HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_02_11 CC MinutesBROOKINGS CITY COUNCIL
February 11, 2025
The Brookings City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM,
at the Brookings City & County Government Center, Chambers, with the following City
Council members present: Mayor Oepke Niemeyer, Council Members Wayne Avery,
Brianna Doran, Andrew Rasmussen, Bonny Specker, Holly Tilton Byrne, and Nick
Wendell. City Manager Paul Briseno, City Attorney Steve Britzman, and City Clerk
Bonnie Foster were also present.
Agenda. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council
Member Specker, that the agenda be approved. The motion carried by the following
vote: Yes: 7 - Avery, Doran, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and
Wendell.
Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by
Council Member Specker, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the
following vote: Yes: 7 - Avery, Doran, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne,
and Wendell.
A. Action to approve the January 28, 2025 City Council Minutes.
B. Action on Temporary Alcohol / Special Event Alcoholic Beverage Licenses
from existing alcohol license holders: Sodexo Catering (Licenses RB-28249 and
RW-28251): SDSU TL25-021; SDSU TL25-020; SDSU TL25-022; SDSU TL25-023;
SDSU TL25-024: SDSU TL25-025.
C. Action to abate property taxes in the amount of $615.41 for Parcel #40960-
11050-232-15. Address: 1120 Western Avenue, Brookings. Legal description:
Outlot 2 in the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ Section 23-110-50.
D. Action to abate property taxes in the amount of $4,342.89 for Parcel #40473-
00300-000-10. Address: 900 20th Street South, Brookings. Legal description:
Block 3B, Prairie Hills Addition, except Platted Area.
E. Action on Resolution 25-011, a Resolution Designating Vote Center locations,
and the Appointment of Election Superintendents and Deputies for the April 8,
2025 Combined Municipal / School Board Election.
RESOLUTION 25-011 - RESOLUTION DESIGNATING VOTE CENTER LOCATIONS,
AND THE APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS FOR THE APRIL 8, 2025
COMBINED MUNICIPAL / SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
WHEREAS, a City of Brookings Combined Municipal / School Board Election will be
held on April 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, as required by SDCL 9-13-16.1, the governing body must appoint Election
Superintendents, Deputies, and other workers, and set their rate of compensation; and
WHEREAS, as required by SDCL 12-14-1, the governing body must designate the Vote
Center locations; and
WHEREAS, the following election workers are hereby appointed at the following rates of
compensation: Superintendents $15.50 per hour; Deputies $15.00 per hour; Election
Training $25.00 flat fee; Resolution Board $20.00 per hour, or $50.00 flat fee if less than
2 hours; On-Call Workers $50.00 flat fee; and Election Night Worker $50.00 flat fee.
VOTE CENTER 1 – Brookings Activity Center, 320 5th Avenue: Superintendent Norma
Linn, and Deputies Mardell Colbeck, Diane Spencer, Barb Crosser, and Barb Meyer.
VOTE CENTER 2 – Bethel Baptist Church, 714 17th Avenue South: Superintendent Sue
Knutzen, and Deputies Janet Fergen, Kathy Waddell, David Wells, and Cherie
Anderson.
VOTE CENTER 3 – Holy Life Tabernacle Church, 241 Mustang Pass: Superintendent
Bobbe Bartley, and Deputies Ellen Herrboldt, and Diane DeGroot.
VOTE CENTER 4 – Impact Church, 201 E. Pine Street, Aurora, SD: Superintendent
Cathy Enlow, and Deputies Kari Stevens and Linda Schamp.
EARLY/ABSENTEE VOTE CENTER – City & County Government Center, 520 3rd
Street – Superintendents Peggy Whalen and Diane Spencer.
ABSENTEE VOTE CENTER PROCESSING – City & County Government Center, 520
3rd Street, Room 300: Superintendent Sue Sackman, and Deputies Judi Dezeeuw, and
Dorothy Bos.
RESOLUTION BOARD – Superintendents David Peterson and Larry Hult.
ON-CALL / ALTERNATES: Deb Waltman and Cheryl Holen
ELECTION NIGHT WORKER – Terry Heidemann.
Report: SDSU Students Association Report. Claire Koenecke, SDSU Students
Association Government Affairs Chair, provided an update on SDSU current affairs.
Report: City Council Ex-Officio Report. A Brookings Municipal Utility Board report
was given by Council Member and Rasmussen. A Brookings Health Systems Board of
Trustees report was given by Council Member Doran.
FIRST READING – Ordinance 25-004. Introduction and first reading was held on
Ordinance 25-004, an Ordinance Amending Section 62-86 of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Brookings, South Dakota, to provide for removal of the Designation of "No
Mow May" in the City of Brookings, South Dakota. Second Reading: February 25,
2025.
Ordinance 25-002. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 25-002, an Ordinance
Amending Chapter 94, pertaining to the creation of a new zoning district, Civic District,
and associated supplemental regulations. A motion was made by Council Member
Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council Member Specker, that Ordinance 25-002, be
approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Avery, Doran, Niemeyer,
Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell.
Resolution 25-013. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by
Council Member Specker, that Resolution 25-013, a Resolution Authorizing the Naming
of Market Street and Prime Place, be tabled. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 7 - Avery, Doran, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell.
Resolution 25-014. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by
Council Member Doran, that Resolution 25-014, a Resolution designating the City of
Brookings as a Bee City USA Affiliate, be approved. The motion carried by the
following vote: Yes: 7 - Avery, Doran, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne,
and Wendell.
RESOLUTION 25-014 - A RESOLUTION OF BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATING BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA AS A BEE CITY
USA® AFFILIATE.
WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA is to galvanize communities to sustain
pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world's flowering plant
species, by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free
to nearly free of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3,600 species of native bees in the United States,
along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits,
nuts, and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a
combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides,
and herbicides), parasites, diseases, and climate change; and
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies
through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased
demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local growers; and
WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat (A) is comprised of mostly native
wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the
growing season to provide diverse and abundant nectar and pollen, since many wild
pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co-adapted; (B) is free
to nearly free of pesticides, as many pesticides can harm pollinators and/or their habitat;
(C) comprises undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins,
fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering; and (D) provides
connectivity between habitat areas to support pollinator movement and resilience; and
WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term approach to maintaining
healthy landscapes and facilities that minimizes risks to people and the environment by:
identifying and removing the causes of pest problems rather than only attacking the
symptoms (the pests); employing pests' natural enemies along with cultural,
mechanical, and physical controls when prevention is not enough; and using pesticides
only when no other method is feasible or effective; and
WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters broad-based community engagement in
environmental awareness and sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Brookings, South Dakota should be certified a BEE CITY USA community
because of the City’s commitment to sustainability as showcased through the extensive
annual plantings across town that support pollinators, commitment to expanding upon
the four pollinator sites currently in existence, and more than forty acres of City owned
no-mow areas; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED in order to enhance understanding among
local government staff and the public about the vital role pollinators play and what each
of us can do to sustain them, Brookings, South Dakota chooses to support and
encourage healthy pollinator habitat creation and enhancement, resolving as follows:
1. The City of Brookings Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department is hereby
designated as the BEE CITY USA sponsor.
2. The Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director is designated as the BEE CITY
USA Liaison.
3. Facilitation of Brookings, South Dakota’s BEE CITY USA program is assigned to
the City of Brookings Sustainability Council.
4. The City of Brookings Sustainability Council is authorized to and shall:
a. Celebration: Host or co-host at least one educational event or pollinator
habitat planting or restoration each year to showcase Brookings, South
Dakota’s commitment to raising awareness of pollinator conservation and
expanding pollinator health and habitat.
b. Publicity & Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY
USA street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a webpage
on the Brookings, South Dakota’s website which includes, at minimum a copy
of this resolution and links to the national BEE CITY USA website; contact
information for your BEE CITY USA Liaison and Committee; reports of the
pollinator-friendly activities the community has accomplished the previous
year(s); and your recommended native plant species list and integrated pest
management plan.
c. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator-
friendly habitat on public and private land, which includes, but is not limited to
identifying and inventorying Brookings’ real property that can be enhanced
with pollinator-friendly plantings; creating a recommended locally native plant
list to include wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local
suppliers for those species; and, tracking (by square footage and/or acreage)
annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced.
d. Pollinator-Friendly Pest Management: Create and adopt an integrated pest
management (IPM) plan designed to prevent pest problems, reduce pesticide
use, and expand the use of non-chemical pest management methods.
e. Policy & Plans: Establish an initiative through the City of Brookings’s Strategic
Plan which acknowledges and commits the City of Brookings to the BEE
CITY USA designation and review the Strategic Plan and other relevant
documents to consider improvements to pest management policies and
practices as they relate to pollinator conservation, identify appropriate
locations for pollinator-friendly plantings, and consider other appropriate
measures.
f. Renewal: After completing the first calendar year as a BEE CITY USA
affiliate, each February, apply for renewal of Brookings, South Dakota’s BEE
CITY USA designation following the format provided by BEE CITY USA,
including a report of the previous year’s BEE CITY USA activities, and paying
the renewal fee-based Brookings, South Dakota’s population.
Adjourn. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council
Member Doran, that this meeting be adjourned at 6:38 p.m. The motion carried by a
unanimous vote.
CITY OF BROOKINGS, SD
Oepke G. Niemeyer, Mayor
ATTEST:
Bonnie Foster, City Clerk