[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6478251,"mediaKeyId","5709357-e0f0beacf0dfff258366f0cffd4c73d7","parentId",5709357,"title","Brandon council approves budget, agrees to election-timing changes, and signs multiple infrastructure and settlement agreements","audioSeconds",2900,"startMs",101000,"endMs",3001000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709357-e0f0beacf0dfff258366f0cffd4c73d7&start=101&end=3001","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709357-e0f0beacf0dfff258366f0cffd4c73d7/thumbnail_101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478251/Brandon/Minnehaha-County/South-Dakota/Brandon-council-approves-budget-agrees-to-election-timing-changes-and-signs-multiple-infrastructure-and-settlement-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478251-7051fc9411c173933473babd3aa6130c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095731&Signature=XfXU5IohB6CnxYoAboOSyFDYlbS3fGp0jpQbI63O-4Uk5U-wyG~k61qceOCJV72PpA4mgD-FV2a9FtKMVBJmSu3L~vWwCVFQxfZ5LzByuZ~FFZ8yJKzg6QK3pG1Ic5g1b2NRaq5e3OG35dOAIhsrDBY7EL6ryBxVYwgppUIWwqJiFQrntc7stl24Wwk5fbpJzzmDZrnAj2l~sc7Z2IqXiO38uyf7ZTmAGNyZIxxKV1lBenkOj6-U~iVJfi2PKD47O087aEpvZOiHFv3l2q4XAmzBnyPRzZIG3AwJt1KDM6d4jSbQlTDtieXgQmkZ01FnjJgMsQ4r25rwgd7IPz8fBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Brandon, SD","date","2025-09-03T13:31:20Z","article","The Brandon City Council approved the city’s annual budget and took a series of other routine and project actions at its meeting. Key council actions included a first reading related to municipal election timing under new state law, adoption of the 2026 budget ordinance, acceptance of additional opioid settlement funds, and approval of contracts and pay applications for multiple street, drainage and utility projects.

Christina (city clerk/finance staff) explained that the state Legislature passed House Bill 1130, effective Jan. 1, 2026, which prohibits April municipal elections; the city moved to adopt an ordinance to shift municipal elections to November. The ordinance received a first reading; the staff noted the bill also extends current terms so no immediate vacancies would result.

The council adopted Ordinance 743, approving the city budget for the coming year. Councilmembers then approved the city’s participation in two additional National Opioid Settlement agreements with manufacturers named in the settlements (transcript references included Alvogen and Purdue as parties associated with settlement streams); staff said the city already participates in other opioid settlement programs and has been directing funds to local programs through a partner in Sioux Falls.

Council members approved an amended concrete repair contract change order that reduced the project by $65,649 and approved the final pay application tied to that project. The council approved Amendment No. 1 to an engineering contract with DGR (construction administration) for $18,500 and approved a final pay application on the Westview drainage project. The council authorized an agreement to sell two surplus city vehicles through the online auction platform Purple Wave and approved a John Deere mower purchase for $7,543 (quoted price; staff said the purchase is $2,500 over the budget line but the line item remains underfunded overall). The council also approved design work for the Switchgrass Trail and Holly Boulevard drainage improvements, Pioneer Lift Station improvements, and a citywide stormwater model phase 3 contract with Stockwell to advance the city’s stormwater planning work.

Other routine items approved included a revised animal control agreement with the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and the hiring of a high school intern for the building inspections department (workers’ compensation coverage approved). The council issued a proclamation thanking the Brandon Valley Baseball Association for hosting the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association tournament at First National Bank Field and recognized volunteers and parks staff for their work.

Most motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies included in the transcript. The meeting closed with a motion to move into an executive session.

Votes at a glance (items approved or advanced at the meeting):
- Agenda approval — motion carried.
- Minutes approval (Aug. 14, Aug. 18, Aug. 25) — motion carried.
- Claims approval (pages 12–13) — motion carried.
- Beer cart/park hire approval (Golf course) — motion carried.
- Super Empire Kennel Club event (Fetch Fest) — motion carried.
- Revised animal control agreement with Sioux Falls Area Humane Society — motion carried.
- High school intern (building inspections) and workers’ comp coverage — motion carried.
- First reading: Order 742 (amend Brandon City Code chapters on municipal elections to move elections per HB 1130) — motion carried on first reading.
- Ordinance 743 (2026 budget adoption) — adopted.
- National Opioid Settlement Agreement (two additional settlements referenced) — accepted.
- Agreement to sell surplus items via Purple Wave (two vehicles) — motion carried.
- Concrete repair project: change order No. 2 (decrease $65,649) and final pay application No. 3 — motion carried.
- Amendment No. 1 to engineering contract with DGR ($18,500) — motion carried.
- John Deere mower purchase (quote $7,543) — motion carried.
- Westview drainage project: change order No. 2 (decrease) and final pay application No. 3 — motion carried.
- Switchgrass Trail & Holly Boulevard drainage design (DTR proposal) — motion carried.
- Pioneer Lift Station improvements — motion carried.
- Citywide stormwater model phase 3 contract with Stockwell — motion carried.
- Motion to enter executive session — motion carried.

