City Council Meeting
Regular MeetingSioux Falls, SD · April 8, 2025
Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Paul TenHaken wished his Mom a Happy 70th Birthday.
1. MEETING ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member David Barranco, Council Member Miranda Basye, Council
Member Sarah Cole, Council Member Rich Merkouris, Council Member Jennifer
Sigette, Council Member Curt Soehl, Council Member Ryan Spellerberg, Mayor Paul
TenHaken
Absent: Council Member Richard L. Thomason
2. INVOCATION
• Dr. Erich McCandless, Senior Pastor - Empire Baptist Temple
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
A request was made by Councilor Soehl to place Consent Agenda Item 6, Sub-Item 14:
Planning & Development; Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Subsidy Agreement; Allows for
the addition and training of two ambassadors for the downtown program; 25-4093;
Downtown Sioux Falls; $150,000; and Sub-Item 16: Planning & Development
Services/Housing; 2025 Bright Futures Program Sub-Recipient Agreement; 25-4104;
Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership; $203,099 on the Regular Agenda for
discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Soehl and seconded by Council Member
Spellerberg to approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll call vote to approve. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Informational Meeting of Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, April 1, 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
6. Approval of contracts/agreements over $100K on the memorandum dated April 4, 2025.
A motion was made by Council Member Soehl and seconded by Council Member
Spellerberg to approve Sub-Item 14: Planning & Development; Downtown Sioux Falls,
Inc., Subsidy Agreement; Allows for the addition and training of two ambassadors for
the downtown program; 25-4093; Downtown Sioux Falls; $150,000.
Roll call vote to approve. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
A motion was made by Council Member Soehl and seconded by Council Member Cole
to approve Sub-Item 16: Planning & Development Services/Housing; 2025 Bright
Futures Program Sub-Recipient Agreement; 25-4104; Inter-Lakes Community Action
Partnership; $203,099.
Roll call vote to approve. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
7. Notice of Contracts/Agreements under $100K and Change Orders over $100K through
March 31, 2025.
The City Council concurs with the Minnehaha County Commission's recommendation for
approval of the following abatements:
8. Parcel #32237, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $136.34. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
9. Parcel #34228, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,946.14. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
10. Parcel #48163, for 2023 property taxes in the amount of $125.96. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 05/15/2000 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 12/1/2023. They are requesting an abatement for
the $150,000 exemption for December 2023 taxes payable in 2024.
11. Parcel #48163, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,555.26. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 05/15/2000 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 12/1/2023. They are requesting an abatement for
the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2024 taxes payable in 2025.
12. Parcel #76943, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,929,000. Reason:
Applicant, having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and
Disabled, but missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
13. Parcel #77611, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,075.31. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A.
14. Parcel #77798, for 2020 property taxes in the amount of $2,252.42. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2020
taxes payable in 2021.
15. Parcel #77798, for 2021 property taxes in the amount of $2,222.54. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2021
taxes payable in 2022.
16. Parcel #77798, for 2022 property taxes in the amount of $2,163.95. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2022
taxes payable in 2023.
17. Parcel #77798, for 2023 property taxes in the amount of $2,041.61. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veterans evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2023
taxes payable in 2024.
18. Parcel #77798, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,965.62. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2024
taxes payable in 2025.
19. Parcel #79325, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $599.58. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
20. Parcel #94494, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,346.58. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
REGULAR AGENDA
21. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA
A motion was made by Council Member Soehl and seconded by Council Member
Sigette to approve the Regular Agenda.
Roll call vote to approve. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
Agenda Item 6, Sub-Item 14, was heard at this time. See item for action taken.
Agenda Item 6, Sub-Item 16, was heard at this time. See item for action taken.
INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
HEARINGS AND RESOLUTIONS
22. A RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF THE 66-FOOT STATUTORY RIGHT-
OF-WAY, LOCATED INSIDE THE ABANDONED ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD
RIGHT-OF-WAY, BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
OF S. GORDON DRIVE, ON THE SOUTH & EAST BY E. ARROWHEAD PARKWAY
AND ON THE NORTH BY VACATED E. 10TH STREET & TRACT 2 BLOCK 62A
CAPITOL HILL
ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH
DAKOTA IN THE SE1/4 SW1/4 SEC 13-T101N-R49W & THE NE1/4 NW1/4 SEC 24-
T101N-R49W OF THE 5TH P.M. MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, AS
SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A.
Sponsor: Mayor
A motion was made by Council Member Barranco and seconded by Council Member
Spellerberg to adopt Resolution No. 21-25.
