Title
Action on Volunteer Board, Committee, and Commission appointments.
Body
Summary:
Mayor Niemeyer has submitted the following appointment recommendations for City Council advice and consent:
Brookings Disability Awareness Committee
Number of positions: 4
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 Rachel Holm (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Reappoint Matthew Weiss (term expires 1/1/2027)
3) Reappoint Ramona Kauk (term expires 1/1/2027)
4) Appoint Jennifer Mees (J. Grendler seat) (term expires 1/1/2027)
Business Improvement District #1 Board
Number of positions: 1
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 Melisa Yager (term expires 1/1/2027)
Historic Preservation Commission
Number of positions: 3
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 Jon Stauff (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Reappoint Janet Merriman (term expires 1/1/2027)
3) Reappoint Janet Gritzner (term expires 1/1/2027)
Human Rights Commission
Number of positions: 3
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 Nieema Thasing (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Reappoint Carla Gatzke (term expires 1/1/2027)
3) VACANT (L. Novotny seat) (term expires 1/1/2027)
Library Board
Number of positions: 2
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) Reappoint Denise Hall (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Appoint Mark Binkley (S. Carroll seat) (term expires 1/1/2027)
Planning Commission
Number of positions: 3
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 Nick Schmeichel (term expires 12/31/2026)
2) Appoint Jacob Limmer (G. Fargen seat) (term expires 12/31/2026)
3) Appoint Debra Spear (C.J. Drew seat) (term expires 12/31/2026)
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 Linda Purrington (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Reappoint Paula Carson (term expires 1/1/2027)
3) VACANT (T. Meyer seat) - Rep: Art/Design Professional / Landscape Architect / Urban Planner (term expires 1/1/2027)
4) VACANT (B. Rex seat) - Rep: SDSU School of Design (term expires 1/1/2026)
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 Anthony Shanks (term expires 1/1/2027)
2) Reappoint Kiley Rath (term expires 1/1/2027)
3) Reappoint Kyle Jamison (term expires 1/1/2027)
4) VACANT (B. Beer seat) - to remain open at this time (term expires 1/1/2026)
5) Valentyna Stopul - College Student representative (term expires 5/1/2024)
Dacotah Bank Center Advisory Committee
Number of positions: 1
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 Nick Schmeichel (term expires 1/1/2027)
Recommendation
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.