Brookings City Council Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Brookings City Council met on July 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM with all council members present. The agenda was approved unanimously. The meeting covered a range of items including a major construction contract for the new main fire station, several budget amendments, rezoning and development plans, a liquor license transfer, and a progress report on city projects. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved after a clarifying question from Councilmember Duran about item 5H (wine operating agreement for the Dakota Bank Center). The city staff confirmed that alcohol license agreements are separate from the OVG partnership discussions, so the consent item would not be affected.

Proclamations

• Mayor Neemeyer proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month, highlighting the theme "The Power Of" and encouraging community participation in local parks and recreation amenities.

Official Reports

• Hospital Report (Brianna):
  • The new EPIC electronic health record system went live at 4 AM on Saturday, May 30th, with some post-launch workflow adjustments underway. The system holds about 80% market share nationally.
  • The laboratory is now fully staffed with permanent employees after a targeted recruitment campaign, ending reliance on traveling technologists.
  • Hospice set a record of 191 nurse visits in one month (previous high was 171 in December 2025).
  • Two major applications are being completed for the South Dakota Rural Health Transformation Plan (EMS and IT).
  • Measles update: South Dakota reported 10 confirmed cases as of June 2026, with 3 in Brookings County; 6 cases involved unvaccinated children. BHS is actively monitoring and providing public health guidance.
• BMU Report: Delayed; the BMU meeting is rescheduled for Friday.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 9A (Property acquisition – 210 Front Street): A member of the public (Mr. Wicks) questioned whether the property would be used for public art (citing a conversation with Councilmember Hager about potential future use) and argued the $450,000 purchase price would take 65 years to recoup in property taxes. He urged the council to reconsider, noting the cost to demolish the existing grain elevator could be $1.5–2.5 million.
• Item 9B (Mama Cita’s liquor license): Owner Luiz Abundes spoke in support of his application, describing his plans for a new Mexican restaurant at 1300 Main Avenue South, emphasizing the need for dining options on the south side of Brookings. He estimated opening in about a month after securing all permits.

Discussion Items

• Item 7A – Fire Station Construction Contract (Resolution 26-045):
  • Presented by Public Works Director John Thompson. The city awarded the base bid plus Additive Alternative #1 (fire pole) to Lloyd Construction LLC of Sioux Falls for $3,990,300. Nine responsive bids were received. The total projected project cost (including professional services, equipment, and contingencies) is approximately $5.56 million, which is $667,000 below the design team’s estimate. The budget includes $6.3 million. Councilmember Wendell asked if savings could impact bonding for the police facility; staff indicated the fire station will not be completed in time for that, but the guaranteed maximum price for the police station (via construction manager at risk) will be known by December. Councilmember Duran praised the design focus on firefighter health and safety. A representative from Lloyd Construction stated at least half of subcontractors are expected to be from the Brookings area. The fire chief thanked the council for supporting a facility designed to last 60–80 years with future expansion space. Approved unanimously.
• Item 8A – First Reading: Budget Amendment #5 for Public Art Installation (Ordinance 26-022):
  • Finance Director Ashley Rench presented. The amendment establishes $250,000 in budget authority for the Dakota Nature Park Art Installation Project (contracted with CJR Design Studio on June 23). Of that, $96,230 is transferred from existing public art fund accounts and $150,770 is an additional appropriation from reserves. Councilmember Wendell commended the public arts commission for its thoughtful process, noting that 167 submissions were received nationally, two were from South Dakota, and a juried selection occurred. The second reading is set for July 30.
• Item 9A – Second Reading: Budget Amendment #4 for Property Acquisition (Ordinance 26-020):
  • City Manager Paul Rusino presented. The amendment appropriates $450,000 from economic development reserves to acquire property at 210 Front Street (contiguous to existing city-owned land) to support downtown redevelopment in line with the downtown master plan. No property tax or debt impact. After public comment, Councilmember Avery argued the purchase is a smart long-term investment and that the property can generate revenue without demolition. Councilmember Duran emphasized the goal of connecting downtown to neighborhoods. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9B – Liquor Operating Agreement for Mama Cita’s (Resolution 26-038):
  • Presented by Bonnie Foster. The 10-year on-sale full-service restaurant liquor agreement is transferred from The End Zone to Mama Cita’s LLC at 1300 Main Avenue South. Owner Luiz Abundes spoke. City staff recommended approval. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9C – Special Event Alcohol License for Downtown at Sundown:
  • Bonnie Foster presented. The Brookings Regional Growth Alliance seeks a temporary license for the five-week Thursday evening series starting July 30. Kristen Jezdahl noted the lineup and thanked sponsors. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9D – Second Reading: Subdivision Regulation Amendments (Ordinance 26-017):
  • City Planner Ryan Miller presented. Key changes include reduced cul-de-sac lengths, improved street connectivity requirements, and an extended street warranty period (from 1 year to a process with an initial warranty after base/grading plus a 2-year warranty after paving). Councilmember Hager praised staff for balancing developer needs with city goals. Councilmember Specker asked about cost responsibility for street settlement; Public Works Director Charlie noted the city currently bears repair costs after the 1-year warranty, and these amendments along with new inspection standards and BMU coordination aim to reduce future settlement issues. The planning commission approved unanimously. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9E – Second Reading: Rezone Block 2 of Northern Plains Addition (Ordinance 26-021):
  • Ryan Miller presented. The property at South Main and 15th Street is rezoned from Business B2A to Planned Development (PD) with B2A underlying, allowing restricted retail uses (hours 7 AM–7 PM, no alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vapor, convenience stores, or drive-throughs). A unanimous planning commission recommendation. Approved unanimously.
• Item 10A – Initial Development Plan for Block 2 of Northern Plains Addition:
  • Ryan Miller presented. The plan includes three retail/office buildings with shared parking (49 spaces, a slight reduction from the 54-space requirement), two access points off Mayfield Drive and Cloverfield Place, and no direct access to Main Avenue. Height limit 60 feet. Future buildings will comply with the commercial corridor design review overlay district. Councilmember Wendell praised the integration of neighborhood retail. Approved unanimously.
• Item 10B – Acquisition of 210 Front Street (Resolution 26-044):
  • Paul Rusino presented. The resolution authorizes purchase for not to exceed $450,000 from economic development reserves (funded by the just-passed budget amendment). The 1-acre site is contiguous to 3 acres of city-owned land, enabling future downtown redevelopment with public engagement. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Awarded construction contract for the new main fire station to Lloyd Construction LLC for $3,990,300 (base bid plus additive alternate #1). Project total estimated at $5.56 million, $667,000 under estimate. Approved unanimously.
• Adopted budget amendments:
  • Amendment #5 (public art installation) on first reading – second reading on July 30.
  • Amendment #4 (property acquisition) on second reading – approved unanimously.
• Approved liquor license transfer to Mama Cita’s LLC (10-year operating agreement). Unanimous.
• Approved special event alcohol license for Downtown at Sundown (5 Thursdays starting July 30). Unanimous.
• Adopted subdivision regulation amendments (cul-de-sac, connectivity, warranty standards) – approved unanimously.
• Approved rezone for Block 2 of Northern Plains Addition to PD/B2A – approved unanimously.
• Approved initial development plan for Block 2 – approved unanimously.
• Authorized property acquisition of 210 Front Street for $450,000 – approved unanimously.

Future Meetings

• The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM (moved from July 28 due to primary elections). Agenda includes a proclamation for Disability Awareness, second readings of ordinances introduced on July 14, and a progress report.