Roll call vote to adopt. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-25
A RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF THE 66-FOOT STATUTORY RIGHT-
OF-WAY, LOCATED INSIDE THE ABANDONED ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD
RIGHT-OF-WAY, BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
OF S. GORDON DRIVE, ON THE SOUTH & EAST BY E. ARROWHEAD PARKWAY
AND ON THE NORTH BY VACATED E. 10TH STREET & TRACT 2 BLOCK 62A
CAPITOL HILL ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, MINNEHAHA COUNTY,
SOUTH DAKOTA IN THE SE1/4 SW1/4 SEC 13-T101N-R49W & THE NE1/4 NW1/4
SEC 24-T101N-R49W OF THE 5TH P.M. MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA,
AS SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A.
WHEREAS, a petition to vacate public right–of-way has been filed by the owners of the
following described property:
Tract 2 Block 62A, Capitol Hill Addition to the City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha
County, South Dakota
Abandoned Illinois Central Railroad
WHEREAS, the hearing was held on April 8, 2025, and the petition has been duly
examined and investigated by the City Council of the City of Sioux Falls. Testimony of
said petition has been heard. Said property, as shown upon the plats attached to and
made a part of said petition, has been used as a street, alley, or public ground but no
longer serves a useful public purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD:
That the 66-foot statutory right-of-way as shown on Exhibit A, be and the same hereby
is declared vacated, and that the City Clerk shall cause to be filed with the Register of
Deeds, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, a duly certified transcript of this resolution.
Date adopted: 04/08/25 .
Paul TenHaken, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jermery J. Washington, City Clerk
23. A RESOLUTION ADVISING AND GIVING CONSENT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
MEMBERS TO CERTAIN CITIZEN BOARDS.
Sponsor: Mayor
A motion was made by Council Member Barranco and seconded by Council Member
Basye to adopt Resolution No. 22-25.
Roll call vote to adopt. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 22-25
A RESOLUTION ADVISING AND GIVING CONSENT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
MEMBERS TO CERTAIN CITIZEN BOARDS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD:
That it gives its advice and consent to the following Mayoral appointments:
Name Board Term
Amanda Willard Falls Community Health Center Reappointed for a term
Governing Board from May 2025 to May
2028.
Suzanne Smith Housing and Redevelopment Reappointed for a term
Commission from April 2025 to April
2030.
Janet Kittams Planning Commission Reappointed for a term
from May 2025 to May
2030.
Ken Bashore Sioux Falls State Theatre Appointed for a term from
April 2025 to April 2028.
Dan Statema Sioux Falls State Theatre Appointed for a term from
April 2025 to April 2028.
Date adopted: 04/08/25 .
Paul TenHaken, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jermery J. Washington, City Clerk
NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT
The following topics were discussed: the police call log to the Bishop Dudley House,
running for Ciy Council, Sioux Falls being a crooked city, no update for the Riverline
District, tariffs, the City Council saying yes to things, and the need for cleaning up some
neighborhoods.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Council Member Barranco and seconded by Council Member
Basye to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.
Voice vote to adjourn. 7 Yes: Barranco, Basye, Cole, Merkouris, Sigette, Soehl,
Spellerberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed.
Denise D. Tucker, MMC, Assistant City Clerk
Agenda
AGENDA
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
CALL TO ORDER
1. MEETING ROLL CALL
Council Member David Barranco
Council Member Miranda Basye
Council Member Sarah Cole
Council Member Rich Merkouris
Council Member Jennifer Sigette
Council Member Curt Soehl
Council Member Ryan Spellerberg
Council Member Richard L. Thomason
Mayor Paul TenHaken
2. INVOCATION
• Dr. Erich McCandless, Senior Pastor - Empire Baptist Temple
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Informational Meeting of Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, April 1, 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
6. Approval of contracts/agreements over $100K on the memorandum dated April 4, 2025.
7. Notice of Contracts/Agreements under $100K and Change Orders over $100K through
March 31, 2025.
The City Council concurs with the Minnehaha County Commission's recommendation for
approval of the following abatements:
8. Parcel #32237, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $136.34. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
9. Parcel #34228, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,946.14. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
10. Parcel #48163, for 2023 property taxes in the amount of $125.96. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 05/15/2000 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 12/1/2023. They are requesting an abatement for
the $150,000 exemption for December 2023 taxes payable in 2024.
11. Parcel #48163, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,555.26. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 05/15/2000 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 12/1/2023. They are requesting an abatement for
the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2024 taxes payable in 2025.
