Title
Action on Volunteer Board, Committee, and Commission appointments (10 boards, and 31 seats).
Body
Summary and Recommended Action:
Mayor Niemeyer has submitted the following appointment recommendations for City Council advice and consent. Staff recommends approval.
Brookings Disability Awareness Committee
Number of positions: 6
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required for majority
Purpose: The Brookings Disability Awareness Committee strives to advocate for the rights of people who have disabilities in our community. Throughout the year, specific events are held to bring awareness and information to our citizens. Technical assistance is provided to the business community, private individuals, governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. This is a service not provided by any other entity in Brookings. The goals of this service are to improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities through enhancing the knowledge base of entities in the community; and to further serve as a community-based advocacy group enhancing the ability of local entities to comply with Federal Civil Rights legislation.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Aysia Platte (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) Reappoint Katie Knudson (term expires 1/1/2028)
3) Reappoint Mark Sternhagen (term expires 1/1/2028)
4) New Appointment - Ari Limoges (term expires 1/1/2028)
5) New Appointment - Carrie Smith (term expires 1/1/2026)
Business Improvement District #1 Board
Number of positions: 2
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not required
Purpose: The Business Improvement District #1 Board is responsible to prepare a plan of improvements for a district and provide improvement recommendations to the City Council. The boundaries of Business Improvement District #1 are defined as non-contiguous properties to include all hotels/motels with 25 or more rooms situated within the corporate limits of the city of Brookings.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Laura Schoen-Carbonneau (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) New Appointment - Ashley Biggar (term expires 1/1/2028)
Dacotah Bank Center Advisory Committee
Number of positions: 4
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not required
Purpose: The Dacotah Bank Center Advisory Committee shall act only in an advisory capacity to the city council, however it shall, in particular, advise the city concerning marketing, operational issues and management of the Dacotah Bank Center, and in particular, shall advise and assist the city in the performance of contracts between the City of Brookings and County of Brookings, and between the City of Brookings and the firm managing the Dacotah Bank Center and which concern the Dacotah Bank Center.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Kyleigh Cramer (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) Laura Schoen Carbonneau (term expires 1/1/2028)
3) Reappoint Jennifer Johnson (term expires 1/1/2028)
4) New Appointment - Melisa Yager (term expires 1/1/2028)
Historic Preservation Commission
Number of positions: 4
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required for majority
Purpose: The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to allow the city to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation to promote the inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of the citizens of Brookings through identification, documentation, preservation, promotion, and development of the city’s historic resources.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Paula Carson (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) Reappoint Stephen Van Buren (term expires 1/1/2028)
3) Reappoint Tom Thaden (term expires 1/1/2028)
4) Reappoint Sam Krueger (term expires 1/1/2028)
5) New Appointment - Diane Kosbau (term expires 1/1/2027)
Human Rights Commission
Number of positions: 2
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not required
Purpose: The Human Rights Commission has the power to investigate alleging discrimination. Other programs include: The study of the existence, character, causes and extent of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, property rights, education and public services; Advise and provide a forum for those subjected to unfair and discriminatory practices in the City and County; Advise City officials concerning issues of discrimination; Conducting educational programs and disseminates information to further the commission’s policy to eliminate discrimination in the city.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Keely Eagleshield (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) New Appointment - Nicholas McNab (term expires 1/1/2028)
Library Board
Number of positions: 1
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required
Purpose: The Library Board is responsible for the appointment of the Librarian, the conduct of business and development of policies for the Brookings Public Library materials, the governance of the library and the use of the public library services and materials.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) New Appointment - Allison Schmitt (term expires 1/1/2028)
Park & Recreation
Number of positions: 2 - 1 High School Representative, 1 College Representative
Term Length: 1 year
Residency Requirement: Not Required
Purpose: The Park & Recreation Board provides advice to the Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to assist in fulfilling the administering of the public park system, recreation programs and city forestry program. The Board also advises the City Council and makes recommendations on matters regarding park capital improvements and planning.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) New Appointment - Cloe Barber - High School Representative (term expires 5/1/2025)
Planning Commission
Number of positions: 4
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required
Purpose: The City Planning Commission is responsible for the city comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city, including areas outside the boundaries of the city and within the planning jurisdiction.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Kyle Jamison (term expires 12/31/2027)
2) Reappoint Tanner Aiken (term expires 12/31/2027)
3) New Appointment - Connor Evers (term expires 12/31/2027)
4) New Appointment - Billie Jo Hinrichs (term expires 12/31/2025)
Public Arts Commission
Number of positions: 4
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required for Majority
Purpose: Public art enhances the built environment of a city and enriches the lives of its citizens. A dedicated funding source for an established program of public art enhances the reputation of a city and serves as a vehicle for attracting new businesses and citizens. A public art program encourages a community’s artists and citizens to engage in creative activities and artistic development. A public arts commission can develop and implement a unified public art strategy for a community.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Lisbeth Solum (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) Reappoint Kate Treiber (term expires 1/1/2028)
3) Reappoint Meridith Weiland (term expires 1/1/2028)
Sustainability Council
Number of positions: 5
Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required for Majority
Purpose: The purpose of the Sustainability Council is to investigate, propose, educate, communicate, and advocate investment strategies and policies that will improve our future qualities of life while still meeting the needs of the present.
Mayor’s Recommendation:
1) Reappoint Albert Patin (term expires 1/1/2028)
2) Reappoint Robin Butterbaugh (term expires 1/1/2028)
3) New Appointment - Alicia Haich (term expires 1/1/2028)
4) New Appointment - Connor Evers (term expires 1/1/2028)