Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Chair Marshall Selberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Theresa Stehly stated that she could not attend a meeting with the Mayor this Friday because she is attending an informational event hosted by Lutheran Social Services. She also noted she is meeting with City staff to discuss community safety in light of a recent death. Council Member Greg Neitzert asked members of the Council if there are any objections to scheduling a City Council Budget Working Session on February 26th at 2:30 p.m. There were no objections. 3. Presentations A. Water Reclamation Facility Improvements and Expansion Project Update by Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Cotter explained that the water reclamation facility improvements are being planned within the framework of a growing population, aging infrastructure, and future regulations. Improvements to the facility will include: existing facility rehabilitation; existing facility replacement; improvement of facility hydraulics; improvement of operations and maintenance; and improvement of effluent capacity. Improvements account for approximately 25% of the project budget. 75% of the project budget is represented by expansion of the facility to increase flows. The project schedule includes four phases: 1) conceptual and preliminary design (2019-2020); 2) detailed design (2020-2021); 3) construction (2021-2024); and, 4) startup and commissioning (2023-2024.) Cotter reviewed the design preparation process. Milestones completed to date include: Carollo Engineers design contract approved (August 2019); McCarthy selected as Construction Manager at Risk (October 2019); SRF Loan approval (December 2019); and, SD DENR permit released for public comment (December 2019). Anticipated milestones include an amendment to the design contract (February 2020); CMAR resolution approval (Feb/Mar 2020); the 15% design cost estimate (Mar/Apr 2020); and, SD DENR permit approval (Apr 2020.) The anticipated funding plan consists of four SRF Loans for yearly project costs from 2020 through 2023, in the amounts of $41,625,000, $18,500,000, $87,500,000, and $11,375,000, respectively, for a total project cost of  $159,000,000. Discussion followed about the permitting process and timing of the SRF loans. B. Partner Organization Agreements (Sioux Falls Development Foundation, USD Discovery District, Downtown Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute) by Jeff Eckhoff, Director of Planning and Development Services Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Eckhoff explained that the partner organization renewal agreements will be presented to the Council in the near future. Accordingly, each partner organization provided an overview of their organization by discussing key accomplishments and future goals. Bob Mundt, President and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, provided an overview of prospect statistics over the past year and forecasted prospects in the near term. There are 13 active prospects and he reviewed the considered acreage, capital expenditure, and number of employees of each. The 127 total business visits this past year exceeded their visitation goal and the businesses represented eight separate industry sectors. Concurrently, the SFDF continues to address workforce concerns through talent attraction, talent development, and business partnerships. The programs conducted 41 events and connected with over 2,500 students and people between February and December, 2019. Mundt further discussed the Talent and Workforce Year 4 Road Map and talent attraction efforts planned for 2020 and 2021. He concluded by reminding the Council of the "WIN in Workforce Summit" to be held on October 21, 2020. Discussion followed about real estate partnerships, obstacles to recruiting businesses in Sioux Falls and the region, and collaboration with other Sioux Falls organizations. There was further discussion about Stehly's request to Mundt that an article about local entrepreneur Matt Paulson, which references Alex Jensen for Sioux Falls, be removed from the internet. Ryan Oines, USD Discovery District, provided a 2020 budget update. Their overall operational budget of $650,000 is derived from four sources: the City of Sioux Falls, Forward Sioux Falls, the University of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Board of Regents. He reviewed infrastructure funding and stated that Phase IIA is complete (Frances Ave. and Haines St., utilities) and Phase IIB will include curb, subsurfacing, streetscaping, and a parking lot. Construction for the 132,840 square foot multi-tenant and manufacturing building is expected to begin in April, 2020 with completion in July 2021. Oines concluded by stating that Mark Brown was recently announced as the Discovery District's next President. Joe Batcheller, President of Downtown Sioux Falls, discussed their mission of facilitating diverse experiences, economic growth and a healthy environment downtown. To accomplish the mission there are a variety of programs to include: advocacy, business support, economic development, events, marketing, networking, and placemaking. Expected outcomes are awareness, shoulder season activity, economic opportunity, accessibility, and social capital. In 2019, DTSF saw growing partnerships, improved access, improved arts and cultural opportunities, capital improvements, digital engagements, and retail growth. Batcheller expects the same outcomes in 2020 with the addition of retail development. Discussion followed about the quality of Downtown, scooter sharing, firepits, community engagement, wayfinding, and the winter carnival.  Bob Griggs, President of Southeast Tech, stated Fall 2019, enrollment increased by 8.3% over last fall and the Institute was awarded the largest number of Build Dakota full-ride scholarships (138) in its history. Southeast Tech also launched new programs in construction, health care, and wireless technology. Additionally, they received a $250,000 donation to the Capital Campaign from Smithfield Foods, started new dual credit programs for high school students with area employees, and was selected by the Aspen Institute as being the top 10% of two-year institutions in the country for 2021. Priorities for the 2020 Academic Year include: diversity and inclusion; development of support services to recruit and retain the growing underrepresented and first generation student population; expanding Avera Academy/Classrooms to Careers; growing the impact to the community; and, expanding collaboration and partnership efforts. Griggs stated Southeast Tech is partnering with multiple public and private organizations to meet area workforce needs. He concluded by describing the Sioux Falls Workforce Alliance which is a partnership between Southeast Tech and Community College for Sioux Falls/USD. It is focused on non-credit corporate training opportunities. C. Metro Communications 911 Center – Public Safety Training Center Partnership Discussion by Fire Chief Brad Goodroad and Scott McMahon, Director of Metro 911 Communications Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion McMahon stated there are three primary justifications for a new Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP): public safety, public service, and organizational needs. In terms of public safety: Sioux Falls needs a fully redundant backup 911 center; the 911 Policy Routing Plan doesn’t fit large PSAPs; a fully operational backup center will ensure continuity of operations due to storm/weather damage, fires, explosions, power failures, fiber connection issues, HazMat spills, and other events; and, the current facility becomes an overflow call center during a short/long-term event. Regarding public service: Metro Communications staff answer more than 310,000 telephone calls on an annual basis- proper space is needed for operations; Metro will continue to grow in size along with other public safety agencies in order to meet the public’s needs- more space is needed for additional staff; and, the trend in regionalization of PSAP services is based on customer service and economics and will likely continue to occur mandating more space for additional staff. The organizational needs are: the current facility was built in 1974 and Metro Operations began there in 1980; the facility doesn’t meet today’s PSAP standards related to HVAC, electrical, lighting, and target hardening; Metro has 53 staff members working in a cramped environment with improper restroom and breakroom areas; and, lighting, noise control, ergonomics, technology, and staff amenities are key to a successful PSAP. McMahon also explained that the current location would be a good backup site, but is too small to renovate for the long term. As a result, a partnership at the Public Safety Training Campus provides an excellent opportunity to address the needs of Metro Communications. Chief Goodroad stated that Fire Rescue and Police are fully supportive of adding Metro 911 to the campus and that the schematic design team has already identified several efficiencies of the inclusion. However, the Schematic Design Contract with WSKF does not include PSAP. As a result, an amendment to the contract will be required to include the PSAP building, communications tower, and site development. There is a $97,290 proposed Schematic Design fee which is expected to be presented to the Council this month. Discussion followed about the value of the partnership and benefits to the City.  Council Member Pat Starr asked State Representative Michael Saba to talk about a recent event that included a foreign trade delegation led by the Egyptian Ambassador. 4. Public Comment Matt Paulson expressed concern that a Council Member used a public meeting to personally attack him over an article written about him in which he cited how he spends his time as an entrepreneur. Bruce Danielson stated that public funds cannot be used to fund campaigns and that a recently-written article sponsored by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is unacceptable. Sierra Broussard spoke about the upcoming City Election. 5. Adjournment Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk