Brookings City Council Study Session Summary – September 15, 2026

This study session focused on budget considerations for outside agency requests, a long-term power agreement with Missouri River Energy Services, and proposed ordinance changes for electric bikes and scooters on city trails and sidewalks. Council heard presentations from the SDSU Research Park, the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance, Brookings Municipal Utilities, and Parks and Recreation staff, with extensive discussion on funding levels, economic impact, and safety regulations.

Consent Calendar

• Action to approve the agenda was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
• Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance were conducted.
• Record of attendance: All council members were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kurt Cabris (longtime Brookings resident and bicyclist) commended the proposed ordinance changes and suggested adding a definition for "adaptive" devices (e.g., adaptive bikes for handicapped individuals) to the municipal code. He emphasized safety concerns on asphalt paths and shared an example of a severe accident involving a high-speed scooter. He expressed overall support for the framework.
• Open Forum was held, but no members of the public addressed the council on items not on the agenda.

Outside Agency Requests – SDSU Research Park

• Presenters: Larry Tiedemann (board member, 22 years), Dr. Barry Dunn (President of SDSU), and Dwayne Chapel (CEO of the Research Park).
• Request: Increase city funding from the recommended $75,000 to $175,000, restoring it closer to the prior year’s level of $135,000.
• Positions:
  • Larry Tiedemann highlighted the park’s role in student entrepreneurship, citing examples like a student retrofitting tractors with GPS for $4,000, drone technology with defense funding, and bio-based fruit preservation. He noted that local support signals commitment to hiring a new director after Dwayne Chapel’s retirement. He argued that budget cuts would send a negative message to future candidates.
  • Dr. Barry Dunn emphasized the 22-year partnership between the city, county, and university. He noted that SDSU has invested tens of millions in facilities (e.g., a $32 million building, Poet Bioprocessing facility) and that the park has attracted companies like Raven, CNHI, Poet, and General Mills. He stated that the proposed cut from $135,000 to $75,000 would send a negative signal to potential hires for the director and vice president roles.
  • Councilmember Hager (who disclosed no conflict of interest) questioned the data provided by the research park. She noted that the website shows 40 tenants, while the impact report claims 60, and that many tenant websites lack clear Brookings locations. She argued that the proposal did not make a strong case for city funding, supporting the recommended decrease.
  • Councilmember Specker clarified that restoring funding would require cuts to other outside agencies, and City Manager Paul Briseno recommended cutting another entity such as the Dakota Bank Center if the council chose to restore funds.
  • Councilmember Doran asked about historical precedent for cuts; Dr. Dunn responded that the city and county have maintained consistent funding, and SDSU has not reduced its support.
  • Councilmember Wendell expressed support for restoring some funding, noting the research park’s return on investment through job creation and student retention. He raised concerns about the county’s level of partnership, as a research park graphic showed the county receiving more tax revenue ($314,000) than the city ($275,000). He suggested exploring increased contributions from other partners.
  • Councilmember Avery requested audited financial statements for the research park to better understand rental income and shortfalls, and thanked Dwayne Chapel for his 15 years of service.
  • Councilmember Tilton Byrne acknowledged the return on investment and supported exploring a higher allocation, while noting the need to consider 3B revenue surpluses to offset any cuts to other entities.
  • Mayor Niemeyer noted that he serves on the research park board and highlighted recent successes, including a student GPS retrofit business and drone technology. He supported transitioning some funding and using any year-end 3B surplus to cover reductions.
• City Manager Paul Briseno recommended considering a Memorandum of Understanding with the research park to ensure accountability and more detailed financial reporting.
• Outcome: No formal vote was taken. The council discussed restoring funding from the recommended $75,000, with options to cut another agency (e.g., Dakota Bank Center) or use year-end 3B surpluses. The budget ordinance will be finalized in late October.

Outside Agency Requests – Brookings Regional Growth Alliance

• Presenter: Lori Frederick, CEO of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance.
• Summary: Frederick reported on the organization’s transition after the merger of the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and Visitors Bureau. Key accomplishments include 80% membership retention, the launch of a new brand and website, the 11th annual Downtown at Sundown event (14,000+ attendees), mental health first aid training in Volga, candidate profiles, a hotel study leading to a potential large redevelopment project, workforce development through SDSU Trio Employer Tours, and a pending economic impact study with SDSU.
• Positions:
  • Councilmember Doran commended the high membership retention and community support.
  • Councilmember Tilton Byrne asked about efficiencies from the merger; Frederick cited stronger marketing and a unified policy voice. She noted a move to a new downtown office with larger community space. She confirmed that neighboring communities (Aurora and Volga) provide a combined stipend of less than $4,000.
  • City Manager Briseno praised the partnership, particularly the hotel study and TIFF project reviews.
• Outcome: No formal action was taken. The presentation was informational.