12. Parcel #76943, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,929,000. Reason:
Applicant, having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and
Disabled, but missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
13. Parcel #77611, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,075.31. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A.
14. Parcel #77798, for 2020 property taxes in the amount of $2,252.42. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2020
taxes payable in 2021.
15. Parcel #77798, for 2021 property taxes in the amount of $2,222.54. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2021
taxes payable in 2022.
16. Parcel #77798, for 2022 property taxes in the amount of $2,163.95. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2022
taxes payable in 2023.
17. Parcel #77798, for 2023 property taxes in the amount of $2,041.61. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veterans evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2023
taxes payable in 2024.
18. Parcel #77798, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,965.62. Reason: The
taxpayer purchased the home on 03/09/2007 and was issued the 100% Permanent and
Total Disabled Veteran evaluation on 01/20/2016. (Surviving Spouse) They are
requesting an abatement for the $150,000 exemption for January - December 2024
taxes payable in 2025.
19. Parcel #79325, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $599.58. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
20. Parcel #94494, for 2024 property taxes in the amount of $1,346.58. Reason: Applicant,
having otherwise qualified for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled, but
missed the deadline as prescribed in 10-6A-4.
REGULAR AGENDA
21. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA
HEARINGS AND RESOLUTIONS
22. A RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF THE 66-FOOT STATUTORY RIGHT-
OF-WAY, LOCATED INSIDE THE ABANDONED ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD
RIGHT-OF-WAY, BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
OF S. GORDON DRIVE, ON THE SOUTH & EAST BY E. ARROWHEAD PARKWAY
AND ON THE NORTH BY VACATED E. 10TH STREET & TRACT 2 BLOCK 62A
CAPITOL HILL ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, MINNEHAHA COUNTY,
SOUTH DAKOTA IN THE SE1/4 SW1/4 SEC 13-T101N-R49W & THE NE1/4 NW1/4
SEC 24-T101N-R49W OF THE 5TH P.M. MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA,
AS SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A.
Sponsor: Mayor
Background & Objective: The applicant has requested the vacation of this statutory
right-of-way in order to develop the surrounding property. By approving this resolution,
the statutory right-of-way would be vacated.
23. A RESOLUTION ADVISING AND GIVING CONSENT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
MEMBERS TO CERTAIN CITIZEN BOARDS.
Sponsor: Mayor
Background & Objective: The resolution appoints/reappoints members to the: Falls
Community Health Center Governing Board, Housing and Redevelopment
Commission, Planning Commission and Sioux Falls State Theatre.
NEW BUSINESS
GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT
ADJOURNMENT
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CLERKS@SIOUXFALLS.GOV TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL WILL ACT AS A DECISION-MAKER ON AN UPCOMING MATTER INVOLVING A LICENSE OR A
PERMIT, PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL OR TO
PROVIDE ORAL COMMENT AT THE PUBLIC MEETING WHEN THAT ITEM IS CONSIDERED BY THE ENTIRE CITY
COUNCIL. THOSE WHO PROVIDE COMMENTS IN ANY MANNER SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR COMMENTS MAY
BECOME PART OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD AND SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY ALL PARTIES AND THE PUBLIC.
FOR REGULAR MEETINGS, PUBLIC INPUT IS TAKEN BOTH FOR ANY ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA AND GENERALLY.
PERSONS PROVIDING INPUT FOR ANY ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES, UNLESS
THE ITEM IS BEING PRESENTED FOR FINAL ADOPTION, IN WHICH CASE PUBLIC INPUT IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES.
FOR ALL REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THE AGENDA ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION ONLY.
DURING THE “GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT” PORTION OF THE MEETING, INPUT SHALL LAST NO MORE THAN THREE
MINUTES PER PERSON. DURING THE “GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT” PORTION OF THE MEETING, PERSONS WILL BE
LIMITED TO TOPICS WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE THOSE AGENDA ITEMS APPEARING EARLIER IN THE REGULAR AGENDA
AS PUBLIC INPUT SHALL BE RECEIVED WHEN THAT AGENDA ITEM IS UP FOR DISCUSSION.
PER COUNCIL POLICY: THE CHAIR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS DURING ANY AGENDA
ITEM FOLLOWING ONE HOUR OF TESTIMONY, BUT MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL;
AND, DURING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC INPUT WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED FOR THE AGENDA
ITEM AFTER THE STAFF PRESENTATION, BUT BEFORE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND VOTING. EACH SPEAKER WILL
BE ALLOWED UP TO FIVE MINUTES.
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