Operations Committee Meeting

MINUTES Operations Committee Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104 1. Call to Order Present: Committee Chair Rich Merkouris, Committee Member David Barranco, Committee Member Miranda Basye, Committee Member Curt Soehl Operations Committee Chair Rich Merkouris called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes A. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 A motion was made by Committee Member Basye and seconded by Committee Member Barranco to approve the Minutes. Voice vote to approve. 4 Yes: Merkouris, Barranco, Basye, Soehl; 0 No: (None) Motion Passed. 3. Topics A. Designation of Official Newspaper Jim David, Chief Administrative Officer, gave a presentation, providing information about and comparing the differences between the Argus Leader and The Dakota Scout (presentation is attached to the agenda). Discussion followed. A motion was made by Committee Member Soehl to recommend approval of the Argus Leader to the City Council. The motion dies for the lack of a second. A motion was made by Committee Member Barranco and seconded by Committee Member Basye to recommend approval of The Dakota Scout as the official newspaper for two years to the City Council. Voice vote to recommend approval. 3 Yes: Merkouris, Barranco, Basye; 1 No: Soehl. Motion Passed.  B. 2024 City Council Policies and Procedures Updates Jim David presented and reviewed proposed updates to the Policies and Procedures manual (presentation is attached to the agenda). Discussion followed. A motion was made by Committee Member Soehl and seconded by Committee Member Barranco to recommend approval that the City Council approve the updated Policies and Procedures once the city election date is approved by the City Council. Voice vote to recommend approval. 4 Yes: Merkouris, Barranco, Basye, Soehl; 0 No: (None) Motion Passed. C. Draft 2026 City Council Budget Jody Moss, Budget Analyst, provided an analysis of the City Council's draft budget (presentation attached to the agenda). Discussion followed. A motion was made by Committee Member Soehl and seconded by Committee Member Barranco to recommend approval to authorize the Budget Analyst to submit the draft budget to the Finance Department. Voice vote to recommend approval. 4 Yes: Merkouris, Barranco, Basye, Soehl; 0 No: (None) Motion Passed. 4. Public Comment Jordan Roemeling, an intern with Sioux Falls Live, introduced herself to the committee. 5. Adjournment Operations Committee Chair Rich Merkouris adjourned the meeting at 2:54 p.m. Denise Tucker, MMC, Assistant City Clerk