Brookings Municipal Utilities – Missouri River Energy Services Agreement

• Presenters: Steve Meyer (General Manager, BMU) and Russ Helgerson (Electric Department Manager).
• Summary: The presentation covered the history of Brookings’ electric system, the role of WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) as a low-cost provider (approx. 2.9 cents/kWh, capped at 19 MW), and the relationship with Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) as the supplemental power provider (approx. 6 cents/kWh). MRES provides about 89% of BMU’s wholesale power. The BMU Board approved extending the S1 supplemental power agreement from 2054 to 2064. Key terms include MRES’s obligation to meet all load growth, provisions for renewable energy certificates, an “off-ramp” allowing BMU to cap purchases from MRES in 2040 if desired, and the ability for BMU to self-supply up to 5% of its load.
• Key Metrics:
  • BMU spends about $20 million annually for power from MRES.
  • WAPA allocation is fixed at 18.9 MW (1977 cap); current load is ~70 MW.
  • New projects: a 5 MW solar array in Brookings (ribbon-cutting in October), a 10 MW solar-plus-battery project in Marshall, MN, and a transmission line from Aurora to Brookings (estimated $13 million investment, completion 2030-2031) to improve reliability after the 27-hour outage from the 2024 derechos.
• Positions:
  • Councilmember Hager asked about the 5% self-supply option and data center impacts. Staff explained that MRES helps member communities mitigate data center risks by ensuring they pay their own way, and that generation costs are still being assessed at the regional level.
  • Councilmember Tilton Byrne inquired about additional renewable energy plans; staff responded that no new solar or renewable projects are in MRES’s near-term budget, but they are exploring more hydro and peaking generation.
  • Councilmember Avery asked about monitoring the large NextEra Energy solar array and 765 kV transmission line planned in Brookings County; staff confirmed BMU and MRES are not involved but are tracking potential impacts.
  • Councilmember Specker highlighted the new Aurora-to-Brookings transmission line as a critical reliability improvement.
  • Councilmember Wendell noted the significant difference in job creation between manufacturing expansions and data centers, referencing Solventum and Bell Brands expansions adding several megawatts of load.
• Outcome: Informational. The agreement will be submitted to MRES by November 1, 2026, with ratification by all 61 member communities expected December 3, 2026, effective January 1, 2027.

Proposed Ordinance Changes – Electric Bikes and Scooters on Trails, Sidewalks, and Shared-Use Paths

• Presenter: Josh Bowman, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
• Summary: The proposed changes to Chapter 62, Article 5 aim to define devices (bicycles, e-bikes Class 1-3, e-scooters, micro-mobility devices, mobility assistance devices, pedestrians, motorized vehicles), establish where they can operate, and set safety rules. Key provisions:
  • Sidewalks: Primary use for pedestrians. Mobility assistance devices, micro-mobility devices, and e-scooters are allowed at pedestrian pace.
  • Trails and shared-use paths: Allow pedestrians, bicycles, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, mobility assistance devices, micro-mobility devices, and e-scooters (max speed 15 mph).
  • Prohibited: Class 3 e-bikes, motorized vehicles (ATVs, UTVs), reckless operation, operation while impaired, damaging infrastructure.
  • E-scooters: Permitted on sidewalks, trails, and shared-use paths; must have front light, rear reflector, and functional brakes.
  • Rental scooters require city approval.
  • Enforcement: Warnings or citations; repeat violations may lead to restricted access. Signage and education (tabling, school outreach, social media, utility bills) will be prioritized over enforcement.
• Positions:
  • Councilmember Avery expressed concern about e-scooter safety, noting that young children operate them near traffic. He supported allowing scooters on sidewalks rather than pushing them into streets, but questioned their overall fit in the transportation system.
  • Councilmember Tilton Byrne asked for clarification on right-of-way and traffic law compliance. Staff confirmed that pedestrians always have right-of-way and that wheeled users must obey traffic signs and signals. She requested that education efforts emphasize this point. She also raised the possibility of requiring helmets for minors, noting that the advisory boards chose not to mandate them but have purchased 380 helmets for a voucher program.
  • Councilmember Doran suggested including driver education as part of the outreach, and thanked the public commenter for the suggestion to add "adaptive" device language; staff agreed to explore adding that definition.
  • Mayor Niemeyer noted that the ordinance has been reviewed and supported by the Bicycle Subcommittee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, City Attorney, and Police Department.
• Outcome: Informational; ordinance will be brought forward for a formal vote at a future meeting. Staff will consider adding language for adaptive devices and continue collaboration with the school district and community partners on education.

Key Outcomes

• SDSU Research Park Funding: No final decision. Council discussed restoring funding from the recommended $75,000, with potential offsets from other agencies or year-end 3B surpluses. A final vote on the budget ordinance is expected in late October.
• MRES S1 Agreement Extension: The BMU Board has approved; council was informed. The extension will be submitted to MRES by November 1, 2026, with ratification by all members by December 3, 2026, effective January 1, 2027.
• E-Bike and Scooter Ordinance: Staff will refine the ordinance based on council feedback (e.g., adaptive devices, helmet discussions) and bring it back for a vote.
• Next Meeting: September 22, 2026 (noted as "marathon meeting") will include Budget Workshop #2, CIP and consolidated fee schedule, Budget Amendment #7, second readings on property tax levy and special assessment policy, city progress report, and a presentation on Flock cameras by the police chief.