The transcript shows most items passed by unanimous voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting text included in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 2, 2025 Brandon City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the council approved the municipal budget, advanced an ordinance to move municipal elections in response to state law, accepted additional opioid settlement agreements, and approved several infrastructure contracts and pay applications, among other routine items.","taxTitle","Brandon , Minnehaha County, South Dakota","taxId",53925,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478254,"Council tables bid authorization for Bluff-area drainage work after residents raise concerns over tree removal at Van Buskirk Park",2408,312000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709357-e0f0beacf0dfff258366f0cffd4c73d7&start=312&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709357-e0f0beacf0dfff258366f0cffd4c73d7/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6478254/Brandon/Minnehaha-County/South-Dakota/Council-tables-bid-authorization-for-Bluff-area-drainage-work-after-residents-raise-concerns-over-tree-removal-at-Van-Buskirk-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478254-f84cdfe9ba90e3650baaceb624b34137/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095731&Signature=HusZvV5AR2POhoFxM0w8-INARctZqKmTM8jqJaW7qx1nv-IdwXhhH6oyUMG3SSIqUj581l3ir2M7FHxj7J8pbHhzijj0t4C9rSCd4yascItkJoIaIaRJU8eMJvRFELpsJKBBOm1chXsUFtBQ9MdWpwg2-WerILitSMK5KsujAmFMZXb-LEp4ZQ2pnxn6dWIHcEXZlhvIzNhVmRZFQgc~0OF1zsVVem-lQqOugW0VqK65X67RqfZYuAbjJJqur2ui7Mc-8Cqsp1OVzvbAZ250~c4skDrTXufEK5c3d~3ciWEqdZ~rY5WGifCnVjfyAgaLmWUal96XZn1B7OKIwL1FFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brandon City Council on a motion voted to table authorization to bid on the Bluff Area Drainage Improvements, including work at Van Buskirk Park, after residents pressed the council for more notice and details about tree removal, permitting and construction timing.

Residents who live adjacent to the park told the council they were surprised to learn the project plan calls for clearing many trees inside the park and the channel. Todd Tagitz, who said he lives in The Bluffs neighborhood, said neighbors “have not really had an opportunity to give any input” and asked the council to delay the work. Aaron Schneider said the trees along Heritage provide the only privacy for nearby homes and asked for more discussion rather than a quick construction plan. Roger Elk, who said he is a research geographer and longtime U.S. Geological Survey employee, said historic USGS topographic maps show the waterways as streams and asked whether the city had secured required state permits. Elk told the council, “I think you are required to get a permit from Department of Natural Resources in South Dakota to do major riparian modifications.”

City staff said the project team did hold a public meeting on Aug. 28 and sent letters to about 35 adjacent landowners; staff reported about 15–17 people signed the meeting attendance sheet. Tammy (city staff) told the council the city typically sends invitations only to property owners adjacent to a drainage way and that this site is larger and more complex than some prior maintenance projects. Tammy explained the planned work would remove accumulated silt, regrade channels, and reseed with native grasses and a pollinator mix similar to the work done in the Westview drainage project. She said the project is being planned in phases and that replanting of trees is still under discussion: “There is no plan to replant any trees and whether that needs to be a park board decision or whatnot. I’ll leave that up to you guys.”

Tammy also said the city is pursuing a Corps of Engineers 404 general permit for the work and that staff does not expect endangered-species issues to block permit approval. City staff said the developer for part of the corridor (identified in the discussion as Brandon Bluffs LLC) will be responsible for cleaning and shaping the section that runs through the new development; the city’s scope covers the section up toward Heritage. Staff noted some upstream properties have reported basement water intrusion or pump use, and that the city has an ongoing maintenance liability: a city attorney or staff member summarized a recent Watertown court case to say municipalities can be held liable for damages when a drainage way that should be maintained becomes obstructed and causes flooding.

Speakers asked about safety during construction; staff said construction likely would not begin until November or December and that the city would close the park and post barricades while equipment is on site. Several residents urged a broader neighborhood meeting so more Bluffs-area residents could see plans and ask questions. Council members agreed to delay the bidding step to give staff and the engineering firm more time to present options and improve outreach.

On the delay motion, the council voted to table authorization to bid until the council’s Sept. 15 meeting; the motion carried. The council asked staff to schedule a walk-through of the drainage corridor, invite broader Bluffs-area participation and provide additional materials about planting, phasing, permits and safety measures before returning the item to the agenda.

The council did not adopt a construction plan or approve tree removals at the meeting; discussion and outreach will continue before any contract is awarded.","Brandon City Council delayed issuing bids for Bluff Area Drainage Improvements after multiple residents said they were not adequately notified and raised concerns about large-scale tree removal, permit requirements and construction safety.","actionData","errors"]

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Brandon council approves budget, agrees to election-timing changes, and signs multiple infrastructure and settlement agreements

Council tables bid authorization for Bluff-area drainage work after residents raise concerns over tree removal at Van Buskirk Park