Brookings City Council
October 10, 2023
The Brookings City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 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 Wendell, seconded by Council Member Specker, that the agenda be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, and Wendell; Absent: 2 – Doran and Tilton Byrne.
(Council Member Tilton Byrne arrived at 6:02 p.m.)
Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Specker, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
A. Action to approve the September 26, 2023 City Council Minutes.
B. Action on the 2024 City Council Meeting Calendar.
C. Action on the appointment to the Brookings Health System Board of Trustees: reappoint Dr. David Meyer (term expires 1/1/2027).
Proclamation: White Cane Awareness Day. Mayor Niemeyer presented a Proclamation to Jon Stauff, member of the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee, in recognition of October 15th as White Cane Awareness Day.
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the white cane demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and
independent life and the capacity to work productively in competitive employment; and
Whereas, the white cane, by allowing every blind person to move freely and safely from
place to place, makes it possible for the blind to fully participate in and contribute to our
society and to live the lives they want; and
Whereas, the law requires that motorists and cyclists exercise appropriate caution
when approaching a blind person carrying a white cane; and
Whereas, the law also calls upon employers to be aware of and utilize the employment
skills of our blind citizens by recognizing their worth as individuals and their productive
capacities.
Now, Therefore, I, Oepke G. Niemeyer, Mayor of the City of Brookings, State of
South Dakota, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2023 as White Cane Awareness Day and call upon all to utilize the available skills of blind persons and to recognize the white cane as a tool of independence.
Proclamation: Dyslexia Awareness Month. Mayor Niemeyer presented a proclamation to Shelly Bayer, Director of SDSU Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility, to recognize October as Dyslexia Awareness Month.
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
Whereas, dyslexia affects one of every five people regardless of gender, race, age, or
socioeconomic status; and
Whereas, dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children, representing
80–90% of all those with learning disabilities; and
Whereas, dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with word recognition, spelling and
decoding abilities despite normal to above average intelligence; and
Whereas, typical strengths of those with dyslexia include thinking “outside the box,”
spatial reasoning, quickly seeing connections, adaptability, creativity, and empathy; and
Whereas, every child should be screened for dyslexia as early diagnosis and
appropriate intervention is critical for personal and academic success; and
Whereas, awareness and appreciation for the assets that dyslexic individuals bring
enhances the world.
Now, Therefore, I, Oepke G. Niemeyer, Mayor of the City of Brookings, State of
South Dakota, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Report: SDSU Students Association. SDSU SA Government Affairs Chair, Michael Garofalo, provided an update on SDSU happenings.
Report: City Council Ex-Officio Reports. A Brookings Municipal Utility Board report was given by Council Members Avery and Rasmussen. A Brookings Health Systems Board of Trustees report was given by Council Members Doran and Specker.
Resolution 23-093. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council Member Wendell, that Resolution 23-093, a Resolution Awarding the Bid for
Project 2023-03 STI, Brookings Prairie Hills Trail, be approved. The motion
carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 – Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Resolution 23-093 - Resolution Awarding Bids on Project 2023-03STI
Brookings Prairie Hills Trail
Whereas, the City of Brookings opened bids for Project 2023-03STI Brookings Prairie
Hills Trail on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 1:30 pm at the Brookings City and County
Government Center; and
Whereas, the City of Brookings has received the following bids: Clark Drew
Construction: $230,459.35; BX Civil & Construction: $245,925.53; and Timmons
Construction: $263,477.30
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the total low bid of $230,459.35 for Clark Drew
Construction, Brookings, South Dakota be accepted.
FIRST READING – Ordinance 23-034. Introduction and First Reading was held on Ordinance 23-034, an Ordinance Authorizing Amendment No. 8 to the 2023 Budget. Second Reading and Action: October 24, 2023.
Ordinance 23-031. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 23-031, an Ordinance to Change the Zoning within the City of Brookings (Portion of Block 5, Original Plat Addition from Residence R-2 Two-Family District and Business B-2A Office District to a Planned Development District with Business B-1 Central District Underlying Zoning). A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council Member Specker, that Ordinance 23-031 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Ordinance 23-032. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 23-032, an Ordinance to Change the Zoning within the City of Brookings (1.57 Acres in Reserve Fourth Addition from Business B-2A Office District to Business B-2 District). A motion was made by
Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Avery, that Ordinance
23-032 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Ordinance 23-033. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 23-033, an Ordinance to Change the Zoning within the City of Brookings (0.57 acres in Reserve Fourth Addition from Business B-3 Heavy District to Business B-2 District). A motion was made by
Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Specker, that Ordinance
23-033 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Temporary Alcohol Application. A public hearing was held on a Temporary Alcohol Application from Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, to operate within the City of Brookings, South Dakota for a Watch Party event to be held on October 28, 2023 in the 300 Block of Main Avenue. A motion was made by Council Member Specker, seconded by Council Member Tilton Byrne, that Temporary Alcohol Application be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Solid Waste Master Plan. A motion was made by Council Member Avery, seconded by Council Member Wendell, to accept the Solid Waste Master Plan. Public Comment: Kate Bartelt, HDR Engineering, Inc. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Resolution 23-092. A motion was made by Council Member Tilton Byrne, seconded by Council Member Specker, that Resolution 23-092, a Resolution to Vacate Lucerne Circle, be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Resolution 23-092 - Resolution to Vacate Lucerne Circle
Whereas, a petition to vacate has been filed with the City Clerk of the City of Brookings; and
Whereas, the petition was filed in proper form and signed by one hundred percent (100%) of the adjacent property owners.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Brookings that Lucerne Circle, in the City of Brookings, Brookings County, State of South Dakota be vacated,
Revised Preliminary Plat. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Tilton Byrne, that a Revised Preliminary Plat for Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 of Reserve Fourth Addition be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Initial Development Plan. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Avery, that an Initial Development Plan for The Ivy Center be approved. Public Comment: Angela Boersma. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Council Member Introduction of Topics for Future Discussion. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Tilton Byrne, that City staff research available cyber security grant funding and bring to City Council at a future date. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Avery, Niemeyer, Rasmussen, Specker, Tilton Byrne, and Wendell; Absent: 1 - Doran.
Adjourn. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council
Member Tilton Byrne, that this meeting be adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
CITY OF BROOKINGS, SD
Oepke G. Niemeyer, Mayor
ATTEST:
Bonnie Foster, City Clerk