Brookings City Council Meeting – June 23, 2026

The Brookings City Council met on June 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The meeting included a public comment period, approval of consent agenda, a Pride Month proclamation, a contract award for public art, first readings of three ordinances, acceptance of the Brookings Area Transportation Plan, adoption of the Safety Action Plan with a Vision Zero goal, and a progress report from the assistant city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda.
• Approved the consent agenda unanimously without any items removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rebecca Hale (resident of Western Estates) raised concerns about water issues, lot rent increases, and the sale of the mobile home park to an out-of-state investment company. She asked what the city could do for residents living on private property. Mayor Neemeyer responded by asking her to leave her name and number with the city clerk so he could follow up with Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU).

Proclamation

• Mayor Neemeyer presented a proclamation declaring June 2026 as LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month in Brookings. The proclamation noted the city's 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index for eight consecutive years. Aaron Lavender Stott accepted the proclamation and announced the Brookings Pride celebration on June 27th at Pioneer Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., commemorating the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

Discussion Items

• Dakota Nature Park Public Art Installation – Lizbeth Solom (Public Arts Commission) presented Resolution 26-xxx awarding the project to DJR Design Studio for $250,000. The commission received 167 applications from across the nation. The design features native South Dakota species and will be placed at the park entrance on 32nd Street to improve visibility. Funding came from the city's public art allocation accumulated over time. The council approved unanimously.
• First Reading – Ordinance 26-020 (Budget Amendment #4) – Paul Rasino presented a $450,000 appropriation from economic development reserves to acquire downtown property contiguous to city-owned land. The funds come from property sale proceeds, not taxes. The amendment supports the downtown master plan. Action scheduled for July 14 meeting.
• First Reading – Ordinance 26-017 (Subdivision Regulations Update) – Mike Strucker presented changes to Article 6, including shortening allowable cul-de-sac lengths, strengthening connectivity standards, and extending the trench settlement warranty from one year to three years for curb, gutter, and street. The warranty period increase would raise the cost of a typical bond from $1,500 to $2,250 (an increase of $750). The planning commission recommended unanimous approval. Action scheduled for July 14.
• First Reading – Ordinance 26-021 (Rezoning Northern Plains Addition) – Mike Strucker presented a rezoning from Business B2A to Planned Development with B2A underlying for a parcel on Main Avenue South. The change allows low-impact retail (e.g., a jewelry store) with restrictions: hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., no drive-throughs, no alcohol/cannabis/tobacco sales. The planning commission recommended approval unanimously. The council discussed the need for guardrails to ensure compatibility with the adjacent residential neighborhood. Action scheduled for July 14.
• Brookings Area Transportation Plan (BATP) – Charlie Richard and Tom Cook (HDR) presented the final draft of the 25-year multimodal plan. The plan is based on traffic counts, crash data (2019–June 2024), and public input from two open houses and a survey. It includes recommendations for road diets, intersection improvements, and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. The plan is a guiding document, not a binding project list. Councilmembers expressed support, with some noting the importance of further public input before implementing specific changes like road diets. The plan was accepted unanimously.
• Brookings Safety Action Plan & Vision Zero Goal – Charlie Richard and Tom Cook presented the Safety Action Plan, developed alongside the BATP. The plan analyzes 1,450 crashes (including 4 fatal and 17 serious injury crashes) from 2019–2024. It identifies high-injury network locations, such as 6th Street and 22nd Avenue/University Boulevard, and recommends engineering-based safety projects. The resolution commits the city to a long-term goal of zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2050 (Vision Zero). This commitment is required to qualify for federal SS4A implementation grants. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Progress Report – Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman provided updates: the Slurry Seal and 22nd Avenue/20th Street South widening projects were completed; the street overlay project begins late June; the 20th Street South and Rapid Valley intersection will be graded for sight lines; the library summer reading program has 955 children, 119 teens, and 137 adults enrolled; the Escape Park construction began; the community food forest opened; the Wall that Heals event at Fishback Soccer Complex drew an estimated 10,000 attendees; Uncle Sam Jam will be held July 11 at the Larson Ice Center with fireworks; the Dakota Bank Center management contract runs through 2026 with future reimagining discussions planned.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Agenda, consent agenda, Dakota Nature Park Public Art Installation contract.
• Accepted (unanimous): Brookings Area Transportation Plan.
• Adopted (unanimous): Resolution 26-039 adopting the Safety Action Plan and the 2050 Vision Zero Safety Goal.
• First Readings completed for Ordinances 26-020, 26-017, and 26-021; second readings and action set for July 14, 2026.
• Next meeting: July 14, 2026, with second readings, renewals, and a proclamation for Park and Rec Month.