Regulatory Oversight Committee Meeting

MINUTES Regulatory Oversight Committee Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104 1. Call To Order Present: Committee Chair Alex Jensen, Committee Member Rich Merkouris, Committee Member Greg Neitzert, Committee Member David Barranco Committee Chair Alex Jensen called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes A. Tuesday, February 20, 2024 A motion was made by Committee Member Barranco and seconded by Committee Member Merkouris to approve the Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Regulatory Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes. 3. Childcare Report to the City Council A. Childcare Career Scholarship A motion was made by Committee Member Barranco and seconded by Committee Member Neitzert to authorize the drafting of an agreement with Southeast Technical College for a scholarship program. Roll call vote to authorize. 4 Yes: Jensen, Merkouris, Neitzert, Barranco; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Council Vice Chair Rich Merkouris gave a brief background and spoke on the draft childcare report for the committee to consider; he explained some of the details within the report. He commented on focusing on the childcare career scholarship idea first, and that there were representatives from Southeast Technical College in attendance. Dr. Benjamin Valdez, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Southeast Technical College, spoke on the early childhood program that Southeast Technical College offers, and some of the challenges of the childcare career field. He included that there was an increase in enrollment after scholarships were available for the program, and the possibility of the Sioux Falls City Council providing scholarship opportunities in the future.  There was some discussion on: the capacity of student enrollment; the program and scholarships; possible work requirements for the scholarships; the benefits that the program will provide; and the possibility of having discussions on having childcare as part of other scholarship opportunities. Bob Griggs, President, Southeast Technical College, spoke on: routine meetings held with DSS each year regarding the discussions on the funding of the program's scholarships for the upcoming year; and the strategic planning retreat for the Build Dakota Board. Steve Williamson, Foundation Director, Southeast Technical College, made comments on scholarship funding. There was some discussion held on the impact of childcare and internships as part of the childcare program. There was a continued discussion among the committee. B. Professional Services Agreement A motion was made by Committee Member Barranco and seconded by Committee Member Neitzert to approve a recommendation to the City Council to approve a professional services agreement with an organization, law firm, or project manager to focus on the 3 objectives in the agreement. Roll call vote to approve. 4 Yes: Jensen, Merkouris, Neitzert, Barranco; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Merkouris gave an overview of the services agreement and its objectives. There was discussion held on the agreement and objectives. 4. Open Discussion Committee Member Greg Neitzert thanked Merkouris and commented that the committee is off to a good start. Merkouris spoke on the flat lots downtown, and Shape Places. There was a detailed discussion on rezoning, comprehensive plans, rezoning notification, and flat lots. The committee discussed scheduling the next Regulatory Oversight Committee meeting and topics for April 16th. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2:17 p.m. Jermery J. Washington, City Clerk