Joint Brookings County Commission and City Council Meeting and Regular Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

This meeting began with a joint session of the Brookings County Commission and Brookings City Council at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular Brookings City Council meeting. Deputy Mayor presided in the absence of Mayor Neemeyer. Key actions included approval of a joint zoning ordinance amendment, several public hearings, and unanimous approvals on budget amendments, alcohol licenses, zoning changes, and a fee schedule update. One public comment on mobile home park affordability prompted council discussion for future consideration.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Agenda (Joint and Regular): Approved unanimously by both the city council (6-0) and county commission (4-0).
• Consent Agenda (Regular Meeting): Approved unanimously (6-0) without any items removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Luke Davidson (Brookings resident of 30 years) addressed the council during Open Forum, describing a 'growing problem' of unpredictable, excessive rent increases in mobile home parks. He reported that some residents face 60% increases and multiple increases per year due to month-to-month leases and out-of-state ownership groups buying parks. He noted that moving a trailer can cost $20,000, trapping low-income homeowners. He also mentioned water safety concerns with BMU notices not being addressed. He expressed support for city action, suggesting potential solutions such as the city purchasing a trailer park, requiring yearly leases and longer notice periods (90–180 days), requiring on-site management, and giving residents a right of first refusal to collectively purchase the park.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Joint Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 26-013/2026-002): Community Development Director Mike Struck reviewed the amendment to change publication requirements for the joint zoning ordinance from 14 days to 10 days, aligning with state law and the newspaper's twice-weekly schedule. The change received unanimous recommendation from the Brookings County Planning Commission and a 4-1 approval from the City Planning Commission. The council and commission approved the ordinance unanimously.
• Proclamation – National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026): City Engineer Charlie Richter accepted the proclamation and highlighted public works services, including maintaining over 300 lane miles of roadway, sweeping 3,700 lane miles, spreading 950 tons of salt and sand, and installing 900 signs in the past year. The proclamation was recognized with appreciation.
• Ex Officio Reports:
  • Brookings Health System Board (Councilmember Hager): Reported on an OB unit tour, increased births, doula support for Medicaid patients, and quality improvements.
  • Brookings Municipal Utility Board (Councilmember Specker): Mentioned the upcoming FCC ban on home routers with foreign components, BMU construction updates, a new water treatment plant open house on June 9, wellfield expansion completion by August, and removal of the 6th Street Water Tower (expected to take two weeks).
• First Reading – Budget Amendment No. 3 (Ordinance 26-019): Finance Director Ashley Wrench presented four components: (1) $10,000 transfer from 3B tax fund to general fund for two public information interns supporting parks and recreation communications; (2) $30,000 for landscaping medians along Sixth Street; (3) $50,000 shift of Brookings Regional Growth Alliance funding from 3B to Pillow Tax Fund; and (4) $100,000 contribution to Growth Alliance for restroom renovations at the downtown visitor center (416 Third Street). Councilmembers Doran and Tilton-Byrne raised questions about accessibility features, including adult changing tables and a mother's room. Kirsten Jezdal (Brookings Regional Growth Alliance) confirmed changing tables for babies are planned and that a mother's room may be in phase two. No action taken; second reading scheduled for May 26.
• Second Reading – Budget Amendment No. 2 (Ordinance 26-015): Transfer of $13.4 million from the City Council Financial Policy Projects Fund to the Brookings Police Station Facility Capital Project Fund. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – Special Event Alcohol License for Brookings Volunteer Fire Association Street Dance: 110th anniversary event, 17th year in downtown. No prior alcohol compliance issues. Staff recommended approval. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – Annual Malt Beverage License Renewals for Establishments with Failed Compliance Checks: Three establishments (two Casey's store locations with two failures, and Sodexo at McCrory Gardens with three violations) had completed state processes and provided letters on new training. Councilmember Hager asked about Casey's ID scanning policy; store manager Sarah Inez stated IDs must be scanned for all age-related purchases. Councilmember Specker inquired about consequences for a fourth violation; staff deferred to the South Dakota Department of Revenue. All licenses approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – New On/Off Sale Malt License for JDs at Trailshead (THR LLC): Located at 1130 Main Avenue South. Alcohol permitted on west patio and green space. Staff recommended approval. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – 10-Year Wine Operating Agreement for JDs at Trailshead: Resolution 26-028. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – Intent to Lease 26 Acres of Agricultural Cropland (Resolution 26-031): City-owned land north of Target. High bidder David Burnt at $270/acre. One-year lease with option to renew. Staff recommended for weed control and revenue. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – Home Occupations Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 26-014): Revised zoning ordinance to create three categories: no-impact, minor, and major home occupations, based on intensity rather than a list of uses. Unanimous planning commission recommendation. Councilmember Specker thanked staff for simplifying interpretation. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Public Hearing – Rezoning of Parcel on Western Avenue (Ordinance 26-016): Rezoned 1.1 acres to Business B3 (heavy) and 4.4 acres to Residential R3 (multifamily) from R1A, with 4.32 acres remaining R1A. Developer Jacob Mills (Mills Development, Heron Cove LLC) spoke in favor, explaining plans to dig compensatory storage on the same parcel to avoid importing dirt, working with Banner Engineering. Planning commission recommended 7-1. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Preliminary Plat – Heron Cove Edition (Lots 1-3): Three lots aligned with the rezoning. Two feet of additional right-of-way dedicated along Western Avenue. Staff recommended approval. Councilmember Doran appreciated the proactivity. Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Resolution Amending Consolidated Fee Schedule (Resolution 26-027): Updated parks, recreation, and forestry labor and equipment rates to use average burden salary rates and FEMA equipment rates for improved cost recovery. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All action items passed unanimously (6-0 for council votes; joint meeting votes also unanimous).
• Directives: The second reading of Budget Amendment No. 3 is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
• Next Meetings: Study session on May 19 (upstander and bystander training); regular action meeting on May 26.
• Future Discussion: Councilmember Doran requested continued internal and community conversation regarding mobile home park rent increases, but did not make a formal motion to place it on a future agenda.