HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_04_20 CC MinutesBrookings City Council
April 20, 2021
The Brookings City Council held a Study Session on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 5:30
PM, at the Brookings City & County Government Center Chambers with the following
City Council members present: Mayor Keith Corbett; City Council Members Patty
Bacon, Nick Wendell, Joey Collins, Leah Brink, Holly Tilton Byrne, and Ope Niemeyer.
City Attorney Steve Britzman, City Manager Paul Briseno, and City Clerk Bonnie Foster
were also present.
--- Action to approve the agenda. A motion was made by Council Member Brink,
seconded by Council Member Wendell, that the agenda be approved. The motion
carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Corbett, Niemeyer, Brink, Bacon, Wendell, Tilton
Byrne, and Collins.
Election Canvass. Bonnie Foster, City Clerk, provided Election Canvass details for
the April 13, 2021 Combined Municipal I School Board Election was held to the City
Council and members of the public.
Resolution 21-031. A motion was made by Council Member Collins, seconded by
Council Member Tilton Byrne, that Resolution 21-031, a Resolution Canvassing the
April 13, 2021 Combined Brookings Municipal J School Board Election Ballots, be
approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Corbett, Niemeyer, Brink,
Bacon, Wendell, Tilton Byrne, and Collins.
Resolution 21-031 - Canvassing the April 13, 2021 Municipal Election
Whereas, on the 13th day of April, 2021, there was held in the City of Brookings, South
Dakota, an election for the purpose of electing a Mayor (3 -year term) and two (2) City
Council Members (3 -year terms); and
Whereas, the judges and clerks of said election have returned to the City Council of the
City of Brookings the official results for the purpose of the Official Canvass; and
Whereas, the City Council on April 20, 2021 has canvassed the results for the purpose
of determining the official election outcome; and
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Brookings, South
Dakota that the official vote at the City Election held April 13, 2021 was as follows:
Mayor
3 -Year Term
(1)
Oepke
"O e"
p
Niemeyer
Bradley
Walker
Jeff
Miller
Total
Ballots
Cast
Total
Votes
Cast
Vote Center 1
442
44
237
780
723
Vote Center 2
603
97
421
1,173
1,121
Vote Center 3
179
37
168
416
384
Vote Center 4
2
0
2
39
4
Absentee
862
56
338
1,325
1,256
Provisional Ballot
1
0
0
1
1
TOTAL
2,089
234
1,166
3,734*
3,489
City Council
3 -Year Term
(2)
Isaiah
Crevier
Nate
Holden
Nick
Schmeichel
Patty
Bacon
Nick
Wendell
Total
Ballots
Cast
Total
Votes
Cast
Vote Center 1
233
84
256
357
417
780
1,347
Vote Center 2
434
124
468
487
600
1,173
2,113
Vote Center 3
175
44
178
144
180
416
721
Vote Center 4
2
0
1
2
1
39
6
Absentee
343
77
368
736
838
1,325
2,362
Provisional Ballot
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
TOTAL
1,187
329
1,271
1,727
2,037
3.734*
1 6,551
(*Note: 204 School -only ballots were cast in this election.)
Swiftel Center Economic Impact Update. The Swiftel Center presented to City
Council in November 2020 an operational update as well a brief overview of the
estimated economic impact of the July 2020 Cattle Shows. Since then, the Economic
Impact Study Group made progress in exploring the direct economic impact from these
shows as well as the additional benefits that the Swiftel Center provides to the City of
Brookings and area businesses. The Economic Impact Study Group in composed by
different members of our community with the goal helping explain and measure the
Center's economic impact. Members included: Tom Richter, Executive Director of the
Swiftel Center, Laura Schoen Carbonneau, Executive Director of Visit Brookings, Erick
Rangel, City of Brookings Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Sloss, Brookings Economic
Development Director, Al Kurtenbach, Chair of the East Brookings Business & Industry
Association, Clint Johnson, East Brookings Business & Industry Association, and Al
Baker, retired banker.
Brookings Municipal Utilities Water System Facility Plan. Brian Bergantine, PE
and Operations Director for AE2S, and Delvin DeBoer, Phd, PE with Advanced
Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC, presented the Brookings Municipal
Utilities Water System Facility Plan to the City Council and members of the public.
Steve Meyer, Brookings Municipal Utilities Executive Vice -President and General
Manager, and Eric Witte, Brookings Municipal Utilities Water/Wastewater & Engineering
Manager, were also present.
Brookings Urban Forestry Initiative. Dusty Rodiek, Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Department Director, provided an overview of the Brookings Urban Forestry Initiative to
the City Council and members of the public.
The Brookings Urban Forestry Initiative is a new community forestry program in 2021 to
enhance our community's trees' health, long-term sustainability, and beauty. This
program was created in cooperation with the forestry division to proactively address
current and future challenges in maintaining a healthy and diverse urban forest
environment within the City of Brookings.
The new program provides an incentive for tree planning to residents within the City of
Brookings. Approved participants will receive a reimbursement for up to $150/tree
planted with the submission of a paid receipt. (Receipt must identify the tree species
and size.) A planting/contracting reimbursement of $50/tree will be available for
residents not comfortable planting their tree. Property owners can plant a maximum of
two trees/property/year. (Trees may be planted in yards or boulevard areas.) Any trees
planted in boulevards need to be coordinated with Parks Staff. A list of approved tree
species is available at participating tree nurseries and on the city website. The initiative
is initially funded at $10,000 from the 2021 Forestry division budget. Funds are limited
and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Future expansion and extension
of the program will be accomplished through privately donated funds. Long term
operational cost impacts will likely be reduced with participants being responsible for
establishment care.
Brookings Community Games. Dusty Rodiek, Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Department Director, provided an overview of the Brookings Community Games to the
City Council and members of the public.
The Park and Recreation Department provides activities for residents of all ages. New
in 2021 is the introduction of "Brookings Community Games". This is a community wide
adult (age 18 and over) recreational event created to promote fitness, teamwork,
community spirit and fun. The focus of this event is to introduce people in the Brookings
area to a multitude of recreational activities and facilities; promote the importance and
satisfaction of living a healthy lifestyle; offer friendly competition; and provide the
opportunity to meet new people while having a lot of fun!
The inaugural Community Games was originally scheduled in 2020 but was cancelled
due to COVID —,19. The Brookings Health System has agreed to be a supporting
partner for the event that will be held the weekend of June 25-27, 2021.
City Council Vacancy Process. City Council Member Vacancy - Application Process.
On May 11th, Council Member Ope "Oepke" Niemeyer will resign his position as city
council member and be sworn in as Mayor. The City Charter provides guidance with
respect to vacancies on the Council. In addition, in 2003 the City Council adopted a
policy (amended in 2010) which established more detailed procedures in the event a
vacancy occurs on the Council. Accordingly, a draft process and timeline was prepared
for the upcoming vacancy including a press release, application form. Proposed process
& timeline: April 20 - Discuss Process, April 23 - Press release advertising vacated
council seat, May 11 - receive resignation letter effective that day, May 11 - Ope
Niemeyer takes Oath of Office as Mayor, May 12 — Deadline for applications, May 18 -
Applicants Provide Comments to City Council during Study Session, May 25 - Action to
appoint Council Member, June 8th - New council member takes Oath of Office. There
was consensus to proceed with the plan as proposed.
Adjourn. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council
Member Brink, that this meeting be adjourned at 7:17 p.m. The motion carried by an
unanimous vote.
ATTEST:
e
i
.tester, City Clerk
CITY OF BROOKINGS
Keith W. Corbett, Mayor