering comments shall not exceed the allotted three minute period. The podium light turns green and then to yellow, and then when there is one minute remaining. Your time for comment is expired when the podium light turns red. Is there any member of the public who wishes to address the console on an item not listed on tonight's agenda? Okay. Move on to item five, 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. All right. Move to second. Is there any public comment on any of the items on the consent agenda? Council have any questions, comments. Please call the roll. Ibri. Aye. Doran. Aye. Hager? Aye. Mayer. Aye. Specker. Aye. All right. And then we'll move on to presentation of city years of service and recognition.