Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2021 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, Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley (Via telecom), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg (Via telecom), Curt Soehl (Via telecom), Pat Starr Council Members Absent: None Council Chair Greg Neitzert called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Experience Sioux Falls - BID Board: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 (Council Member Brekke) Brekke provided an overview of the meeting. It focused on the future and there was discussion about how Sioux Falls is doing well compared to peer cities. 3. Councilor Remarks There were none. 4. Presentations A. Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF) and South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG) General Updates by Joe Batcheller, Executive Director, DTSF; and Lynne Keller Forbes, Executive Director, SECOG Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Batcheller opened the presentation by reviewing "Sioux Falls by the Numbers" for 2020. He then reviewed the mission of Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF), which is to boldly lead the downtown community with diverse experiences, economic growth, and a healthy environment. DTSF continues to provide many programs, to include: advocacy, business support, economic development events, marketing, networking, and placemaking. The programs are intended to increase awareness, seasonal activity, charm & appeal, accessibility, and social capital within the downtown area. DTSF also had a robust response to COVID-19 over the past year through a financial aid program and other incentives to make people feel comfortable going downtown. To responsibly reactivate downtown, DTSF hosted: the Burger Battle,  Mash Madness, Moonlight Movies, Eastbank Block Parties, Shop and Stroll, the Art & Wine Walk, and the Gift Box Scavenger Hunt. Batcheller recognized the many partnerships that help make downtown thrive. In addition to large programs and their COVID response, DTSF continued to support downtown area in many other ways,through: beautification, marketing, trash and recycling support, wayfinding, the Downtown Development Committee, and the Special Events committee. Batcheller concluded with an outlook for 2021. Discussion followed about: feedback from the closure of Phillips Ave.; the River Greenway; and other considerations the Council should take into account regarding downtown Sioux Falls. Keller Forbes reviewed the other planning districts in the State and showed how SECOG assisted in securing over $31M for Sioux Falls, this included: an EDA grant for Foundation Park/Amazon; water reclamation facility expansion; and the FEMA Tomar Park buyout. She noted that the organization works closely with the City, State, and Federal governments to facilitate a wide range of projects. SECOG was also very active in providing for affordable housing. She provided several examples of house relocations, redevelopment sites, and various partnerships aimed at increasing the housing inventory. SECOG also remained very active in its response to COVID by providing financial counseling and securing CARES Act loan funding. Discussion followed about: the process for relocating homes; financing; the impact of covenents; and communication with neighbors. B. Tuthill Park House Project Status Update by Don Kearney Director of Parks and Recreation Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Kearney opened the presentation by reviewing the composition of the Tuthill House Resource Working Group. It consists of 14 interested parties who were formed into three sub-committees (Design, Fundraising, and Gifting Agreement/Nonprofit Status). The group conducted five meetings since December 2020 and held a neighborhood meeting in late February. Next steps include Parks Board, then City Council, consideration for a gifting agreement, completion of fundraising, and commencement of the project. It's expected to be substantially complete by mid- 2022. Kearney ended his introduction by reviewing 1993 rennovations; he then turned the presentation over to Sarah DeWitt to provide a concept for proposed improvements. DeWitt reviewed conceptual plans which include: removing the existing deck, changing the roof to cedar shake, providing an accessible entrance on the south side of the house, adding a railing to the front porch, as well as interior rennovations. The interior and exterior rennovations would seek to preserve as much of the original aesthetic as possible and provide for greater ease of movement in and around the structure. Lance Meyerink then provided a concept for landscaping around the house. The goal of the plan is to seemlessly tie in to the existing park landscape. Landscaping, too, would ensure accessibility and provide usable outdoor spaces for a variety of events.  Kathy English reviewed fundraising efforts through the Sioux Falls Community Foundation. The group hopes to meet its fundraising goal by mid-summer 2021. Lastly, Kelby Meiras, Parks and Recreation, explained the major components of the draft gifting agreement. Discussion followed about: costs; budget; current fundrasing progress; the extent of City funding for the project; future uses of the facility; naming rights; accessibility; and annual maintenance costs. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Greg Neitzert adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk