Brookings City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026

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.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and consent agenda (items not specified) without objection. Roll call: all present members voted aye.

Employee Recognition

• Casey Bell, Human Resources Director, recognized employees reaching longevity milestones in 2025, including 5-, 10-, 15-, and 30-year service awards. Employees honored included Aaron Carl, Ryan Miller, Don Goff, Ashley Rynch, Quaku Ponyel (30 years), Nita Gill (15 years), Bill Helts, Brian Hansel, Mark Bradley, Greg Radinius, Stephen Hartung, Drew Gary, Josh Schneider, Kyle Johnson, Luke DeYoung, Joan Hart, Lana (15 years), Eric Hansen, and Jeremy Jansen.

SDSU Student Association Report

• Dominic Delhold, Finance Chair, reported that the election for student association president and vice president is closed with Sophie Spear and Megan Christoffels running unopposed. The budget has been finalized and will be sent to the Board of Regents in April. The Student Promotion Fund Committee funded State a Thon (April 11) and CAFE’s Prexy Council for Ag Week and Ag Day Banquet (April 15). Upcoming events include Little International and SDSU Watchipe (March 27-28), and SDSU is hosting the high school Class B basketball tournament.

Ex Officio Reports

• Brookings Municipal Utilities: Bonnie reported that the BMU board approved surplus equipment disposition, bills, claims, change orders, bids, and quarterly financial review. An agreement was discussed for an additional transmission line through Aurora and two new substations, driven by power redundancy needs after the Derecho. Summer irrigation restrictions return to normal (four days a week). A monthly newsletter was launched.
• Brookings Health System: Lisa reported on the Board of Trustees meeting, which focused on AI use in healthcare and the transition to Epic. Dr. Rebecca Vandekopp presented on AI as a tool that requires human oversight, highlighting ambient listening for appointment summaries, care suggestions, and patient communication. The Epic transition is progressing with employee training and finance integration.

Discussion Items

• 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.

Key Outcomes

• Outside Agency Funding: Approved $274,254 allocation as recommended by United Way, with a vote of 5-0.
• Ordinance 26-006: Approved (2025 budget amendment) – unanimous.
• Ordinance 26-007: Approved (2026 budget amendment) – unanimous.
• Ordinance 26-009: Approved (sidewalk dining and parklets) – unanimous.
• Ordinance 26-008: Approved (projecting signs) – unanimous.
• Resolution 26-016: Approved (fee schedule) – unanimous.
• Future Meetings: A study session on conflict of interest training (March 17, 2026) and a regular meeting on March 24, 2026, which will include a second reading, student association annual report, and Construction Manager at Risk presentation for the police station. Dakota Bank Center open house scheduled for March 18, 2026, with two sessions.

Note

• Council Member Duran provided a detailed disclosure of her involvement with multiple organizations receiving funding, stating no direct financial or personal gain, and participated in the discussion and vote.