Brookings City Council Meeting - July 30, 2026

The Brookings City Council met on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Five council members were present (Deputy Mayor Wendell, Councilmembers Avery, Specker, Doran, Hager); Mayor Niemeyer and Councilmember Tilton Byrne were absent. City Attorney Vince Jones participated via conference call. The agenda was amended to include a Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU) report under Presentations/Reports. The meeting covered financial reports, proclamations, zoning changes, budget amendments, a lease extension, and an annexation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council meeting minutes from July 14, 2026.
• Approved Temporary Alcohol/Special Event Alcoholic Beverage Licenses from existing license holders.

Presentations/Reports

• BMU Report (Councilmember Specker): The BMU board met on July 17, 2026. Bills and claims were approved, as was the trading and selling of surplus equipment. Electric strategic priorities (2024-2026) were reviewed. Under operational excellence, BMU performs significantly better than national and regional averages on the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), indicating very low power outage frequency and duration. BMU received a national award for the highest reliability designation. The remaining two pillars—enhanced customer experience and financial sustainability—will be discussed at the August board meeting. Pilot testing for a solar array was completed in July; connection to the 34th Avenue substation is complete and expected to be operational within one to two months. A ribbon-cutting event will be scheduled.
• Proclamation – Americans with Disabilities Act Day (July 26, 2026): Mark Sternhagen and Maureen Simmett of the Brookings Disabilities Awareness Committee accepted the proclamation. Sternhagen emphasized that the ADA is a floor, not a ceiling, and that every person will eventually experience disability. He praised Brookings for going above and beyond ADA requirements but urged continued progress toward full inclusion and immersion.
• 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit Summary (Brian Stavinger, ID Bailey): The audit followed all proper standards, resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion, and found no material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or compliance findings. Two audits were performed: a financial statement audit and a federal compliance audit (covering approximately $1.5 million in federal funds). The city’s cash position (excluding BMU and BHS) was just under $60 million, with a slight decrease in 2025 due to large capital projects and TIF 7 distribution. The liquidity ratio was 4.5:1 (for every $1 of obligation, $4.50 in cash), well above the 2.0 industry benchmark. General fund revenues remained consistent; expenditures increased slightly, with capital outlay returning to normal levels after a spike in 2024 (attributed to ARPA-funded projects like 22nd Street and Dakota Bank Center roof). Unassigned fund balance was 70% of expenditures (over 8 months of operating reserves), a healthy level built intentionally for the upcoming Public Safety Center. The Sales and Use Tax fund balance fluctuated with capital planning. Councilmember Specker noted the report reflects a healthy financial report card.

Discussion Items

• First Reading – Ordinance 26-018 (Conditional Use Permit for Off-Street Parking, 816 and 820 9th Avenue): Mike Struck, Community Development Director, presented a request from the SDSU Foundation to establish off-street parking in an R-2 district. The Foundation acquired property west of their office, moved a historic house to a new location on Madary Avenue, and proposes a garage designed to resemble a historic house with 32 parking spaces accessed only from the alley. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Councilmember Hager disclosed she works for SDSU but found no conflict; she praised the design and landscaping. Second reading and action scheduled for August 11, 2026.
• First Reading – Ordinance 26-023 (Rezone from B-4 to B-2, Former Sunshine Inn/West Lodge): The property, now the West Lodge, is zoned B-4 (Highway Business) but cannot meet its requirements for large lots and setbacks. The rezoning to B-2 would bring the site closer to compliance. Councilmember Specker asked about B-2A, but lodging is not permitted in B-2A. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Second reading and action scheduled for August 11, 2026.
• Second Reading/Public Hearing – Ordinance 26-022 (Budget Amendment No. 5): Finance Director Ashley Wrench presented the amendment establishing $250,000 in budget authority for the Dakota Nature Park Art Installation Project, sourced from public art fund reserves. An internal transfer of $96,230 from contracted services to long-term projects was included. No changes from the first reading. Public comment: Zeno Wex (120 21st Avenue South) urged the Council to reconsider spending the money out of state (to Oregon), noting he and his wife have contributed more than that amount to SDSU for the arts. Council discussion: Councilmember Hager emphasized the funding came from reserves, not a new appropriation, and that the selection process involved a nationwide call with over 150 applications; only two were from South Dakota artists. The selected project was chosen for its use of indigenous plants and adaptation to extreme weather. Councilmember Specker noted that the baseball field art was also selected via a national call. The Council voted to approve: all ayes (Hager, Specker, Wendell, Avery, Doran).
• Public Hearing – Resolution 26-041 (Lease Extension to RTI, LLC): The Research and Technology Center building, originally a business incubator from the late 1990s, is set for demolition. RTI, a tenant for 10 years, is building a new facility east of town. Their lease expires August 31, 2026, but they need a month-to-month extension through December 31, 2026, due to construction delays. The building has significant deficiencies: 18 rooftop units installed on the ground that need replacement, roof damage from a derecho, water intrusion, and interior layout issues. The building is safe for temporary use; RTI installed mini-splits they will remove. Demolition funds will be carried into 2027. Councilmember Doran asked about safety; Struck confirmed it is safe for the short term. Public hearing: no comments. Motion passed: all ayes.
• Public Hearing – Resolution 26-043 (Annexation of Outlot F and Outlot G): About 2.73 acres owned by the Brookings Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, contiguous to city limits. The applicant requested annexation to connect to municipal utilities being installed for adjacent development. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Public hearing: no comments. Motion passed: all ayes.

Key Outcomes

• ADA Proclamation issued for July 26, 2026.
• Budget Amendment (Ordinance 26-022) approved (5-0), authorizing $250,000 from public art fund reserves for the Dakota Nature Park Art Installation.
• Lease Extension (Resolution 26-041) approved (5-0), allowing RTI, LLC to lease the Research and Technology Center on a month-to-month basis through December 31, 2026, with the same terms.
• Annexation (Resolution 26-043) approved (5-0), bringing 2.73 acres into city limits for the Jehovah’s Witness congregation.
• First readings of Ordinance 26-018 (CUP for parking) and Ordinance 26-023 (rezone) were introduced; second readings and public hearings set for August 11, 2026.
• Next meeting: August 11, 2026, with a light agenda including liquor renewals, ex officio reports, and second readings.