Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly Council Members Absent: Rick Kiley Council Chair Marshall Selberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. CVB-BID Board: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 (Council Member Janet Brekke) Council Member Janet Brekke reviewed the details of the meeting which included: an update on the board's budget; the marketing report; development of a new app to promote local craft breweries; a new website which will launch in 2020; the strategic plan; recent sales impacts; and, a recently-run story about Sioux Falls in the Chicago Tribune. The meeting was rescheduled and held on October 1, 2019. B. Audit Committee: Monday, September 30, 2019 (Council Members: Neitzert (Chair), Kiley, Soehl, Brekke) Council Vice Chair Greg Neitzert noted that the Purchasing Card Program audit was presented to the Committee along with an update on the status of the 2019 Audit Plan. Additionally, the Committee discussed the recent Audit survey, methodologies for conducting management contract audits, consulting audits, the audit engagement process, and the Fraud Control Policy/Fraud Hotline. 3. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Theresa Stehly provided a reminder about the upcoming City- sponsored Neighborhood Summit to be held this Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater; registration is required. 4. Presentations A. Beekeeping Ordinance by Council Members Janet Brekke and Theresa Stehly Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Brekke introduced the draft ordinance and explained that it is a small, positive step toward sustainability in the City. She noted that bee and butterfly populations are diminishing at a rapid rate, although South Dakota has a healthy population. The draft ordinance includes components to address education, permitting, and neighbor concurrence to keep bees. She explained there are also other measures to address the number of bees that may be kept on a single property and other measures to ensure placement of the hive is suitable. In drafting the ordinance three other cities were looked at: Stillwater, MN; St. Paul, MN; and, Rapid City, SD. The ordinance regulates the keeping of honeybees, which have been found to not be a problem in those other cities. She explained the differences between honeybees and other types such as hornets and wasps. The ordinance is in draft form and she welcomes input from the Council and others. Stehly showed pictures of her garden and the types of flowers that attract bees and butterflies. They include: Sedum; Goldenrod; Phlox; Zinnia; Tall Aster; Garlic Chives; Queen Anne's Lace; Zebrina Hollyhock; Mexican Sunflower; Obedient Plant; Ironweed; Joe Pye Weed; and Bee Balm. Tim Olsen, Executive Director of Ground Works/Ag in the Classroom and a beekeeping hobbyist, provided detailed information about beekeeping and bees. It takes 2 million flowers and 23,000 foraging trips by bees to produce one pound of honey. In colonies there are drones, worker bees, and a queen bee. The bees are delivered by mail for beekeepers. He showed a healthy brood pattern which includes worker bee larvae; the goal of the brood is to produce worker bees which collect pollen for six to seven weeks during the summer. Bees are clean and do not defecate in their hives or at all in the winter, except January. Colony collapse can be caused by the Varroa Mite and the job of the beekeeper is to control the spread of the Mite. Cold weather does not have a significant impact on colonies in this part of the country. He also spoke about swarming which is a reproductive stage of bees. Beekeepers try to ensure this doesn't happen. If it does, beekeepers can generally handle the situation with little chance of stinging. He also spoke about other species of bees that are kept by hobbyists to include Mason Bees and Leafcutter Bees. He noted that in the course of teaching beekeeping, he educates prospective hobbyists about the commitment required to do it right. Lastly, he explained the type of equipment used. Discussion followed about swarming threats. Olsen explained that usually only the beekeeper gets stung. The ordinance, however, addresses a six foot flyway which causes bees to fly over where people are walking. It was further explained the differences between different bees and wasps. The transfer of bees was next discussed and it was explained that bees are typically shipped in one of two ways-- packaged bees and nuclear hives. A typical hive includes 30 to 50 thousand bees. Stehly reiterated three primary components of the draft ordinance: education, registration, and regulations. She also explained that she spoke to Rapid City officials who stated they had no problems associated with their beekeeping ordinance. Discussion followed about colony sizes, the approval process for placement of hives, and the six foot flyway barrier. Olsen was asked where South Dakota ranked nationally in honey production and he indicated first or second. The council further discussed the impacts of mosquito spraying and Olsen indicated that would not be an issue particularly because spraying occurs when the bees are not active. In response to a question about the cost of training, Olsen stated that ten  hour courses are approximately $100. He also reiterated that the initial cost for beekeeping equipment is a sizable investment of approximately $1,600. It is expected five to ten people throughout the City will take advantage of the ordinance and begin hobby beekeeping. There was also a discussion about liability, hive placement, and handling hives if they become a nuisance. 5. Public Comment Boyd McPeak spoke about his experiences growing native flowers in the boulevard at his home. He explained that he developed a micro-prairie which attracts a wide range of bee species, each of which are busy pollinating so getting stung is not a concern of his. He noted that bees are attracted to all flowers, but the native ones do especially well and he encouraged others to plant them. He also spoke about information provided on the City's website regarding boulevard plantings and recommended that a listing of native plants and flowers be added to it. 6. Executive Session A. Consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters pursuant to SDCL 1-25- 2(3) A motion was made by Council Member Erickson and seconded by Council Vice- Chair Neitzert to enter Executive Session at 5:15 p.m. Roll call vote to enter Executive Session. 7 Yes: Brekke, Erickson, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Starr, Stehly; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 7. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Erickson and seconded by Council Member Soehl to exit Executive Session and adjourn at 5:39 p.m. Voice vote to exit Executive Session. 7 Yes: Brekke, Erickson, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Starr, Stehly; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk