Brookings City Council
October 20, 2020
The Brookings City Council held a Study Session and Special Meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 5:00 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 Manager Paul Briseno, City Attorney Steve Britzman and City Clerk Bonnie Foster were also present.
Action to approve the agenda. A motion was made by Council Member Wendell, seconded by Council Member Bacon, that the agenda be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Corbett, Niemeyer, Brink, Bacon, Wendell, Tilton Byrne, and Collins.
Discussion on Ordinance 20-010 Renewal. Discussion was held on Ordinance 20-010 Renewal, which expires November 7, 2020. Presentations were given by the following: Bonny Specker, Director SDSU EAM Program, Klint Willert, Superintendent of Brookings School District, Jason Merkley, President and CEO of Brookings Health System, Barry Dunn, SDSU President, Daniel Scholl, SDSU Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Amy Hockett, Sanford Director of Clinic Operations for Brookings Clinic, Patrick Siegling, Avera Director of Clinic Operations, and Kelsey Doom, Brookings Chamber CEO.
Discussion on Public Works Department Establishment. City Manager Paul Briseno discussed with the City Council the recommendation to establish a Public Works Department to develop a more cohesive department with coordinated efforts of services for the community. The department would contain the functions of engineering, stormwater, airport, snow removal, mosquito control, street maintenance, fleet, landfill and refuse collection.
FIRST READING – Ordinance 20-028. Introduction and First Reading was held on Ordinance 20-028, an Emergency Ordinance Amending Emergency Ordinance 20-010, as previously amended, to Extend and to Comprehensively Adopt Provisions to Address a Public Health Crisis and to Revise Certain Measures which are Necessary for the Immediate Preservation of the Public Health, Safety and Welfare of the City and are Necessary to Slow the Community Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the City of Brookings, South Dakota. Public Comment: Kristin Heismeyer, Amy Hanley, Nancy Bohlen, Nancy Beech, Bill Alsaker, Cole Sartell, Melodie Lichty, Jael Thorpe, Bradley Walker, Verna Longville, Kyra Wurm, Teresa Hollmon, and Elizabeth Wika. Second Reading: October 27, 2020.
Executive Session. A motion was made by Council Member Niemeyer, seconded by Council Member Bacon, to enter into Executive Session at 8:04 p.m., pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2, for discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. The term, employee, does not include any independent contractor. And for consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters, with the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Susan Rotert, Human Resources Director, Erick Rangel, Chief Financial Officer, and Steve Landon, Employment Law Attorney, present. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. A motion was made by Council Member Niemeyer, seconded by Council Member Brink, to exit Executive Session at 10:30 p.m. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Adjourn. A motion was made by Council Member Bacon, seconded by Council Member Brink, that this meeting be adjourned at 10:37 p.m. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
CITY OF BROOKINGS
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ATTEST: Keith W. Corbett, Mayor
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Bonnie Foster, City Clerk