Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: David Barranco, Sarah Cole, Alex Jensen, Rich Merkouris, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl Council Members Absent: Pat Starr City Council Chair Curt Soehl called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Audit Committee: Thursday, August 25, 2022 (Council Members: Jensen (Chair), Barranco, Merkouris, Neitzert) Jensen identified the audit reports and report follow-ups that were presented at the meeting. He stated a forthcoming Informational Meeting will include a presentation of the audit reports to the Council Members. He also discussed the status of the current Audit Plan and the ongoing risk assessment that will be used to inform the 2023 Audit Plan. The committee will meet again on October 13th. B. Metro Management Council: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 (Council Members Cole and Soehl) Cole stated that the Council discussed staffing issues at Metro 911 such as retention, recruiting, and overtime needs. Despite staffing challenges, the organization continues to meet or exceed national standards for response time. The Management Council also discussed the budget and positive impacts of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. C. Homeless Task Force: Monday, September 12, 2022 (Council Members: Merkouris (Chair), Selberg, and Soehl) Merkouris stated this was the fourth meeting of the Task Force and they primarily discussed details about shelter capacity, particularly with the upcoming winter season. Several different subgroups of the Task Force have been working on different aspects of homelessness. 3. Councilor Remarks  There were none. 4. Presentations A. Main Street Business Improvement District Growth Plan by Joe Batcheller, President of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Batcheller stated that development of the vibrant Downtown District has come through stewardship and investment, but more can be done to meet the needs of the area and the City. Property owners serve as the greatest stewards and also contribute financially to the maintenance and success of downtown. However, Business Improvement District Taxes (BID Tax) raised are not comparable to like cities such as Rapid and Fargo, with the result being an inability to meet all of the needs and demands of downtown. When compared to the like cities, Sioux Falls, through Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF) provides the same types of services over a larger area with fewer employees to do the work. The BID Tax has remained unchanged for 33 years, so as a means to address shortfalls in the delivery of current services and to expand the number and types of services offered; DTSF is seeking to modify the tax structure to increase funding. Proposed or expanded services include: safety ambassadors; retail recruitment; enhanced maintenance; enhanced marketing; event support; and wayfinding. Batcheller emphasized that the BID, as administered by DTSF, already produces outstanding results: there has been an increase of foot traffic by more than 14% since 2017; 1,000 more people live downtown since 2014; 20% more people work downtown since 2010; there has been a 13% drop in vacancy rates since 2010; and a 70% increase in property values since 2015. The currently-proposed tax would be replaced with two tiers: buildings would be assessed at $1.50 per $1,000 of value for valuations between $0 and $1M and $0.50 per $1,000 of value over $1M. Land would be assessed at $1.00 per $1,000 of value between $0 and $200,000 and $0.50 per $1,000 of value over $200,000. The proposed change would impact approximately one-third of the properties in the district. Discussion followed about: the DTSF Art program; safety ambassadors; impacts of changing BID boundaries; wayfinding; the change in revenue generated by the proposed change; and, funding the trolleys. 5. Public Comment There was none. 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 Jensen and seconded by Council Member Cole to enter Executive Session at 4:35 p.m.  Roll call vote to enter Executive Session. 7 Yes: Barranco, Cole, Jensen, Merkouris, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. A motion was made by Council Member Jensen and seconded by Council Member Barranco to exit Executive Session and adjourn at 5:25 p.m. Voice vote to exit Executive Session. 7 Yes: Barranco, Cole, Jensen, Merkouris, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk