Joint Sioux Falls City Council - Minnehaha County Commission Meeting

MINUTES Joint Sioux Falls City Council - Minnehaha County Commission Meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 5:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104 CALL TO ORDER MEETING ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Alex Jensen, Council Member Rick Kiley (via Telecom), Council Member Greg Neitzert, Council Member Marshall Selberg (via Telecom), Council Member Curt Soehl, Council Member Janet Brekke (via Telecom) Absent: Council Member Christine M. Erickson, Council Member Pat Starr, Mayor Paul TenHaken PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA A motion was made by Council Member Neitzert and seconded by Council Member Jensen to approve the Regular Agenda. Roll call vote to approve. 6 Yes: Jensen, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Brekke; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES 1. 2nd Reading: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JOINT ZONING REGULATIONS FOR MINNEHAHA COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS BY AMENDING CHAPTER 159, SUBCHAPTERS C COMMERCIAL, I-1 INDUSTRIAL, AND DEFINITIONS. The Minnehaha County Planning Commission recommends approval (5-1) and the Sioux Falls Planning Commission recommends approval (7-0). A motion was made by Council Member Neitzert and seconded by Council Member Jensen to adopt Ordinance No. 114-21. Roll call vote to adopt. 6 Yes: Jensen, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Brekke; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. The Minnehaha County Commission also approved Item 1 by a separate motion and vote. NEW BUSINESS 2. Briefing on COVID and the Homeless Population by Dr. Charles Chima Dr. Chima provided an update on COVID regarding hospitalizations and how it has compared with the past year(s). The numbers are significant because of the Delta Variant so the cases are increasing. The vaccines are doing a great job andt hospitalizations are better compared to last year. Chima encouraged people to get vacinated to continue to fight this virus. The homeless are continued to become vaccinated as they come into the Public Health facilities and staff are continuing to monitor the progress. The health organizations in the city are working together to set up transportation arrangements to assist in getting individuals in need to facilities where they can be vaccinated. Chima encouraged everyone to continue to get vaccinated, to avoid crowds, wear masks in a crown, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, and follow other guidelines to slow the spread of COVID. 3. Briefing on The Link by Madeline Miller and Bill Earley Bill Earley is the new Executive Director of The Link, starting on September 1. Earley reviewed the hard work done to enable the Link to be up and working. Earley stated the first client arrived 17 minutes after the doors were opened. A video was reviewed regarding services and resources provided by the Link. Earley reinforced that the Link is for everybody. Madeline Miller, Nurse Manager, reviewed statistical data regarding addiction and mental illness. She reviewed the services and programs provided by the Link and explained the kind of patients that are using the Link. Community impact was reviewed regarding reduced jail time, emergency visits, and an increase on clients requesting voluntary admission for withdrawal situations. Discussion followed wherein the impact the Link has made on the community and the appreciation of medical staff, law enforcement, and other agencies were expressed to Miller and Earley. PUBLIC INPUT Linda Oliver spoke about the COVID vaccine and the impacts of taking the vaccine. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Council Member Neitzert and seconded by Council Member Jensen to adjourn at 5:43 p.m. Roll call vote to adjourn. 6 Yes: Jensen, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Brekke; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk