Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, November 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, Marshall Selberg, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: Greg Neitzert, Curt Soehl Council Vice Chair Alex Jensen called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Multi-Cultural Center Intergovernmental Board: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 (Council Member Starr) Council Member Pat Starr stated that the board's ongoing emphasis is on hiring a new Executive Director. 3. Councilor Remarks Council Member Janet Brekke noted that she attended a meeting of the Experience Sioux Falls Council. They discussed recent trends in the entertainment sector. Council Member Rick Kiley stated that the Chamber of Commerce's Community Appeals fund drives are underway. Included in the fund drive is the Sioux Falls Skate Park Association, which the Council supported in the 2022 budget. Jensen stated that Municipal Day at the Legislature is scheduled for February 2, 2022 with travel for the Council on February 1st. Because the 1st is a Tuesday, the regularly-scheduled City Council Meeting will be rescheduled to the preceding evening of Monday, January 31, 2022. 4. Presentations A. Expanding ESL Learning Opportunities in Sioux Falls by Tim Jurgens, State Refugee Coordinator & Director, Center for New Americans; and, Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, Chief Operating Officer, Lutheran Social Services Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion  Tim Jurgens provided the presentation; Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen was unable to attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. The Center for New Americans has been providing English language training for refugees for more than 45 years. Nearly all participants are adults and come with a kindergarten to fourth grade level of English understanding. According to Jurgens, after annual participation with regular attendance, 42% of attendees increase their grade level by one grade. The purpose of the language training is primarily for workforce development. Gaps in services for refugees include: reduced federal funding as a result of decreased resettlement (this has led to a 30% reduction in ESL classes offered); transportation and time barriers (refugees have less flexibility to attend classes); and, access to adequate childcare to attend classes. Strategies to overcome these gaps include: providing ESL classes with employers at worksites; expanding the availability of classes at the center, especially during non-work hours; and, expanding the availability of hybrid/ videoconference classes. Although the number of refugees has decreased dramatically during the last presidential administration, numbers are expected to increase. As new arrivals increase, class availability will increase. Seventy to 80% of those attending the Center's classes are successfully employed with 95% still on the job after 90 days. Additionally, access to benefits is 97% or above for those successfully completing the programs. Discussion followed about: federal funding trends; the rate of new arrivals; the source of refugees; and typical skills refugees bring with them. B. Sioux Falls Park Foundation by Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Andy Patterson, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation; and, Jennifer Kirby, Sioux Falls Park Foundation Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Don Kearney provided background on the Sioux Falls Park Foundation, which was a goal included in the 2020 comprehensive plan to increase public-private partnerships in the park system. Jennifer Kirby, chair of the Sioux Falls Parks Foundation, spoke about the Foundation's purpose, which is to provide donors with opportunities and ideas for strategic investments in community parks. It is led by a ten member board consisting of Jennifer Kirby, Scott Christensen, Charles Gullickson, Alex Hagen, Jason Herrboldt, Don Kearney, Kim Patrick, Steve Sanford, Rochelle Sweetman, and Bill Townsend. The foundation is a part of the Sioux Falls Community Foundation. Discussion followed about: how the foundation is organized; the role of the City Council; fundraising opportunities; and, future opportunities. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Vice Chair Alex Jensen adjourned the meeting at 4:34 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk